Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS prepares to celebrate Class of 2024

28 March 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied

faculty of the Humanities graduation — Congratulations to our UFS leaders of the future!

As the leaves turn and autumn settles over the Free State, a new season of celebration is upon us. Gowns are being dusted off, caps are ready to be tossed, and excitement is building as the University of the Free State (UFS) prepares to honour the Class of 2024. From 4 to 5 April 2025, the Qwaqwa Campus will host its graduation ceremonies, followed by the Bloemfontein Campus from 8 to 12 April 2025.

This year, a total of 7 994 students will walk the stage, marking a significant moment in their academic journeys. The university will host 20 graduation ceremonies across its Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, celebrating the accomplishments of graduates across all faculties. In addition to awarding degrees and diplomas, the UFS will also confer three honorary doctorates, recognising exceptional contributions in various fields.

Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it is a defining moment. It marks the end of years of late-night studying, countless assignments, and moments of self-doubt. But more importantly, it signals the beginning of something new. Armed with their degrees, the UFS graduates will soon step into the world beyond university, ready to make their mark.

At the UFS, excellence is more than a value – it is a standard. Every graduate walking across the stage embodies the university’s commitment to producing individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also adaptable, resilient, and prepared for the ever-changing demands of the world. This is at the heart of Vision 130, UFS’s roadmap to 2034, which focuses on shaping graduates who will contribute meaningfully to both local and global communities.

For the Class of 2024, the journey has been long, challenging, and rewarding. Now, as they prepare to walk the stage, one thing is certain: the future is theirs to shape.

WATCH: 2025 Graduation Livestream

Click here to see the full schedule for the 2025 April graduations.

News Archive

The best black and white learners must come and study here

2009-09-17

At the meeting, arranged by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, were from the left: Mr Tshdiso Makoelle, Clocolan High School; Mr Braam van Wyk, St Michael's School in Bloemfontein; Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS); Mr Izak Coetzee, Dr Blok Secondary School in Bloemfontein and Mr Okkie Botha, Witteberg High School in Bethlehem.
Photo: Stephen Collett

“I want to make this university one of the best universities in the country and in the world. For this I will need the support of principals and teachers.” These were the words of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS) during a recent meeting with school principals held on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein, which was arranged by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

“I want the best black and white learners to come and study here and therefore I am going to visit schools in the region to find out how we can attract the best learners,” he said.
The most important influence on learners is their teachers and principal. “This why I need the support of teachers and principals to guide their learners to come and study here,” said Prof. Jansen.

Prof. Jansen said that it was of no use to work with Grade 11 and 12 learners only as it was mostly too late to change their minds. He wants to work with Grade 10 learners and make them excited about university life so that they will know what the UFS can offer them. He will also visit poor and rural schools and tell them about the UFS.

“When a Kovsie graduate walks down the street something must distinguish him/her from other graduates. Our graduates must be able to work anywhere in the world,” he said.

“Students must have the ability to live with other people and to be comfortable around people who look and speak differently than them. I want our students to be multi-lingual and to be comfortable around other students and people in terms of religion, race, language, etc. Students who do not have this added value will not be successful in the market,” he said.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
16 September 2009

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept