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UFS welcomes 2025’s new student cohort at two campuses

20 February 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Kaleidoscope

Dream Walk 2025 — First-year students celebrate the start of their academic journey at the University of the Free State (UFS) during the 2025 FTEN Welcoming event.

The University of the Free State (UFS) officially welcomed its 2025 cohort of first-time entering students (FTENs) at ceremonies held at its Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on Saturday 15 February.

The events marked the culmination of the university’s FTEN Welcoming and Orientation Programme, which began with a Parents Information Session in December 2024.

The Institutional VC Welcoming and Dream Walk ceremonies at the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses were attended by Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS; Prof Prince Ngobeni, Qwaqwa Campus Principal; the UFS’s executive and academic leadership; and members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) alongside the vibrant class of 2025.

The FTENs participated in a series of activities, including dance challenges that could win them prizes. “I felt overjoyed, and I also felt welcomed,” said first-year BCom Accounting student Omphile Khomari. “The entire experience was enlightening in a lot of aspects as far as the UFS is concerned.”

Words of wisdom

Gerben van Niekerk, Head of Student Experience at the UFS and host of the ceremony at the Bloemfontein Campus, encouraged the students to reflect on the significance of this moment. “See the sacrifices you’ve made to be a part of this community, see the late-night study sessions, feel the determination that fuelled your efforts, and acknowledge the strength that resides in you,” he said. Van Niekerk also encouraged the students to envision the type of people they want to become as part of the UFS community.

The first-time experience for the new students was also a first for Prof Klopper, who became the UFS’s new Vice-Chancellor from 1 February. In her speech at both events she highlighted that the ceremony was a special moment for both her and the students. “I want to congratulate all of you, because by choosing the University of the Free State for your higher education studies, you have joined the winning team,” she added.

Prof Klopper encouraged students to work hard and persevere through all the challenges of university studies and urged them to follow three key steps to ensure their personal success: take advantage of the opportunities provided by the UFS beyond the lecture halls, such as the university’s cultural and sporting offerings; lean on the UFS support structures such as the Student Counselling and Development Office (SCD) and the Food Environment Office; and embrace and embody the UFS values contained in the university’s Vision 130 strategic plan, including ‘excellence’, ‘innovation and impact’, ‘accountability’, ‘care’, ‘social justice’, and ‘sustainability’.

Prof Ngobeni echoed the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments in a heartfelt address in which he also urged students to make use of the support structures available on campus.

At the end of the ceremonies, students wrote their dreams and aspirations for their time at the UFS on dream cards.

The students at the Bloemfontein Campus hung their cards on railings along the way, as they took part in the UFS’s iconic ‘Dream Walk’ tradition, in which the new students and the university leadership walk together from the Callie Human Centre to the Main Building. Students at the Qwaqwa Campus handed their cards in as they walked from the Mandela Hall to the sports field. These walks symbolise the beginning of the FTENs’ journeys at the UFS. “I’m really looking forward to learning new things, meeting new people and having fun as a member of this community,” said first-year BCom Accounting student Enzo Ernest.

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004 / 2005 October (centenary) fest Activities

2004-10-08

Friday, 08 October 2004
17:00 – 24:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Rock Concert
With: Rooibaardt, Karen Zoid, The Narrow, F****polisiekar, Stuurbaard Bakkebaard (from the Netherlands), DJ Bob, Ready D, Neva Me.
Cost : R50-00
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Sunday, 10 October 2004
16:00 – 18:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Three Tenors Concert
With: Phillip Kotze, Chris Coetzer and Du Preez Stolz, as well as Angela Kerrison. Free State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chris Dowdeswell.
Cost :R60-00 (adults), R40-00 (children, scholars, students and pensioners)
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Tuesday, 12 October 2004
11:00 – 15:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Inauguration of Centenary Complex
Open day with a variety of musical recitals in different rooms
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 – 17:00
Parking area next to the Centenary Complex, UFS
Kovsie Mosaic Day
Collage of the Century, Dance to the beat, Cultural Cartoon,
Who’s line is it anyway?
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819) or
AC Geldenhuys (084 585 3338)

Wednesday, 13 October 2004
19:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Première of documentary film : The Life and Legacy of King Moshoeshoe
Note : By invitation only
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Thursday, 14 October 2004
18:45 – 21:00
Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Centenary Honorary Doctorate Degree Graduation Ceremony
Conferred on: Me. Antjie Krog, Prof. Jakes Gerwel, Mr. Karel Schoeman, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof. Saleem Badat, Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Prof. Robert Bringle, Prof. Leo Quayle, Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Kerneels Nel (posthumously), Prof. Boelie Wessels and Prof. Jaap Steyn .
Cost : Free. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Friday, 15 October 2004
18:30
Centenary Complex, UFS
Alumni Dinner and Centenary Award Ceremony
Approximately 140 centenary medals will be awarded in acknowledgement of exceptional contributions to the development of the University. The award ceremony is followed by the Alumni dinner in the Callie Human Centre.
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 (to 12:00, Saturday, 16 October 2004),
UFS campus
Reunion : Momentum Adventure and Expedition Association
Including : Setting up of the Kovsie Momentum base camp, champagne breakfast and abseiling.
Cost : R50-00/person for breakfast
Enquiries : Gerrit van der Merwe (072 4317 153) or
Niel Fraser (082 772 5642)
Website : www.uovs.ac.za/associations/momentum_hrcc.

19:00 (to 11:00 Sunday, 17 October 2004)
Reunion : Cantare Revue Group
Including : Formal dinner, budget show, bring and braai, church service.
Cost : R100-00/person for the dinner
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819)

19:00 (to 24:00 Saturday, 16 October 2004
Reunion : House NJ van der Merwe
Including : Senior Student’s Association and concerts
Cost : R5-00/person
Enquiries : Tutu Ntlathi (051-401 4122 / 072 865 2227)

Saturday, 16 October 2004
09:00 – 10:00
Committee Room 120, Faculty of Theology
Founding of Theology Alumni Association
Enquiries: Henna Nel (051-401 2669)

10:00 – 12:00
Parking area, CR Swart Building, UFS
Alumni Campus Tour
Including : Visits to the new physical developments on campus
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Jeanette Jansen (051-401 3594)

10:00 – 12:00
Sonnedou gazellie (next to NJ van der Merwe Residence), UFS
Reunion : Ladies’ Tea
Visit our new gazellie and find out what Sonnedou is up to these days.
Cost : R25-00/person
Enquiries : Anne-Marie Delport (072 109 0507)

12:00 – 16:00
JBM Hertzog Residence (garden in front of Senior Student’s Association), UFS
Reunion : Braai
Cost : Approximately R20-00/person
Enquiries : Hattingh Bornman (084 240 5226)

12:00 Vergeet-my-nie Residence, UFS
Reunion : Braai
Bring and braai. We supply the facilities. Bring old photographs and stories. Enjoy Aunt Juls’ last visit.
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Mari Jordaan (051-444 2832/072 392 4444)

12:00 HF Verwoerd Residence Senior Student’s Association, UFS
Reunion : Spit roast
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Jan-Chris Landman (051-401 3613 / 082 664 6062)

18:30 Floreat Hall, Bloemfontein Civic Centre (Braam Fisher Building)
Irawa 60 Reunion
For all former editors, former and current main editorial staff and coworkers
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Sanri van Wyk (072 333 1011)
Elzette Boucher (072 180 6265)

19:00 – 24:00 Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Informal Alumni Reunion
Spit roast and stories in a marquee
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Sunday, 17 October 2004
10:00 – 11:00
Kovsie Church
Church Service

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