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UFS urges COP26 to make bold decisions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

31 October 2021 | Story Prof Francis Petersen

The University of the Free State (UFS) calls on all higher education institutions, business, the private and public sector, and the South African community to confirm their commitment towards climate change and to contribute to climate change interventions.

“The UFS is committed to contributing meaningfully through research, innovation, policy advice, activism, and the operational management of the university to a fairer, cleaner, and healthier world, and urges world leaders to make bold decisions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the upcoming Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) meeting in Glasgow,” says Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

The UFS supports the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular Goal 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impact and is committed to underpinning it in the institution’s strategy and operations.

According to Prof Petersen, the university is developing a response to positively impact society and is using the SDGs as basis for this response. “This will incorporate our operations in terms of green and sustainable campuses, as well as the Academic Project in terms of quality research, engaged scholarship, and strategic partnerships with government, communities, and different sectors of the economy. A response to the SDGs is a significant step towards our commitment to play a role in climate change,” says Prof Petersen.

News Archive

Lots of inspiration at Autumn Graduation Ceremony

2013-04-08

Photo: Hannes Pieterse
27 March 2013

The university’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony promises to be another special occasion, with speakers from South Africa and abroad that will address the graduates.

A total of 526 diplomas/certificates and 2 796 bachelor’s and honours degrees will be awarded at the ceremony. The diplomas/certificates and degrees will be awarded during eight ceremonies in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus from 16 to 19 April 2013.

Well-known radio host and Idols South Africa judge, Gareth Cliff, will be the guest speaker at two ceremonies on 18 April 2013. He will be joined by Vicus Visser, the South African YouTube singing sensation dubbed Bloemfontein’s Justin Bieber. Vicus and his brother Vincent, will perform during the two ceremonies.

Graduates will also be able to draw inspiration from the American student and tap dancer, Joshua Johnson, whom overseas media report widely about. Joshua inspired American audiences with his story of hope and perseverance. The student from Penn State University travels five hours by bus to New York every weekend, where he dances on the subway train to earn money for his tuition fees.

Joshua has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and his story has also been told in the New York Times and on the American news programme ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.

Joshua will be the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 16, 17 and 19 April 2013. He will also deliver a dance item.

The programme for the respective ceremonies is:

Tuesday 16 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities: only Social Sciences and Communication Science.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities: Social Sciences and Communication Science excluded.

Wednesday 17 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Education.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology.

Thursday 18 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Agricultural Sciences and Architecture.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Natural Sciences.

Friday 19 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: all diplomas and degrees in the Faculty, except BCom and BComHons.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: only BCom and BComHons.

The Qwaqwa Campus’ graduation ceremony will take place on 8 June 2013. Diplomas/certificates up to and including doctorates will be awarded at this ceremony.

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