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29 March 2023
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Story Samkelo Fetile
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Photo Simba Matema
From left to right: Prof Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki, Director General at the CIRMF; Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS; and Prof Jean-Fabrice Yala, Scientific and Technical Director at the CIRMF.
The University of the Free State (UFS) recently welcomed senior members from the International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Gabon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities.
CIRMF is a non-profit medical research centre that was established in 1974. Its primary focus is on diagnosing infectious diseases that pose immediate problems in Gabon and the Central African sub-region. The centre is dedicated to improving public health through various initiatives, including the training of Gabonese health executives in doctoral and post-doctoral education.
“The signing of the MoU with CIRMF is a step in the right direction as the UFS continues to strengthen its footprint on the African Continent. This is seminal in driving the university’s internationalisation processes and opening an avenue to expanding research networks, especially in the African continent,” said Bonolo Makhalemele, Coordinator of strategic projects at the Office for International Affairs, UFS.
In the interest of developing broader research collaborations, the CIRMF delegation met with some UFS academics in a series of engagements, particularly in the Health Sciences Faculty and the Natural and Agricultural Sciences Faculty. “The integration of knowledge and practices that emanate from the continent provides opportunities for the co-creation of knowledge that can be shared with the rest of the world,” said Kagiso Ngake, Coordinator for Partnerships, Collaborative Degrees, and Outgoing Mobility at the Office for International Affairs, UFS.
A concrete roadmap was established to formalise the collaborations that resulted from these engagements and will commence as soon as April 2023. “We have laid a solid foundation and are on the way to a strong and rich partnership!” exclaimed Prof Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki, Director General at the CIRMF.
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector, and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, further highlighted how the newly established partnership with the CIRMF aligns with the mandate of the UFS Vision 130 of expanding the UFS Africa research network.
UFS takes precautions against Swine Flu
2009-08-05
“No cases of the Human Swine Flu have been reported at the University of the Free State (UFS) so far,” says Sister Riana Johnson from Kovsie Health.
“The situation is monitored closely and we are taking the necessary precautions to deal with any possible cases,” she says.
“Staff and students should visit their nearest clinic, medical practitioner or an emergency room if they experience any of the symptoms. They can also contact Kovsie Health at 051 401 2603 on the Main Campus and 058 718 5210 on the Qwaqwa Campus during office hours,” says Sister Johnson.
The symptoms of Swine Flu resemble those of ordinary flu and it includes a fever above 38 degrees Celsius together with a sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, coughing, headaches, tiredness and joint pains. Some people also have diarrhoea and vomiting.
A confirmed case of Swine Flu is a person who has an acute respiratory infection and where Swine Flu A/H1N1 infection is confirmed by a laboratory. There is no vaccine available against Swine Flu at the moment. However, antiviral medication is available and will be prescribed if necessary.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
5 August 2009