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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

Limpopo government department receives Sign Language qualification

2012-04-25

At the certificate ceremony were, from the left: Wisani Mashamba, Deputy Manager: Human Resources and Development in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo; Dr Philemon Akach, Head of the Department of South African Sign Language; Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic; and Ms Fhumulani Maguga, Senior Manager: Human Resources and Development in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo.
Photo: Stephen Collett
25 April 2012

Certificates were awarded to a group of staff members from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo who successfully completed a short course in South African Sign Language at the University of the Free State (UFS). Fourteen staff members from this department received their certificates at a ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic, said the UFS was the first tertiary institution in the country, and in Africa, to present Sign Language as an academic course. Prof. Hay urged the 14 men and women who received their certificates to use the qualification to make a difference in the lives of others.

Dr Philemon Akach, Head of the Department of South African Sign Language, mentioned the difficulties that deaf people still have to cope with. “Poverty and neglect is rife. In this country you have to toyi-toyi to be heard. If deaf people toyi-toyi, will they be heard?”

Ms Fhumulani Maguga, Senior Manager: Human Resources and Development in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo, said her department is looking into future partnerships with the UFS.

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