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01 June 2023 | Story Danelle Fisher | Photo Supplied
South Campus SRC uses conversations to break gender bias
Students listening attentively to speakers at the Break the Bias Conversations held at Legae Residence on the South Campus.

On 24 May 2023, the University of the Free State (UFS) South Campus Student Representative Council (SRC) held the Break the Bias Conversations dialogue at Legae Residence on the South Campus to talk about biases faced by the LGBTQI+ community. 

Established in 2022, the initiative aims to educate students on the different issues faced by students on a daily basis. "This dialogue aimed to educate students on a wide range of topics related to mental health, safety, and racial disparities experienced by our students," states Gonste Choane, Senior Officer, Kovsie Support. 

The SRC has created a safe space for students to address biases towards the LGBTQI+ community, with topics on awareness surrounding the community, including discrimination, sexual health, stereotypes and stigmatisation, and becoming more aware of conscious and unconscious biases and being willing to question ourselves and others. "There was a need to start dialogues/engagements among South Campus students regarding issues they encounter on a regular basis," added Choane. 

The dialogue was attended by South Campus students, the Gender Equity and Anti-Discrimination Office, and associations and NGOs centred around the LGBTQI+ community. "It's important for the university community to be aware of these dialogues in order to provide the necessary support mechanisms that will enhance the academic success of all students," said Choane.  

Guest speakers from diverse backgrounds were invited to share their experiences with the students. 

“The initiative has successfully managed to open the door for open discussions among students regarding issues they face on a regular basis. The initiative's goal now being growth in collaboration with more campuses. "This dialogue aims to collaborate with other campuses in the future," said Choane. 

News Archive

UFS responds to recent incident pertaining to the handing over of custodianship of baboons to the Animal Ethics Unit of the National Council of SPCAs
2017-09-25

The executive of the University of the Free State (UFS) is aware of the recent incident pertaining to the handing over of custodianship of baboons to the Animal Ethics Unit of the National Council of SPCAs.

The baboons were acquired from the Limpopo and Free State provinces with the necessary permits, but without the ethics clearance which had to be granted by the university's Interfaculty Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). Due to the fact that the UFS only conducts research on the captive bred colony of baboons - in accordance with international guidelines - custodianship of the sourced baboons was handed over to the NSPCA.

The necessary corrective actions were put in place in terms of the concerned parties who acted outside the Constitution of the AEC. No tests were done on the baboons before the handover to the NSPCA.

 

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

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