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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

We must rise again, says Dr Luescher
2016-05-04

Description: 2016 05 04 Dr Luescher sml Tags: 2016 05 04 Dr Luescher
Dr Thierry Luescher, Assistant Director of University of the Free State Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning, was one of the guest speakers at the first TEDxUFS event of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus. Here he is explaining where the #movements started, and how to change the way we think. Photo: Marli du Plessis.

The student protests, known as the #MustFall movements, started on 9 March 2015, when students protested in a well-rehearsed manner at the Cecil John Rhodesstatue at the University of Cape Town. After this protest, students all over South Africa started their own movements from #OpenStellies to #SwartsMustFall, the latter happening on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in March 2016. But, as Dr Thierry Luescher, Assistant Director of UFS Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning, says: “We shall soon run out of #MustFalls. Maybe it is time that we rise again.”

The first TEDxUFS was held on Friday 15 April 2016 at the New Education Building on the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS. Dr Luescher shone light on the way we look at hashtag movements. At the conference, he was one of the guest speakers who shared their perspectives on the theme of #ImpossibleIsNothing. The others were Ndumiso Hadebe, and Fezile Sonkwane.

Changing angles

No matter what the issue, whether it is on a campus or not, the same reaction can be expected by all: they burn things to get attention. In retrospect, this is our political culture. This is what we have been told to do if we need answers. There is a much faster and cheaper way to attract people’s attention: the hashtag movements, says Dr Luescher.

Stop the fire

He argues that we should stop burning down buildings and vandalising properties. What we need is people with intellect to use their words. We, as students, have to take back our voice. We need to stop this self-pitying, and take a stand.

Students have the power to change lives. We would be able to reach as many as 1.4 million people with our tweets or instagram accounts. According to Dr Luescher, the time for violence has come to an end.

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