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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

Horse-riding therapy improves self-confidence in children
2016-05-10


This group of Honours students in Psychology at the University of the Free State was honoured with the best postgraduate Service Learning award at the prize-giving function of the Faculty of the Humanities. From the left are Adriana de Vries, Hershel Meyerowitz, Simoné le Roux, Wijbren Nell, Melissa Taljaard, and Gerán Lordan. Photo: Marizanne Cloete.

Horse-riding therapy helps to improve self-confidence in children, and changes their perception of themselves. It puts them in a totally new environment where they can be free of any judgement.

According to Wijbren Nell, who achieved his Honours degree in Psychology at the University of the Free State (UFS), this is the ideal therapy when working with children with disabilities. He said it was amazing to see how they developed.

He was part of a group of Honours students in Psychology who received the best postgraduate Service Learning award in the Faculty of the Humanities for their community project. In 2015, this project by Wijbren, Hershel Meyerowitz, Gerán Lordan, Melissa Taljaard, Simoné le Roux, and Adriana de Vries, was part of their module Community and Social Psychology. They were honoured at the Faculty’s prize-giving function on 15 April 2016.

Purpose of project

“Our purpose with the project was to demonstrate to the children that they could still accomplish something, despite their disabilities,” Wijbren said. The students work on a weekly basis with learners from the foundation phase of the Lettie Fouché School in Bloemfontein. Marie Olivier’s Equistria Therapeutic Development Trust serves as the site for the community project. She has a long standing partnership with the UFS.

Horse-riding and therapy

According to Wijbren, the idea was to stimulate the psychomotor functioning of the children, as well as to promote their psychological well-being. He said research has shown that there is incredible therapeutic value in horse-riding. In this specific case, it has improved the children’s self-confidence, as they may have a poor self-image as a result of their disabilities.

“At the beginning of the year, there was a girl who didn’t even want to come close to a horse, let alone getting onto the horse. We kept on trying, and, once she was on the horse, we couldn’t get her down. This was the amazing thing about the project,” said Wijbren.

Award a surprise

Wijbren said the award was a honour and surprise to his group. He was full of praise for Dr Pravani Naidoo, a lecturer in Psychology at the UFS, who coordinates the therapeutic horse riding project. “She has a tremendous passion for this project, and challenged us to think on our feet. She is a real inspiration.”

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