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07 March 2024 Photo Lunga Luthuli
Simphiwe Kunene and Prof Francois Strydom
Prof Francois Strydom, Senior Director at the Centre for Teaching and Learning and Simphiwe Kunene, the first African DREAM scholar and a master’s student from the Faculty of Education.

The University of the Free State (UFS) received recognition for its commitment to student success at the 2024 Achieving the Dream (ATD) conference which celebrated its 20-year anniversary. Simphiwe Kunene, an Education master's student originally from the Qwaqwa campus, was selected to represent South Africa as the first DREAM scholar from Africa as part of the conference.

The Achieving the Dream network of over 300 institutions, which is one of the largest movements in US higher education aims to transform colleges and universities so that students of colour and a lower socio-economic status are supported to earn a degree. The UFS is a leading partner in the Siyaphumelela Network, which has been working for 10 years with ATD to enhance the success of students in South Africa. Prof Francois Strydom, Senior Director at the Centre of Teaching and Learning (CTL), accepted the award on behalf of the institution.

Prof Strydom said that collaboration with the ATD and Siyaphumelela institutions has helped the UFS to develop cutting-edge approaches to “level the playing field” and support Kovsies to earn their undergraduate degrees.

The first African DREAM scholar

Kunene was selected as the first African DREAM scholar from the Siyaphumelela network. To select the DREAM scholar, each Siyaphumelela partner institution nominated one student as a preferred candidate. From the proposed candidates, the DREAM scholar was selected by the South African Institute for Distance Education (Saide) based on the following: demonstrating resilience, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to making a positive difference in universities and personal communities.

He addressed the conference of over 2 000 delegates and shared with them his hopes and dreams. Many members of the South African delegation said Simphiwe did his country proud. He had the following to say about his opportunity to be a DREAM scholar: “Being a DREAM scholar was life changing for me, exposing me to an array of opportunities I never knew were possible and available for me. It was as if, for a moment, the world had stopped to just listen to what I had to say."

The way forward

The UFS will continue its work as a partner of the Siyaphumelela network for the 2024-2026 cycle. The multi-stakeholder project team is focused on enhancing undergraduate students’ time, and to position the UFS as a thought and research leader in the area of student success as part of Vision 130.  

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Kovsies offer prospective students countless opportunities at Open Day
2017-05-16

Description: Bloem Open Day 2017  Tags: Bloem Open Day 2017

The University of the Free State Bloemfontein
Campus opened its doors to prospective 2018
students at this year’s Open Day to learn what
being a Kovsie entails.
Photo: Johan Roux

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“It is important for us not to be stressed or confused, as you need to understand where your passion lies.”

These were the encouraging words of Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), to the learners in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus during this year’s Open Day on 13 May 2017.

Prospective learners, teachers, as well as parents came out in numbers to learn and see what the UFS has to offer. The audience was also set ‘In the Mood’ by the enchanting voices of the Swing-City band.

UFS represent diversity, inclusivity as well as academic excellence

Prof Petersen highlighted the importance of the values which the UFS stands for, namely diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence, as vital reasons why learners should consider coming to the UFS.

“We believe that innovation is part of the curriculum, it is part of the way we do things, and it is also embedded as a key attribute that we will expose potential Kovsie students to,” he said.

Mpho Maloka, a parent from Welkom, says: “It (the UFS) represents the Free State and it is home-brewed. We want our kids to have the best education, and with many of my colleagues that graduated from the UFS, you can see the quality, the enthusiasm, and the success that comes from this university.”

Graduates to impact society through innovation

Prof Petersen said that the UFS will not only develop them as individuals, but will also assist them in making a contribution to society. “If you really want to have an excellent degree, well-rounded exposure to Kovsie life, make an impact on society through innovative thought, and also have the value of being exposed to a richness of diversity, then Kovsies is the place to be.”

Sergio Abdiziet, a learner from Heidedal, said that he’d like to be part of the UFS, because it is one of the best universities in the country.

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