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Protection Services enhances student safety

17 May 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish

Shining the light on the darkness, which is crime.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Protection Services works around the clock to safeguard students in order to reduce risks of crime on and around the three UFS campuses. On 12 May 2023, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Brandwag Sector Community Policing Forum (CPF), and Protection Services organised a safety awareness campaign from 19:00 to 21:00, which is the peak period for crime incidences in the neighbourhood.

“Continuous awareness to enhance student safety in the Brandwag area highlights the commitment of the UFS, SAPS, and the community through the CPF structure towards student safety,” said Jacobus van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director: Threat Detection, Investigations, Compliance and Liaison in Protection Services.

Mitigating risks and maximising safety

Students and staff are the most valuable assets of the UFS. Protection Services has various initiatives and a dedicated team that ensures the physical safety of all who study and work at the institution. The safety, health, and well-being of the university community remains the university’s priority. Off-campus safety and security are at the top of the list, hence Protection Services, in collaboration with external stakeholders, remains steadfast in its attempts to create a safe environment.

Continuous awareness campaigns

On 16 May 2023, Protection Services continued to spread safety awareness in the Universitas neighbourhood (with the assistance of students), where many UFS students live – first in Badenhorst Street and then in Stofberg Street. Throughout the year, these patrols and awareness initiatives will continue, expanding to the South and Qwaqwa campuses.

The UFS value framework includes compassion as a core virtue. As a result, we as a university take pleasure in our dedication to fostering environments that are not only favourable for excellent teaching, learning, and scholarship, but also emphasise the well-being and happiness of the campus community. Vision 130, an expansion of the strategic purpose to reposition the institution for 2034 when the university will celebrate its 130th anniversary, demonstrates our value of care.

Contact details:

If you need any assistance, call Protection Services on its toll-free number 0800 204 682, which is available 24/7.

Off-campus security liaison vehicle spotted in the safety convoy

Off-campus security liaison vehicle spotted in the safety convoy

The SAPS Visible Policing Unit present to raise awareness about safety

The SAPS Visible Policing Unit present to raise awareness about safety

Present in the fight to build safer neighbourhoods was the Sector 2 CPF

Present in the fight to build safer neighbourhoods was the Sector 2 CPF

Students living off campus engaged with the team during the anti-crime drive

UFS Protection Services together in arms with the SAPS and members of the CPF

Ensuring that students who live off campus remain a priority

Keeping the neighbourhood safe and secure is of the utmost importance

Keeping the neighbourhood safe and secure is of the utmost importance

Targeting crime hotspots and conducting a needs analysis of the students living in those areas to ensure their well-being

Working around the clock to serve and protect the lives of students living off campus

Promoting a crime-free off-campus environment

News Archive

Community builders honoured at Community Engagement Awards

2016-10-13

Description: "06 -10-2016 Comm Engagement Awards Read More Tags: Comm Engagement Awards

Photo: Charl Devenish

The office of Community Engagement held its annual Community Engagement Awards at the University of the Free State (UFS) on 5 October 2016. This year, the ceremony celebrated people who gave themselves selflessly to improve the lives of those around them who are less privileged. Key players in various sectors of society were recognised and honoured for their contribution and commitment towards a common good.

Dr Richard Teare, president of the Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL), was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. GULL, a non-profit foundation, operates across the world, providing access to lifelong learning for communities, giving each individual an opportunity to make a difference in their world. Dr Teare talked of places that lack the provision and infrastructure to access higher education and said that through community service programmes, social and economic development was enhanced, and the necessary expertise and resources were provided to drive a community towards a greater good. “Community engagement espouses academic excellence—it enables people to discover their full potential.”

Through its partnership with GULL, the University of Free State has worked with women from Bloem Shelter, an organisation that provides assistance to underprivileged women and children from diverse walks of life. The women were equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge they needed to become self-sufficient - an experience that has yielded positive, constructive change in the women’s lives.

The awards also acknowledged the boldness and innovative support of members of the Free State community in their various sectors. Among those awarded was Dr Choice Makhetha for her contribution in building capacity for those involved in community service programmes. She also designed and created approaches to improve situations in schools, churches, community organisations and small businesses. Also presented with an award was Dr Dipane Hlalele of the Qwaqwa Campus for his role as principal investigator in two National Research Foundation (NRF) -funded projects; Rural Relational Leadership and Sustainable Rural and Urban Connection. The ICT Innovation in School Education division of the South Campus was also recognised for its Internet Broadcast Project (IBP), which provides lessons on different subjects to 72 000 learners and 3 000 teachers each week.

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