The University of the Free State (UFS) recently received a significant boost for its infrastructure development with the approval of infrastructure projects totalling
R333,600 million by the Department of Higher Education and Training for the next three years.

The funding includes cost sharing, with the department contributing R208,394 million and the UFS contributing an amount of R125,206 million.

The UFS Council approved the projects and the cost sharing during the last meeting for the year on 16 November 2012.

“We are elated by the generous funding received from the department as it will assist us in fast-tracking our infrastructure development, providing in the increasing need for new and upgraded facilities at all three campuses,” said Prof. Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations.

The projects include:

• Upgrading and new disability access to various buildings on the Bloemfontein, South and Qwaqwa Campuses;
• A building in Kimberley, which will be shared by the School for Allied Health Professionals and Nursing;
• Upgrading and extension of the biotechnology and nutrition facilities, additional infrastructure for the Department of Physics and the upgrading of an extension to the genetic sciences facilities on the Bloemfontein Campus;
• A new 250-bed student residence on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campusus, respectively;
• Facilities for the Faculty of Education;
• Six lecture rooms on the South Campus;
• Upgrading of the interpreting laboratory and the development of an audio-visual production facility for recording of lectures on the Bloemfontein Campus;
• Provision of office space for the Centre for Teaching and Learning on the Bloemfontein Campus;
• Lecture halls and a laboratory for the Department of Geography and Tourism on the Qwaqwa Campus; and
• Funding of additional infrastructure for the Department of Physics on the Qwaqwa Campus.

 “The department made special mention of the way the UFS manages its infrastructure and efficiency funding when the announcement about the allocation of funds was made. This is a feather in our cap as the department has been referring other higher education institutions to the UFS for advice on infrastructure development,” he said.