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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

New SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
2014-09-19

 

MEC: Butana Khomphela
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane

The University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency launched the SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education on the Bloemfontein Campus on 11 September 2014. Prof Loyiso Jita has been appointed as the first SANRAL Chair. He is a professor in the School of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology at the UFS, where he shares his expertise in science teaching, which has been influenced by his broad and deep intellectual and experiential engagements both internationally and domestically.

Speaking at the event were Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS; Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations; Prof Jita, the inaugural SANRAL Chair; the Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Mr Butana Komphela and Mr Nazir Alli, CEO of SANRAL.

At the event, Prof Jansen celebrated that “SANRAL has rewarded the faith in our children to do well in science and mathematics with this Chair.”

This SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education will help to improve the quality of teaching in these vital subjects at schools in the province. It complements the university’s School Partnership Project (SPP) – a flagship initiative launched by Prof Jansen.

The SANRAL endowment will enable the university to hone in on the ‘gateway subjects’ of mathematics and natural science. At school level, it will help to train teachers, support student-teacher interns, and incentivise education results so that participating schools become centres of excellence. At an academic level, the SANRAL Chair will supervise a cohort of doctoral and masters students, while also guiding research and publications in mathematics, science and technology education.

Through the endowment, SANRAL will assist the UFS in producing education leaders who can turn around maths and science education in disadvantaged schools throughout Southern Africa.

For the full text, read: New SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education

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