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17 June 2022 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Vivid Images
Heads of Mission to South Africa
Representatives of Heads of Diplomatic Mission in South Africa

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Francis Petersen, hosted the Heads of Diplomatic Mission breakfast in South Africa on 9 June in Pretoria.

Fifteen foreign missions attended the event, with representation from Argentina, Belgium, Egypt, the European Union, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, and Zimbabwe. The programme included a presentation by the Rector, followed by an engagement session.

Prof Francis Petersen’s overarching message during his presentation was that the UFS is ready to engage, co-create, and collaborate in the international arena, and that it produces graduates who are holistically developed to engage the world of work in their respective areas of specialisation. “We cannot underestimate the value of co-creation and collaboration between the Global North and Global South institutions of higher learning as equal partners. The UFS has an array of expertise that we deem as core drivers of partnerships, which has the potential to offer immense value through collaboration,” said Prof Petersen.

The event offered the UFS the opportunity to reach out and engage the international community on potential partnerships and collaborations. The Rector provided insight into the UFS, while positioning the university as well as current and potential collaborations with institutions of higher learning and other sectors in the respective heads of mission countries.

The Heads of Diplomatic Mission Breakfast was a collaboration between the Department of Communication and Marketing, the Office for International Affairs, and Institutional Advancement.


News Archive

Leeds academic presents a seminar on racism in the UK
2014-07-30

 


Dr Shirley Tate during her seminar on colour-blind racism.
Photo: O'Ryan Heideman

A prominent researcher and academic, Dr Shirley Tate, recently delivered an academic paper – soon to be published – on racism at institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom. The seminar was hosted at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

Dr Tate spoke about colour-blind racism – where racism at an interpersonal level, racial differences and ethnic particularities are overlooked. Colour-blind racism continues to negate the fact that skin colour has consequences in societies where it has been claimed that 'race' no longer matters.

Dr Tate, author of two books, is particularly interested in exploring the intersections of 'raced' and gendered bodies, race performativity, critical mixed race and racism in organisations.

Her talk sparked a lot of interest from both students and staff who were extremely keen to find out more about her extensive research and its striking similarities to our South African experience.

Dr Tate is an Associate Professor in Race and Culture and Director of the Centre for Ethnicity and Racism Studies at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.


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