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Security Policy strengthens safety at UFS

10 May 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied

Security Policy 2024 — Security Policy ensures a safe haven for learning and growth at the University of the Free State.

Fostering an environment conducive to high-quality learning and teaching is paramount at the University of the Free State (UFS). “This commitment extends beyond academic pursuits to encompass the well-being and safety of every member of our university community,” says Cobus van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director of Threat Detection, Investigations, Compliance, and Liaison at the Department of Protection Services.

The university’s dedication to safety in alignment with Vision 130, our Strategic Plan 2023-2028. Protection Services at UFS adheres to a standard of excellence in all aspects of university life. “We prioritise integrity, accountability, and responsibility, striving to create an environment where the happiness and the well-being of our community are central,” adds Van Jaarsveld.

To uphold these values effectively, UFS has initiated a review of the Security Policy, reflecting a renewed approach to safety and security. This policy aims to enhance the UFS experience by ensuring the safety and security of individuals, property, and information across all campuses, satellite sites, and university premises.

Foundational principles

The Security Policy is built upon several core principles. These include a commitment to excellence, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and national legislation, as well as prioritising safety across UFS locations. Partnerships with stakeholders are emphasised to effectively address security challenges. Additionally, the policy highlights universal access, aiming to make safety measures accessible to all members of the university community, including those with disabilities.

Aim and strategies of the policy

The aim of the Security Policy is multifaceted. It seeks to establish a unified approach to safety and security, engaging all pertinent stakeholders in a coordinated effort. Furthermore, the policy endeavours to bolster infrastructure and equip security personnel with the necessary resources to preemptively identify and address potential threats. It also strives to cultivate a culture of heightened security consciousness and active community participation. Compliance with pertinent legislation, particularly in areas such as firearm control, is prioritised. The execution of all security-related functions is entrusted to Protection Services as outlined within the policy framework.

Protection Services personnel are tasked with:

• Identifying and assessing security risks.

• Issuing early warnings and incident reports.

• Responding to emergencies and investigating incidents.

• Developing and implementing security guidelines and protocols.

• Educating and raising awareness within the university community.

• Supporting off-campus students in emergencies and reporting incidents.

At UFS, safety and security are not just policies; they are foundational elements of the university’s commitment to excellence and community well-being. Through collaboration, vigilance, and a proactive approach, the UFS strives to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to a brighter future.

Contact Protection Services

Bloemfontein Campus Protection Services: +27 51 401 2911 or +27 51 401 2634

South Campus Protection Services: +27 51 505 1217

Qwaqwa Campus Protection Services: +27 58 718 5460 or +27 58 718 5175

Click to view document Click here to download the UFS Security Policy.

News Archive

Multi-disciplinary research approach at UFS

2005-10-25

UFS follows multi-disciplinary research approach with opening of new centre

“A new way of doing business in necessary in the research and teaching of agriculture and natural sciences in South Africa. We must move away from departmentalised research infrastructures and a multi-disciplinary approach to research involving several disciplines must be adapted,” said Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof van Schalkwyk delivered the keynote address during the launch of the Centre for Plant Health Management (CePHMa) at the Main Campus in Bloemfontein today (21 October 2005). CePHMa is an initiative of the UFS Department of Plant Sciences.

According to Prof van Schalkwyk a tertiary institution must practice multi-disciplinary research to be a world-class research institution. “It is difficult for researchers to admit that they do not know a lot about each other’s area of speciality. It is therefore necessary for researchers to make a paradigm shift and to focus on inter-disciplinary co-operation. To do this, we must encourage them to work together and to find a common language to communicate ideas en establish symbiotic relationships,” said Prof Van Schalkwyk.

“We tend to think that research is better and faster if it is specialised. This is not true. The new generation of scientists are young and they are trained to form a concept of the total system and not to focus on a specific area of speciality. At the UFS we encourage this approach to research. This was one of the main reasons for the establishment of CePHMa,” said Prof Van Schalkwyk.
CePHMa is the only centre of its kind in Africa and is established to extend the expertise in plant health management in South Africa and in Africa, to train experts in plant health and to conduct multi-disciplinary research about the health of agricultural crops.

“CePHMa is a virtual centre comprising of ten disciplines applicable to crop production and crop protection,” said Prof Wijnand Swart, Chairperson of CePHMa during the opening ceremony.

“The UFS is the leading institution in Africa in terms of news crop development and manages three research programmes that concentrate on new crops, i.e. the New Crop Pathology Programme, the New Crop Development Programme and the Insects on New Crops Programme. Other applied research programmes that are unique to the UFS are genetic resistance to rust diseases of small grain crops and sustainable integrated disease management of field crops,” said Prof Swart.

“Because the expected growth in population will be 80% in 2020 in sub-Saharan Africa, the future demands of food produce in Africa will be influenced. Therefore research will in future be focused on ways to improve food security by employing agricultural systems that are economically viable and environmentally sound,” said Prof Swart.

“Thorough knowledge of the concept of holistic plant health management is crucial to meet the challenge and it is therefore imperative that innovative crop protection and crop production strategies, with particular emphasis on plant health, be adopted. This is why the Department of Plant Sciences initiated the establishment of CePHMA,” he said.

According to Prof Swart there is a shortage of expertise in plant health management. “The UFS has shown the potential to address the demand of the sub-continent of Africa regarding expertise training and CePHMa is the leader in southern Africa to provide in this need,” he said.

The appropriateness and quality of training in plant health management is reflected in the fact that students from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon, Angola, Mozambique and Lesotho have already been trained or are in the process of being trained in at the UFS.

Scientists from CePHMa have forged partnerships with numerous national and international institutions including the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), various community trusts, seed, pesticide and agricultural chemical companies, in addition to overseas universities.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
21 October 2005

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