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24 September 2020 | Story Bulelwa Moikwatlhai | Photo Supplied

The third edition of the UFS International Cultural Diversity Festival took place on 24 September 2020, organised annually by the UFS Office for International Affairs in Heritage Month. As part of the South African Heritage Day celebrations, the event honours the different heritages at the UFS. The entire day is dedicated to the expression of diverse cultural experiences from all over the world. “Even during this uncertain time, it is important to find time to celebrate our uniqueness and to appreciate one another’s heritage and culture in the spirit of our humanity”, says Bulelwa Moikwatlhai, Coordinator of the International Cultural Diversity Festival. 

Connecting cultures

This year’s theme was ‘Connecting the Cultures’. It focused on the digital ways of connecting the world while sharing different cultural experiences and celebrations, as well as embracing Heritage Day. The day consisted of a lot of virtual activities, messages being shared, a collaboration of songs that brought light and laughter during this time of a world pandemic. “Individuals from different cultures have been invited to share their favourite cultural cuisines, regalia, songs, and dances, and last words of encouragement and support during these times in their home language while providing translation,” says Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research and Internationalisation. 

The programme included artistic presentations by the UFS Arts, Culture, and Dialogue office in the Students Affairs Division, coordinated by Angelo Mockie. 

International Cultural Diversity

Director of the UFS Office for International Affairs, Cornelius Hagenmeier, explained that cultural diversity is central to the university’s internationalisation process. He emphasised that the university actively strives to increase its international diversity, which nurtures intellectual cross-fertilisation and the incubation of new ideas. Central is that everyone, irrespective of culture and origin, should feel welcome at the UFS, he says.
The virtual festival allowed students and staff to share and celebrate who they are while learning from each other. This enhances the international and intercultural competencies of the transforming UFS community.

News Archive

Learners positive about Leadership Summit
2013-04-04

 

Photo: Sonia Small
05 April 2013

  Video clip (YouTube)

About 250 learners from 55 schools in the country arrived on Thursday 4 April 2013 at the various residences on our Bloemfontein-Campus where they will be staying during the three day summit. During the summit, learners and facilitators discussed the connection between emotional intelligence, leadership, self-leadership, development and communication with conflict resolution in mind.

The summit, which was attended by top leaders from schools, is already hosted for the third consecutive year. Schools are invited months before the time to send representatives to the summit.

These were the impressions of the learners after the first day:

“Today was very nice and interesting. We learnt how not to limit or degrade yourself. “ – Sané Pretorius, Ficksburg High School.

“We can apply the methods we learnt here today to become better leaders both in our schools and community.” – Onkarabile Marumo, Eunice High School

“It was a long and interesting day.” – Johan Barnard, Staatspresident Swart High School

“It is definitely a worthwhile experience for any aspiring young leader.” Shaheen Karodia, Muir College

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