Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
19 February 2018 Photo Earl Coetzee
Faculty of Health Sciences welcomes new Vice-Dean Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni
Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni, Vice-Dean for Research, Transformation, and Marketing in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State is proud to introduce the new Vice-Dean for Research, Transformation, and Marketing – Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni. This seasoned academic has 24 years of health science research experience and holds a PhD (University of KwaZulu-Natal), two master’s degrees (MSc from the University of Natal; MPH from the University of the Western Cape), two honours degrees (BSc Hons from the University of Reading; BA Hons from the University of South Africa) and management diplomas and certificates from reputable local and international institutions (University for Durham, University of Stellenbosch, UKZN, Unisa). She has also published more than 50 papers and held various high-profile leadership positions.

Prof Tsoka-Gwegweni joined the UFS on 1 February 2018.

“I think I am at the right place,
at the right time, for the right
reasons. I do not regret choosing
the UFS.”

A born academic
“I went for a scholarship interview with the British Council in 1987, and they asked me what job I’d like after studying,” Prof Tsoka-Gwegweni remembers. “I told the interview panel that I planned to work at the university!” She studied for A-levels, a junior degree and postgraduate qualifications in the UK, and further postgraduate studies in South Africa.

No place like home
Having experienced various locations around the world, South Africa remains her favourite. “I won’t trade the beautiful weather and nature, or the friendly atmosphere and people for anything from abroad,” she says. “But had I not gone to the UK, I would not have learnt to appreciate South Africa as my country.”

Big plans for Health Science research
Prof Tsoka-Gwegweni hopes for an adequate health workforce for South Africa, which is competent, committed and caring. In the Faculty of Health Sciences, she hopes to drive research by providing research leadership. “I would like to encourage the staff to enjoy research and not see it as a burden. My ambition is to improve our research profile towards a top research faculty.”

At peace in the City of Roses
Off campus, Prof Tsoka-Gwegweni enjoys going to church, listening to gospel music and going to concerts, reading, travelling, and nature. “I’m looking forward to having a great and rewarding time in Bloemfontein. But more importantly, to make a positive impact,” she says, “no matter how small. I think I am at the right place, at the right time, for the right reasons. I do not regret choosing the UFS.”

 

News Archive

B. Iur. programme in Occupational Risk Law first of its kind in the country
2010-11-26

The University of the Free State (UFS) will offer a B.Iur. degree programme in Occupational Risk Law from 2011.

This programme of the Faculty of Law is the first of its kind to be offered in South Africa and positions the UFS in the forefront of this field of study.

The programme is designed to develop and qualify professionals, knowledgeable in the field of occupational risk law as prescribed by South African legislation and international best practices. It further offers a qualification based on a well-researched basis of applicable legal principles, combined with safety, health, environmental and quality risk management principles applicable to employers and employees in a specialised industry.

The B.Iur. (Occupational Risk Law) has been developed by experts within the parameters of international comparability, according to research-based identification of career demands and requirements in the fields mentioned.

By introducing this programmesignificant progress will be made towards achieving the nationally stated objective of legal safety, health and environmental quality assurance in the workplace and within the broader community. The programme will also encompass the values and standards prescribed by the Institute of Safety Managers. This will provide them with a further step towards the regulation of the professional en ethical standards in the field of legal safety, health and environmental quality assurance.

With the programme, the UFS not only creates a unique opportunity for stakeholders and learners to add meaningful value to their careers, but also exerts a meaningful influence on the industry and society in terms of the acquisition of a most appropriate type of qualification. The B.Iur. (Occupational Risk Law)degree therefore offers a meaningful contribution towards the industry through addressing the increasing demand for career opportunities in the field of legal safety, health and environmental quality compliance.

The new programme is the result of an agreement between the faculty and its partner, IRCA Global. The university officially launched its partnership with IRCA Global, an international supplier of risk management solutions pertaining to safety, health, the environment and quality in 2008. As part of the agreement, the UFS will offer short learning programme, a diploma and a degree in Risk Management.

IRCA Global is a South African company in the international risk control and SHEQ environments with filials in Africa, Australia, India, Eastern Europe, and South America.

In the interim IRCA Global has continued with the marketing of the programme, with the result that hundreds of potential students are waiting for the launching of the programme. The faculty is geared towards offering the programme in e-learning. New modules will also be offered with the help of IRCA’s trained and skilled facilitators. The faculty also utilises the partnerships entered into with IRCA to appoint practising specialists as part-time lecturers for the occupational risk law component of the programme as well as to develop a new specialist component amongst the permanent staff.

The programme is already active and students can register for the first semester 2011 (study code 3324, programme code M3000). Direct your enquiries to Cora-Mari de Vos at 051 401 3532 or devosc@ufs.ac.za.

The programme consists of fundamental modules of the LL.B. and B.Iur., as well as short learning programmes in the Faculty of Law and specially developed core modules in occupational risk law. The B.Iur.in Occupational Risk Law enables successful candidates to enrol for applicable Post Graduate Diplomas or a cognate Honours Degree. Obtaining one of these qualifications provides the platform to articulate to Magister degrees. Horizontal articulation possibilities exist with the accredited Baccalaureus of Law (LL.B.) which is presented by several institutions in the country.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
26 November 2010

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept