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08 October 2021 | Story Burneline Kaars | Photo Supplied
Some of the current staff well-being ambassadors.

A key responsibility of the Division of Organisational Development and Employee Well-being is to actively promote and enhance the health and well-being of University of the Free State (UFS) staff members. The philosophy of the programme views human beings as a complex interplay between various internal and external influences. Thus, optimal levels of health and well-being can only be achieved by following a holistic approach, both physically and emotionally. The way we function in one dimension can enhance or impede the way we function in another dimension. In response, the division develops and offers programmes for employees to enhance their overall well-being.

Staff Well-being Ambassadors Team

The implementation of the preventative programmes has been shown to have a beneficial impact on the health and well-being of attendees. Adequate attendance is also a critical factor in the success of preventative programmes, and as a result, continuous efforts are being implemented to reach as many employees as possible.

The Staff Well-being Ambassadors Programme (SWAP) at the UFS has been created and introduced to expand the reach and impact of the OD and Employee Well-being initiatives.  The Staff Well-being Ambassadors Team (SWAT) is truly the backbone of our OD and well-being programme. Employees who form part of SWAT will act as accredited representatives of the OD and Employee Well-being division within their respective departments and workplaces.

Promoting health and wellness

Staff well-being ambassadors are employees from across our three campuses, advocating for employees' holistic well-being and promoting a healthy workplace. The SWAT goal is to contribute to a supportive workplace environment and to encourage positive health and wellness behaviours. Ambassadors will support OD and Well-being initiatives by promoting health and wellness messages and behaviours, as well as inspiring their colleagues to get involved to improve their holistic well-being.

Please contact wellness@ufs.ac.za if you are interested in promoting health and well-being within your department or unit.

Burneline Kaars is Head of the Division of Organisational Development and Employee Well-being in the Department of Human Resources at the UFS.

News Archive

UFS academics nominated for NSTF Awards
2016-05-19

Description: Zakkie Pretorius Tags: Zakkie Pretorius

Prof Zakkie Pretorius

Prof Zakkie Pretorius and Prof Maryke Labuschagne, researchers in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), have been nominated for the 2016 awards of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) in partnership with South32.

The NSTF awards recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, and technology (SET) and innovation for researchers and other SET-related professionals. The awards are referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa, as they are the largest, most comprehensive, and most sought-after national Awards of their kind. Among other things, the NSTF aims to celebrate, recognise, and reward excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation within the SET sectors.

Prof Pretorius was short-listed as a finalist in the category: Lifetime Award for an outstanding contribution to SET and innovation by an individual over a period of 15 years or more.

Description: Maryke Labuschagne Tags: Maryke Labuschagne

Prof Maryke Labuschagne

He works on crop quality and disease resistance in the field crops research chair headed by Prof Labuschagne in the Department of Plant Sciences. Disease-resistance breeding is a continuation of the internationally-acclaimed wheat rust research that Prof Pretorius has been conducting during his career.

Prof Labuschagne is a finalist in the category: Special Award in Crop Science and Food Security. This is a special award by the NSTF this year, in honour of the 2016 International Year of Pulses, as declared by the United Nations.

Prof Labuschagne heads the research chair on quality and diseases in field crops at the UFS. Her research, and that of her students, focuses on the genetic improvement of food security crops in Africa, including such staples as maize and cassava.

At a Gala Dinner on 30 June 2016, the finalists will be honoured before the Minister of Science and Technology, the patron of the occasion, announces the winners of the 2015/2016 awards.   

 

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