Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS rolls out second iteration of the Umoja Buddy Programme

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

UFS urges individuals to come forward with evidence about incidents

2016-03-04

UFS urges individuals to come forward with evidence about incidents on the Bloemfontein Campus last week

The University of the Free State (UFS) condemns in the strongest terms the racist attacks on protestors, the destruction of public property and the intimidation of staff and students, which led to the shutdown of academic and administrative activities on the Bloemfontein Campus from 23 to 26 February 2016. Extensive investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators who took part in all incidents of disruption and criminal conduct, and urgent steps will be taken against such individuals or organisations in due course.

The UFS makes an urgent appeal to:

1. All individuals who are in possession of evidence or knowledge of any crimes; assaults on students, staff, and visitors; the destruction of property; and intimidation that have been committed on the Bloemfontein Campus in the past week, to come forward with such evidence and information.

2. All individuals who are in possession of video footage and photographs of the incidents at Xerox Shimla Park, the Equitas Building (formerly known as the CR Swart Building), Thakaneng Bridge, various residences, the Main Building and the grounds in front of the building, to come forward and provide such evidence in order to assist with the identification of those involved in criminal acts.

Information can be provided by calling +27(0)72 490 6027 or +27(0)51 401 3422. Alternatively, an email can be sent to news@ufs.ac.za. All information will be treated as confidential, unless the individual providing the evidence is not opposed to testifying.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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