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15 November 2022
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Story Valentino Ndaba
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Photo Sonia Small
Walk of honour for December graduates
The big day has finally arrived! The December graduation ceremonies will be in full swing on 9 and 12 December. UFS Graduates will do the walk of honour across the stage in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus.
All the ceremonies will be broadcast on the official
UFS YouTube channel. Join the ultimate launch of the festive season as we celebrate the graduates on:
This marks the second in-person graduations following the COVID-19 pandemic's virtual ceremonies.
Graduates are encouraged to share inspiring stories about their unique academic journey or memories on:
socialmedia@ufs.ac.za or news@ufs.ac.za
On the big day, don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using the official hashtag #UFSGraduation2022
For more information visit the Graduation webpage
The following qualifications will be conferred
| Date | Time | Faculties: All Qualifications |
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| Friday 9 December 2022 | 09:00 | Education
Economic and Management Sciences
Law |
| | 14:30 | Natural and Agricultural Sciences
The Humanities
Theology and Religion |
| Monday 12 December 2022 | 09:00 | Health Sciences |
HIV Cure – Just another fantasy?
2016-07-27
Twenty-years ago, after a person had been diagnosed with HIV, their lifespan did not exceed three years, but thanks to the success of antiretroviral therapy programmes, life expectancy has risen by an average of ten years. However, is antiretroviral therapy always going to be for life? This is the societal issue that Professor John Frater, addressed in his talk at the University of the Free State. He is an MRC Senior Clinical Fellow, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases at Oxford University.
Antiretroviral medicine therapeutic
The discovery of antiretroviral therapy - the use of HIV medicines to treat the virus - has had a positive effect on the health and well-being of people living with it, improving their quality of life. Unfortunately, if treatment is stopped, HIV rebounds to the detriment of the patient. Now, research has shown that some patients, who are treated soon after being infected by HIV, may go off treatment for prolonged periods. Work is being done to predict who will be able to stop treatment.
“The difference made by starting treatment earlier is enormous. Delaying treatment is denying yourself the right to health,” Professor Frater says. However, this does not mean that the virus is cured. “A person can live for ten years without being on HIV treatment, but is that enough?” he went on to ask.
Healthy lifestyles encouraged
The National Department of Health will adopt a test and treat immediately strategy later this year to improve patient health and curb the spread of HIV. ,This is another reason why everybody should know their status and start treatment as soon as possible.
Search for a cure continues
More research is being conducted to establish whether HIV can be eradicated. Remission gives hope that a permanent cure may be found eventually. “Will a cure for HIV ever be found? Time will tell,” he concluded.