Latest News Archive

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

#UFSupdate: UFS suspends Academic Programme from 17 March 2020 to 13 April 2020

18 March 2020 Photo Sonia Small

MESSAGE FROM PROF FRANCIS PETERSEN, RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR

In light of the current global COVID-19 outbreak and the spread of the disease, the recent address by State President Cyril Ramaphosa, recommendations by the UFS Coronavirus (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) Task Team, as well as consultation with the Senior Leadership Group and other members of management, the executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided on the following immediate steps to mitigate the possible local impact of the pandemic:

1. Academic programme

The UFS will go into early recess and classes are suspended from 17 March 2020. Instead of returning on 30 March 2020 for the second term, the academic programme is suspended until 13 April 2020 and students must return on 14 April 2020.

Alternative methods of teaching and learning are being assessed. Students will be informed regarding these methods as soon as possible.

Information on the May/June 2020 examinations will be communicated as soon as possible.

The above arrangements are for contact students and does not apply to distance-learning students. The South Campus will communicate directly with these students.

Postgraduate students should engage with their supervisors for appropriate guidance.

It is recognised that the programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences have requirements as part of registration with professional boards. These requirements will be finalised per school management in the faculty and will soon be communicated to the relevant students.

2. Cancellation of graduation ceremonies, open days, and official events

Containing the disease as far as possible is the most important public health principle – including avoiding mass gatherings and minimising the gathering of people in one space.

The graduation ceremonies and related prize-giving ceremonies scheduled to take place on the Bloemfontein Campus from 20 to 24 April 2020 and on the Qwaqwa Campus from 8 to 9 May 2020, as well as the graduation ceremony from 10 to 12 June 2020 are postponed until further notice.

The Open Days scheduled to take place on the Qwaqwa Campus on 18 April 2020 and on the Bloemfontein Campus on 9 May 2020, are cancelled.

All graduands and schools will receive a communication from the university in this regard.

All official events (i.e. conferences, seminars, colloquia, etc.) scheduled to take place on the UFS campuses are cancelled with immediate effect. This includes the use of university venues by external conference and/or event organisers. The decision will be reviewed if necessary.

All official sporting events have been cancelled until further notice. KovsieFit will also be closed as from 17 March 2020 until further notice.

3. Residences

Students in residences must vacate their respective residences by 20 March 2020. All residences on the campuses will be closed until 13 April 2020.

International students should contact the Office for International Affairs for arrangements.

4. International and local travel

As from 16 March 2020, a moratorium is placed on all international travel for staff and students until 30 June 2020. This moratorium also extends to international guests visiting the UFS.

Local travel for official purposes is discouraged and may only take place for essential travel. Instead, staff are encouraged to use the necessary technology at their disposal.

Staff and students who have travelled abroad for official purposes over the past three weeks must self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their return.

While the UFS cannot prohibit staff and students from travelling internationally in their private capacity, individuals are urged to please act responsibly in making plans involving international travel. On their return, they will be expected to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.

To limit the risk of spreading COVID-19, staff and students who contract the virus due to private travel will not be allowed to return to work, class, or a residence until they are medically fit to do so; they will also be required to submit a medical certificate.

Staff and students are similarly cautioned against travelling in their private capacity to local areas where infections have been reported.

5. UFS staff

UFS staff are expected to come to work to ensure that operations and essential services continue.

Staff are requested to maintain social distance and to meet, if possible, only when essential. Alternative meeting methods such as MS teams, Skype for Business, and email should be considered.

Enquiries regarding leave must be directed to the HR Business Partner.

6. Communication platforms

A dedicated webpage on the virus has been created. Please visit the webpage regularly, as the latest information and operational matters will be uploaded there. Other communication platforms include social media, SMS, the KovsieApp, Blackboard, and the staff Intranet.

Posters with a QR code leading to the dedicated website will be distributed on the three campuses by 18 March 2020.

It is important for staff and students to ensure that their cellphone numbers are updated in order to receive communication via the KovsieApp and SMS:

KovsieApp: www.ufs.ac.za/kovsieapp
SMS: www.ufs.ac.za/sms

The websites of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) are primary sources of reliable general information.

Fake news is everywhere; please verify information and consult these primary sources of information.

7. Coronavirus Task Team

The UFS Coronavirus (COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2) Task Team comprising representatives from various key functional areas on the campuses was formed at the beginning of March 2020 to monitor the situation very closely, to advise the university’s executive management, and to share information as it becomes necessary.

The team meets daily to discuss the contingency and preparedness plans for the university’s three campuses and is liaising with the provincial Department of Health and the NICD in Johannesburg to provide up-to-date information to staff and students.

The Task Team comprises the following staff members:

Prof Felicity Burt (Task Team Convenor from the Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS))
Prof Dominique Goedhals (Head of the Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences and the NHLS)
Dr Sabeehah Vawda (Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences and the NHLS)
Dr Dewald Steyn (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences)
Prof Corli Witthuhn (Vice-Rector: Research and Internationalisation)
Mr Pura Mgolombane (Dean: Student Affairs)
Dr WP Wahl (Director: Student Life)
Mrs Susan van Jaarsveld (Senior Director: Human Resources)
Mrs Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Mr Cornelius Hagenmeier (Director: International Affairs)

Representatives from the Qwaqwa and South Campuses, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the UFS Health and Wellness Centre, Finance, ICT Services, University Estates, Housing and Residence Affairs, and Protection Services have also been co-opted to the Task Team.

A Special Executive Group, chaired by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, will meet twice a week to assess the overall impact of COVID-19 on the university, and to decide on changes to decisions taken earlier.

8. Concerns of staff and students regarding contact with others – hygiene and practices on campus

We are aware of the concerns of many of you about the possibility of infection through contact with other people in residences, libraries, lecture halls, and other places on campus.

Students and staff are reminded of previous communication about preventative steps that can be taken to avoid contracting the virus:

•   Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
•   Regularly use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
•   Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
•   Avoid close contact with people who are sick
•   Stay at home when you are sick and immediately call a medical professional
•   Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash
•   Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

9.Contact information

Please note the following important related contact information:

•   NICD hotline: 0800 029 999
• UFS Health and Wellness Centre: Dr Elna Kleyn at kleinea.ufs.ac.za | +27 51 401 2603 (office hours)
•   NICD website: www.nicd.ac.za
•   WHO website: www.who.int

The well-being and safety of our staff and students remain paramount and therefore we believe that the above are responsible decisions to protect the UFS community and to limit the possibility of spreading the virus to the general population.

As we realise that circumstances could change rapidly, the UFS Coronavirus (COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2) Task Team, as well as the Special Executive Group, will continue meeting frequently to assess the situation and the above decisions.

Prof F W Petersen
Rector and Vice-Chancellor
University of the Free State

News Archive

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony

2009-04-28

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn diploma and graduation ceremony took place this week in the Arena on the South Campus in Bloemfontein (formerly known as the Vista Campus). This arrangement has been made because of the large-scale renovations to the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus.

Friday, 24 April 2009
Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology Diploma ceremony

Law student’s achievement excels 80%
Four Law students obtained the LLB degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) summa cum laude and were awarded the Moritz Bobbert Medal. They are from the left: Lezelle Olivier (80%), Albert Nell (91%) and Amanda du Toit (83%). LiFeng Chien were absent during the photo.

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
Today 331 students and five doctorates in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology received their qualifications at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). Michael Molahloe (left) and Mamokete Ntholeng both received their LL.B. degrees in the Faculty of Law.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

This year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) was held on the South Campus. From the group of students that received their qualification from the Faculty of Law, is from the left: Janine Jonson, Anneska van der Spoel, Andrea Coetzer, and Jo-Mari Visser.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Students in Nursing receive their degree
A group of students from the Faculty of Health Sciences received their B.Soc.Sc. degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). At the occasion were, from the left: Ruth Beukes, Basetsana Panana, and Dipontsheng Tsolo.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

UFS Faculty of Health Sciences awards degrees
Liezl Swanepoel (left) and Heide van der Merwe received their BSocSC degrees at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn graduation ceremony.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, 23 April 2009
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences & Chancellor’s Dinner

UFS awards unique doctorate
Dr Rodney Douglas, who had never obtained any formal undergraduate qualification, this week received a Ph.D. in Geography and Geology during the autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). The name of his thesis is “A new perspective on the geohydrological and surface processes controlling the depositional environment at the Florisbad archaeozoological site”. He had four papers published in journals that were related to his thesis. He obtained his South African Museums Association Diploma in Biology in 1988 and his M.Sc. in Environmental Biology at the University of Natal, Durban in 1992. He was accepted as a Master's degree student at that university based on research that he had conducted on, amongst others, the diets of reptiles. He has been working at the Department of Herpetology at the National Museum, Bloemfontein since 1984, where he holds the post of Principal Museum Scientist and Head of Department.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Chancellor’s Dinner: UFS honours doctoral students
Last night, the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured students who had received their Ph.D. degrees at the autumn graduation ceremony this past week, at the Chancellor’s Dinner. A total of 25 doctorates were awarded during the respective ceremonies. Attending the occasion were, from the left: Dr Annemarie Kühn, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Prof. Jeanet Conradie, Department of Chemistry at the UFS and Dr Kühn’s promoter, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS, Prof. Corene de Wet, Department of Comparative Education and Education Management at the UFS, and Dr Mafu Rakometsi, Chief Executive Officer of Umalusi and former head of the Free State Department of Education who received a Ph.D. in History. Prof. De Wet is Dr Rakometsi's co-promoter and the late Prof. Leo Barnard, former Head of the Department of History at the UFS, who passed away at the beginning of April 2009, was his promoter.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Mrs Annemarie Kilian, Mr Willem Kilian (BSc. Hons) and Prof Stephanus Kilian
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr Jaco van der Merwe, Mr Renico Pretorius and Mr Rion Terblanche (all BSc. Quantity Survying)
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Ms Mamakoanyane Amelia Shata (BSc. Genetics and BSc. Hons. Plant Molecular Biology) and Mrs Maente Adelinah Shata.
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr Maurice Ambrose and Mr Owen Monk (both BSc. Quantity Survying).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Ms Tobeka Mehlomekhulu (Lecturer: Department of Geography), Mr Neo Mokgosi (BSc. Hons. Genetics) and Ms Nwabisa Mehlomekhulu (BSc. Hons. Food Science).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr John Mdane, Mr Fana Mdane (BSc. Information Technology) and Mrs Agnes Mdane
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr Kevin Vermaak (BSc. Hons. Geohydrology) and Ms Michelle Steenkamp (BSc. Hons. Geology).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

21 April 2009
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Prof. Magda Fourie's daughter graduates
Nadia Fourie, daughter of Prof. Magda Fourie, former Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS and now Vice-Rector: Teaching at Stellenbosch University, received the B.Com. Law degree.
Photo: Lacea Loader

724 degrees were awarded during the ceremony of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Here are, from the left: Simon Serutla, B.Com. Accounting, Lourencia Hamuaka, B.Com. Honours in Financial Economics and Investment Management, Sunet Opperman, B. Accounting, and Yolandi Greyling, B. Accounting.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences graduated this week during the University of the Free State's (UFS) autumn graduation ceremony. Altogether 724 degrees were conferred. Here are, from the left: Marie-Louise Lombard, B.Com. Law, Adriaan van der Merwe, B.Com. Law and member of the Student Representative Council (Legal and Constitutional Affairs), Basanio Ncike, B.Com. Economics, and Richard Schooling, B.Com. Banking.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Center for Accounting honours top achievers
The Centre for Accounting at the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured the top ten students in the third-year B.Com. and B.Com. Hons. programmes respectively during this week's autumn graduation ceremony. Here are, from the left: Prof. Ronell Britz, Chairperson of the centre, Nils Kotze, first place in the B.Com. third-year group, and Madri Victor, first place in the B.Com. Hons. group; back: Prof. Hentie van Wyk, Programme Director: Accountant Training.
Photo: Stephen Collett

Accounting firms in Free State help with recognition of top achievers
Accounting firms in the Free State have contributed to a fund at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Centre for Accounting to give recognition to top achievers in the third-year programme for the B.Com. and B.Com Hons. degrees respectively this week. It is evidence of the good relationship that exists between the Centre and the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Free State. Here, from the left, are: Mr Pieter Clase, CoetzeeSmit Chartered Accountants, Mr Oswald Wentworth, KPMG, Mr Ettienne van Niekerk, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Herman Leach, Gobodo Inc. Chartered Accountants, and Mr Stefan Strydom, Havenga, Rossouw & Viljoen; front: Mr Ian Smit, Enslins Bloemfontein, Ms Thelma Crossman, Mazars, and Ms Daphline O'Brien, Ernst & Young.
Photo: Stephen Collett

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

20 April 2009
Faculty of Education, Faculty of the Humanities.

CHESD awards 15 masters degrees
A group of 15 students received the Structured M.A. (Higher Education Studies) of the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). This is the biggest group in the centre's history to be awarded master’s degrees, while four of the students received distinctions. Also of interest is that six of the 15 students already have doctoral degrees. At the occasion were, from the left: Dr Dipane Hlalele, Qwaqwa Campus, Ms Liesl Hoare, Central Univeristy of Technology, Welkom Campus (best achiever), and Dr Fanus van Tonder, Programme Director: Higher Education Studies and Research, CHESD. Ms Hoare received the Deans medal in the Faculty of the Humanities as the best master’s graduate student at the graduation ceremony. At the faculty’s prize function she also received the Kovsie-Alumni Trust award as the best M.A student in the faculty. She also received the CHESD Prize for the best achievement in the Structured M.A. (Higher Education Studies).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
Five hundred and eighty six degrees and nine doctorates were awarded this week during this year's autumn graduation ceremony on the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) to students in the Faculty of the Humanities. At the occasion were, from the left: Nicola Bekker, Madré van der Merwe and Esté Scholtz. All three the ladies received the qualification B.A. Language Practice.
Photo: Lacea Loader

This year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) is held on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. Today a group of students from the Programme: Governance and Political Transformation in the Faculty of the Humanities received their qualification. From the left, front are: Dr Tania Coetzee, Head of the Programme: Governance and Political Transformation, and Mr Itumeleng Liba, Chief Operation Officer at CENTLEC; back: Mr Kennett Sinclair, Vice-Chairperson of COPE in the Northern Cape, Ms Nicole Joannou, Goldfields Business and Catering, and Mr Tembeni Lobe from Bloemfontein.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Some of the students who received their qualifications during this week's graduation ceremony of the Faculty of the Humanities were, from the left: Shu-Jung Chan, B.Mus. Hons., Brian Gxavu, B.Mus., and Mpolokeng Lepote, B.A. Media Studies.
Photo: Lacea Loader

UFS’s CHESD awards doctoral degree
Ms Mardi Delport (middle), Assistant Director: Media and Communications at the Central University of Technology received her Doctoral degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). The title of her thesis is: “An internal communication model for the Central University of Technology, Free State as a multi-campus institution”. With her are her promoter Prof. Driekie Hay (left), Vice-Rector: Academic Planning, and her co-promoter, Prof. Annette Wilkinson (right) from the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at the UFS.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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