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UFS scholar first to participate in the University of Michigan fellowship programme

04 October 2022 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo Supplied

Dr Sevias Guvuriro from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) is the first UFS candidate to participate in the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholarship (UMAPS) fellowship programme. Dr Guvuriro is also a member of the Future Professoriate Group participating in the Transformation of the Professoriate Programme.

About the project

Dr Guvuriro’s main project during his five-month stay at the University of Michigan was on hazardous drinking and economic preferences among urban youth in South Africa. The project recognises that lifestyle behaviours in early life are important drivers of chronic disease later in life, and that harmful use of alcohol is among the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the world. According to Dr Guvuriro, persuasive behaviour-change approaches could be useful, especially in the context of developing countries, where the World Health Organisation’s non-communicable diseases ‘Best Buys’ interventions on alcohol use could be ineffective. Behavioural economics and experimental economics techniques could also be beneficial. "With the assistance of my host, Prof Erin Krupka from the University of Michigan School of Information, academics and other staff members, I have made very strong progress in analysing my survey and experimental data on the subject, which I obtained here in South Africa,” said Dr Guvuriro.

Unpacking UMAPS

UMAPS offers African scholars drawn from across Africa the opportunity to spend five months at the University of Michigan, working and interacting with faculty members who are leaders in their fields. Each year, applications for the fellowship open on 15 August and close on 15 October. The programme started in 2009, hosting a single cohort each year. From 2020, the programme hosted two cohorts of about 15 African scholars each. These scholars are selected annually from an application pool of about 600.

"It was an amazing experience, one that I wish all of my colleagues in the faculty and the institution at large could have," Dr Guvuriro said. “Other than meeting the faculty staff at the University of Michigan – who are amazing – I got to meet and interact with world leaders in the economics subdiscipline of my interest.”

He concluded by stating that this is a rare opportunity for scholars, and although competitive, he believes it is worth applying for. “Although I was the first from the UFS to attend, I know that the August to December 2022 cohort has another UFS staff member, which is great. My wish would be for our university to be represented annually.”

News Archive

UFS cracks down on crime on campus

2006-03-15

A comprehensive plan to step up the security on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, was approved by the Executive Management (EM) this week.

“The plan briefly comprises of the introduction of reasonable and affordable measures that will promote a safe campus and working environment,” said Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS.

“With the plan we want to try and create a user friendly, but safe campus,” said Rev Jaftha.

The plan is the result of an intensive investigation about campus security done by an EM task team.

The following measures will be implemented immediately in phases:

The five current vehicle entrances and exits will remain (i.e. the gate at Nelson Mandela Avenue, the gate at Roosmaryn, the gate at Agriculture, the Wynand Mouton Avenue gate and the Furstenburg Road gate).

The number of smaller pedestrian gates will be reduced and security at those remaining will be increased.
The fences around the campus will remain, upgraded and patrolled on a daily basis.

The security measures at high risk areas (e.g. the Kovsie Church) will be stepped up and the fences in these areas will be electrified.

Vehicle exit control will be stepped up at the gates by means of a mixture of electronic and compulsory visual security control.

Public areas, streets and footpaths will be patrolled and shrubs and trees will be cut and pruned. The streets, footpaths and buildings will also be lit.

Speed reducing mechanisms will be implemented before and after the security control points at all the gates.
Additional staff will be appointed to facilitate the flow of traffic at the gates.

“Over and above these measures, the EM also approved in principle the installation of electronic equipment at all the entrance gates. This will include the installation of cameras,” said Rev Jaftha.

According to Rev Jaftha the installation of the electronic equipment will be complemented by the compulsory cutting and restarting of engines for all vehicles exiting the gates. The measure has been in force since 1 February 2006.

Last year special measures were put in place to safeguard residences and their inhabitants when security guards were placed at all the ladies residences. These measures will stay in force.

“Regular audits will be done to determine the effectiveness of the strategies and systems. Although crime in and around the campus grounds can never be completely eradicated, we want to strive to create an environment on campus and in the workplace where it can be limited,” he said.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 March 2006

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