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11 September 2018 Photo Stephen Collett
Outstanding Alumni awarded
Attending the awards evening were from the left: Dr Mafu Rakometsi; Gustav Wilson; Dr Pieter du Toit, National Executive Alumni Chairperson; Ace Moloi; Dr Khotso Mokhele; Prof Dave Lubbe; Dr Suzanne Staples; Prof Francis Petersen; Bertus Jacobs, and Tshepo Moloi.
A medical doctor, an economist, an author, and experts in the fields of Information Technology, Education, Management and Sociology are the winners of this year’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. 

This is the 36th year that the UFS honours those alumni who are not only flying the Kovsie flag high, but are inspiring excellence and transforming lives.

Chancellor’s Challenge

UFS Chancellor Dr Khotso Mokhele had a sobering message for those who attended the awards ceremony on 8 September. He shared how, on a recent visit to the US, he had a chance to visit the campus of Facebook in Seattle, and heard how every year Facebook received more than two million CVs from prospective employees – 98% of whom sported A-average grades. Management then confided in him that they never hired a CV, but rather a mindset.

“They sift through all those applications, looking for someone with a vision to disrupt the status quo,” Mokhele said. “This continent will be left behind if we don’t adopt that mindset – that confidence that borders on arrogance – that we can change the world. Are we ready for that challenge?” 

The recipients in the various categories are:

Chancellor's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year:       
Danie Meintjes – Former Group Chief Executive Officer of Mediclinic

Cum Laude Awards
Dr Mafu Rakometsi ¬ Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi)
Dr Suzanne Staples, Principal Investigator at the Tuberculosis & HIV Investigative Network (THINK)

Kovsie Ambassador Awards
Tshepo Moloi – Economist at the South African Reserve Bank
Bertus Jacobs – Chief Technology Officer at IoT.nxt
Gustav Wilson, Regional Head (Development and Care) Department of Correctional Services 

Executive Management Award
Prof Dave Lubbe – Research Fellow and Professor at UFS School of Accountancy.

Young Alumnus of the Year
Ace Moloi – Author and literary consultant

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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