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UFS students embrace virtual exchange with German university to build digital fluency and intercultural competence

23 September 2025 | Story Mbali Moiketsi and Chevon Slambee | Photo Lunga Luthuli

Five undergraduate students from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) - Chris Sambo, Angelique Strydom, Soyama Nonkotwane, Rorisang Modibedi and Emma Witten - have embarked on an online semester at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) in Bavaria, Germany. Running from 1 September 2025 to 14 March 2026, this initiative marks an important step in advancing UFS’s commitment to inclusive and transformative internationalisation.

The exchange is made possible through an active Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UFS and HSWT, which continues to strengthen academic collaboration.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Prof Corli Witthuhn, Professor in Sustainable Food Systems and Development, highlighted that the opportunity for undergraduate students at the UFS to attend the International Online Semester offered by HSWT greatly contributes to their professional development. “The programme provides education and training in agriculture with a focus on improved farming practices. Students gain not only new insights and skills but also experience an international classroom and work environment. This opportunity allows our students to internationalise without the expense of travelling, serving as an excellent example of internationalisation at home.”

Building digital fluency and intercultural competence

Virtual exchanges such as this extend beyond academic mobility; they are strategic interventions that foster two vital skill sets for the 21st century: digital fluency and intercultural communicative competence.

Prof Lynette Jacobs, Interim Director at the Office for International Affairs added that this valued collaboration with HSWT demonstrates the University of the Free State’s commitment to embedding inclusive internationalisation at every level of our academic offering, in diversified ways. “Virtual exchanges provide scalable, equitable opportunities for students to develop the digital and intercultural competencies needed in today’s interconnected world.”

In an era of rapid technological advancement, students must be able to navigate digital platforms, collaborate across borders, and engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to broaden my studies through a different institution. For me, this experience opens the door to further studies abroad, and with that knowledge, I want to contribute to the betterment of South Africa,” expressed Emma Witten, one of the participating students.

Skills gained through the exchange

Through this online semester, UFS students will acquire practical digital skills, including:

navigating international learning management systems,
participating in synchronous and asynchronous virtual collaboration,
using digital tools for research, presentations, and communication,
managing time and tasks in a cross-cultural virtual environment.

They will also strengthen intercultural competencies by:

engaging in dialogue with peers from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds,
practising respectful communication across cultural norms,
reflecting critically on global issues from multiple perspectives,
developing empathy and adaptability in diverse learning contexts.

Preparing students for global opportunities

Study abroad opportunities - whether virtual or physical - are a vital part of preparing UFS students for success in a global context. They expose students to different academic systems, build adaptability and resilience, and cultivate leadership and problem-solving skills valued in the workplace.

For many, these experiences serve as steppingstones to postgraduate study, international research collaboration, and global employment opportunities. This initiative directly supports the vision outlined in the Vice-Chancellor’s Installation Address, demonstrating institutional agility by showing how virtual exchanges can be flexible and scalable tools for internationalisation.

As these five students embark on their virtual semester, they are not only engaging with new academic content but also stepping into a transformative learning experience. They will sharpen their digital skills, deepen intercultural understanding, and gain competencies increasingly vital in a globally connected, technologically driven world.

Prof Witthuhn added that the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is proud of the students and hopes that they will share their experiences and knowledge with peers and staff in Agriculture. “We believe that the Online Semester will also better prepare them for future employment.”

This exchange reflects the UFS’s strategic commitment to Institutional Agility and Transformational Culture, ensuring students are equipped for both academic excellence and meaningful participation in a digitally connected world.

For more information on Virtual Exchanges, contact Chevon Slambee at jacobscs@ufs.ac.za.

For study abroad opportunities, contact Mbali Moiketsi at moiketsimv@ufs.ac.za.

News Archive

Agriculture must adapt to change

2008-11-28

At the launch of "50 years of agriculture" at the UFS were, from the left: Mr Corwyn Botha: Chairman: Agri Business Chamber and Managing Director: Cape Agri Group, Mr Motsepe Matlala, President of NAFU, Mr Hans van der Merwe, Executive Head: Agri SA, Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk: Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS, and Mr Sugar Ramakarane, Head: Department of Agriculture, Free State Province.
Photo: Lacea Loader

“The biggest factor driving agriculture today is change. Our major challenge is to adapt to this changing environment.” This was stated by Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) during the recent celebration of the faculty’s “50 years in agriculture”.

Prof. Van Schalkwyk stated that the most important changes include power relationships in supply chains, consumer demand, new products and technology in agriculture, government action and developments in neighbouring states. “At the moment there is very little cooperation between small-scale farmers, small-scale farmers and commercial farmers and farmers and processors. There are also low levels of processing, low levels of value adding and a lack of creative thinking in agriculture," he said.

“This must change – we need comprehensive agricultural support and new business ideas in agriculture. We need better infrastructure, value chain financing and improved institutional support,” he said.

Speaking about agriculture and institutional co-operation in the Free State, Mr Sugar Ramakarane, Chief Director of the Free State Department of Agriculture, said that the UFS plays a vital role in bringing together organised agriculture in the province. “The responsibility of transforming our economy cannot be done by government alone. We need partners like the UFS to assist us with bringing together the two most important stakeholders of the agricultural sector, namely the National Farmers’ Union (NAFU) and Free State Agriculture. You can assist us with harnessing co-operation and providing practical solutions," he said

Mr Ramakarane said that his department is aware of the university’s good work with emerging farmers. “But, I want to encourage the university to help us with skills transfer and the development of the emerging farmers. You can play a vital role in developing a mentorship programme. Yours remains a central and critical role of being torch bearers in guiding the transformation agenda of our country," he said.

In his contribution on the challenges of small scale farmers in South Africa and the role of the university, Mr Motsepe Matlala, President of NAFU, said that unity in organised agriculture and working together with other stakeholders has become even more crucial with regard to the global challenges now faced by the country. “The university should take the lead in guiding all farmers on how to respond to, among others, the global financial turmoil and politics, developments in trade negotiations, food prices, input costs and the availability of energy," he said.

“If the UFS, and more specifically the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, is to continue to play a leading role in academia as well as in the production of research that matters to the growth and development of this country, it must adopt an approach that seeks to harness the capacity of everyone in an inclusive manner. The strides already made in this regard must be applauded,” Mr Matlala said.

Speaking on the future challenges in agriculture and the role of universities, Mr Hans van der Merwe, Executive Head of Agri SA said that South Africa has not spent money on agricultural development in a long time. “We must increase our product capacity in the agricultural sector. Universities must focus on cultivating enough expertise and the skills necessary to manage the resources and capacity needed," he said. In his view, South Africa must also focus on technological advancement in agriculture as this has also been neglected in the past. He urged universities to provide best-practice education and to look at international trends in agricultural training. “That is why we should not only focus our attention on South Africa, but on southern Africa,” Mr van der Merwe said.

In conclusion to the day’s programme, Mr Corwyn Botha, Chairperson of the Agricultural Business Chamber, Managing Director of the Cape Agri Group and former Kovsie stated that: “If you want to be an example of leadership, people around you must do better because you are there. A university should evaluate itself in this context. You cannot create solutions to problems with the same attitude in which the problems were created."

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
28 November 2008

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