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28 June 2022 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo ALBERT VAN BILJON
Leanne Manas and Prof Francis Petersen
In conversation: Prof Petersen and Leanne Manas.

An outward-looking, globally competitive university that ranks among the top-tier universities in South Africa and on the continent, driven by a strong human-centred, diverse social-justice approach. This is at the heart of the vision Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, shared with multi-award-winning news anchor Leanne Manas during a sit-down conversation on Friday 22 July 2022.

Prof Petersen reflected on the great strides and difficulties faced during his first term, as well as navigating the UFS through the COVID-19 pandemic to position the institution in a strategic and focused manner as a university of choice on the continent and in other parts of the globe.




News Archive

SRC raises over R1 million for UFS underprivileged students
2016-01-18

R1.2 million has been raised by the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Student Representative Council (SRC) under the Right to Learn (R2L) campaign banner.

The SRC launched the R2L campaign on 30 October 2015,following the first wave of the #FeesMustFall movement protests against a proposed increase in tuition fees. The campaign was initiated to ensure that academically-deserving underprivileged students do not have to bear the brunt of deregistration, food insecurity, and the lack of textbooks.

To date, the student leaders have taken it upon themselves to appeal to lecturers, businesses, the community, and students alike to support its campaign. Each SRC member pledged R500 from their own purses when the campaign was launched.

Looking back at the #FeesMustFall movement

To the #FeesMustFall movement, which had gained momentum and resulted in a shutdown of many campuses across the country, President Jacob Zuma responded with a statement announcing a 0 % increase.

At the launch of the campaign, Lindokuhle Ntuli, the UFS SRC President, made a commitment to source financial aid for needy students.

“Even though the president said no fees will increase this year, we are still faced with the same challenges. No students who qualify should be de-registered this year. It is up to us to raise funds for the poor students to ensure that they get their right to education.”

Forward to the future: #AccessMustRise

By 4 April 2016, the SRC’s goal is to accumulate financial relief worth R5 million to counter the growing financial aid demand.

Given that more South Africans are extending a helping hand, the SRC President is adamant about gathering the sponsorships in two months. “It is possible if we push to market the campaign to gather R4.8 million,” said Ntuli.

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