Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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.

 

Click to view document WATCH: 2025 Graduation Livestream 

 

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

News Archive

Alumni Voices heralds in festive season with Karl Jenkins production
2013-11-20

The Alumni Voices Chamber Choir, affiliated to the Alumni office of the University of the Free State, heralds in the festive season with a Christmas production with the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir.

Date: 23 and 24 November 2013
Time: 19:30 (23 November 2013)
16:00 (24 November 2013)
Venue: Odeion
Cost: R120

The production by the two choirs, under the direction of Leona Geldenhuys (Alumni Voices) and Johann van der Sandt (Drakensberg Boys’ Choir), is a compilation of new Christmas music by Karl Jenkins.

Two cycles, Stella Natalis, made up from new compositions, and Joy to the World, compiled from well-known traditional Christmas music, are combined in this production.

Stella Natalis (Star of Birth or Star of Origin) celebrates the different aspects of Christmas – Celebro – celebrations, Lullay – the sleeping child, Dona nobis pacem – message of peace, and Jubilate Deo – thanksgiving, forms part of the programme.

The part: JOY TO THE WORLD also includes traditional Christmas music. This fresh and vibrant arrangement of In dulci jubilo, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Silent Night, O Jesu so sweet, Son of Maria and The Virgin Mary had a Baby boy, all new arrangements by Karl Jenkins, promises to be an exciting experience.

This work, which conveys the Christmas message of peace, goodwill and compassion, as well as new beginnings, evokes a colour palette of sound filled with exciting musical inspiration.

The work was written for mixed choir, as well as for an optional choir suitable for children’s voices, trumpet soloist, keyboard, percussion and string ensemble.

The trumpet soloist is Paul Loeb van Zuilenburg, with Johan Cromhout as pianist. Members of the Free State Symphony Orchestra complete the picture.

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