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27 September 2022 | Story Mbali Moiketsi | Photo Supplied
Heritage day
Staff members of the Office for International Affairs celebrated Heritage Day dressing up in cultural or traditional attire from all over the world
Globally and in South Africa, internationalisation has become accepted as one of the critical processes that advance the core business of universities. The Office for International Affairs (OIA) aims to encourage stakeholders to integrate the international and intercultural dimensions into the formal and informal curriculum for all students within the domestic environment. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the OIA to ensure that the University of the Free State is exposed to an intercultural environment as part of everyday learning. This includes the celebration of Africa Month, Intercultural Diversity, and Heritage Day. The latter is commemorated annually on 24 September, acknowledging and celebrating the cultural wealth of our nation. At the UFS, students and staff celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures, including international cultures, that make up the population of South Africa.

OIA staff members celebrated the day by dressing up in cultural or traditional attire from all over the world, recognising the importance of each culture. The day was meant to reflect on the culture and meaning of who we are by educating ourselves on what it means to be global. We need to instil a sense of social cohesion among the UFS community by appreciating and overcoming racial and social barriers to unity. The day was filled with lots of activities, such as learning about different countries, taking part in indigenous games, and indulging in traditional music. The day ended with the realisation of the importance of heritage, and how we as the OIA continue to educate and instil intercultural dimensions at the UFS.

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus launches No Student Hungry Programme
2013-05-02

 

Samkelo Duma (white shirt) flanked by some of the guests during the launch of the NSH Programme on the Qwaqwa Campus.
Photo: Thabo Kessah
02 May 2013

The Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State launched the No Student Hungry (NSH) Programme on Friday 26 April 2013. The programme aims to provide needy students with a daily balanced meal to enable them to concentrate in class and ultimately obtain their degrees. The programme – initiated by Vice-Chancellor and Rector Prof Jonathan Jansen in 2011 on the Bloemfontein Campus – already feeds hundreds of students.

Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs who represented the Rectorate, encouraged students in need to focus more on their desire for greatness.

“Through this programme, you will be able you to shift your focus from the hunger pangs and rather focus all your energy on the hunger to make Africa great,” said Buys. “We want you to be different from the rest of your generation that is reluctant to compete for greatness. Many of your peers prefer mediocrity and it is our wish that through this programme, you can start learning to compete with the best,” Buys impelled.

According to the Qwaqwa Campus programme co-coordinator, Selloane Phoofolo, NSH operates on a primary and a secondary level.

“The primary level offers a food bursary to the students whose academic performance is above 65 percent and not receiving any form of financial assistance. For the 2013 academic year, we had 53 students applying and 31 have qualified. They are getting a meal for R25.00 a day at the Dining Hall,” said Phoofolo.

She further explained that, “On the secondary level, we provide monthly food parcels to 19 students who did not qualify for the food bursary. These food parcels are donated by Pick n Pay and Stop Hunger Now SA. For this, beneficiaries must undertake 40 hours of community service during the year. They must also partake in student activities. Their academic progress is monitored by the Office of Social Work.”

One of the beneficiaries, a final-year BA degree student Samkelo Duma, expressed his gratitude towards the UFS for giving him an equal opportunity to those in more fortunate situations to do his best in his studies. “It is difficult to study and concentrate on an empty stomach and I must say that the NSH is very helpful. I do not just get a meal, but I get a healthy meal to keep me going throughout the tough day,” Duma said.

Also present at the launch were the patrons of the programme, Ms Grace Jansen and Dr Carin Buys. They volunteer their time and energy to raise funds for the project.

Students apply for the allowances and are selected on the basis of financial need, academic results, active participation in student life programmes and commitment to give something back to the community.

You can also invest in these students' future by contributing R10.00 each time you sms the word 'Answer' to 38722.

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