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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

Kovsies proud of a gold PRISM Award for safety campaign
2015-05-05

Stefan Lotter, Leonie Bolleurs and Lacea Loader. All three are from the Departement of Communication and Brand Management at the UFS.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

The University of the Free State, takes pride in the gold PRISM Award (from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa) for the B Safe Take Action safety campaign that has been rolled out on the campus since 2013 by the Department of Communication and Brand Management.

The campaign earned the Von H Brand Provocateur gold award in the internal communication category.

“The UFS is the only tertiary institution to receive a gold award. The award is a great honour for the department, considering the cream of South African public relations took part in the competition, and the standard was naturally very high. It was also a feather in the cap for us that the uniqueness of the campaign received national recognition from our peers in this manner, said Ms Lacea Loader, Director: Communication and Brand Management at the UFS.

The university is responsible for about 32 000 students and 4 000 members of staff on its three campuses: the Bloemfontein and South Campuses in Bloemfontein and the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State. It is of cardinal importance for the university that its students, staff, and assets are safe.

Apart from safety measures that have been implemented by the UFS Protection Services, the B Safe Take Action campaign has also been rolled out on the three campuses of the UFS. The campaign supports the safety strategy of the university. It is aimed at developing a culture of safety awareness in students and staff alike. The purpose of the campaign is for staff and students to take ownership of their own safety. In addition, it creates awareness of the safety measures that are in place at the UFS.

The campaign has been rolled out on various communication platforms. These include placards, pamphlets, lamp-post advertisements, an advertisement board, emails, and messages on student communication portals such as Blackboard, the UFS web and intranet, social media, information boards in the campus parking areas and on the pedestrian walkways as well as messages on refuse bins around the campus. “The fact that a variety of communication platforms has been deployed, the striking design and character of the messages, and the number of target audiences that have been reached further contributed to the success of the campaign,” said Ms Loader,

The campaign also received a merit award from the International Association for Business Communication (IABC). The award will be presented on 15 June 2015 in San Francisco, USA.

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