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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

Diligence to be rewarded at the 2015 Spring Graduation
2015-09-15

The hard work of many students finally comes to fruition with this year’s spring graduation ceremonies taking place on Thursday 17 September 2015 on the Bloemfontein Campus.

A total of 124 diplomas, 419 bachelors and 56 honours degrees will be conferred on graduates from all seven faculties of the University of the Free State (UFS). In addition to the 599 conferrals, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the world-renown American economist, will round out the number to 600 as the recipient of an honorary doctorate.  

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences wishes to express appreciation for his extensive contribution towards economic, social, and political development across borders with an honorary doctorate in Economics.

Prof Sachs has had a positive impact on global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights promotion, and governance through various platforms, including being a Special Advisor to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). He also served as the Secretary-General’s MDG Advocate and Commissioner of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Broadband Commission for Development.

In addition, Prof Sachs serves as the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. As an author, he has featured three times on the New York Times bestsellers list, and is the co-founder of the Millennium Promise Alliance, and drives the Millennium Villages Project as its Director.

Graduates should expect words of salutation and encouragement from our main speaker, the Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the university, Prof Jonathan Jansen.

Two ceremonies will take place in the Callie Human Centre at 09:00 and 14:00 respectively. Attendees of the afternoon ceremony will witness the conferment of Prof Sach’s degree. There is a live stream option available on the university’s website to individuals who are unable to attend the ceremonies.


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