Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
28 October 2024
|
Story Zingaphi Mdletshe
|
Photo Supplied
Kovsie ACT volunteers undergo leadership and skills training, preparing them to engage in community service and develop sustainable solutions to societal challenges beyond university life.
The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Kovsie ACT office continues to foster a spirit of humanity among students through a leadership and skills development training initiative that is aimed at not only developing them as volunteers but also as conscientious individuals who understand the value of helping others.
“The leadership and skills development training is a platform that the ACT office utilises to ensure that volunteers are equipped with the necessary skills needed to fulfil their duties as Central ACT Committee members, thereby facilitating a smooth term,” said Teddy Sibiya, Senior Assistant Officer at Kovsie Support Services. “We aim to impart knowledge that will be beneficial during their term and beyond their involvement with the ACT office.”
Touching on how the training aligns with the broader goals of the Kovsie ACT Volunteer Programme for the term 2024/2025, Sibiya emphasised that sustainability has always been at the heart of Kovsie ACT and that their activities provide opportunities for students to engage in community service and participate in environmental initiatives to assist civil society organisations. The programme also encourages students to become active global citizens by addressing transnational issues such as food insecurity and socio-economic challenges.
“I am excited about the opportunity to be part of a movement that influences not just the lives of students but also reaches beyond the university, promoting innovative and sustainable solutions on a larger scale,” said Raylene Bussack, a Central ACT Committee volunteer. “My goal is to inspire and empower others to join us in this vital work to make a lasting difference together.”
In addition to leadership training, Kovsie ACT offers various programmes designed to enhance students' skills in areas such as communication, teamwork and project management. These skills are essential for their roles within Kovsie ACT and for their future careers. By participating in community service projects, students build valuable relationships and gain practical experience that will benefit them upon graduation. The initiative ultimately aims to create a culture of giving back among students while enriching their university experience.
UFS establishes Centre for Education Development
2007-09-26
At its meeting on 14 September 2007 the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) took a number of key decisions on matters recommended by the Executive Management of the university for its consideration or approval.
The Council gave the green light for the merger of the Section Upgrading of Education (School of Education) and Research Institute for Education Planning (RIEP) to create a single unit for education development. The qualifications and courses currently offered by these two units will henceforth be offered by the newly formed unit. The new unit will be known as the Centre for Education Development.
Under this new dispensation, amongst others, the functions of the unit will be extended to include other in-service training of teachers and empowering courses and qualifications as well. Some of the existing RIEP courses will be converted into credit-bearing short courses in more learning areas than are presently available, and that the focus will also be on offering short courses as the need may arise. Research will become a prominent function of this new unit.
The Council has also approved the reinstatement of the Department of Genetics as a stand-alone department. Currently Genetics is a sub-discipline of Plant Sciences. Its reinstatement as an independent department will have several advantages for the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, as well as the university, namely:
- with its own identity, Genetics as a subject will attract more students, through which the UFS will be able to get more subsidies.
- postgraduate students who leave the university for others will have an incentive to stay.
- researchers in Animal Genetics and Behavioural Genetics will be able to fulfil their full role.
- service delivery to the industry will result in the generation of third-stream income.
The Council also extended the terms of office of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Johan Henning, and that of the Director of Finance, Mr Chris Liebenberg, for a further five years each.
The Council further appointed Dr Elias Nyefolo Malete as the Campus Principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus for a term of three years. Dr Malete has been acting in that position prior to his appointment.
Other matters involved the condonation of the Council’s 1995 resolution to sell the Hertzog House in Goddard Street in Bloemfontein, and the approval of the sale of another house in Biddulph Street in Harrismith.
Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@mail.ufs.ac.za
26 September 2007