Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
31 July 2023
|
Story Lerato Lesiu
|
Photo Supplied
The Umoja Buddy Programme (UBP) in the Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated International Day of Friendship by visiting students and staff members all over campus and handing out treats with messages of friendship attached.
This day is celebrated every year on 30 July; the UBP’s ambassadors and buddies participated on Friday 28 July by hosting an event to encourage a sense of togetherness and solidarity among the university community. It emphasised the importance of friendship and how it contributes to the spread of kindness, love, and peace among people from many cultural backgrounds.
Bulelwa Moikwatlhai, who leads the Internationalisation at Home and Incoming Exchange Students portfolios in the Office for International Affairs, says the participants representing different countries in the Umoja Buddy Programme celebrated the day by visiting students and staff members all over campus and handing out treats with messages of friendship attached.
“The goal was to make someone’s day while learning about their understanding of friendship and to encourage people to reach out to their friends, express their appreciation, and engage in acts of kindness.”
“The participants had the opportunity to share their personal stories and experiences of friendship, discussing the challenges they faced and overcame, and the lessons they learned. The event allowed individuals to reflect on the value of friendship and its transformative power in promoting understanding and acceptance,” said Moikwatlhai.
Furthermore, she stated that the UBP has launched a social media campaign to encourage individuals worldwide to celebrate International Day of Friendship. Through inspiring stories, videos, and messages, the campaign aimed to spread the message of friendship and unity across borders.
Overall, the Umoja Buddy Programme’s celebration of International Friendship Day was a testament to the programme’s commitment to fostering lifelong friendships and promoting intercultural understanding. By providing a platform for individuals to connect, learn, and appreciate each other’s background, the UBP continues to create a world where diversity is celebrated, and where friendship knows no boundaries. The UBP recognises that friendship has the power to bridge cultural divides and create meaningful connections. The UBP firmly believes that these interactions can break stereotypes, enhance cultural awareness, and foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
- The Umoja Buddy Programme is a programme that pairs newly admitted international students with current students at the UFS for social, cultural, and academic integration. It seeks to ensure the smooth transition and integration of international students into student life at the UFS, helping them to integrate into the campus and local communities. The programme aims to connect international and local students through meaningful lifelong friendships and to foster their academic, social, and cultural integration at the UFS.
Prof. Dingie Janse van Rensburg promoted to Outstanding Professor
2007-11-19
The University of the Free State (UFS) is pleased to announce that Prof. Dingie Janse van Rensburg, Director of the Centre for Health Systems Research and Development has been promoted to Outstanding Professor.
In 1991 the Executive Committee of the Council introduced the category of Outstanding Professor to give recognition to a small group of outstanding academics. Not many academics at the UFS received this status since then.
Prof. Janse van Rensburg has been working at the UFS for 37 years and played a big role in establishing a culture of scientific publication among young and upcoming researchers.
Prof. Janse van Rensburg enjoys extensive national and international recognition as researcher and research manager. He delivered various national and international papers and is involved in a variety of international research projects – some of which were initiated by him. He succeeded in involving a variety of foreign researchers in long term research projects.
In 1993 he established an entrepreneurial research and development centre, which he has sustained for more than 13 years. The centre enjoys recognition nationally as well as internationally as well as credibility in the eyes of the international donor community, within government’s health sphere as well as in peer academic circles.
Prof. Janse van Rensburg has for several years been a grant holder of both the National Research Foundation and the Medical Research Council for research projects on Tuberculosis and HIV/Aids.
During his career at the UFS Prof. Janse van Rensburg received several merit awards and commendations from the UFS and other institutions. These include the Stals Prize in 1993 from the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, a Council Medal from the UFS in 2003, the UFS Centenary Medal in 2004, an award from the Department of Health in 2004 for excellence and continued support of this department, a promotion to Senior Professor from the UFS in 2005 and the Free State Premier’s Excellence Award Gold category in 2006 for excellence in research and development.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
19 November 2007