Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
21 September 2026
|
Story Siqhamo Hlubi Jama
|
Photo Supplied
.jpg?sfvrsn=251eca20_1 "VR med 3 (1)")
Pupils from Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind visited the University of the Free State as part of the 2026 Deaf Awareness Initiative, exploring science, higher education, and new possibilities for the future.
For 25 pupils from
Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind in Thaba Nchu, a recent visit to the University of the Free State (UFS) was an opportunity to explore new ideas, experience university life first-hand, and imagine a future filled with possibilities.
Under the theme Creating Hope for the Future through Science, the 2026 Deaf Awareness Initiative brought together academics, support divisions, students, and community partners to create an engaging experience centred on learning, inclusion, and discovery.
Creating futures through accessible learning
The day began with an interactive session hosted by
VR Med, where school children were introduced to emergency medical care through practical activities, including identifying a pulse, performing CPR, and completing a timed obstacle course. The activities encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking, while introducing young people to potential careers in emergency medical services.
The group then visited the UFS Health and Wellness Centre, where Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee led a session on emotional well-being, healthy coping mechanisms, and the importance of seeking support when facing challenges. Pupils also discovered that counselling services at UFS are available in South African Sign Language, reinforcing the importance of ensuring that support structures are accessible to all students.
A place to belong
The next stop was
Student Recruitment Services, where pupils were encouraged to consider their futures in higher education. The session focused on the opportunities available at UFS, as well as the support provided to prospective students.
Addressing the children,
Ms Nomonde Mbadi, Director of Student Recruitment Services, captured the spirit of the initiative with a simple but powerful message: "You have a home at the UFS when the time comes."
Pupils were encouraged to see themselves not merely as visitors to the university, but as future students whose ambitions need not be limited by disability.
Experiencing campus life was an important part of the day. While spending time near the iconic Main Building, children interacted with UFS students who joined them in games and activities. Despite language differences, connections were formed through shared experiences, demonstrating that inclusion often begins with a willingness to engage and participate.
Science sparks curiosity
The scientific component of the programme exposed young people to fields they may not have previously considered. At the
Department of Geology, they explored rock specimens, visited the department's museum, and engaged with innovative drone technology used in geological research.
Pupils eagerly questioned staff about careers in science, aviation, meteorology, and technology, revealing the curiosity that the initiative sought to inspire.
The excitement continued at the
Academy of Multilingualism, which played a significant role in supporting the day by sponsoring South African Sign Language interpreters and hosting interactive activities that encouraged communication, participation, and fun. The session highlighted the importance of language access and a sense of belonging within higher education.
The final stop was the
Department of Genetics, where pupils became scientists for the afternoon. Guided by staff and students, they participated in laboratory activities that included extracting DNA from strawberries, examining zebrafish specimens under microscopes, and conducting hands-on scientific activities in an accessible environment.
Before leaving, each pupil received a sample of their extracted DNA to take home as a reminder of the day.
More than a day on campus
The 2026 Deaf Awareness Initiative demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating meaningful opportunities for young people. By exposing young people to science, healthcare, multilingualism, student support services, and university life, UFS translated its commitment to inclusion and responsible societal futures into a lived experience of belonging and possibility.
Most importantly, the initiative reminded children that barriers do not define their futures. Through access, encouragement, and meaningful engagement, they were given an opportunity to dream bigger, explore new possibilities, and imagine themselves as active participants in the future of knowledge, innovation, and society.