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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

Dednam brothers qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing
2008-05-16

 
Roelof  and Chris Dednam

The Badminton World Federation included the South African doubles pairs, Chantal Botts and Michelle Edwards, as well as the UFS students Chris and Roelof Dednam, in its Olympic list of invited qualifiers for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Both the women's and men's doubles events will include 16 pairs.

Badminton South Africa and Sascoc will have to decide by the end of May whether the players will be included in the South African Olympic Team.

The Dednam brothers qualified by accumulating points in ten tournaments in 2007 and 2008.

In their endeavour to qualify amidst the semi-professional players of especially Asia and Europe, Roelof was assisted financially by Badminton South Africa and Sascoc's 'Operation Excellence'. Chris was assisted through an Olympic Solidarity bursary of the IOC.
 

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