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UFS and the University of Zambia launch transformative student delegation visit

20 November 2024 | Story Zinzi Zumana | Photo Supplied

UFS X Zambia 2024 — UFS and UNZA delegates engaged in a vibrant cultural exchange in Lusaka, Zambia, marking the beginning of a transformative partnership focused on student success, student well-being, and social justice.

The University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) have embarked on an inspiring international collaboration, with a delegation from the UFS touching down in Lusaka for a week of cross-cultural exchange and educational advancement. This visit – led by the Executive Director of Student Affairs at the UFS, Temba Hlasho – ran from 11 to15 November 2024 and brought together a select group of students and staff to engage in a transformative exchange aimed at strengthening the bonds between these two esteemed institutions.

At the heart of the UFS-UNZA partnership is a shared commitment to holistic student development and social justice. Both institutions seek to cultivate globally minded graduates who are ready to tackle regional and international challenges. The UFS has strategically aligned with UNZA in pursuit of these goals, recognising their compatible institutional visions and their mutual focus on student success, innovation, and building sustainable communities.

In its Strategic Plan for 2027, UNZA emphasises goals of excellence in teaching, research, community service, and digital innovation, while the UFS Vision 130 underscores a dedication to fostering holistic student success. Together, the two institutions are driving forward a vision that merges academic excellence with social responsibility and well-being.

The choice of Zambia as a partner is not accidental. With a deep history of solidarity dating back to the 1980s, South Africa and Zambia share a longstanding cultural connection, now improved by this educational partnership. This visit is rooted in the shared mission to empower the next generation, reinforcing both countries’ commitment to inclusive, thriving educational environments where young people can flourish.

The UFS delegation set out to accomplish several impactful objectives during their time at UNZA, including global collaboration and knowledge exchange, student support and wellness initiatives, commitment to social justice and community engagement, as well as leadership development and academic excellence.

This visit marks the beginning of an exploratory and reciprocal partnership that will extend well beyond the week. Moving forward, the UFS and UNZA will engage in sustained dialogue and collaborative projects across a range of student support initiatives, ensuring that each institution can evolve with new insights and strategies.

As the delegation visit unfolded, both the UFS and UNZA celebrated the dawn of a transformative partnership that bridges borders, unites cultures, and advances a shared vision for student success and social impact. This collaboration is poised to empower students with the skills and perspectives necessary to become leaders in their communities and on the global stage.

Together, the UFS and UNZA are setting a powerful example of international academic partnership, one that promises to foster impactful and lasting change for students, faculty, and the broader society.

News Archive

SAMWOP creates space for sharing research

2016-12-06

Dr Kristina Riedel, Head of the UFS Department of
Linguistics and Language Practice; middle:
Prof Nancy Kula, of the University of Essex; back:
from left, Dr Elias Malete, lecturer at the UFS
Department of Linguistics and Language Practice,
Prof Andy Chebanne, from the University of Botswana;
and Lesoetsa Motsamai, from the University of Stellenbosch,
at the SAMWOP workshop on 24 November 2016.
Photo: Rulanzen Martin

“The Southern African Microlinguistics Workshop (SAMWOP) creates space for sharing the latest research, networking and building stronger collaboration amongst linguists.”

This is what Dr Kristina Riedel, Head of the Department of Linguistics and Language Practice at the University of the Free State (UFS), said of the 5th SAMWOP hosted by her department. The workshop, hosted from 24 to 26 November 2016, also provided linguists who work on theory and language description in South Africa, the opportunity to network. “As a free conference it is very important, particularly for students and junior scholars.”

International delegates attend workshop

Participants at the workshop were from eight countries including the US, Botswana, Mozambique, Brazil and the UK. Prof Nancy Kula (University of Essex, UK), who was recently appointed as research associate to the department, presented jointly with Xiaoxi Liu, work on depressor effects (consonants which lower tones) in Bantu languages. Other presenters discussed Bantu languages, Khoisan languages and Afrikaans.

Microlinguistics analyses language and sound

“Microlinguistics focuses on analysing language data that deals with language sounds, structures and meaning, rather than language in society,” Dr Riedel said. “The range and diversity of the research on African languages presented at SAMWOP5 were a true highlight. There is a need for more research into African languages and SAMWOP presents the opportunity to scholars in the field to share their work, including in the accredited open-access proceedings.

“We are happy that we were able to hold a very successful and well-attended workshop despite the disruptions to the academic calendar this year,” the professor said.

The Linguistics Society of Southern Africa supported the cause in the form of a grant with additional support from the Office of Dean of Humanities at the UFS.

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