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27 September 2023 | Story Prof Francois Strydom and Dr Sonja Loots | Photo Supplied
Prof Strydom and Sonia Sloot
Prof Francois Strydom and Dr Sonja Loots are among the individuals dedicated to making student success at the UFS a priority.

The University of the Free State (UFS) was recently recognised internationally for its exceptional work in promoting student success. This achievement was acknowledged in a publication featuring 31 other exemplary good practice institutions from 24 different countries, all dedicated to transforming students’ lives. The acknowledgement came as the UFS was nominated as an international case study showcasing best practices. The publication highlights how the UFS has significantly improved student success, bridged racial achievement gaps, and successfully implemented high-impact practices to support its students. 

The publication, titled "Transforming Lives at the Institutional Level: Equity Promotion Initiatives Across the World ", and edited by renowned higher education expert Jamil Salmi, aims to acknowledge global efforts in higher education that strive for equitable opportunities. The UFS was an integral part of this publication, with Dr Sonja Loots and Prof Francois Strydom collaborating with Dr Nasima Badsha, the former deputy director general. The UFS’ narrative underscores its transformation from a predominantly White, Afrikaans-speaking university in the late 1980s/early 1990s to a university that now predominantly serves black, first-generation students. Most of these students come from under-resourced schools. The UFS’ commitment to understanding its students and addressing their support needs, has been a significant contributor to the Siyaphumelela success story. The University’s active engagement in national and international knowledge exchange networks continues to shape its approach towards achieving student success.

The UFS was nominated through the Siyaphumelela Network, a project funded by the Kresge Foundation, of which the UFS has been part of since its inception in 2014. Participation in the Siyaphumelela Network has empowered the UFS to develop data analytics supporting student success, broaden the implementation of high-impact practices such as tutorials and the UFSS transitional module, and lead in the professional development of academic advising within the sector on a national platform. Additionally, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) administers the South African Surveys of Student Engagement (SASSE), a crucial vehicle for student voice that informs institutional planning, practices, and change, utilised by 17 Siyaphumelela Network institutions. The Kresge Foundation has confirmed its commitment to continue supporting the Siyaphumelela Network for another three-year funding cycle, starting in 2024. 

Prof Strydom stated, “The inclusion of the UFS in this publication gives international recognition to the remarkable success story that the UFS has to tell. It further illustrates CTL’s commitment to Vision 130 for academic excellence, quality, research visibility, and impact that promotes social justice.”  

News Archive

Prof Van den Oever gives students a different perspective
2016-05-06

Description: Prof Van den Oever gives students a different perspective Tags: Prof Van den Oever gives students a different perspective

Prof Annie van den Oever from the Netherlands presented a series of guest lectures on media technologies to students of the Film and Visual Media Programme at the University of the Free State (UFS). Here from left is Chris Vorster, lecturer in Drama and Theatre Arts, Prof Van den Oever, and Dr Pieter Venter, Senior lecturer at Drama and Theatre Arts.
Photo: Jóhann Thormählen

She played a part in conceptualising the Film and Visual Media Programme at the University of the Free State (UFS), and sees film from a perspective different from most young South Africans.

According to Chris Vorster, lecturer of the UFS BA Honours degree in Film and Visual Media, this is one of the reasons why Prof Annie van den Oever’s visit is of such great value. The actor, who is a lecturer in Drama and Theatre Arts, believes it is important to expose his students to influences outside their normal experience.

Prof Van den Oever, an extraordinary professor at the UFS since 2011, presented a series of guest lectures on media technologies from 11-14 April 2016 at the Audio Visual Studio on the Bloemfontein Campus. She is a senior researcher for Film at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and an Associated Researcher for Film at Paris 1, Panthéon Sorbonne, in France.

Another milieu

“It is invaluable for students, in any field of study, to receive as many influences from the outside. Therefore, it is important to have someone here from another milieu and context. And academically, she is outstanding,” says Vorster.

Vorster’s students are also exposed to practical expertise from the industry in the country, not only academics.

Relationship with UFS

Prof Van den Oever says she usually visits the UFS twice a year. Her recent lecture series on media technologies was about the power of visual and film culture today, and how you can understand its powers. “Why strange effects work strongly and why the strange is inserted, because people respond strongly to them,” she says.

Prof van den Oever enjoys meeting new people, and often works with colleagues from the UFS on various projects. She also is full of praise for the management of the university. “It is great to work across cultures, and be part of a university in transition.”

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