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Depiction of an Exchange Student
The world awaits. The University of the Free State (UFS) is continually looking for ways to provide opportunities for students who want to study abroad and gain other academic and social living experiences. Ten UFS students are currently on exchange programmes in Spain and Germany getting some international experience.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is continually looking for ways to provide opportunities for students who want to study abroad and gain other academic and social living experiences. Ten UFS students are currently on exchange programmes in Spain and Germany getting some international experience.

The student exchange is part of the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) Programme, in partnership with Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid in Spain, Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and the Alliance 4 Universities consortium hosting students for a semester.

 

Erasmus+ ICM

The Erasmus+ ICM grant agreements are devoted to increasing the quality of higher education and one of the ways is through staff and student mobility, which are financed through grants that facilitate mobility. It permits students to study at institutions in Erasmus+ partner countries. Candidates for study at these institutions must first go through a selection process, whereafter nominations will be sent to the partner universities.

 

UFS Exchange Programme

The programme offers more than just providing students with international experience or introducing them to other cultures and activities. It also helps students to explore new professional prospects and expand their network in preparation for future employment or even business partnerships. Registered UFS students have an opportunity to study for a semester abroad at one of the university's European partners.

Studying abroad is not always an option for everyone, and most of time limited it is to those who could afford to travel. Erasmus+ Key Action 107 and International Credit mobility programmes offer fully funded grants to increase mobility.

Five students from the current cohort are on exchange at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid (Spain;, three at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences (Germany); and two will complete their student mobility at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona through the Alliance 4 Universities (Spain). Students are expected back at the end of January 2023.

 

Strengthening relationships

By sending students on exchanges, the UFS strengthens its links and collaborations with other universities throughout the world. It also positions the UFS as an active participant in collaborations, increasing the possibility that the UFS will be granted additional opportunities. Students gain a competitive edge for future career opportunities, benefiting the UFS community with the information and experience gained.

Interested in Study abroad opportunities? Visit the website of the Office for International Affairs to find out how you can study abroad at partner institutions.

News Archive

Boyden observatory celebrates its achievements
2004-10-05

The red carpet will be rolled out and champagne glasses filled tonight when the Boyden Observatory outside Bloemfontein will launch the first phase of the new science centre.

This phase, which was completed earlier this year, consists of a new auditorium, reception area and paths which connect educational visiting points on the Boyden terrain.

“Over the past two years the Boyden Observatory has been re-sited as a research, educational and public facility. The new facilities are now being utilised for educational and public programmes. The 1,5m Boyden telescope has also recently been upgraded and is used for research purposes,” says Dr Matie Hoffman from the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Physics, who is responsible for the management of the centre.

“The Boyden Observatory is a unique facility of the UFS - we are one of the few universities in the world who has its own observatory,” says Dr Hoffman.

“The main purpose of the science centre is to create enthusiasm for science amongst the public. The centre also has a great educational function and focuses specifically on the improvement of the quality of science education in the Free State,” says Dr Hoffman.

Fund-raising for the planned second phase of the science centre, which will consist of interactive in- and outside exhibition areas, will also start tonight. “After the completion of the second phase the Boyden Observatory will probably become the most accessible and public-friendly observatory in the country and a great asset for the Free State Province,” says Dr Hoffman.

A small robotic telescope, which will be controlled from the University College Dublin in Ireland, will also be installed at the Boyden Observatory this year.

“Just as this year is a significant one for the UFS with its centenary celebrations, so it is also a significant one for the Boyden Observatory. The Harvard University in the United States of America started with the construction of the original 1,5 m telescope in its original form 100 years ago, the telescope was put in place at Boyden 70 years ago and Mr Uriah Boyden – the person who donated the money with which the Boyden Observatory was constructed, was born 200 years ago,” says Dr Hoffman.

The first phase of the science centre was built with funds sponsored by the AngloGold Fund, the Shuttleworth Foundation, the Charl van der Merwe Trust and the Lila Theron Trust. Donations from the Friends of Boyden Observatory and other individuals also contributed to the success of the project.

Those who are interested in educational tours of the science centre can contact Dr Hoffman at (051) 401-2322.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 October 2004

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