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09 September 2024 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Supplied
2024 - 2025 CSRC elections
The UFS’s recent pioneering of live election results during the 2024/2025 CSRC elections drove unprecedented student engagement.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has proven its commitment to innovation and student engagement with the recent 2024/2025 Campus Student Representative Council (CSRC) elections, which were held online and featured real-time results projection across all three campuses. The elections, held from 20 to 22 August 2024, marked a significant milestone for the institution, setting a precedent in the national higher education landscape.

Dr Grey Magaiza, Chairperson of the UFS Elections Logistics Committee (ELC), provided insight into the planning process that went into making the elections a success: “Planning for an institutional CSRC election is a very demanding process,” he explained. “Multiple stakeholders have to be appraised of the project, as it has multiple implications for the institution. The voting is the last phase in a long list of actions that a capable team must support.”

One of the most notable aspects of this year’s elections was the introduction of real-time results, a first for any institution in South Africa. Despite the challenges that came with being pioneers in this area, the ELC managed to overcome them through rigorous scenario planning and extensive negotiations. “This is a huge milestone, but it did not come without its own challenges,” Dr Magaiza said. “We had to engage in multiple negotiations with numerous process owners. The debates that ensued only sharpened our ability to observe potential blind spots.”

Students embrace live voting

The transition from traditional online voting to a system with live results was met with enthusiasm by the student body. “Students have always been for online elections. The majority of students we talked to loved the live results format,” Dr Magaiza said. The decision to share the live results link with the entire student body, despite initial requests for it to be limited to party agents, was particularly well-received, further enhancing transparency and engagement.

Security and accuracy were also top priorities for the ELC, with advanced IT processes in place to ensure a seamless voting experience. Each student was provided with a unique one-time PIN (OTP) sent to both their UFS email and cellphone, and the system was designed to cater to the specific needs of each campus.

The live results projection, which updated every five minutes, not only drove massive voter turnout across all campuses but also fostered a more dynamic and engaging election atmosphere. “The turnout was massive across all three campuses, surpassing the previous year’s figures,” Dr Magaiza said.

Reflecting on the success of the elections, Dr Magaiza emphasised the importance of collaboration and preparation. He also expressed confidence that the UFS model could serve as an example for other institutions in South Africa. “Live results enhance transparency and acceptance of the election results. As UFS, we have not had a single objection with regards to the first-past-the-post election results,” he concluded.

The 2024/2025 CSRC Elections at the UFS have not only set a new standard within the university, but have also highlighted the potential for innovation in student governance across the country.

News Archive

UFS implements B Ed degree on Qwaqwa campus
2006-11-09

The University of the Free State has taken a step to address the need of black teachers in the country by offering a B Ed degree in the further education and training (FET) phase at its Qwaqwa Campus as from January 2007.
 
“The accredited B Ed qualification provides the opportunity to students to empower themselves to become professional teachers in secondary schools. It is also suitable for the training of expertise for education-related careers such as instructors and trainers,” said Dr Elias Malete, acting principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.
 
According to Dr Malete, education in South Africa is heading for a disaster owing to the large-scale exodus of teachers combined with the low enrolment figures of prospective teachers.
 
“Approximately 19 000 teachers leave the teaching profession annually, while all the training institutions in the country only manage to produce 4 800 new entrants to the profession,” said Dr Malete.
 
 “Indications are that a considerable number of students, especially from KwaZulu-Natal, want to study education at the Qwaqwa Campus. The implementation of the course will also address the need for qualified teachers in the country and contribute to the sustainability of the campus,” said Dr Malete.
 
 “The duration of the B Ed is four years. Prospective students who do not meet the admission requirements may enroll for a one-year career preparation programme and successful completion will provide them with admission to the degree the following year. Prospective students with an M-score of 24-27 may enroll for an extended B Ed programme over a period of five years,” said Dr Malete.
 
Other education programmes that are offered at the Qwaqwa Campus include a B Ed Honors degree in Curriculum Studies, a B Ed Honors degree in Education Management and Leadership and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
 
Prospective students may call (058) 718-5000 or visit the UFS web site at www.ufs.ac.za for more information. Applications for admission to this programme close on 30 November 2006.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
8 November 2006
 
 

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