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19 May 2023 | Story Dalene Meintjes | Photo Supplied
Teaching and Learning Fellows
The second cohort of the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship: Back (left to right): Dr Joseph Kunnuji, Christa Faber, Dr Anke van der Merwe, Dr Lisa Rothmann, Dr Msebenzi Rabaza, Dr Albertus Barkhuizen. Front (left to right): Maryna Hattingh, Anna-Marie Welman, Dr Ntombizandile Gcelu, Thakaso Masabata, Oyinlola Adebola, Charles Mothelesi, Dr Mamokhosi Choane.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has welcomed the second cohort of fellows taking part in its Learning and Teaching Fellowship.

“The UFS merit-based fellowship programme in Learning and Teaching provides recognition to our university teachers who have excelled in different domains of teaching, which can range from curriculum design and development, student-centred teaching techniques, to technology enhancement infused into pedagogical and teaching approaches,” Dr Engela van Staden, UFS Vice Rector: Academics, told the fellows, at their welcoming event in October 2022. She also emphasised the importance of acknowledging the skills, competencies, and experiences that lead to successful teaching portfolios.

The two-year fellowship, launched in 2021, provides the chosen UFS academic staff members with further training in the scholarship of teaching and learning, and allows them to work on a project within the field. It also aims to advance scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning at an institutional level, empowering academics for 21st-century education, as specified in the UFS learning and teaching strategy.

The programme also allows fellows to produce evidence of innovation in learning and teaching as specified in the Academic Performance Framework; aims to increase research outputs in disciplinary learning and teaching; and aims to create a pipeline of academics eligible for national fellowship programmes such as the Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) Fellowship Programme.

Expectations of the programme

The fellowship programme which commenced with a workshop, followed by a writing retreat where fellows had the opportunity to conceptualise and reflect on their learning and teaching projects.

Thakaso Masabata, a Junior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science and Informatics, said she expects the programme to broaden her understanding of creative teaching methods applicable in today's digital age and establish her position as a reputable researcher in the field. “This programme will aid me in my ongoing master's studies and contribute to achieving my long-term goal of pursuing a PhD,” she said. “Through acquiring hands-on experience and collaborating with seasoned professionals, I aspire to improve my aptitude for designing productive learning environments for students and making significant contributions to the teaching and learning community.”

Overall, the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for academics to enhance their skills and competencies in teaching, research, and mentorship, while creating a pipeline of successful scholars who can contribute significantly to learning and teaching. 

News Archive

UFS changes format of graduation ceremony
2011-04-17

 

The highest number of qualifications in the history of the University of the Free State (UFS) will be awarded at the autumn diploma and graduation ceremony from 9-11 May 2011, which will be held in the Callie Human Centre on our Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

From this year, the format of the ceremony will change to make it more visible to students and the public. For the first time, all the doctoral and master’s degrees from each respective faculty will be conferred during one ceremony on 11 May 2011, instead of each faculty handling these qualifications individually. Another change in the format is that the procession will gather on the Red Square in front of the Main Building and move to the Callie Human Centre from there. Both academic staff and graduands will partake in the procession.

A total of 3 674 qualifications will be conferred during this year’s graduation ceremony, including 629 diplomas, 2 613 Bachelors and honours degrees, 372 master’s degrees and 58 doctorates.

An honorary doctorate in Drama and Theatre Arts will also be awarded to theatre stalwart Mr Pieter Fourie. He is one of the most acclaimed Afrikaans playwrights in South Africa and probably the only person to have left his mark as an actor, director, artistic director and writer.

Mr Fourie was awarded the Gerhard Beukes prize for drama , was honoured for his contribution to the arts by the South African Academy for Science and Arts and was appointed as trustee of the Arts and Culture Trust of the State President in 1997. He has also served as a committee member of the South African Academy for Science and Arts.

Mr. Fourie has also been the proud recipient of the Hertzog prize for drama, two FNB-Vita awards and a Fleur Du Cap award.
 

The full programme for the respective ceremonies is as follows:

  • Monday, 9 May 2011:

At 08:30, certificates and diplomas, excluding PGED and PGES, will be awarded to graduates from the Faculty of Education and at 12:00 PGED, PGED and B and honours degrees will be awarded to students from the same faculty. At 15:30 on the same day, certificates and B and honours degrees will be awarded to students in the Faculty of the Humanities.

At 19:00, the Faculties of Education, the Humanities and Economic and Management Sciences will have their prize-giving ceremonies for outstanding achievers.

  • Tuesday, 10 May 2011:

At 08:30, students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will graduate and at and 12:00 the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science will join them. This includes students in BML, B.Admin., B.Pub. and related honours degrees. At 15:30, 503 students from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will receive their certificates, diplomas and B and honours degrees.

At 19:00, the Faculties of Health Sciences, Natural and Agriculture Sciences, Law and Theology will have their prize-giving ceremonies.

  • Wednesday, 11 May 2011:

The Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Theology will be awarding their certificates, diplomas and B and honours degrees at 08:30. At 12:00, all faculties will award a total of 372 master’s degrees and at 15:30 a total of 58 doctorates will be conferred.

The Chancellor’s Dinner will take place in the Centenary Complex on the Main Campus of the UFS at 19:00.

The graduation ceremony of our Qwaqwa Campus will take place in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus on 7 May 2011 at 10:00. All the faculties at this campus will confer their degrees, certificates and diplomas at this ceremony.
 


Media Release
21 April 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

 

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