Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
11 September 2018
Congratulations UFS GradStar students
In 2018, the UFS boasts 20 students in the top 100 who were selected for the,GradStar programme, compared to last year’s five.

Every year 100 South African students are selected through a rigorous four-phase judging process to become part of the GradStar programme. The programme is designed to provide previously unrecognised students with opportunities for employment and allow them to contribute positively to South Africa’s future growth. 

UFS students improve dramatically 

The 100 students selected show the most potential as future leaders in their respective fields. Besides academic achievement, entrants are also evaluated in terms of various soft skills including motivation, discipline, altruism, and attitude. The combination of all the judgement criteria promises to deliver top candidates for future employers. In 2018, the University of the Free State (UFS) boasts 20 students in the top 100, compared to last year’s five. 

Ready to make a difference

Each student will be connected with a business mentor to further ready them for the workplace. The entire process not only prepares graduates for employment, but also provides them an opportunity for self-knowledge and recognising their own strengths and weaknesses. The top 100 will compete for a spot in the “Ten of the Finest” to be announced on 26 September 2018.

Our best wishes accompany the following UFS students in the top 100: 

Bongani Sithole: Bachelor of Science
Carlo Visser: Bachelor of Science
Christian Cookson: Bachelor of Commerce
Elsa Moitsemang: Bachelor of Commerce
Jon-Dylon Petersen: Bachelor of Science
Joseph Alappattu: Bachelor of Science
Joshua Owusu-Sekyere: Bachelor of Commerce
Josiah Meyer: Bachelor of Science
Kayurin Govender: Bachelor of Commerce
Keshalia Naidoo: Bachelor of Arts

Lise-Mari Otto: Bachelor of Education
Meredith Green: Bachelor of Laws 
Nduduzo Kubheka: Bachelor of Science
Onalenna Lephoro: Bachelor of Laws 
Razia Adriaanse: Master of Laws
Refiloe Maqelepo: Bachelor of Commerce
Sajel Singh: Bachelor of Commerce Law
Sivuyile Mpatheni: LLB
Tebello Ntene: Bachelor of Science
Tshireletso Bogatsu: Bachelor of Accounting

News Archive

Sought-after fellowship for Deaf Kovsie academic
2012-04-25

 

Magteld Smith
Photo: Provided
25 April 2012

For a Deaf person to achieve academic excellence in a sound-dominated world is extremely challenging, but Ms Magteld Smith sees each challenge as another opportunity.

Ms Smith, a Medical Social Researcher at the University of the Free State (UFS), recently received the Herbert H Humphrey fellowship. She is one of only two South Africans to receive this fellowship.
 
The Humphrey Fellowship Program provides mid-career professionals from designated countries around the world with an opportunity to enhance their professional capabilities through participation and is developed specifically for small clusters of Humphrey Fellows at 18 selected US universities.
 
It was initiated in 1978 to honour the memory and accomplishments of the former Senator and Vice-President, Humbert H. Humphrey. Fellows are selected based on their potential for national leadership and commitment to public service, in either the public or private sector. The programme provides a basis for establishing long-lasting productive partnerships and relationships between citizens of the United States and their professional counterparts in other countries, fostering an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding throughout the world.
 
Ms Smith applied for this fellowship, but was still very surprised when she heard her application was successful.
 
“Upon receiving the news, in my mind I saw an enormous rotating world globe and I asked my Heavenly Father, "What is happening now?" I saw big libraries with books, laboratories, state of the art technology for people with hearing impairments, big cars, big houses, big trucks, big farmers, big women and the White House with big trouble. Furthermore, I saw how the UFS became the world leader of academic excellence and change for people with disabilities with high technology manufacturing and rehabilitation programmes.”
 
Ms Smith says Prof. Jonathan Jansen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, is a great asset, because for the first time people with disabilities are high on the priority list.

 

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