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01 December 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath

The University of the Free State will present the December 2021 graduation ceremonies virtually from 8 to 13 December 2021. The recent changes in our environment due to the discovery of the Omicron variant, and the increase in COVID-19 infection rates in South Africa, have required us to re-assess our plans.  This was also addressed as a matter of concern by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the family meeting on 28 November 2021. 

After careful consideration of the risks of presenting face-to-face graduation ceremonies, the executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided to adjust all the ceremonies to virtual broadcasts. 

The university community acknowledges your hard work and achievements in the midst of the many challenges you have faced. Despite not being able to meet in person, we are grateful that technology makes it possible to proceed with this significant event. 

The graduation ceremonies will be broadcast as follows:

Faculty of Education, South Campus: Wednesday, 8 December 2021 at 09:00

Faculty of Education, South Campus graduands: Wednesday, 8 December 2021 at 11:00

Faculty of Education, Bloemfontein Campus and Qwaqwa Campus graduands: Thursday, 9 December 2021 at 09:00

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: Thursday, 9 December at 11:00

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Friday, 10 December at 09:00

Faculty of the Humanities: Friday, 10 December 2021 at 11:00

Faculties of Health Sciences, Law, and Theology and Religion: Monday, 13 December 2021 at 09:00

Congratulations to all our graduates; may you have continued success in all your endeavours! 

 


News Archive

Kovsie Alumni honoured
2011-09-05

 

Kovsie Cum Laude winner Maurice Carpede shows his award. With him is Naude de Klerk(left), Kovsie Alumni Chairperson. 
Photo: Foto 24

Dr John Purchase, Chief Executive of the Agricultural Chamber of Commerce, was honoured as Kovsie Alumnus of the Year by the University of the Free State (UFS) during the annual Kovsie Alumni Awards Dinner on 2 September 2011. Dr Purchase and four other former Kovsies were honoured for exceptional achievements and contributions made to the UFS at this glittering event.

The well-known columnist Mr Willem Theron who writes columns for Beeld and Volksblad, was honoured with the Kovsie Ambassador Award. Another well-known Kovsie, the radio and television personality Mr Maurice Carpede was honoured with the Kovsie Cum Laude Award. Carpede shares this award with Mr Koert Pretorius, Chief Executive of Mediclinic South Africa, they received the award jointly. Mr Arie van der Bijl, retired Financial Director of the UFS, was honoured with the Alumnus Award for exceptional service delivered to the UFS.
 
Dr Purchase, who was unable to attend the award ceremony, expressed his appreciation in a pre-recorded message. He said that Kovsies taught him how to be a leader. Theron, a marketer for the Kovsie Alumni Trust who received the Centenary Medal from the UFS in 2004, said in his acknowledgement speech that he feels humbled by this award. He said Kovsies became both his home and his family.
 
Both Carpede and Pretorius mentioned the impact Kovsies had on their lives. Carpede said he became a Kovsie in the years of transition, a time when words like “whites only” were printed on some doors, but despite all of that, he learnt that not all whites were bad. Pretorius, who was honoured for his contribution to private healthcare in the country, said that Kovsies were the key that unlocked several doors for him.  

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