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26 February 2024 | Story Lunga Luthuli and Moeketsi Mogotsi | Photo Kaleidoscope
Dream Walk 2024
UFS welcomes fresh faces as Prof Petersen encourages new students to embrace dreams, achievements, and community in pursuit of academic excellence.

In fostering a profound sense of belonging and preparing for the academic journey ahead, the University of the Free State (UFS) warmly welcomed its new students with the annual first-year welcoming and Dream Walk events. Held on 10 February 2024 for the Bloemfontein and South campuses, and on 17 February 2024 for the Qwaqwa Campus first-time entrants, these events mark the commencement of a transformative academic voyage for the incoming cohort.

The primary objective of these events is to seamlessly integrate newcomers into the vibrant tapestry of the university community, thereby laying a solid foundation for a successful academic journey.

Symbolic journey towards academic dreams

A significant highlight of the day across all the campuses was the Dream Walk, where students, adorned in their vibrant 2024 FTEN T-shirts, embarked on a symbolic journey towards their academic aspirations. 

Cultivating a sense of belonging

Addressing the gathering, Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, extended a warm welcome to the new students, reaffirming the institution's commitment to their holistic development.

"Welcome to the University of the Free State – where your future unfolds," said Prof Petersen. He encouraged students to immerse themselves in the higher education environment and stressed the importance of intellectual enrichment amidst a backdrop of digital distractions.

Prof Petersen urged students to actively participate in various campus activities, public lectures, and discussions, underscoring the significance of the university's Vision 130. This vision sets the ambitious goal of positioning the UFS among the top universities globally by its 130th anniversary in 2034, driving home the message of academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact.

Academic preparedness and aspirations

Emphasising the support structures available at the university, Prof Prakash Naidoo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Operations, welcomed students at the Qwaqwa Campus. He acknowledged the important role that tertiary education plays in shaping individuals' lives, highlighting that a degree not only represents an academic milestone but also equips students with skills and knowledge for personal and professional empowerment beyond the confines of university life.

Joining the festivities, Prof Prince Ngobeni, the newly appointed campus principal, remarked, “‘The welcoming event served as a celebration not only of the arrival of new students but also the potential and accomplishments that they represent.”

Student aspirations and closing remarks

Looking ahead to life as a Kovsie student, Owami Chamane, a Bachelor of Medicine student, expressed aspirations for the highest quality education and access to resources. Stressing the importance of balancing and maintaining focus on goals while enjoying the journey, Chamane encapsulated the spirit of academic ambition and personal growth.

In his closing remarks, Prof Petersen reminded students of their individual responsibility and the profound impact of their actions on their future trajectory. He urged them to be intentional about fostering a positive impact on themselves, their families, the community, and the world at large. 

News Archive

Launch of the Africa office of the IIDE
2006-05-25

Attending the launch of the Africa office of the IIDE were from the left Prof Sytse Strijbos (Chairperson of IIDE Europe), Rev Kiepie Jaftha (Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa’s Board of Directors and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS) and Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS).

 

Attending the launch were from the left Prof Lucius Botes (Director: Centre of Development Support at the UFS), Dr Samuel Kareithi (Head: Community Development at the Cornerstone Christian College, Cape Town), Rev Kiepie Jaftha (Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa’s Board of Directors and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS), Prof Sytse Strijbos (Chairperson of IIDE Europe) and Dr Ezekiel Moraka (Vice-Rector:  Student Affairs at the UFS).

Africa office of IIDE launched on UFS main campus 

The Africa office of the International Institute for Development and Ethics (IIDE) was today (26 May 2006) launched on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein.

“The IIDE specialises in the studying and research of general questions of developmental theory and practices and provides services and support in education, strategic planning, policy formulation, advocacy and capacity building of development agencies,” said Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa’s Board of Directors and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS.

According to Rev Jaftha the IIDE in Africa will focus on the conceptual and normative aspects of developmental processes in Sub-Saharan Africa.  “We want to foster local and international partnerships with various relevant role-players in civil society, the private sector and public sector in the SACD region and later expand our operations to the rest of Africa,” said Rev Jaftha.

The IIDE in Africa cooperates with a similar foundation in Europe, functioning as the IIDE Europe.  This institute was founded in 2003 and its head office is situated in the Netherlands.  The UFS is a funder of the IIDE in Africa together with the Paul Foundation and private sponsors from the Netherlands.

“We have already started with various projects which are in various stages of implementation,” said Rev Jaftha.  Some of these projects include, among others, the broadening of the master’s degree in Christian Studies of Science and Society (MACSSS) which is currently housed at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam to tertiary institutions in South Africa such as the UFS, the University of Stellenbosch and the Potchefstroom Campus of the Northwest University.

“Another project is an investigation into the possibility of initiating a broad development initiative in the poverty stricken Qwaqwa area.  This initiative will attempt to concentrate on issues like the training and empowerment of prospective entrepreneurs in the region, the identification of prospective entrepreneurs for the rendering of development support and the monitoring of the impact of information and communication technology on local communities during the implementation of sustainable development initiatives,” said Rev Jaftha.

“The establishment of the Africa office of the IIDE on the UFS Main Campus is an indication of one of the aims of the UFS to play a role in South Africa and Africa.  It also signifies our aim to contribute meaningfully to research and development and to establish links between the academe and practice,” said Rev Jaftha. 

 

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

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