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05 August 2023 | Story Lacea Loader

All academic activities on the campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) will resume face-to-face on Monday 7 August 2023.

This decision by the university’s executive management comes after campus-wide protests on 2 August 2023, and the subsequent decision to continue the academic programme online until 4 August 2023.

The university can confirm that a large number of UFS-registered students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) who have been excluded from payment, have received their allowances on Friday 4 August 2023. The university is aware that a small number of students have not yet onboarded successfully with eZaga – an online digital banking service tasked with disbursing direct payments to NSFAS beneficiaries. These students have been requested to urgently onboard successfully with eZaga in order to receive their allowances.

On a sectoral level, the university would also like to confirm that a statement has been issued by Universities South Africa (USAf) in which NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation are, among others, requested to urgently resolve the matter of the direct payment of allowances to students. The UFS fully supports the statement and is hopeful that an amicable and urgent solution to the matter can be found.

Protection Services and the South African Police Service remain on high alert and are monitoring the situation on the campuses closely. The necessary security measures are in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, will address our staff and students on 8 August 2023 about last week’s protest action. Please monitor the communication platforms for more information on this important engagement session.

message from Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, to staff and students about last week’s protest was also shared on 3 August 2023.

News Archive

Australian theologian discusses models of greatness
2008-08-26

 

Prof. Bill Loader, research professor at Murdoch University, Australia, recently discussed models of greatness at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Faculty of Theology. In his discussion Prof. Loader opened up what the gospel according to Mark tells about greatness in relation to the disciples, Jesus and God. He contrasted it with popular models of greatness (which emphasises power, control and domination). Jesus’ model of greatness is of vulnerable compassion. It is a paradigm for not only the disciples and Jesus, but also for understanding God. When we think like that, it has a major impact on what we preach and how we worship. What we value in God, will inevitably be what we value in ourselves: Power and control, or love and compassion. This was his second visit to South Africa, but only his first visit to Bloemfontein. Pictured here is Prof. Loader and his wife, Gisela.
Photo: Supplied

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