The Masters Degree in Development Studies Programme, presented by the Centre for Development Support at the University of the Free State (UFS), this year boasts with the most international students registered for a masters programme at the UFS.  The programme is designed for people currently working in a development-related context, or who intend to do so.  This year almost 140 applications were received, from which only 58 were accepted.  Of those, 60% are from African countries.        
 

The programme's first contact session took place recently.  Attending the session were from the left Prof Lucius Botes (Programme Director: Centre for Development Support at the UFS); Ms Tendai Chiduku (a student from Zimbabwe); Ms Julia Shipena (a student from Namibia); Mr Neo Masithela (Free State MEC for Tourism, Environmental and  Economic Affairs and a student on the programme) and Mrs Dorie Olivier (Programme Coordinator at the UFS Centre for Development Support).
Photo: Armand Swanepoel