Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS donates 500 masks to protect primary school learners

22 October 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Rhona Klopper

Donating masks_web read more — Donating masks to Rekopane Primary School, were from the left: Alfi Moolman (UFS Directorate: Community Engagement), Sonja Venter-Botes (Bloemshelter), Tina Moleko (Rankwe Primary School), and Michelle Engelbrecht (UFS Centre for Health Systems Research and Development).

The Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CHSR&D) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently donated 500 masks to Rekopane Primary School in Botshabelo. This initiative was part of its pledge to donate 100 cloth masks to a previously disadvantaged primary school for every 1 000 of the first 5 000 completed questionnaires that formed part of a study survey examining people’s understanding of information about COVID-19 vaccines. The results of the study will be shared with stakeholders who are responsible for providing information about COVID-19 vaccinations.

It is known that a large number of people globally and in South Africa prefer not to be vaccinated. “There are many reasons for this, and we would like to find out where people are getting information about the COVID-19 vaccination, and whether they are able to understand this information, so that they can make an informed choice about getting vaccinated. We did this by asking people about their own health and COVID-19, where they have heard about the vaccine, if they understood this information, and whether they have had/would have the vaccine or not, as well as the reasons for this,” said Prof Michelle Engelbrecht, Director of CHSR&D.

While following guidelines such as wearing masks, sanitising hands, and social distancing are important to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a large percentage of the population will need to be vaccinated if we want to control the pandemic in the long term and prevent hospitalisation and severe illness.

All persons in South Africa aged 18 and older were invited to complete an online survey regarding their perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines. The survey, which was available in the seven most spoken languages in the country, was advertised on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and on the Moya app. The survey was open from 1 to 31 September 2021, and the CHSR&D received 10 554 completed questionnaires. No data was required to complete the survey.

The Department of Basic Education partners decided on the school that would benefit, and the study provided an opportunity to support Bloemshelter, a UFS flagship programme. Alfi Moolman of the Directorate: Community Engagement said that “NGOs are really struggling to make ends meet, and we are delighted that Bloemshelter could provide the masks as one of their income-generating projects. So many lives are touched for the good. The university is indeed a caring organisation.”

News Archive

The UFS warmly welcomes 2016 first-years

2016-01-06

The University of the Free State (UFS) is ready to offer a warm welcome to all first-year and senior students for the 2016 academic year. In striving for excellence, we intend to provide an environment that is conducive to students enjoying their learning experience. To ensure that you, as new Kovsies, are able to navigate all three campuses easily, and receive the assistance you need, we have compiled a list for your information and convenience below.

Gateway Pocket Guide 2016

To assist you in finding your way on campus and to answer frequently asked questions, please read this document and refer to the accompanying map:
Information Sheet and Registration Map 2016.

Important dates

Bloemfontein Campus

18 - 22 January 2016: First-year student registration (Yearbooks) (view the full academic advice programme here)
25 - 29 January 2016: Senior resident student registration (Yearbooks) (view the full academic advice programme here)
20 January 2016: First-year athletics
23 January 2016: First-year sports tournament
30 January 2016: Rag procession
1 February 2016: Lectures start

South Campus

Registration and Orientation dates for the South Campus
1 February 2016: Lectures start

Qwaqwa Campus
Pre- and post-registration information for the Qwaqwa Campus
19-22 January 2016: Registration - first-year undergraduate students
22-25 January 2016: Gateway Orientation - first-year undergraduate students (Gateway Pocket Guide 2016)
25-29 January 2016: Registration - senior residence students (undergraduate and honours)
25 January 2016: Registration - International students
26 January 2016: Official welcoming - first-year students
18 January – 5 February 2016: Registration - master’s and doctoral students
1-5 February 2016: Module and Qualification changes (all faculties)

1 February 2016: Lectures start

Stepping to success at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
Programme for other Gateway activities

Contact numbers

Bloemfontein Campus

Switchboard: +27(0)51 401 9111	Admissions: +27(0)51 401 9864/ 3693/ 3696	Financial Aid: +27(0)51 401 7175/ 9359/ 2103
Tuition Fees: Accounts/amounts payable: Undergraduate: +27(0)51 401 2806 / 3003 Postgraduate, BML and e-Learn students: +27(0)51 401 9537	Bursaries: +27(0)51 401 9160/ 3603	Loans: +27(0)51 401 9359/ 3202
Female Residences: +27(0)51 401 3455	Male Residences: +27(0)51 401 3562	Postgraduate Bursaries: +27(0)51 401 2045

South Campus

Switchboard: +27(0)51 401 9111	Tuition Fees: +27(0)51 401 2806/ 3003
Female Residences: +27(0)51 401 3455	Male Residences: +27(0)51 401 3562
Admissions: University Preparation Programme (UPP): +27 (0)51 505 1201/ 1362 Advanced Certificate in Teaching (ACT): +27 (0)51 505 1378 National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE): +27 (0)51 505 1221 Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE): +27 (0)51 505 1342 Varsity College: +27 (0)51 505 1378 Short Learning Programmes: +27 (0)51 505 1436

Qwaqwa Campus

Switchboard: +27 (0)58 718 5000	Admissions: +27 (0)58 718 5011/ 5012/ 5022
Tuition Fees: +27 (0)58 718 5024/ 5119	Financial Aid: +27 (0) 58 718 5062/ 5061/ 5038
Accommodation: +27 (0) 58 718 5030/ 5016

Payments and registration

Registration fees are payable five days before the registration date.

Once you have registered, you will be able to access your official timetable. Use our campus maps to easily find your way around.

For detailed payment information, visit our Tuition Fees website.

Student card

Students on the Bloemfontein Campus have to obtain a student card from the Card Division on the Thakeneng Bridge. Your student card is your official university identification, and allows you access to:

campus
residence
events
library
computer labs.

With your student card, you are also able to pay for:

meals
books
electronic items.

General

Once you are registered, important announcements will be emailed to your student email account (studentnumber@ufs4life.ac.za). Information regarding assessments and electronic study material related to the modules you are registered for at the university will be posted on Blackboard - an online learning management system. For Blackboard-related queries, dial +27 (0)51 401 9452.

Safety and security is a priority here at the UFS. Protection services are available 24 hours a day on +27(0)51 401 / 2911. In addition, the Health and Wellness Centre is here to cater for your health needs.

Please like the University of the Free State and the Kovsie2B Facebook pages to stay up-to-date about what is happening at the UFS.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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