University of the Free State

The University of the Free State (UFS) is one of the oldest South African institutions of higher learning. The UFS is a multicultural, parallel-medium (English and Afrikaans) institution with a history intertwined with that of the Free State and South Africa and, to a growing extent, Africa and the rest of the world. A full range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas are offered in seven faculties to more than 30 000 students, of which 26 000 students are studying on the Main Campus, 1 100 on the South Campus and 3 800 on the Qwaqwa Campus. The UFS believes in the creation, integration, application and transmission of knowledge by promoting intercultural exchange and understanding for sustainable development.

Role of the organisation in the project

As a partner in the consortium the UFS admits and hosts students based on their mobility scheme for teaching and research in any of its programmes as indicated in the thematic fields offered at UFS. It also hosts staff who will be participating in any of the partnership programmes. The UFS supports applicants in the mobility scheme with information about foreign embassies and consulates, welcome and orientation programmes, assistance with visas, study permits, and accommodation. It will strengthen the visibility of the INTRA-ACP programme by implementing marketing activities to attract students from the partner universities as well as to place current UFS students within the partner universities.