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09 March 2023 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Lunga Luthuli
Volunteer students participating in a two-day training by KovsieACT to learn fundamental principles of gardening, including soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilising, and pest management.

To ensure food security for students, KovsieACT – in collaboration with the Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – held training sessions for approximately 150 student volunteers at the University of the Free State (UFS) community gardens on the Bloemfontein Campus. 

The UFS project consists of two large food tunnels, which provide an educational intervention that addresses food insecurity on campus, and by extension, food insecurity challenges students experience in their hometowns, at home, and in their villages.

Karen Scheepers, Assistant Director: Student Life, said: “The purpose of this training is to equip students with the necessary skills to identify or recognise the need for and importance of planting and taking care of vegetables. Participating students also learned the fundamental principles of gardening, including soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilising, and pest management.”

During the training held on 8 and 9 March 2023, students were also trained to choose the right seeds and to start their own seed germination project. “The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to grow and maintain a thriving vegetable garden,” added Scheepers.

The training was conducted by experienced professionals from the department, with students also getting an opportunity to ask questions and interact with fellow students who share their passion for gardening.

Scheepers said: “This training is a great opportunity for students to learn new skills, make new friends, and connect with the community. It will also help them to lead a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

The training is an extension of the institution’s No Student Hungry Programme (NSH), which continues to ensure that hundreds of students are supported with food parcels, including vegetables and non-perishable items. The NSH programme provides food to insecure students through modest food allowances and daily access to one balanced meal.

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Students walk away with Dell laptops, courtesy of Eduloan
2009-10-05

 
Owning a laptop is one of the key necessities for any student offering the flexibility and opportunity to work on and submit assignments, complete projects and conduct research timeously and from the comfort of their own home. Four lucky winners will now experience this convenience, thanks to Eduloan and their recently concluded Win-a-Laptop promotion. Students were afforded the opportunity to qualify for the draw if they submitted their loan applications between 13 July and 28 August 2009. The promotion was enhanced by experiential activations on campus and supplemented by weekly spot prize draws. The lucky winner from the University of the Free State was Mr Phillip Diba. He requested a loan for his son Andile Diba, studying Agricultural Management at the UFS. The remaining three lucky winners, drawn on 4 September 2009, are Ms Winnie Ntombomzi Jozi, Mr Gideon Ideon and Mr Thabiso James Nqola. Pictured are the Diba family receiving the laptop from Dr Mariette de Chavonnes Vrugt (Eduloan Operational and Sales Manager in the Free State and North West).
Photo: Supplied

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