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02 April 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish
Accounting Students
Pictured are 8 of the 64 UFS School of Accountancy students who form part of the 84.2% pass rate achievers.

Students from the University of the Free State (UFS) School of Accountancy achieved a 84.2% pass rate compared to the national average of 76.2% during the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) examination facilitated by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

A total of 64 out of 76 UFS students who attempted the ITC for the first time were successful in the examination. The ITC is known for its challenging nature.  Demographically, our African black students outperformed the 62.1% national pass rate by attaining an impressive 80.6%.

Collective congratulations

Prof Hentie van Wyk, Programme Director at the school, attributed diligence for the high pass rate. “This is due to our student-centred teaching module that was introduced four years ago and committed academic staff of the School of Accountancy from the first to the fourth year.”

Further future surge expected

“With the coming June 2019 ITC sitting, our pass rate for 2019 will most probably be more than 90%. Our three-year rolling average for 2015-2017, 2016-2018 and 2017-2019 were 83%, 86% and 90% respectively. Hopefully we can maintain the upward curve,” said Prof Van Wyk.

News Archive

RAG resilience shines despite rain
2017-02-07

Description: Rag 2017 Tags: Rag 2017

Winning float for 2017: Armentum, Vergeet-My-Nie,
and Emily
Photo: Lelanie de Wet 

Although the 75th RAG festivities were challenged by ominous weather, in true Kovsie spirit students and organisers still made a gleaming success of the day. 

Students help to create sunny feeling
On 6 February 2017, the annual float-building activities culminated in the handing over of schoolbags to 150 learners from schools in and around Bloemfontein. This took place at the Rag Farm on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free (UFS), since the morning procession to Twin City Mall in Heidedal had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

“It is of course a huge disappointment to all of us that the events had to be cancelled, but we are grateful for the rain,” said Karen Scheepers, Head of Kovsie Rag Community Service and Assistant Director: Student Affairs.

The evening KFC Rag procession took place as planned, with students having the option of taking part despite the weather. Unfortunately, the Chevrolet Music Festival had to be cancelled.

“The very important actors of today are our students who have worked long hours to build the floats and who have worked together to make this rainy day on the outside feel sunny inside,” said Prof Francis Petersen, incoming UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, when he addressed the crowd at the Rag Farm. Prof Petersen will take up office on 1 April 2017.

Armentum, Vergeet-My-Nie, and Emily take honours
Armentum, Vergeet-My-Nie, and Emily Hobhouse were the overall winners of the 2017 Rag float-building. “It was worth the hard work. Always remember to ask for advice during float-building,” said Pieter Kotze, RC Rag of Armentum residence on the Bloemfontein Campus. “I also want to thank both the RC Rag from Vergeet-My-Nie and Emily Hobhouse.”

The float theme was Proudly South African, and the winning float encapsulated it with local flavours such as Chappies, a Rooibos tea box and a Lion matchsticks box. They also went the extra mile by incorporating each hostel’s logo within a Chappie design.

The Central Rag Committee would like to thank all their sponsors who made the events possible. The Rag Coronation Ball will take place on 17 February 2017, where the new Rag Queen and Mr Rag will be crowned.

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