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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

Trading innovative ideas for academic bursaries worth R275 000

2015-11-09

The top three individual bursary winners with TATA and UFS representatives. From Left: Naquita Fernandes, Henrike Prinsloo, Lebohang Motsisi, Stefan Strampe, Dr. Johan van Zyl, Jehan van Vuuren, Sanjeeb Lahiri and Salomien Boshoff.
Photo: Lize Van Den Berg

Learning from industry experts is essential for students’ development. When that learning eases the financial burden of tuition fees, it is even better. TATA Africa has ensured that students from the University of the Free State (UFS) earn academic currency for displaying leadership and business skills.

Jehan Van Vuuren walked away with R40 000 in his student account, Hendrike Prinsloo earned herself R30 000, Stephan Strampe has R25 000 less to worry about when the 2016 academic year arrives, and seven other students managed to save their parents R20 000 each.

These top 10 Strategic Marketing students from the UFS Department of Business Management and Department of Communication Science took up the challenge of devising strategic concepts to be implemented by the Africa branch of TATA Group companies.

TATA Group is a multinational conglomerate which specialises in a wide range of products and services, such as automobile manufacturing, hotel accommodation, construction, textiles, food and beverages, amongst other enterprises operating under its banner. On 15 October 2015, the company’s Head Office representatives signed a cheque for R275 000 to reward the creative input of our students.

Lesle-Ann George won an academic bursary worth R20 000 for her individual effort, and was also part of one of the best four groups that won R10 000 each. She said the competition was an opportunity of a lifetime. The financial aid will be channeled towards the BCom Marketing Honours degree she intends pursuing next year.

The students’ ideas included market research for TATA motors, the development of a mobile application for the Taj Hotel, as well as innovative student-oriented social media, and guerrilla marketing strategies.

“This collaborative partnership between TATA Africa and UFS has provided the students with an opportunity to learn from key role-players in the industry and, in turn, to gain practical exposure to real-life industry happenings,” said Naquita Fernandes, a Business Management lecturer and the competition’s co-organiser.

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