Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
03 March 2020

The Office for International Affairs (OIA) at the University of the Free State (UFS) implemented the second iteration of its Umoja Buddy Programme (UBP) in 2020. The UBP is a flagship internationalisation-at-home programme aimed at the smooth academic, social, and cultural integration of first-entering international students at the UFS by pairing them with senior UFS students. It offers local students an international experience on the home campus and develops their international and intercultural competence through direct interaction with international students. The UBP contributes to the achievement of the UFS vision, whereby every student will in future have an international experience during their studies at the UFS.


Internationalisation at home

On 13 February 2020, a welcome function themed Echoes of Sophiatown set the tone for this year’s edition. Chevon Slambee, Chief Officer in the OIA and UFS master’s student, welcomed the students and explained the theme of the day. She said that, “as students, we have a responsibility to be active citizens and contribute to change and social transformation”. Programme coordinator Bulelwa Moikwatlhai introduced the function and framework of the programme and highlighted the importance of internationalisation at home. Also in attendance was the Dean of Students, Pura Mgolombane, who encouraged students in his address to honour their heritage, “so that together, we can be able to appreciate one another”. He emphasised the importance of social justice for academic success. The SRC member for the International Student Council, Simba Matheba, expressed his support for the UBP. The UFS Arts, Culture, and Dialogue office provided entertainment at the event.

Umoja Buddy

International and local students mingling at the 2020 Umoja Buddy Programme Welcome Function.

News Archive

Putting our new Face of Facebook on the spot
2014-05-28

 

What do you study and which year are you?
I am a second-year Governance and Political Transformation student.

Why did you enter the Face of Facebook competition?
I met Victor (our previous winner) for the first time last year and he told me I should do it – it would suit me. I am also interested in the media and I serve on Callie Hendricks’ (SRC Media and Marketing) executive committee as well.

Tell us a bit about your vision as our new Face of Facebook?
I actually want to be more interactive with students. I feel like it’s going to be a place of giving to people. I want to use this platform for community service too. I also want to learn more about media. I see myself going into the media world more in the future.

On that note, what are your goals and dreams for the future?
In my honours year I will like to specialise in international relations. Then I can become a delegate who interacts with people from all around the world. That should be able to launch me in a career working with media. I also want to initiate projects that develop women in leadership.

You received 941 votes and 241 shares. What is your message to your fans?
I want to thank them all. The fact that they believed in me and liked my video means a lot to me. I appreciate the support very, very much.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept