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21 April 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Annemien and Almare
Anne-Mien Schoombie and Almaré de Bruin.

The month of April not only announced the turn of a season, but also the first series of face-to-face graduation ceremonies for the University of the Free State (UFS).

On Thursday 21 April 2022, Anne-Mien Schoombie and Almaré de Bruin received the Dean’s Medals in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences as the overall best achievers in the third- and fourth-year groups, respectively.

Making people’s lives easier

Anne-Mien, who enrolled for a BIS Multimedia honours degree at the University of Pretoria, received her degree in BSc Information Technology majoring in Data Science at the UFS. After completing her honours degree, she wants to pursue a career in software development.

With both parents in the mathematical field (her father was an applied mathematics professor at the UFS prior to his passing away), Anne-Mien also has a strong aptitude for mathematics. Thinking ahead – looking for the best access to job opportunities – she decided to study a combination of statistics (rather than pure mathematics) and computer science. She believes the BSc IT degree with a major in Data Science will not only allow her greater access to job opportunities one day, but also the opportunity to improve her current strengths.

“As software developer, I hope to contribute to projects that will make people's lives easier. It is very important for me to be able to give back, as I have been blessed with many opportunities in my own life,” says Anne-Mien.

Being extremely grateful for receiving the Dean’s Medal, Anne-Mien reveals that God motivated her. “I realise that the strengths I have are God-given. The only way in which I can show my gratitude is by using every opportunity to improve my strengths so that I may use it to help others.”

Contributing towards sustainability and food innovation

Almaré, who has always been passionate about food, says Consumer Studies was her favourite subject when she was in high school. She knew that she had to pursue studies in this field when she visited the Department of Consumer Science (now the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development) during the 2017 UFS Open Day.

“I immediately felt at home in the Department of Consumer Science when I started my studies in 2018. I really enjoyed learning from lecturers who are passionate about their fields of study and who are eager to share their knowledge. My studies opened my eyes to the world of food and allowed me the space to grow my passion for food security and product development,” she says.

During her honours studies, she developed raisin spread for children. “I thoroughly enjoyed the process, as well as the challenge, of developing a food product from scratch,” says Almaré, who is motivated by opportunities to learn. One of her favourite quotes is work with heart, not just hard. “This quote always motivates me to put my heart and soul into everything I do.”

Currently enrolled for her master’s degree in Consumer Science focusing on food security, Almaré says she would one day like to apply her knowledge of food security and food product development to make a positive contribution towards sustainability and food innovation.

About receiving the Dean’s Medal, she states that it is an immense honour and blessing. “It is also a confirmation that hard work never goes unnoticed,” Almaré adds.

Acknowledging the best of the best

A total of 617 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences graduated during the April Graduation ceremony. The undergraduate programme in the faculty that delivered the largest number of students, is the Bachelor of Agriculture majoring in Animal Production Management, seeing a total of 44 students graduating.

The department in the faculty that saw the most undergraduate students (nine) graduating with distinction, is the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, with its Bachelor of Consumer Science programme. Head of Department, Prof Johan van Niekerk, says, “We believe that a student’s ‘motivation’ is everything. Therefore, the lecturers regard their students as the essence of their being. They develop and deliver programmes that ensure well-rounded people, driven by sound values. Our students are independent problem solvers. The teaching and learning programmes are meaningful, following best practices and innovation. It prepares our students optimally within their respective spheres of interest.”

“Delivering high-calibre students is our ultimate academic goal. It includes how the student, lecturer, and institution have attained their short- and long-term educational goals. We strive to advance relevant knowledge and develop employable, innovative, and diverse graduates to co-create value for society.”

A total of 45 students in the faculty graduated with distinction in the 65 undergraduate programmes that awarded degrees during the April graduation.

News Archive

Message of appreciation from the UFS acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector: Prof Nicky Morgan
2017-01-04

Dear Colleagues, Students, Parents/Guardians, Alumni, and Friends of the university

The University of the Free State (UFS) successfully completed the 2016 academic year, with the official examination ending on 14 December 2016.  We have also completed the last of our graduation ceremonies, and are now preparing to accommodate the additional and ad hoc examinations in the coming weeks.
 
This comes after the university has successfully readjusted its academic programme in October 2016, subsequent to the disruption of activities and programmes for almost a month. All of this could not have happened without the extraordinary support and dedication of the staff and majority of the students at the UFS.
 
I would like to thank all our staff, parents/guardians, alumni, and friends of the UFS for the role they played during these challenging months in order to ensure that we could end the academic year successfully. If it was not for your understanding and uncompromising support, we would not have been able to complete the curricula, continue with the exams, and end the year in this way.
 
However, we all know that this was not an easy task. The sheer dedication and drive of our academic staff to adapt the mode of teaching and assessment of modules must be applauded, as it took courage and perseverance. Not only did they manage to complete the curricula, they also managed to do the assessment almost completely online. The incredible role of our administrative and support staff – including our security personnel – should also be acknowledged with deep appreciation.
 
This has been a learning experience for all, which has provided us with a solid base for academic recovery in the future.
 
During its quarterly meeting on 2 December 2016, the UFS Council expressed appreciation to all staff, students, and the university management for the successful completion of the 2016 academic year.
 
To all our alumni and donors who continued to support the UFS this year – thank you for your commitment, loyalty, and continued contribution.
 
Looking forward to 2017
The UFS announced on 7 December 2016 that it will be increasing tuition and housing and residence fees for 2017 by 8%. The approved increase in fees is in line with the recommendations by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, on 19 September 2016. The increases were approved by the UFS Council on 2 December 2016, with the understanding that it would be paid by the Department of Higher Education and Training by means of the fee adjustment grant for qualifying students with a combined family income of not more than R600 000 per annum.

The university management is aware of the economic realities in South Africa, as well as the financial pressure households are experiencing. The long-term financial sustainability of the UFS, as well as the financial constraints which impact teaching and learning, research, and community service, continues to remain of utmost importance to the Council and to the senior leadership of the UFS.
 
The university management stated its pro-poor approach to student funding on several occasions; that academically deserving students from poor and working class families should receive substantial financial support. For this reason – also because it does not place a burden on poor and working-class families – an increase in tuition fees aligned with the DHET proposal was submitted to Council for approval. The presidents of the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus Student Representative Councils were present and participated in the discussion on fees – also when Council approved the increase.
 
I am thankful to report that more applications for admission were received for 2017 (42 568) in comparison to 2016 (29 284), and we are excited to welcome first-year students to our campuses in January 2017. See 2017 calendar of events and information.
 
The necessary safety measures have been taken and contingency plans are in place when students return in 2017. The university management will continue to work with the South African Police Service to ensure stability on the campuses and the uninterrupted continuance of the Academic Project.
 
In conclusion, I would like to wish you a restful and safe Festive Season. Thank you once again for your crucial role in making the University of the Free State still one of the universities of choice in the country.
 
Best regards
 
Prof Nicky Morgan
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Rector
University of the Free State
 

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