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05 February 2025 | Story Vuyelwa Mbebe | Photo Supplied
Regional Committee SAACHS
The Kovsie Health staff members who also serve on the SAACHS regional committee: Shibashiba Moabelo, Riana Johnson, Sarien de Necker, Theresa de Vries, and Emmerencia Sibanda.

The University of the Free State (UFS) took centre stage at the annual South African Association of Campus Health Services (SAACHS) Conference, held at the Windmill Casino Conference Centre in Bloemfontein from 8 to 10 January 2025. 

The conference was themed ‘Student Centredness’ and brought together representatives from 22 higher education institutions to explore critical issues related to student health and wellness.

SAACHS is a national association comprising tertiary institutions that offer primary and occupational healthcare services on campuses across South Africa. This year’s conference covered a range of pressing topics, including HIV support for students, strategies to assist pregnant students, telehealth collaborations, caregiver self-care, student health-seeking behaviours, food insecurity, and best practices in campus health emergency medical services.

Sr Riana Johnson, Deputy Director of Kovsie Health and regional chair of the Free State and Northern Cape SAACHS committee, emphasised the impact of the UFS’s involvement. “The strong representation of UFS speakers highlighted the strides we have made in campus health services and the invaluable contributions our institution brings to these crucial discussions,” she said.

As key organisers, Johnson and her team – including Sr Sarien de Necker and colleagues from the UFS and the Central University of Technology (CUT) – were instrumental in securing speakers, selecting relevant topics, and managing conference logistics. Their efforts ensured the smooth running of an event that encouraged knowledge-sharing and collaboration among campus health professionals.

“The conference provided a vital platform for networking and exchanging ideas,” Johnson said. “UFS’s active participation helped strengthen partnerships with institutions such as the Department of Health and promoted shared solutions to student wellness challenges.”

She added that hosting the event underscored the UFS’s leadership in campus health and allowed other institutions to learn from its initiatives. Discussions and collaborations at the conference enhanced awareness campaigns and reinforced a collective commitment to student well-being.

Looking ahead, Johnson believes the insights gained will shape the future of Kovsie Health. “Exploring new health technologies and expanding student-centred health initiatives are among our top priorities,” she concluded. “The knowledge shared at this conference will undoubtedly influence how we evolve our services to meet the needs of our students more effectively.”

News Archive

UFS Qwaqwa campus sets deadline for applications
2004-11-11

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Qwaqwa campus is preparing for the first round of applications for admittance to study in 2005. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2004.

“This applies to first-year students, senior students who have interrupted their studies for at least one year and undergraduate students from other educational institutions,” said Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS.

According to Mr Collett, all applications that are received after 30 November 2004 and up to no later than 1 February 2005, will be regarded as pending.

“Since student numbers are now limited by government policy and depending on availability in educational programmes, these applications will be subject to consideration by the relevant dean,” said Mr Collett.

Prospective students who want to apply must pay a non-refundable fee of R100 into a designated account, which will be provided when the application form is sent to them. The signed application form must be accompanied by a certified copy of the prospective student’s identity document or passport and a proof of payment of the application fee. The application form of a minor must be signed by his/her parent or guardian and the field of study should be clearly indicated.

“A total of 2088 students are registered at the UFS’ Qwaqwa campus this year. We expect a considerable amount of applications and foresee that our numbers for next year will be similar to what it is now,” said Mr Collett.

First-time entering first-year students will be welcomed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, on 15 January 2005 at 11:00 in the Nelson Mandela Hall on campus.

Prospective students who want to apply or who have any enquiries can call (058) 718-5000 or visit the UFS’ Qwaqwa campus web site at www.uovs.ac.za.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
11 November 2004

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