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11 May 2023 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo iFlair Photography
Modular Lecture Building
The Modular Lecture Building on the UFS’s Bloemfontein Campus.

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Modular Lecture Building on its Bloemfontein Campus recently received a National Merit Award from the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). The awards were announced at the 2021/2022 Corobrik SAIA Awards of Merit and Awards for Excellence ceremony in Johannesburg.

The multi-functional Modular Lecture Building, considered a hub for innovative learning, was designed by Roodt Architects in partnership with GXY Architects.

The adjudication panel received a total of 42 architectural projects from around the country, including infrastructure developments in the public and private sector. The SAIA Awards programme is structured over a two-year period and is conducted in two stages. In stage one regional awards for architecture are presented by the nine regional institutes affiliated to SAIA. In stage two the winning regional projects that are consequently entered into the national awards receive either a Commendation, an Award of Merit, and/or an Award for Excellence, which recognises exceptional achievement in the field of architecture.

In their citation the adjudicators noted that the Modular Lecture Building sets a benchmark for rational planning and technical efficiency and helps complete the campus urban framework through its placing and material choices.

Multi-functional spaces for students

Nico Janse van Rensburg, Senior Director at UFS University Estates, said the recognition is a testament to the UFS’s aspirations to renew, rejuvenate, regenerate, and revisit facilities and infrastructure.

“This award proves that excellence can be achieved with a reasonable set budget,” Janse van Rensburg said. “Energy efficiency and green building principles can be achieved by careful planning and teamwork.”

The Modular Lecture Building offers a variety of much-needed flexible teaching and learning spaces. “I have been using the facilities in this building for two years now, and I can say the building is much more spacious and conducive to studying,” said Hymne Spies, a third-year BSc student majoring in biochemistry and genetics. “The many plugs make it more efficient for studying, as one can plug in his or her laptop. There is also a nice computer lab for us to make use of.”

The UFS is proud that the construction of this facility forms part of a bigger endeavour – to create a cohesive campus identity that improves core business and to further extend its innovation and excellence as per its Vision 130.

Take a tour of the new Modular Lecturing Space and Assessment Centre Building:

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Colleagues from School of MNSTE invited to China
2017-01-01

Description:MNSTE   Tags: MNSTE

From left to right: Dr NJP Teis, Mr SJ Coetzee, Ms MA
Tlali & Ms Z Mobara

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) in partnership with the Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering has invited 4 colleagues from the UFS and 50 from all over the country to attend a Lecturer Developmental Programme in Shanghai, China. This programme will run over a period of four weeks (15 August–10 September) whereby lecturers can attend various focus areas such as Machinery and Electrical Skills (CNC Processing), 3D Printing and Robotics and Mechatronics. This offers lecturers an opportunity to upgrade their skills set that will improve their teaching and learning practices. Dr NJP Teis and Ms Z Mobara will be attending the Robotics and Mechatronics course and Mr SJ Coetzee and Ms MA Tlali will attend the 3D Printing. Course to enable them to develop the innovative skills needed in the current technology teaching practices.

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