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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.  

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004/05: Sports Festival
2004-05-07

Win or lose! It is part of sportsmanship. The Kovsie Sports Festival will take place on Thursday, 13 May to Saturday, 15 May 2004, as part of the UFS’s centenary celebrations. Through this event, Kovsiesport will focus on the many sports opportunities offered on campus. Fit or unfit, first team or no team, there is an opportunity for every staff member and student to participate.

This exceptional sporting weekend will start on Thursday, 13 May 2004 at 17:15, with a 2,5km fun run (or walk) on the campus. It will start at Pellies Park (the first official rugby field on campus). Men and women will take part separately in five different categories. They are:

 

  • Lecturing staff members
     
  • Administrative staff members
     
  • Support service staff members
     
  • Hostel residents
     
  • Alumni

    After the fun day on Thursday, the serious sports activities will commence. Different league matches are scheduled to take place from Friday, 14 May to Saturday afternoon, 15 May 2004. The Northern Tertiary Tennis League, as well as the Cross Country City League will take place. Hockey, netball, cricket, squash, basket ball, rugby and soccer matches have also been scheduled. The Shimla’s City Cup match will take place on Saturday afternoon on Shimla Park.

    After the sports activities on Saturday evening, we will have another chance to socialize. Medix Residence is organising a special Idols concert at 19:00 in the Callie Human Centre as part of this fun weekend. Idols from 2002 and 2003 will perform. They are Brandon October, Anke Pietrangelli, Poseletso Sejosingoe and Bianca le Grange. Tickets are available at Computicket (Greyhound stall, Tourist Centre in Park Way).

    The festival will be a weekend to relax and enjoy. Please participate in the fun walk, support Kovsiesport and join the Idols in an evening of song.

     

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