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UFS strengthens campus health leadership at annual SA Association of Campus Health Services Conference

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

Mr Naka Drotské is Kovsie Alumnus of the Year

2006-03-03

Alumni of the University of the Free State (UFS) appointed Mr Naka Drotské as Kovsie Alumnus of the Year 2005.

The award is made to Mr Drotské for the professional way in which he led the Cheetah Rugby Team last year. This played a determining role in the team’s 2005 Currie Cup victory.

The Cum Laude Award, made from time to time to any alumnus for outstanding service or achievement at local, national or international level in his/her specific career domain, will be awarded to Mr Harold Verster (president of the Free State Rugby Union).

Mr Verster receives the award for the role he played in the inclusion of the Vodacom Cheetahs as Super 14 team, as well as for his leadership that contributed to the success of the Cheetah Rugby Team in 2005.

Prof Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law at the UFS, receives the Kovsie Alumni National Management Award for Exceptional Service. This award is made from time to time to an individual who has rendered exceptional service to the UFS.

Prof Henning receives this award for his role in the expansion and development of the Faculty of Law as academic, centre head, department head and, especially, as dean.

The award ceremony will take place on Friday 10 March 2006 during a Gala Award Banquet in the Reitz Hall of the UFS Centenary Complex on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

All alumni of the UFS are welcome to attend the function. The guest artist is Matthys Roets and the entrance fee of R80 per person includes a three course meal.

Those who are interested can contact Ms Jeannette Boshoff-Jansen at (051) 401-3594 or alumni@mail.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
3 March 2006

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