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06 November 2023
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Story MBALI MABOEA
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Photo SUPPLIED
The Department of Geography on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus recently played host to the Society of South African Geographers Conference (SSAG 2023), which gathered more than 100 students over three days.
Fostering academic growth, collaboration, and inspiration among students and researchers in the field of geography, the Department of Geography on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus recently played host to the Society of South African Geographers Conference (SSAG 2023), which gathered more than 100 students over three days.
Following a five-year hiatus, the three-day conference comprised student proposal presentations in different fields: human geography, environment geography, geoinformatics, and physical geography, divided into breakaway sessions over two days. Furthermore, day three of the annual conference included an excursion to the Basotho Cultural Village and Clarens.
The three-day annual student conference focused on different themes presented by two main speakers. The topic of the first keynote speaker, Dr Mahlomola Daemane, General Manager of the SANParks Arid Research Unit, focused on the contemporary conservation, transition, and relevance of science in policy and decision making.
The second keynote speaker was Dr Felicia Akinyemi, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellow affiliated with the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Her work focuses on the intersection of geoinformatics, global change, and sustainability. Dr Akinyemi focused her talk on the integrative geospatial methods and metrics for sustainable land use. She introduced different techniques and metrics and gave students insight in early-career African research.
Speaking about the success of the conference, Nthebohiseng Sekhele, Geography Lecturer on the Qwaqwa Campus and chair of the organising committee, said, “The local organising committee was also very impressed with the quality of presentations from our postgraduate students in Geography, as well as the robust discussions that happened during the parallel sessions in the two days of the conference. We had a positive response of physical and online participation from many universities across South Africa. We are pleased that we have achieved our goal with this conference, which is to inspire the next generation of geographers.”
Construction work on new residences begins
2012-02-24
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From left are: Richard Chemaly, SRC President; Mr Quintin Koetaan; Prof. Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations and Mr Pura Mgolombane, Assistant Dean: Student Affairs, at the sod turning ceremony.
Photo: Johan Roux
24 February 2012
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Construction of two new residences on our Bloemfontein Campus will begin soon. Some 500 students will be accommodated in the residences, with the first students able to move in from January 2013.
The premises where the residences will be built were recently handed over to the contractors.
Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, says that the design of the residences follow global trends in student accommodation, but are adapted to local needs and student communities. The new residences will provide more study and tutoring spaces, also with more open space for diverse students to socialise. The residences will function together as a Student Life College.
Mr Quintin Koetaan, Director: Housing and Residence Affairs, says the new residences will house both junior and senior students. Residences will co-ed, with men and women housed in separate and secure passages.
The planned construction of student accommodation includes five new residences – four on the Bloemfontein Campus that will provide 1000 beds and one on the Qwaqwa Campus with 250 beds. This will provide for the increasing need for student accommodation. The project will be completed in two phases. Phase one commenced in Bloemfontein on 21 February 2012.