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12 April 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Johan Roux
Francois de Beer
Francois de Beer, who achieved distinctions in all his subjects and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Chemistry.

The post-school life of Francois de Beer, one of the graduates in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences who obtained his qualification in Chemistry and Biochemistry during the April graduation ceremonies, can be seen as one great act of ‘magic’. Other people may describe it as coincidence with a couple of miracles as the end result.

An opportunity 

After completing his schooling at Hoërskool Fichardtpark in 2008, Francois decided to study at the University of the Free State (UFS). “Kovsies gave me the opportunity when nobody else would,” said Francois. 

He did not have Maths subjects at school but wished to study in a Science field. “It is the closest one will ever come to doing magic,” he said.

The human element

Francois, who initially did not perform very well academically, did a bridging course in Mathematics and since then achieved distinctions in all his subjects. He related his story: “I did not have any Maths subjects at school, therefore it was very difficult for me to get to this path. The big difference was that Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen from the UFS bridging programme saw something in me when nobody else did. She gave me the opportunity to do the Mathematics course, after which I was able to further continue on the Science path.”

“I would definitely recommend the UFS to other prospective students. I think Kovsies has a human element that really looks after students,” Francois said. 

Francois is currently pursuing his postgraduate studies in Chemistry. He wants to make a difference in the lives of other people, just as others made a difference in his life. 

News Archive

Fulbright Scholarship awarded to Kovsie Academic
2010-07-14

 Mrs Ronette Lategan

Mrs Ronette Lategan, Ph.D. student and Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State, has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to work on her Ph.D. in the United States of America. Mrs Lategan is one of only 22 South Africans awarded the scholarship to study in the United States for the 2010-2011 academic year. She will be based at the Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences Department of Florida State University and conduct her research from August 2010 to August 2011. She will join the research group of Prof. Jasminka ilich-Ernst. Through participating in the research group, Mrs Lategan aims to complete her Ph.D. in the field of Nutrigenomics, focusing on hypertension. 
 

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