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27 September 2022
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Story Mbali Moiketsi
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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.
Qwaqwa Campus honours academic excellence
2014-05-21
Photo: Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)
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Our Qwaqwa Campus was this past weekend a hive of activity when graduates, their parents and well-wishers descended on the campus to honour outstanding academic excellence during the Winter Graduation ceremonies.
On Friday graduates from the Faculty of Humanities, as well as the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, were addressed by Tommy Makhatho, Managing Director of the Qwaqwa-based Bibi Cash and Carry.
Makhatho urged graduates to continue working hard way beyond their graduation day and to dream big.
“Dream big and don’t let your poor background hold you back,” Makhatho said.
“Don’t let people say you can’t or that you will fail. Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life, think of it, dream of it, live on that idea, let your brain, muscle, nerves and every part of your body be full of that idea and leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs,” said Makhatho, the winner of the 2013 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year and Job Creator of the Year awards.
On Saturday, graduates were treated to yet another moving message by eNCA’s news anchor, Mabale Moloi, herself a graduate in Biological sciences.
“If there is one ability that we should all practice on a daily basis, it is work ethics. This is a value based on hard work and diligence,” Moloi said.
Moloi further shared her views on what makes excellent work ethics.
“There are five very important factors of work ethics that we all need to be aware of. One of them is reliability. This means how committed you are to completing a task that is given to you within a particular period of time,” said Moloi.
“The second one is dedication. This means how prepared you are to go the extra mile in completing a job or your studies. Thirdly, one’s level of productivity is very important in having an excellent work ethic. This refers to giving the best of yourself, even to the extent of surpassing what is expected of you.”
“Fourthly, there is co-operation. We all must understand the value of team work and how it leads to success. And this, when paired with character, self-discipline and strong personality, will distinguish you from anyone else,” Moloi added.
Among the more than 800 degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred, were three PhDs in Physics, Polymer Science and Zoology, respectively. Four Masters of Science degrees were conferred cum laude.