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Innovation in infrastructure development

16 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs

The university is transforming its campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure development. We are creating spaces that foster learning, empower groundbreaking research, and offer an enriching university experience.

UFS Sasol Library

The UFS has been hard at work to move away from traditional library spaces towards creating tech-enhanced, flexible environments that are dynamic for teaching and learning. According to Jeannet Molopyane, Director of Library and Information Services, they strive to align their spaces with global best practices with the infrastructure changes.

Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry

The Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry – completed in February 2023 – integrates seamlessly with its surrounding environment, while also providing a new collaborative workspace for the centre’s personnel. This state-of-the-art facility boasts various laboratories which were mainly funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The CMBG includes, among other initiatives, the Mineral Node of the Biogeochemistry Research Infrastructure Platform (BIOGRIP), an initiative of the DSI. This space is situated next to the existing Microbiology Building on the Bloemfontein Campus.

University Estates Building

For this repair and renovation project, with a construction theme, internal and external materials were selected for their low-maintenance qualities. The first office, located opposite the entrance door, features cladding with exposed galvanised corrugated iron. A new steel mezzanine level was installed and painted in ‘CAT’ yellow and black. All pipes, including plumbing and electrical, are exposed on wall surfaces. The use of internal exposed brickwork, concrete floors, and oriented strand board in ceilings and cupboards further accents this quality in the completed project.

Animal Research Centre

The Animal Research Centre on the Qwaqwa Campus, replaced the temporary structure that previously served as animal housing. The new structure complies with the requirements and standards for a research facility and caters to the needs of researchers and animals, including small and large rodents. The exterior materials used complement those of the surrounding buildings, providing a low-maintenance profile. The building, accessible to persons with disabilities, contains two research laboratories, an ecotoxicology laboratory, a veterinarian’s office, and a procedure room.

South Campus 24/7 Study Space

The shift to extended programmes and dramatic increase in student enrolment on the South Campus created the need for additional study areas. Considering the steep site outcrop and the existing pedestrian routes from the lower campus, the design explored building blocks that progressively staggered up the hill to accommodate a small amphitheatre study area, maximising seating capacity. This allows the building to accommodate the site’s steepness rather than ignore it. The final design provides study spaces on three levels, all accessible via a ramp, with the main functions situated on the primary level. This design also ensures accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

KovsieGear

Incline Architects has designed a new innovative space on the Thakaneng Bridge on the Bloemfontein Campus to accommodate the expansion of the KovsieGear outlet. This new design incorporates extra retail space along with additional room for administration work. The KovsieGear shop now features a new aesthetic, created with natural materials to complement the UFS colours.

News Archive

Students receive hands-on crime scene investigation training

2016-09-02

Description: Crime scene investigation training Tags: Crime scene investigation training

Ntau Mafisa, a forensic science honours student
at the UFS, and Captain Samuel Sethunya from
the SAPS Crime Scene Management in
Bloemfontein.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

With murder and robbery rates on the rise, the Forensic Science Programme of the Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State is playing a key role in training South Africa’s future crime scene investigators and forensic laboratory analysts.

According to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), murder and aggravated robbery rates for 2014/2015, as recorded by the South African Police Services (SAPS) have increased. Incidents of murder increased by 4.6% in the period from 2013/2014 to 2014/2015 and aggravated robbery increased by 8.5 % in the same period. The ISS is an African organisation thant enhances human security by providing independent and authoritative research, expert policy advice and capacity building.

Dr Ellen Mwenesongole, a forensic science lecturer at the Department of Genetics, said the university was one of a few universities in South Africa that actually had a forensic science programme, especially starting from undergraduate level.

Crime scene evaluation component incorporated in curriculum
As part of its Forensic Science Honours Programme, the department has, for the first time, incorporated a mock crime scene evaluation component in its curriculum. Students process a mock crime scene and are assessed based on how closely they follow standard operating procedures related to crime scenes and subsequent laboratory analysis of items of possible evidential value.

The mock crime scene forms part of a research project data collection of the honours students. In these projects students utilise different analytical methods to analyse and distinguish between different types of evidence such as hair fibres, cigarette butts, illicit drugs and dyes extracted from questioned documents and lipsticks.

Students utilise different analytical methods to analyse
and distinguish between different types of evidence.

This year, the department trained the first group of nine students in the Forensic Science Honours Programme. Dr Mwenesongole, who received her training in the UK at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, and Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England, said incorporating a crime scene evaluation component into the curriculum was a global trend at universities that were offering forensic science programmes.

Department of Genetics and SAPS collaborate
It is important to add this component to the student’s curriculum. In this way the university is equipping students not only with theoretical knowledge but practical knowledge on the importance of following proper protocol when collecting evidence at crime scenes and analysing it in the laboratory to reduce the risk of it becoming inadmissible in a court of law.

The Genetics Department has a good working relationship with the Forensic Science Laboratory and Free State Crime Scene Management of the Division Forensic Services of the SAPS. The mock crime scene was set up and assessed in collaboration with the Crime Scene Management Division of the SAPS. Although the SAPS provides specialist advanced training to its staff members, the university hopes to improve employability for students through such programmes.

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