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UFS welcomes 2023 first-year students to the ‘university of their future’

28 February 2023 | Story Lunga Luthuli and Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Sonia Small

University of the Free State Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, addressing first-entry first-year students at this year’s official welcoming and Dream Walk event hosted on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses.

‘Welcome to the Kovsie Land. This is the university of your future.’ These words reverberated across the University of the Free State’s (UFS) two campuses as Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, welcomed first-year students to the beginning of their journey to success.

During the annual official welcoming and the second Dream Walk, known as Kovsie Dream, the UFS welcomed first-year students to the university community on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses over two weekends, emphasizing clarity and the committed pursuit of their dreams and aspirations.

University, a step towards harnessing personal development

“University is a valuable stage of growth in your life and an important platform for you to mature and gain personal success. It is a meaningful day marking a new chapter in your life,” said Prof Petersen.

The First-Year welcoming event is an important day on the university’s calendar, and the Division of Student Affairs has pulled out all the stops to ensure that, as one of the most memorable and significant days of the student’s academic journey, it was marked with fanfare and the instilling of the Kovsie spirit and values.

Prof Petersen committed the university to walking the journey with students to see them leave the institution as proud and thriving graduates and UFS alumni.

“Today you stand on the shoulders of many alumni who continue to excel in various fields, not only in South Africa, but on the continent and globally, such as 2016 Olympics gold medallist, Wayde van Niekerk, 2020 Paralympics silver medal winner, Louzanne Coetzee, Free State Cheetahs rugby star, Oupa Mohoje, and former Miss World, Rolene Strauss. The challenge I would like you to sign up for, is to promise yourself, your family, and the UFS that you will develop yourself and try to make society a better place,” added Prof Petersen.

He said: “As you begin your journey as Kovsies, I believe you will forge your path of excellence and expand your potential within the faculties that will be your primary academic home. At the University of the Free State, we inspire excellence and transform lives.”

The University of the Free State management leading first-year students on the Qwaqwa Campus during the
Dream Walk, which also provided an opportunity to complete their dream cards, setting their goals and
future aspirations. (Photo: Sonia Small)

Get set, dream and achieve your goals

From the Callie Human and Mandela Halls respectively, the students participated in a Dream Walk, grouped according to their colleges, having completed dream cards that set goals for their future. In a move to shape the future of student life on the Qwaqwa Campus, on- and off-campus students were incorporated into colleges. This is another fulfilment of the university’s mission to see all students participating fully in student activities and having a holistic campus life experience, regardless of where they stay.

In closing, Prof Petersen said: “At the University of the Free State, we are an institution focused on consistently renewing and reimaging ourselves to effectively impact the communities around us. We equip you for global platforms. We believe that the graduates can operate and exhibit themselves on platforms around the globe.”

The welcoming festivities were closed with serenades by Durban-born Afro-pop songstress and songwriter Azana, former UFS LLB student and UFS alumni, and Van Pletzen band.

Watch the highlights from this year's welcoming:

News Archive

SRC Consultation desk

2015-04-20

In an era where woman are consistently escalating up the echelons of power, this universal phenomenon is also making waves on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State. As different citizens would recognise First lady Michelle Obama, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and United Nations Ambassador Angelina Jolie, so it is also with Student Representative Council Secretary General, Dineo Motaung. She is among a handful of ladies within the student leadership who cherish her responsibilities diligently for the interests of human beings.

The SRC Consultation Desk is an official space created by the office of the Secretary General, aimed at being of service to students alongside the students’ academic pursuit. Inspired by Ubuntu, meaning ‘I am what I am because of who we are’ comes the task of cultivating and nurturing the essence of who we are, through constructive and honest dialogue between students and the university staff. It is by talking to one another that we will establish an environment that permeates our uniqueness and pollinates our consciousness with awareness that would cause us to act in unison in propagating the vision of the university.

Toward this end, the Secretary General has commissioned two SRC members to various stations every Monday and Wednesday, to interact with both students and staff. Please find the schedule reflected below. It is hoped that through this engagement, problems will not simply be identified, but that practical and feasible solutions will be offered.

“Through the SRC Consultation Desk I hope to see the manifestation and spirit of Ubuntu on campus by the time my term ends. With all that said, I am available for any concerns,” said Motaung.

Monday 20 April 2015, 12:00-13:00

SRC Accessibility and Student Support: Louzanne Coetzee

Station: Thakaneng Bridge

Wednesday 23 April 2015, 14:00-15:00

SRC Media, Marketing & Laison: Lethabo Maebana

Station: New Computer Labs (Entrance door)

Wednesday 29 April 2015, 14:00-15:00

SRC Student Development and Environmental Affairs: Victor Ngubeni

Station: Sasol Library (Opposite Deli)

Monday 4 May 2015, 14:00-15:00

SRC Secretary General Dineo Motaung

Station: Amphitheatre

Wednesday 6 May 2015

SRC Student Media: Masingi Sam

Station: Sasol Library (close to Deli)

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