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Celebrating April graduations

08 April 2024 | Story VALENTINO NDABA | Photo SUPPLIED

UFS Graduation April 2024 — The University of the Free State celebrated autumn graduation season from 12-20 April 2024.

As the autumn season unfolded, the University of the Free State (UFS) eagerly anticipated the commencement of its graduation ceremonies, a time to celebrate the academic achievements of its esteemed students. The ceremonies, scheduled from 12-20 April 2024, honoured the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2023, across the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein campuses.

Undergraduate and postgraduate achievements

The graduating class represented a diverse array of disciplines, showcasing the university’s commitment to fostering excellence across various fields. In total, 5 442 undergraduate qualifications and 2 345 postgraduate qualifications were conferred, reflecting the dedication and perseverance of both students and faculty members.

Honouring distinguished individuals

The graduation ceremonies also recognised the contributions of distinguished individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective fields. Among them were Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and Prof Salim Abdool Karim who received honorary degrees from the UFS on 12 and 18 April 2024, respectively.

Archbishop Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and President of the South African Council of Churches, was recognised for his outstanding contributions to theology, social justice, and education activism. Prof Karim, renowned for his groundbreaking research in AIDS and COVID-19, was honoured for his exceptional work in medical virology.

Nurturing excellence and social impact

The graduation ceremonies not only symbolised the culmination of academic journeys but also underscored the UFS Vision 130 commitment to academic excellence, societal impact, and the cultivation of future leaders. The university continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual landscape of South Africa and beyond.

As the graduating class of 2023 embarks on new endeavours, they carry with them the values instilled by their alma mater, poised to make meaningful contributions to society.

WATCH: April 2024 Graduation Ceremonies.

News Archive

A new faculty for the UFS

2008-11-28

During its last meeting of the year, the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the establishment of a Faculty of Education as from 1 January 2009. This means that the School of Education, which presently falls under the Faculty of the Humanities, will become a fully fledged faculty.

“It has long been imperative that the School of Education should stand on its own, given the fact that it offers professional training and has an approach and specific challenges that differ from those of the Faculty of the Humanities. The faculty is also too large and diverse to manage effectively,” said Prof. Gerhardt de Klerk, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities at the UFS.

“It was felt that the image of Education offerings at the UFS will be strengthened by it becoming an independent faculty because it will compare favourably with other universities and stronger emphasis will be placed on its uniqueness,” he said.

“The positioning of Education as a unit in a university structure is one of the ways in which the university reflects its regard for the profession,” he said.

According to Prof. De Klerk, staff and student numbers also justify the existence of the School of Education as an independent faculty. There are currently 63 academic staff and 39 support staff members as well as 5 746 undergraduate and 1 579 postgraduate students in the School of Education. Given the student numbers alone, the Faculty of Education will be the university’s second largest faculty after the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
28 November 2008

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