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Continuation of academic activities at the University of the Free State (UFS)

17 October 2025 | Story Lacea Loader

Academic activities at the University of the Free State (UFS) will continue on Monday 20 October 2025.

The Executive Committee of the university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all staff and students during this time.

The academic calendar has been amended to ensure the successful completion of the 2025 academic year.

1. Academic calendar

The end of the fourth quarter will be postponed, and the start of the main end-of-year examinations will be moved from 3 November to 10 November 2025.

This decision applies to all students, except final-year students in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Final-year students in the Faculty of Health Sciences will commence their year-end examinations on 3 November 2025 to enable them to graduate in December 2025 and begin their community service/internships in January 2026.

Information to support the continuation and completion of lectures and assessments will be communicated by the respective lecturers.

Our students are encouraged to consult their lecturers or programme coordinators with any queries.

2. Qwaqwa Campus

The Qwaqwa Campus will reopen on Monday 20 October 2025, with staff and students returning as follows:

Monday 20 October 2025: University Estates staff
Tuesday 21 October 2025: Academic staff and professional and support services staff
Wednesday 22 October 2025: Residence students
Thursday 23 October 2025: Resumption of all academic activities

The university extends its appreciation to staff and students for their patience, commitment, and resilience.

Issued by:

Lacea Loader

Senior Director: Communication and Marketing

University of the Free State

loaderl@ufs.ac.za

News Archive

Memorial service for Ms Winkie Direko

2012-02-21

Ms Winkie Direko was a loved and respected Chancellor.

The senior leadership, staff and students of the University of the Free (UFS) are saddened by the death of Ms Winkie Direko on Friday 17 February 2012.

Ms Direko, who was Chancellor of the university from July 1999 to February 2003, was the first black person and also the first woman to hold this position.

“Ms Direko was a much-loved person in the Free State as well as a loved and respected Chancellor of the UFS. Her continued involvement with the university was always appreciated by the university community. We honour her memory and her directional leadership as former Chancellor,” says Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, says Ms Direko was one of South Africa's greatest teacher-leaders and one of the few former teachers he could really look up to. “Rest well, Ma Winkie; you left us a great example,” he said.

A memorial service will be held on:

Thursday 23 February 2012
at 14:00

A bus will leave the Centenary Complex at 13:00 for the service that will take place at the indoor sport centre in the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Rocklands.

Please RSVP to Tharina Naudé not later than Wednesday 22 February at 12:00 at x3829 or naudehc@ufs.ac.za.

It will be appreciated if you could wear your university branded clothes (shirt or blazer) to the service.

Media Release
21 February 2012
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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