Latest News Archive

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

Forensic investigation at UFS Computer Services division in final stage of finalisation
2007-02-01

Statement by prof Niel Viljoen, Chief Director: Operations  
 
The case in which possible irregularities were investigated at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Computer Services Division at the end of 2005, and which led to two Deputy Directors’ compulsory leave pending an investigation, is making good progress and is in the final stage of finalisation.
 
One of the Deputy Directors resigned unconditionally a day before his disciplinary hearing was to take place. He is one of two staff members who were placed on compulsory leave after an internal investigation ordered by the UFS management indicated possible irregularities in the division.
 
“As a result of the extent of the case and the involvement of more than one local business, the investigation had a long course,” said Prof Viljoen.
 
“The Deputy Director who resigned would have appeared before a disciplinary committee with Judge Joos Hefer as chairperson on charges of misconduct, involving more than R500 000,” said Prof Viljoen.
 
“We are going ahead with the process of criminal prosecution against this person and a docket was opened at the commerce branch of the South African Police Services (SAPS).  A civil action to recover damages from him was started,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
With a couple of exceptions, the internal disciplinary process of the other persons involved in the case is also finalised. “The disciplinary hearing of the Deputy Director, who is still in the service of the UFS’s Computer Services division, is scheduled for May 2007. This person is still on compulsory leave,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
“To demonstrate our commitment to the enhancement of honest work ethics and to give to personnel and students a mechanism to bring any unethical business practices to the attention of the UFS management, a fraud hotline was installed last year. The hotline is operated 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year by KPMG,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
Prof Viljoen thanked everyone who was involved in the investigation for their cooperation. This includes staff as well as people from outside the UFS.  “We are committed to transparent corporate management. Any possible irregularities will be investigated and if staff or students are found guilty of any irregular behaviour, strict actions would be taken against these persons,” Prof Viljoen said.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@mail.ufs.ac.za
2 February 2007
 

 

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