Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April July May June August September October November December
Previous Archive
24 November 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo SUPPLIED
South Africa Sweden student platform
The launch of the ‘Hot Topic’ debate series was one of the UFS SASUF student structure’s first points of business.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Office for International Affairs recently launched its first-ever UFS South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF) student structure during a hybrid event on the Bloemfontein Campus. 

As one of the 40 SASUF collaborating universities, the UFS has been encouraged to establish internal student structures that advocate for students' involvement and participation in activities promoting the enhancement of the Strategic Development Goals (SDGs), specifically quality education. Simba Matema, Assistant Researcher in the Office for International Affairs, was elected as the network’s representative for the UFS as well as the National SASUF coordinator.

Established in 2018, SASUF aims to strengthen ties between Sweden and South Africa in research, education, and innovation. 

Hearing student voices

Chevon Slambee, responsible for Virtual Engagement and select strategic projects in the Office for International Affairs, believes that this established student network provides an opportunity for students to make their voices heard and to impact policy imperatives related to the student community.  

“This intervention gives students a chance to engage on important matters that affect them in the student community. The student perspective is important and can contribute to positive change at the university,” she stated.

One of the first initiatives of the UFS SASUF student structure was the launch of the ‘Hot Topic’ debate series. 

The inaugural debate focused on the question: ‘Does our UFS culture allow for the preservation of indigenous knowledge?’ and permitted students to express their perspectives on this matter. It aimed to explore the extent to which the current institutional culture, along with Vision 130, either allows or inhibits the preservation and integration of African indigenous knowledge. 

Each debating team consisted of one student, one staff member, and one member from the UFS Debate Society. They deliberated on the following questions: ‘In a research-led institution, is there room for indigenous knowledge integration and preservation in an evolutional institutional climate?’ and ‘Does the current UFS institutional culture allow for the preservation of indigenous African knowledge?’

Slambee commented: “The debate provided students with a chance to not only encourage critical thinking on this topic, but also to think more strategically, enhancing articulation around this matter without taking things personally when someone disagrees. We aim to not stir up controversy, but to foster meaningful discussion and thoughtful involvement. We want the debate space to be a space where diverse views are respected and appreciated.”

Vision 130 promotes the notion of epidemic diversity. “Through the ‘Hot Topic’ debate series, we want to create a culture of care, as well as a vibrant space for and acceptance of constructive and critical engagement,” she added. 

“I was proud of the students; hearing their thoughts and contributions about the preservation of indigenous knowledge was pleasantly surprising,” said Slambee. 

“This is not a stand-alone event of the Office for International Affairs, but a collaboration with faculties and students,” said Slambee, who – with the next topic – would like to include other faculties besides the Faculty of Law in the process. 

Topics students can look forward to include discussions on the lack of funding opportunities for students in South Africa, and the importance of building sustainable relationships with surrounding communities. According to Slambee, the next debate will be hosted in the first semester of 2024.

Students’ involvement in important processes

“Besides being a great success, this event also illustrated the importance of harnessing the student voice in processes such as policy implementation and strategic decision-making – functions that essentially impact their academic and social lives,” said Matema.

With research as one of its focuses, SASUF would also like to feature research contributions from students. Slambee remarked, “I’m excited to see some of the student thoughts and perspectives that could inform new research and contribute to the overall quality of education and the student experience at universities. 

News Archive

A position statement by the School of Medicine, UFS, regarding the crisis in health care in the Free State
2009-05-27

The executive management of the School of Medicine (SOM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) and its senior members wish to express their grave concern at the way the financial crisis in the Free State has negatively impacted on the provision of health care to the population. The unavailability of goods and services at every level of care has become so severely compromised that the staff of the SOM can no longer remain silent on this issue. By remaining silent it may be construed that we are either indifferent to, or even accepting the situation. Neither is true. The SOM can in no way condone, sanction or accept the current situation of health care in the Free State.

Other concerns expressed by the SOM include:

  • Medical services have been severely compromised due to the disintegrating primary health care system in the FS. This has resulted in patients who were in need of more advanced levels of medical care not being referred appropriately or timeously to level two hospitals and from there for tertiary care. Inpatient as well as outpatient numbers are steadily declining and the tendency now is to fill fewer beds with critically ill or terminally ill patients. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable patients for training and examination purposes.
     
  • It becomes more difficult to attract and retain experienced and suitably qualified medical specialists interested in an academic career, due to the inability to provide prospective career opportunities. This is particularly the case in the surgical disciplines.
     
  • It is also becoming more difficult to attract and appoint highly qualified registrars (future specialists) since the reputation of this SOM has been compromised by the negative publicity created by the financial difficulties of the FSDoH. Registrars form the backbone of the clinical work force in all teaching hospitals. If vacant posts cannot be filled in time service provision, as well as undergraduate teaching are severely jeopardised.
     
  • As a direct consequence of the rationing of health care, fewer surgical procedures are being performed. The point may soon be reached where registrars in the surgical disciplines may not get sufficient hands-on experience to allow them to qualify within the required time frame.
     
  • Non-payment of accounts to service providers and suppliers including the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), maintenance contracts and industry will severely compromises health care and future loyalty, goodwill and provision of critical services.
     
  • The dwindling number of qualified and experienced nurses in the public (and private) health care sector is an ongoing unresolved issue. Despite the fact that primary health care is mainly nurse-driven, nursing colleges were closed during the previous decade. These colleges must now be re-commissioned at high cost adding to the financial burden.
     
  • The morale of health care workers at all levels of health care has reached an all-time low
     
  • It is becoming increasingly difficult to conduct meaningful research in all disciplines due to staff shortages and lack of funding.

See attachment for the full statement on by the School of Medicine, regarding the crisis in health care in the Free State.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
26 May 2009
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept