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27 March 2023
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Story Valentino Ndaba
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This year, the University of the Free State will witness one of its biggest graduation seasons yet. A total of 19 ceremonies will take place this April. The Qwaqwa Campus will host four ceremonies from 14 to 15 April and the Bloemfontein Campus will host fifteen celebrations from 18 to 22 April 2023.
A grand total of 8 628 graduates will walk across the stage throughout the seven days. In addition, four honorary doctorates will also be conferred. Prof Stephen Brown will be awarded the Council Medal, Prof Mattheus Lötter is to receive the Chancellor's Medal.
Qwaqwa Campus Graduation Ceremonies
Bloemfontein and South Campus Graduation Ceremonies
For more information on guides and attires, click here.
Download the graduation schedule
here.
HIV Cure – Just another fantasy?
2016-07-27
Twenty-years ago, after a person had been diagnosed with HIV, their lifespan did not exceed three years, but thanks to the success of antiretroviral therapy programmes, life expectancy has risen by an average of ten years. However, is antiretroviral therapy always going to be for life? This is the societal issue that Professor John Frater, addressed in his talk at the University of the Free State. He is an MRC Senior Clinical Fellow, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases at Oxford University.
Antiretroviral medicine therapeutic
The discovery of antiretroviral therapy - the use of HIV medicines to treat the virus - has had a positive effect on the health and well-being of people living with it, improving their quality of life. Unfortunately, if treatment is stopped, HIV rebounds to the detriment of the patient. Now, research has shown that some patients, who are treated soon after being infected by HIV, may go off treatment for prolonged periods. Work is being done to predict who will be able to stop treatment.
“The difference made by starting treatment earlier is enormous. Delaying treatment is denying yourself the right to health,” Professor Frater says. However, this does not mean that the virus is cured. “A person can live for ten years without being on HIV treatment, but is that enough?” he went on to ask.
Healthy lifestyles encouraged
The National Department of Health will adopt a test and treat immediately strategy later this year to improve patient health and curb the spread of HIV. ,This is another reason why everybody should know their status and start treatment as soon as possible.
Search for a cure continues
More research is being conducted to establish whether HIV can be eradicated. Remission gives hope that a permanent cure may be found eventually. “Will a cure for HIV ever be found? Time will tell,” he concluded.