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25 July 2022 | Story Lunga Luthuli

From an early age, many have been taught that strangers are not only a danger to the individual, but to the communities too.

A StrangerKind (ASK), an organisation hosting unconventional conversations in communities on topics and responding to questions that many may not have the opportunity to ask, has partnered with the University of the Free State to host the talks that aims to promote curiosity, diversity, and social cohesion.

As part of the ASKcampus – a first to be hosted at any university in the country – participants will have an opportunity to talk to a stranger in a safe setting and ask any question that comes to mind, without any judgement.

Michelle Nöthling, Assistant Researcher in Kovsie Support Services, said: “The ASK event is an opportunity for participants to pick a topic from a list that sparks curiosity and book an available 45-minute time slot. During your session, you sit down to a one-on-one conversation with a stranger who will briefly introduce themselves and their topic. They will then share their personal life experience on that topic with you.”

The event, which will be launched at the Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus, on 28 July 2022, is open to both UFS staff and students.

“During the individual sessions, participants may ask the strangers anything about the chosen topic. We even encourage you to ask those questions that you might otherwise have been too shy, or felt were too ignorant, to ask. What is more, is that the strangers you will meet will be fellow UFS staff and students. But you will not know who your stranger is until you sit down with them,” said Michelle.

Individuals who want to know more about becoming a UFS stranger are encouraged to visit the organisation’s YouTube channel or register to attend training and become a ‘stranger’.

Be curious. Be brave. Talk to strangers.

Launch details:
Date
: 28 July 2022
Time
: 10:00-14:00
Venue
: Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus

News Archive

Professor awarded a Fulbright Scholarship
2008-06-24

Prof. Frans Swanepoel, Director: Research Development and Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development at the University of the Free State (UFS), has received a Senior Fulbright Scholarship. He has been appointed as a visiting professor at Cornell University, New York, United States of America (USA) and will spend the period September 2008-January 2009 as a Fulbright Scholar at the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIFAD) where he will co-teach a Ph.D. course on agricultural development in Africa. The Fulbright Scholarship is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards by the USA government. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote mutual understanding, dialogue and partnership between the USA and other countries around the world.

During his stay Prof. Swanepoel will also conduct research supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates- and W.K. Kellogg Foundations to revise agricultural education curricula in Africa to become more responsive to the needs of smallholder African family farms. The goal of this research programme is the emergence of an agricultural human resource and knowledge system that drives smallholder farmer-led development and innovation to achieve improved productivity, food security and economic development in Africa.
Photo: Supplied

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