Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
06 December 2021 | Story Temba Hlasho
Dear Student,
I trust that this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health.

The 2021 academic year has presented numerous changes in the Department of Student Affairs (DSA). However, we remained resilient to continue providing needed support to all students on our three campuses. 

As we conclude the 2021 academic year, it is a golden opportunity for each and every one of us to introspect by reflecting on our academic journey, identifying shortcomings, opportunities to help us reimagine, reconstruct, and improve going forward. This reflection does not serve to intentionally create discomfort, but rather to create an opportunity for all of us to be self-aware and gain a depended perspective of the direction we should be taking in 2022. 

I would like to congratulate Kholeka Mtshali and Nonstikelelo Ntima, who participated as finalists in the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) national competition. The competition was highly contested, with more than 75 applications and only 6 student entrepreneurs competing. Furthermore, both students were invited to pitch for the Free State Innovation Drive 2021 and Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards (GSEA) competition, which will take place in February next year. The DSA is excited about students being engaged in their communities and their personal development. In the same breath, I urge you to explore your out-of-classroom experiences to enhance your skill and development, as well as the development of your community. 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the global 16 Days campaign.  The campaign kicked off nationally on 25 November 2021. The Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) will be hosting a placard campaign for the global 16 days.  As a Kovsie, I encourage you to embrace the values of inclusive society and to oppose any form of violence against women and children.  Further, we are living in perilous times, we need to be vigilant; you are encouraged to stay safe, wear your mask, sanitise, and vaccinate.

We can now look ahead into the new biennium with confidence, hope, and resilience. In the 2022 academic year, I encourage you to take some time to explore student life opportunities, whether it be arts, sports, campus competitions, making new friends, joining an organisation, or getting involved in community projects.  Your participation will sharpen your skill sets for the world of work and the entrepreneurial space. 

To our final-year students who might not be returning to our campuses for postgraduate studies – congratulations on completing this big milestone! As you enter the world of work or venture into an entrepreneurial environment, please remember that there is no script for life after university – but be bold and courageous on the path you choose. 

To our postgraduate students who will continue to enhance their academic outfit at the UFS – the DSA is here for you, let us hear about your experiences and expectations.  We are geared to interact more with you in the new year to make your postgrad study experience a memorable one.  

I therefore bid you well for the holidays and urge you to stay alert and safe during the festive season. I hope that you will all take time during this holiday season to relax, recharge, and reflect on all that you have accomplished this year. I look forward to seeing you all upon our eventual return to campus. Best wishes for your continued health and well-being in 2022!

Thank you to all the students who participated in our campaigns and activities during the year. Please continue to support the DSA in 2022. In the same breath, please be safe, wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitise, and practise social distancing, but most importantly, stay at home as far as it is practically possible.

To remind yourself about the services offered by the Department of Student Affairs, please follow the link for more information.

Mr Temba Hlasho
Executive Director: Student Affairs 


News Archive

UFS receives exclusive copy of Pasture Science research volume
2010-04-22

 
From the left are: Dr Malcolm Hensley (Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, UFS), Prof. Brian Roberts, Ms Cathy Giesekke (UFS Sasol Library) and Prof. Neil Heideman (Acting Dean: Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UFS).
Photo: Lize du Plessis


The University of the Free State (UFS) became the proud recipient of a copy of a Pasture Science research volume.

The 508-page volume was presented by Prof. Brian Roberts, an adjunct professor at the James Cook University in Cairns, Australia, to the UFS Sasol Library. It consists of 43 papers on his agricultural research work in the Free State from 1956 to 1975.

He said the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS had the power and expertise to lead the way in food security in South Africa and in building a sustainable society. He also stated that not enough people were taking food security seriously.

“Whatever else you regard as priority, none is more basic than support for the nation’s food producers,” he said.

The papers in the bound copy are arranged in two groups. The first section focuses on Pasture Management. “This series forms a useful overview of Pasture Science,” he said.

The section on Grassland Science covers all aspects of the maintenance, improvement and utilisation of veld and cultivated grasslands.

The second part is a series of publications arising from his fieldwork in the Free State, Eastern Cape and Lesotho.

“Having read with great interest the curriculum vitae of the Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, I felt a strong inclination to contribute somehow to the transformation process and the emerging future UFS,” said Prof Roberts.

Although he acknowledged that change could not happen overnight he was, however, positive that medium-term results could be achieved in that regard.

“One way of doing this is to focus staff and students’ attention on working towards a sustainable society, an on-going curriculum challenge which should, at an early date, replace the past preoccupation with race – an issue that has dogged progress for too long,” he said.

Prof. Roberts was a foundation lecturer in Pasture Science at the UFS 36 years ago before he left for Australia where he plays a fundamental role in land-use planning.

He is also recognised as the father of Landcare, an Australian partnership between the community, government and business to protect and repair the environment.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za  
21 April 2010
 

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