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01 August 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba
womens Month 2023

As South Africa kicks off Women's Month, the University of the Free State (UFS) also launched its 2023 campaign, #UFSWomen Strive to BeBetter. The initiative reflects the institution's dedication to fostering women's empowerment and promoting gender equality within its academic and support staff domains. This move aligns with the United Nations’ Generation Equality campaign, connecting South Africa to the worldwide efforts aimed at achieving gender equality by 2030.

Historically, Women's Month in South Africa holds immense significance, commemorating the bravery of more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. The marchers opposed the extension of Pass Laws to women, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's history. Today, Women's Month represents a time for reflection, assessment of progress, and confronting various forms of oppression.

Championing social justice

In line with its Vision 130 strategy, the UFS has placed social justice at the heart of its mission. With the objective of promoting human dignity through ethical and transparent institutional practices, the university interprets social justice within the context of South Africa's history. This includes striving for inclusivity, reducing inequality, and providing opportunities to overcome poverty and dispossession.

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, underscored the importance of Women's Month and the university's unwavering dedication to promoting gender equality. He expressed appreciation for the strength and resilience exhibited by women, while acknowledging the obstacles they continue to encounter. “The university takes pride in championing the principles of equality and strives to offer a conducive environment for women to flourish in every aspect of its academic community.”

Building a Better Future

The #UFSWomen Strive to BeBetter campaign aims to shed light on the various initiatives and support systems implemented by the university to uplift and empower women within the campus community. Through this proactive effort, the UFS seeks to create an environment where women can flourish and contribute meaningfully to the greater goal of building a more equitable society.

Throughout Women's Month, the UFS has planned an array of events to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women within the institution. The activities will include panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering dialogue and encouraging the exchange of ideas.

Victim to Victor GBV Awareness and Dignity Kit Handover 
Date: 3 August 2023
Time: 12:00-14:00

Venue: Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Struggles and Experiences of Womxn in Higher Education
Date: 7 August 2023
Time: 10:00-12:30

Pour_try and Paint
Date: 10 August 2023
Time: 16:00-18:30
Venue: Soetdoring Café, Bloemfontein Campus
Seminar on Bridging the Gap: Exploring the Intersection of Traditional African Values and Modern Perspectives in Achieving Gender Equality 
Date: 24 August 2023
Time: 10:00-12:30
Annual Women’s Day Breakfast 
Date: 24 August 2023
Time: 08:30-10:30
Venue: Callie Human Centre, Bloemfontein Campus

News Archive

First-year students encouraged to attend UFS welcoming function
2006-01-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host a welcoming function for all new first-year students and their parents on Saturday 14 January 2006 in the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

The function starts at 11:00 and will be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie. UFS staff will also be available to provide vital information to first-year students on academic matters.

According to Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS, Saturday’s welcoming function can assist students and parents by providing vital information on the many high quality academic learning programmes on offer at the UFS in six faculties.

“If students and parents have this information it will make the registration process, which starts next week Tuesday 17 January 2006, much smoother,” Mr Collett said.

The UFS has split the registration process into various categories of students and Mr Collett appealed to all students to adhere to the dates and times which apply to them as a one-stop service will be available so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the registration process.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students who applied before 30 November 2005 to study at the Bloemfontein Campus will take place from Tuesday 17 January 2006 at the Callie Human Centre.

Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 23 January 2006.

Postgraduate students, first-time entering first-year students and other students who applied for admission to the main campus after 30 November 2005 must register at the Callie Human from 2 February 2006. 

Late applications will be accepted until Wednesday 25 January 2006 at the Information Centre on the Main Campus’ Thakaneng Bridge. These applications will be regarded as pending and will be processed as places become available on the programme the student has applied for,” said Mr Collett. 

Vista Campus:
The Vista Campus in Bloemfontein – which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2004 – no longer accepts applications from first-year students. Such prospective students had to apply to the UFS Main Campus. Students who had been registered on the Vista campus last year must register at the Vista Campus on the same dates as applicable on the Main Campus.

Qwaqwa Campus:
At the Qwaqwa Campus of the UFS, all first-time entering first-year students must report on Thursday 19 January 2006, after which the registration of these students will take place according to a specific programme. The official welcoming functioning for new first-years at the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS will take place on Saturday 11 February 2006 at 08:00 in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Mr Collett appealed to first-year students who have applied to study at the Qwaqwa Campus and their parents to attend this function which fulfils the same role as the one held on the Bloemfontein Main Campus.

Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website at www.uovs.ac.za. Prospective students may also call the Main Campus in Bloemfontein on (051) 401-3000 or the Qwaqwa Campus on (058) 718-5000 for more information.

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

 

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