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12 December 2018 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Thabo Kessah
Prolific Researchers
Qwaqwa Campus prolific researchers, Drs Tom Ashafa, Maria Tsakeni, and Rodwell Makombe flanked by the Vice-Rector: Academic and Research, Prof Corli Witthuhn(far left), and Acting Campus Vice-Principal: Academic and Research, Dr Jared McDonald(far right).

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) on the Qwaqwa Campus recently presented deserving academics with awards in recognition of their innovative teaching and learning practices.

“These annual awards are aimed at encouraging our academics to put extra effort in their different disciplines, as well as making valued contribution towards the advancement of the scholarship of teaching and learning at the University of the Free State,” said Fred Mudavanhu, Deputy Director: Centre for Teaching and Learning.

“To be considered for an award, academics had to apply. The adjudication panel was made up of three reviewers – one each from the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses, as well as an external adjudicator,” added Mudavanhu. The three categories were Departmental Awards, Research in Teaching and Learning, and Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

The winners were as follows:

Departmental Award – Sociology

Winners: Nhlanhla Ndlovu and Cebelihle Sokhela

Research in Teaching and Learning

Winner: Dr Maria Tsakeni (School of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology)

Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Winner: Marthinus Delport (Industrial Psychology)

First runner-up: Marne van Niekerk (Accounting)

Second runner-up: Michaela Martin (Political Studies and Governance)

Third runner-up: Dr Cias Tsotetsi (School of Education Studies)

Meanwhile, the Academic and Research office also awarded outstanding researchers at the same ceremony. The winners were as follows:

Prolific Researchers

Faculty of Education – Dr Maria Tsakeni

Faculty of the Humanities – Dr Rodwell Makombe

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences – Dr Tom Ashafa

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences – None

Best Emerging Researchers

Faculty of Education – Dr Bekithemba Dube

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences – Marthinus Delport and Marne van Niekerk

Faculty of the Humanities – Dr Tshepo Moloi and Bianca Naude

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences – Dr Kamohelo Tshabalala

Lifetime Achievers

Prof Birhanu Dejene

Prof Rodney Moffett

News Archive

Like Idols for scientists
2014-04-10

Kovsie student and scientist Karabelo Moloantoa recently represented the Free State in the South African finals of the FameLab competition during the Sci-Fest in Grahamstown.

Karabelo is a 24-year-old student doing his master’s in Biotechnology. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology, as well as his Honours degree in Biochemistry at Kovsies. His research is focused on Bioremediation of mine waste waters.

“FameLab is like the scientists Idols taking place annually,” says Karabelo.

“In the competition we are given three minutes to explain a science aspect to a non-science audience. There are 25 countries that participate. South Africa is the only African country participating.”

“I was called by one of my lecturers an hour before the local competition took place at the National Museum in Bloemfontein. I was actually still tired from playing volleyball the night before,” he explains. “I was unprepared and without slides, but I did my presentation.”

This was the first year Karabelo entered FameLab and although he was somewhat unprepared for the local competition in Bloemfontein, he was nominated to represent the Free State in Grahamstown at the Sci-Fest event. From the 18 semifinalists, Karabelo qualified to go the finals where the 9 finalists were competing to represent South Africa in the United Kingdom for the international finals.

“I did not win the UK trip, but I made it to the finals, which is an achievement as half of the semi-finalists could not make it to the finals,” says Karabelo.

“I feel like I have done well to represent the university and the province as a whole. It was amazing to speak in front of more than 800 people, delivering my presentation. I learnt a lot and improved my skills of communicating scientific aspects. I will definitely enter again next year.”

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