Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
10 September 2020 | Story Barend Nagel | Photo Barend Nagel

There is a notable quote by one of the most prolific and influential composers ever, that says: 

“The music is not in the notes,
but in the silence in between.”
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart’s proclamation is relevant, now more than ever. In many cases, we may not realise that those who are more silent than others are most likely faced with adversity in terms of their mental health.

To counteract this silence, UFS Clinical Psychologist, Angela Vorster from the School of Clinical Medicine, devised the UFS Medical Students ‘Unplugged’ initiative as part of a larger campaign. Vorster says the campaign creates an opportunity to encourage students to reconnect with their soulful side.

“Each year we choose a mental-health issue and focus our theme on raising awareness – e.g. suicide awareness.” This year’s theme is ‘In my blood’ depression and anxiety awareness. Sadly, the 2020 ‘Unplugged’ event had to be cancelled due to the unfortunate (and mentally taxing) circumstances we are currently facing around the globe. Nonetheless, Vorster’s evident compassion and benevolence towards individuals’ mental health did not allow the pandemic to discourage her from finding innovative ways of keeping harmony.

“Once we all returned to a 'new normal', I invited our students to submit recordings of their music. This then became a channel of its own on YouTube – and we could not be prouder of our musically talented students.” According to Vorster, research and literature have established that music has a significant impact on relieving emotional distress and improving our moods. “It became evident during therapy sessions how important music is in helping our students express their emotions, relax, and also engage their creativity,” says Vorster.

With Mental Health Month inching it’s way closer, and World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we should all embrace the ‘magic’ of music and the positive effects it has on our psychological and mental well-being. So, turn up the volume and defeat the silence in your life with your favourite music. Play an instrument, turn up the volume on your iPod, sing in the shower, or watch the UFS Students ‘Unplugged’ videos on YouTube; allow music to heal your ‘silences in between’.

 


News Archive

Vietnamese delegation visits UFS
2008-12-04

 
A delegation from the Department of Science and Technology in Vietnam recently visited the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of the Free State (UFS) to learn from South African experiences in preservation and exploitation of genetic resources and to establish contacts for collaboration. Pictured are, from the left: Dr Dang Tung, Head: Department of Science and Technology, Vietnam, Prof. Martie Smit, UFS Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, Dr Vo Van Long, Head: Department of Scientific Planning and International Collaboration, Vietnam, Dr Vu Nguyen Thanh, Deputy Head: Department of Microbiology, Vietnam, Prof. Niel Heideman, Vice-Dean: UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Mr Arthur Johnson, Co-ordinator: UFS International Research Funding, and Dr Nguyen Quang Thao, Senior Specialist: Department of Science and Technology, Vietnam. Dr Thanh was a post-doctoral fellow in the group of Prof. Smit from 1994 to 1996.

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