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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

UFS appoints a Vice-Rector: Operations
2011-03-20

Prof. Nicholas Morgan

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) has approved the appointment of Prof. Nicholas Morgan as Vice-Rector: Operations, at its meeting on Friday, 11 March 2011. He has been appointed in the position of Prof. Niel Viljoen, who is retiring on 31 March 2011.

Prof. Morgan formerly served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Technology, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Interim Vice-Chancellor at Walter Sisulu University and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Transkei.
 
Prof. Morgan is a former Fulbright Fellow and holds a Master of Science degree from Cornell University in New York, an M.B.A. from Stellenbosch University and a B.Com in accounting and business economics from the University of the Western Cape.
 
He has held positions at various universities and served as a member of various international professional associations, including the American Industrial Relations Research Association, the Industrial Relations Research Association of South Africa, the South African Institute for Management Sciences and the American Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.
 
He has been published in numerous publications, and served on the editorial boards of the SA Journal of Business Management between 1993 and 1995 and the Journal of Human Resources Management between 1999 and 2009.
 
In addition, Prof. Morgan has also developed and presented numerous training programmes and workshops for NGOs, parastatals and unions in the private and public sector.
 
He has lectured courses in Industrial Relations, Strategic Management, Quantitative Management techniques and Marketing from first-year to postgraduate level at the University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town and Cornell University.
 
Prof. Morgan will take up the position on 1 April 2011.
 

Media Release
18 March 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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