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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

DiMTEC gets learnership of R5,7 million
2008-05-23

 

The Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at the University of the Free State (UFS) received a learnership to the value of R5,7 million for the master’s degree programme in Disaster Management for 2008 and 2009 . The learnership programme is funded by the national Department of Science and Technology and DiMTEC is the implementing agent. The learnership makes provision for the study costs and an allowance for 15 students in 2008 and 20 students in 2009. Students are placed at disaster management centres and departments who deal with disaster management across the country where they obtain in-service training on how to effectively deal with disasters. This is the only learnership of its kind in the country. At the hand-over ceremony were, from the left: Mr Andries Jordaan, Director: DiMTEC, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS, and Mr Jerry Madiba, Director: Technical Skills, Department of Science and Technology.
Photo: Lacea Loader

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