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20 September 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied
UFS KovsieCare GBV 2023
KovsiesCare and say no to gender-based violence.

The University of the Free State (UFS) maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence (GBV), recognising it as a severe violation of human rights that detrimentally impacts physical, sexual, reproductive, mental, and social well-being on a global scale. Prevalent manifestations of GBV encompass sexual harassment (including unwanted physical contact, sexual remarks, and comments targeting individuals or groups), rape, cyberbullying, stalking, voyeurism, stealthing, femicide, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault.

#KovsiesCare GBV campaign

In response to the pressing demand for increased awareness and proactive measures against GBV across all three UFS campuses, the KovsiesCare campaign was conceived. The primary objective of this initiative is to educate, raise awareness, and equip students with resources to access information concerning GBV and other forms of violence frequently experienced by marginalised student communities, including persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQQIAAPD+ communities, and persons from the diverse gender spectrum.

Gernus Terblanche, the Campaign Lead and Research Assistant at Kovsie Support Services within the Division of Student Affairs, elaborated on the overarching goal of the campaign, stating, "Our mission is to enlighten students about the array of available resources across our campuses and to ensure that they are well-informed about the procedures in place for addressing GBV at the UFS."

To provide valuable insights into the involvement of Support Services offices in combating GBV and violence against marginalised groups, an activation event is scheduled for 22 September 2023. This event will facilitate engagement between students and diverse stakeholders. The KovsiesCare GBV activation is made possible through collaboration with key entities such as the Division of Student Affairs, the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office, the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support, and the Department of Protection Services.

Join the KovsiesCare GBV activation:

Date: 22 September 2023
Time: 11:00-15:00

Venue: Thakaneng Bridge, Bloemfontein Campus

For additional information, please contact Gernus Terblanche at TerblancheGIDP@ufs.ac.za.

News Archive

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
2006-05-08

Some of the guests attending the launch of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus were from the left Prof Peter Mbati (Principal of the Qwaqwa Campus), Mrs Zimbini Zwane ( Communications Manager of Sasol Infrachem), Prof Gerhardt  de Klerk (Dean : UFS Faculty of the Humanities), Prof Fred Hugo
 Director of TRAC SA) and Prof Jack van der Linde (Director of RIEP at the UFS).

SASOL TRAC laboratory launched at UFS Qwaqwa Campus

The Research Institute for Education Planning (RIEP) of the University of the Free State (UFS) today unveiled the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at its Qwaqwa campus.

The laboratory will be used to help grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and educators from the Qwaqwa region to conduct the experiments from the physical sciences outcome-based curriculum.

“The Sasol TRAC Laboratory introduces learners not only to the latest technology used by engineers and other scientists in practice but also to stimulate the learner’s interest in the field of science in such a way that more of them will enter into science related careers,” says Mr Cobus van Breda, Co-ordinator of the TRAC Free State Regional Centre.

According to Mr van Breda the newly established Sasol TRAC Laboratory will enable RIEP to train learners and their educators in Physical Sciences.  The laboratory will consist of six work stations equipped with computers and electronic sensors.

“Learners from the Qwaqwa region will visit the Sasol TRAC Laboratory on regular basis to conduct experiments based on the curriculum.  Data will be collected with electronic apparatus and presented as graphs on the computer so that results can be analysed and interpreted,” says Mr van Breda.

“There is a serious shortage of suitable qualified teachers in maths and science in the Qwaqwa region.  Many schools in the region are not yet part of the RIEP project and are in dire need of assistance.  A large number of these schools are in remote areas not reached regularly by intervention programmes,” says Prof Peter Mbati, Principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.

“The establishment of the Sasol TRAC Laboratory at the Qwaqwa Campus provides us the opportunity to engage with our community and assist in the development and training of these vital education subjects.  We are pleased that Sasol agreed to fund the project,” says Prof Mbati.

Students from the Qwaqwa Campus will also benefit from the TRAC programme.   “Some promising students will also undergo further training and become assistants for the TRAC programme,” says Prof Mbati. 

“Nurturing science and mathematical skills is of great importance in growing our national economy. Annually, Sasol invests more than R50 million in supporting mathematical and science education in South Africa. Our primary aim is to increase the number of learners gaining access to tertiary education in the science fields. Therefore, our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) education interventions at secondary school level focus on educator development and direct learner interventions such as the Sasol TRAC Laboratory,” explains Ms Pamilla Mudhray, CSI and SHARP manager at Sasol.

According to Ms Mudhray the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement for physical sciences in the further education and training (FET) phase from 2006, under resourced schools will need greater access to the tools and equipment necessary to teach the syllabus and fulfil the ideals of the curriculum.

TRAC South Africa is a national non-profit programme focused on supporting and expanding science, mathematics and technology education in secondary schools. The programme was first introduced to South Africa in 1994. In 2005, RIEP established the TRAC Free State regional centre on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 May 2006

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