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17 February 2022 | Story NONSINDISO QWABE | Photo Thabiso Mdakana
Qwaqwa Campus vaccination drive
Andile Tshabalala and Theodore Hlalele, CSRC Qwaqwa Campus.

As the University of the Free State is encouraging staff and students to be vaccinated in order for all of us to return to campus life as we know it, the Qwaqwa Campus held its first in-person vaccination activation drive for its first and returning students. The drive was to further encourage students to vaccinate, and to keep themselves and others safe by educating themselves.

The cheerful and excited crowd of more than 100 students were gathered at the Amphitheatre on campus, where they got to know more about the COVID-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy and interacted with Department of Health officials to understand more about the jabs and booster shots.

No one is forced, but everyone is encouraged

The university’s approved policy came into effect on 14 February, requiring staff and students to be vaccinated as a measure towards ensuring everyone’s smooth return to its three campuses. However, as Qwaqwa Campus Principal Dr Martin Mandew highlighted, “no one is being forced to vaccinate, but we are all strongly encouraged to do so”.

Dr Mandew said the student experience is too rich and vibrant to be confined to virtual learning. He showed students his own vaccination certificate, quoting a Zulu proverb, ‘indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili’, which loosely translated means ‘those who have gone before you can show the way’.

“If you are not vaccinated, it will be impossible for us to enjoy face-to-face interaction again. Ask yourself: ‘If the principal is vaccinated, who am I not to be?” he said.

The lively drive also kept students entertained through live performances by local artists. 

Students could also raise pressing issues and questions with Department of Health officials – including common side effects, apathy against vaccination due to religious beliefs, the efficacy of the vaccine to protect against COVID-19, and the implementation of the UFS Vaccination Policy. 

The programme line-up also included messages of support from the Director: Student Affairs, Zoleka Dotwana, the Deputy Director of Housing and Residences, Zakhele Mdluli, and UVPERSU Vice-Chairperson, Dr Grey Magaiza.

The operating days of the on-campus vaccination site have been extended to accommodate streams of incoming students who still want to be vaccinated. 

News Archive

UFS to host second Global Leadership Summit
2015-07-02

 

Photo Gallery 

The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) will be held at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses between 5 July and 17 July 2015.

More than 103 international delegates from various universities in Asia, the United States, and Europe, as well as 40 student delegates from the University of the Free State, are expected to attend.

Keynote speakers will include local and international academics, thought leaders, and local celebrities, such as Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Zelda le Grange and Donna Walker-Kuhne.  This is the second time that the UFS hosts the GLS. The first time was in July 2012, when it was a great success and was attended by about 160 international and local delegates. 

This year, panel discussions and workshops will focus on gender issues, citizenship and leadership, race relations and interfaith leadership. The summit will strengthen formal and informal international academic partnerships, sharing the emerging UFS international network with its partner organisations, while expanding opportunities for new cooperative initiatives, and enhancing international exposure of UFS staff and students by creating opportunities for vibrant intercultural interaction and exchange on campus. 

New possibilities for participation in international research partnerships in diverse research areas will be explored, as well as issues relating to diversity and transformation and the exchange of ideas and international experiences that contribute to the rethinking of curricula and educational approaches in Higher Education.

As part of the programme, delegates will visit the Qwaqwa Campus on 10 July 2015, where they will interact with the leadership of the campus, its staff and students and enjoy the arts and cultural experience of the Eastern Free State.  The summit will end with a visit to various sites in Bloemfontein, where delegates will engage in community-based outreach activities in disadvantaged communities around the city.

More about the Global Leadership Summit

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