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02 November 2023 | Story Kekeletso Makau | Photo SUPPLIED
Heads of Diplomatic Mission breakfast
The UFS Heads of Mission Breakfast event attracted a distinguished delegation of foreign diplomatic missions.

The second Heads of Diplomatic Mission breakfast was hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Pretoria, South Africa on 26 October 2023.

The event served as an opportunity to position the UFS as a preferred partner for international collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation – following the success of the inaugural event in 2022. More than ten diplomatic missions were represented by distinguished foreign mission representatives who shared in the deliberations on this year’s theme, namely partnerships and collaborations.

The keynote address was delivered by the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Francis Petersen, with contributing presentations from MISTRA researcher Laurence Caromba, UFS Professor of Pharmacology, Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa, and Senior Lecturer from the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, Dr Grey Magaiza. A key goal of Prof Petersen’s presentation was to highlight the benefits of reciprocal collaboration and co-creation of knowledge with international partners, including industry partners. Contributing presentations posited the UFS as a partner of interest in research, innovation, and technology in the international arena and showcased the value of university and diplomatic partnerships in support of the UFS Internationalisation Strategy and Vision 130

Caromba, a MISTRA researcher, reiterated the importance of collaboration between universities, research institutes, and the diplomatic community, further reaffirming the partnership value proposition entrenched in the UFS-MISTRA collaboration in co-hosting this year’s event. MISTRA, a renowned influential think tank, served as an excellent partner for the event.

The UFS currently boasts more than 100 vibrant international partnerships and is the incumbent coordinator of large EU-funded Erasmus+ projects among South African universities, with UFS researchers having co-authored more than 5 000 scientific publications with universities worldwide (2018-2022). 

An engaging question-and-answer session concluded with insights and further action items for continued engagement post the event. 

News Archive

Kovsies raise their voice against gender violence
2013-02-25

25 February 2013 

On Wednesday 27 February 2013, Kovsie men and women will march to raise their voices against gender violence. They will be saying no to the scourge of violence and rape in the country. Showing solidarity with the late Anene Booysen and thousands other victims of gender violence, staff and students of the university will take part in the “Enough is Enough: Are you man Enough?” march.

An important feature of the march is that it will be men adding their voices to those of women supporting the call for action.

Dean of Student Affairs Rudi Buys, who will lead the march, says, “Protestors will use their bodies to say that they are against the continued and absolute annihilation of the dignity of the females in our country. It's a solidarity march with victims but also with perpetrators to show our shared complicities."

The university will kick-off of a month-long programme of in-depth conversations, not only creating awareness but also facilitating broader understanding of gender violence.

The march will start at 12:30 at the Main Gate of the Bloemfontein Campus and proceed to the Main Building. Those participating are encouraged to make posters or banners with supportive messages showing solidarity with the cause.

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