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21 August 2021 | Story Michelle Nöthling

What does the best university community look like? And what would a better South Africa look like?

In the last couple of weeks, our conversations have been dominated by topics of violence that have spilled into our communities. We have shared our fears with each other and talked about the complexities that gave rise to this rage within our society. We also witnessed communities pulling together in the midst of the destruction, reminding us of our common humanity. 

If you had the opportunity to help build the best university you could imagine, would you step into that space? If you could help create a prospering South African society, would you act?

This is what the Division of Student Affairs is calling you to do. Join us as we embark on a journey of reimagining and ultimately co-creating the community we want. It starts with a conversation. A conversation where your voice is important and welcomed, and where we regard your presence as essential to realise our shared dreams.

We call you as a member of the UFS community—students and staff alike—to join our circle of conversation. We will make use of deeply engaging methods and break-out rooms to create a safe and brave space that encourages mutual sharing and deep listening. 

Add your vision and voice to the conversation to collectively imagine and build the best version of our university.

UFS Community Conversation
Date: Wednesday, 1 September
Time: 16:00 – 18:00
Platform: Zoom (in order to best support universal access and methodology)

Registration is required:

For reasonable accommodation requirements (e.g., closed captioning, or sign language interpreters), contact Michelle Nöthling at nothlingm@ufs.ac.za.

We also have information session leading up to our main conversation. During these sessions, we welcome your questions and together start to explore the concept of community in a collaborative environment.  

Information sessions
Monday, 23 August 2021, 15:00 – 16:00
Tuesday, 24 August 2021, 15:00 – 16:00
Wednesday, 25 August 2021, 15:00 – 16:00
Thursday, 26 August 2021, 15:00 – 16:00
Monday, 30 August 2021, 15:00 – 16:00
Tuesday, 31 August 2021, 15:00 – 16:00

Click here to access any of the information sessions. No registration is required for these sessions.

News Archive

UFS launches unique project to honour great teachers
2011-04-21

Dedicated, hard-working, inspiring and motivational ...

These are the kind of teachers the University of the Free State (UFS) is looking to honour in their Great Teachers Project.
 
When one is confronted by most images of teachers in the mainstream media, these are rarely the words that come to mind, though. However, for many young men and women these are exactly the traits which they saw in their teachers, and which inspired them to become South Africa’s next generation of poets, painters, architects, mathematicians, drummers, pilots, lawyers, philosophers, doctors, accountants, community developers and more.
 
One rarely hears about the truly great teachers from our past and present who are the driving force behind the successes of many of our greatest achievers. The teachers who go the extra mile to convey the intricate beauties within their subjects, lead an exemplary life and produced the activists, critical thinkers and leaders we all cherish.
 
Therefore, the UFS and the Sunday Times have joined hands in identifying 150 of the greatest teachers, who moved, inspired and transformed South Africans during their time at school. These are the teachers who stood out among their colleagues and made a lasting impact on their learners, inspiring them to excel, long after the mathematical equations and English literature tests are forgotten.
 
The stories will be collected and assembled on a central database and categorised, edited and represented into a coherent array of powerful accounts of inspired and inspiring teachers.
 
A book entitled Great Teachers will be published in December 2011, detailing the stories of these great individuals. The introduction to the book will present the plan and process that led the storied collection.
Those who are interested are invited to submit a 500 to 750 word essay on any teacher who made an impact in their life and submit it to greatteachers@ufs.ac.za before 30 May 2011.
 
All proceeds from the sales of the book will be used to provide bursaries to student teachers of today, who may become the great teachers for tomorrow’s generation.


Media Release
21 April 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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