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23 February 2022 | Story Lacea Loader

From 24 February 2022 – as an interim solution to the challenges experienced with the disruption of classes on the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus during the week of 21 February 2022 – the academic programme will continue in a differentiated and flexible online mode in some modules within faculties.

Face-to-face classes will continue in those modules where online teaching is not possible at this stage. Students will be informed by their respective faculties as to which modules will be moving online, and which will remain face to face.

This is a temporary measure to enable the campus to return to stability. The arrangement is estimated to continue for two to three weeks at the most, after which the academic programme will return to the approved teaching plans for 2022.

As an additional measure and to mitigate the challenges of remote off-campus internet access, 10 GB of data is provided free of charge through Global Protect to all registered students for the next month. This will enable students to link to learning resources off campus at no cost. The use of social media is, however, not included in the 10 GB.

Enquiries regarding GlobalProtect can be directed to the ICT Services Call Centre at +27 51 401 9111 (option 4).

Computer laboratories on the campus will remain available to vaccinated students whose modules will be moving online.

Issued by:
Lacea Loader
Director: Communication and Marketing
University of the Free State
loaderl@ufs.ac.za

23 February 2022

News Archive

UFS sympathises with exchange students from Virginia Tech
2007-04-18

The University of the Free State (UFS) is shocked by the news of the tragedy that happened yesterday at Virginia Tech in the United States of America (USA).

Sixteen (16) students from Virginia Tech are currently studying at the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein on an exchange programme of six months.

The students are devastated because of the loss of their friends who were killed when an armed man opened fire on a hostel and classroom on the Blacksburg Campus of Virginia Tech, killing at least 33 people.

“The exchange programme between the UFS and Virginia Tech, which was implemented in 1998, stipulates that selected students from both institutions will study at the other institution for six months on an annual basis as part of the completion of their undergraduate studies. Approximately 120 students from both institutions have taken part in the exchange programme over the past couple of years,” said Prof. Izak Groenewald, co-ordinator of the agreement and Director of the UFS Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to Prof. Groenewald no students from the UFS are currently studying at Virginia Tech. “The students from Virginia Tech who are currently studying on the Main Campus are all in their third-year in agriculture and the biological sciences. They will be staying here until the completion of the June examinations, when they will return to Virginia Tech,” said Prof. Groenewald.

According to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Frederick Fourie, the UFS has already made the necessary arrangements for the students to receive pastoral and psychological counselling. “We are doing everything in our power to support them and to bring them in touch with their friends on the Blacksburg Campus,” said Prof. Fourie.

According to Prof. Groenewald the American Ambassador in South Africa, Mr Eric M. Bost, will be talking telephonically to the students this afternoon (17 April 2007).

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
17 April 2007
 

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