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19 February 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo SUPPLIED
UFS Emergency protocol
The University of the Free State prioritises student and staff safety, as encapsulated in its comprehensive Emergency Protocol guide.

The University of the Free State (UFS) recognises the importance of equipping its students and staff with the necessary support to handle a spectrum of emergencies in today's rapidly changing world. The comprehensive UFS Emergency Protocol guide offers valuable insights, from general information to specific rules, for use during crises and when crimes occur. 

The guide ensures that individuals are informed about emergency contacts, communicable diseases, and safety measures on and off campus. The protocol creates a framework for how to respond during times of crisis and includes guidelines for navigating robberies, shootouts, attacks, protests, cyber threats, evacuations, and other emergencies.

Users will find various contact numbers for divisions to contact within UFS Protection Services depending on the nature of your emergency.

Prioritising your safety

Jacobus Van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director at Protection Services, emphasised the university's commitment to the well-being of its community. "Your safety and security are important to us, and we are working hard to create a safe work and study environment with your assistance – as safety starts with you," he said. To achieve this, the UFS has compiled tips and resources within the guide to minimise risk across its three campuses.

Van Jaarsveld said fostering awareness of emergency protocols is crucial, as it helps UFS community members make informed decisions, utilise resources effectively, and it helps prevent fatalities and injuries. The guide contributes to enhancing the overall preparedness of both staff and students for potential emergencies. Equipped with the ability to make informed choices, individuals can significantly accelerate the recovery process after an emergency.

“The main reason for creating awareness of any crisis or emergency is to do as much as possible to keep staff and students safe in case of a disaster,” added Thato Block, Deputy Director at UFS Facilities Planning. “The confusion during an emergency or a crisis can make a bad situation worse and put lives at risk. If a crisis or emergency is mismanaged or neglected, it can lead to a disaster.” 

Remain calm

The UFS Emergency Protocol underscores a primary guideline in the face of any crisis: remaining calm. Individuals facing an emergency are advised to keep breathing deeply, evaluate the situation, and discern potential threats. The protocol encourages prompt calls to designated emergency numbers, raising alarms if necessary, and attentive listening to instructions from crisis managers and relevant authorities. Ultimately, adhering to safety protocols by moving to secure locations ensures a comprehensive and effective response to emergencies.

Emergency contact list

  • Bloemfontein Campus Protection Services 24/7 Duty Room: +27 51 401 2911 or +27 51 401 2634
  • South Campus Protection Services 24/7 Duty Room: +27 51 505 1217 
  • Qwaqwa Campus Protection Services 24/7 Duty Room: +27 58 718 5460 or +27 51 718 5175

Download the Emergency Protocol: 

Click here to read more on the following:
  • Three important rules during any crisis
  • Four important rules during any crime
  • Emergency contact list
  • Other communicable diseases
  • Medical emergency
  • Mental health emergency
  • On-campus safety
  • Off-campus safety
  • Assault in areas besides your home
  • Gender-based violence and sexual assault
  • Situational awareness: personal safety
  • Safety when travelling
  • Kidnapping and human trafficking
  • Robbery, shootout, or attack
  • Protests and labour unrest 
  • Safety in the workplace
  • Evacuation
  • Fire
  • Flooding
  • Infestation
  • Water cuts
  • Hazardous material and lab safety
  • Hostage situation
  • Bomb threat
  • Explosion
  • Road traffic accident
  • Earthquake or structural collapse
  • Cyber safety
  • Alternative contact numbers for Protection Services

In addition, QR codes linked to the booklet will be installed by the University Estates inside buildings and residences across all three campuses.

WATCH: Safety first: UFS Emergency Protocol

Student and staff safety are highlighted in this video related to security matters at the University of the Free State. The university is dedicated to creating a safe environment for all. 

News Archive

Degrees and diplomas are awarded
2009-09-01



The Spring Graduation Ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) took place in the Arena of the South Campus in Bloemfontein this week. Altogether 832 degrees and diplomas, 34 doctoral degrees, two honorary doctorates and a Councillor’s Medal were conferred.

 

 

All smiles. Three students who received the Advanced Diploma in Disaster Management at the spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State, are from the left: Oboneng Cynthia Tshitannye from Vryburg, Ramapulana Nkoana from Tzaneen and Sindisiwe Myide from Pietermaritzburg. The ceremony took place on the South Campus of the university.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar

 
 

Diploma ontvang. Sowat duisend studente het in September op die Universiteit van die Vrystaat se lente-gradeplegtigheid grade of diplomas ontvang. Hier is Adri Lourens (links) van Medi-Clinic Bloemfontein wat die Gevorderde Universiteitsdiploma in Gemeenskapsverpleegkunde ontvang het, by haar ma, mev. Helen Lourens, ook van Bloemfontein.
Foto: Leatitia Pienaar

 

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Degrees in die Faculties of the Humanities, Health Sciences, Education, Law and Theology 

 

Three students obtained their PhD degrees in Higher Education Studies. They are, from the left: Dr Liezel Massyn, Dr Andile Dandala and Dr Mpho Moagi-Jama. Dr Massyn, Teaching and Learning Manager in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, completed her thesis titled “A framework for learning design in different modes of delivery in an adult learning programme”. Prof. Annette Wilkinson is her promoter and Dr Rika van Schoor is her co-promoter. Dr Dandala, Director: Quality Assurance at the Walter Sisulu University completed his thesis on “The challenges of designing a new programme and qualification (PQM) mix for a comprehensive university in South Africa”. His promoter is Prof. Johnny Hay and the co-promoter is Dr Louis van der Westuizen. Dr Moagi-Jama, a lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences completed her thesis on “Designing an academic support and development programme to combat attrition among non-traditional undergraduates”. Her promoter is Prof. Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela and the co-promoter is Dr Adri Beylefeld.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

UFS awards degrees in health sciences

This week the University of the Free State (UFS) held its spring graduation ceremony on the  South Campus in Bloemfontein. At this occasion George Visser received his M.Med. (Anes), Wilandi Jacobs received her M.Med. (Surgery) and Deon Menge received his M.Med. (Surgery) in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Megan Murphy (left) and Danielle Rose received their B.Soc.Sc. qualifications in the Faculty of the Humanities.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Dumisane Nxumalo received his Master’s Degree in Labour Law in the Faculty of Law.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Former Kovsies see their daughter graduate
Mr Danie Botha and his wife Alta today attended their daughter, Marali’s graduation ceremony. Marali received her B.Ed. qualification in the Faculty of the Education at the University of the Free State (UFS). Mr and Mrs Botha are alumni of the university.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Spring graduation ceremony held at the UFS

At this year’s spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) that was held on the South Campus, Cordelia de Waal received her B.Soc.Sc. Honours degree and Danie de Klerk received his B.A. degree in Language Studies and English. Both these qualifications are presented in the Faculty of the Humanities.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Youngest Ph.D. in education awarded at the UFS

Dr Nalize Marais (second from the left), Senior Officer at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD), today became the youngest student in the history of the university to receive a Ph.D. in education. Her she is with Dr John Bowes (left), Deputy Principal at Bedelia Primary in Welkom, Prof. Rita Niemann, Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Education and Education Management and promoter of the three students, and Dr Ben Oosthuyse, teacher at Voortrekker High School in Bethlehem. Dr Marais submitted her thesis at the age of 27. All three students received a Ph.D. in Education Management.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Degrees in die Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences were awarded.

 
Two honorary doctorates and one Council Medal were awarded during the Chancellor’s Dinner. Prof. Johan Grobbelaar, Senior Professor in the Department Plant Sciences received the Councillor’s Medal for dedicated service to the UFS for more than 40 years, Judge Louis Harms received the degree Doctor Legum (Honoris Causa) and the degree Philosophiae Doctor (Honoris Causa) was conferred upon Mr Johan Loock. At the Chancellor’s Dinner were, from the left: Prof. Grobbelaar, Dr Franklin Sonn, Chancellor if the UFS, Judge Harms, Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council and Mr Loock.
Foto: Stephen Collett
 
The degree B.Com. Economics was awarded to Heinrich Brüssow, Springbok and Cheetah rugby player and former Shimla player. Here is Heinrich with Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor – one of his biggest supporters.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
Prof. Helena van Zyl, Director of the UFS School for Business (in the front in the red gown) together with the group of MBA students who graduated.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
Azar Debbo (right) received the degree B.Sc. Genetics. With him is his brother Alec, who received the degree B.A. in Drama and Theatre Arts from the UFS in 2007, and their father Al Debbo, comedian, actor and singer.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
From the left is: Matseliso Phafoli, who received an B.Com.Hons. in Economics, Kenekwe Moumo, who received the degree B.Com.Hons. in Financial Economics and Managerial Accounting, and Teboho Maichu, who also received a B.Com.Hons. degree in Financial Economics and Investment Management.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
The degree B.Com.Hons. in Psychological Equivalence was awarded to Robynne Sudbury and Siyabonga Nyembe received received a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry.
Photo: Lacea Loader

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