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27 August 2019 | Story Moeketsi Mogotsi | Photo Johan Roux
SRC 2019
Katleho Lechoo, newly elected SRC President on the Bloemfontein Campus and Sonawible Dwaba, outgoing SRC President.


The University of the Free State’s Student Representative Council (SRC) elections took place on the Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and South campuses during August. 
The following candidates were successfully elected as 2019/2020 SRC members on our three respective campuses.

BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS SRC:
President:
Katleho Lechoo

Deputy President:
Agobakwe Mboweni

Secretary:
Nothabo Zungu

Treasurer:
Zandile Makalima

Policy and Transformation:
Kamohelo Thakheli

Student Development and First-Generation Students:
Thobeka Buti

Commuter Students:
Karabo Mtsweni

Associations Student Council:
Mandilakhe Magalakanqa

Student Organisations Council:
Dieketseng Motaung

Academic Student Council:
Lebofsa Malete

Day Residence Council:
Gert Terblanche

Campus Residence Council:
Tyrone Willard

Postgraduate Student Council:
Mahlomola Khasemene

International Student Council:
Simba Matem

Student Media and Dialogue Council:
Karabo Masike

Universal Access and Social Justice Council:
Micaula Jewell

Civic and Social Responsibility Council:
Nthato Musa

Arts and Culture Council:
Motshidisi Rasego

Sports Council:
Sphumelele Dube

QWAQWA CAMPUS SRC:
President:
Xolani Sandile Sibiya

Deputy President:
Thembinkosi Phenyane

Secretary General:
Nelisiwe Bridget Masango

Treasurer:
Ntandoyenkosi Khumalo

Policy and Transformation:
Bongiwe Nakile Khumalo

Student Development and First-Generation Students:
Thokozani Siphiwe Zuma

Commuter Students:
Thabiso Celimpilo Masuku

Media and Publicity:
Simphiwe Sinenhlanhla Dube

Associations and Religious Affairs Student Council: 
Sicelo Mathews Twala

Campus Residence Council: 
Thabo Abraham Motaung

Arts and Culture Council:
Andile Saviour Maseko

Academics Council:
Siyabonga Mpumelelo Mbambo

Sports Council: 
Tshepiso Fortune Tshabalala

Universal Access and Social Justice Council: 
Siphamandla Joseph Shabangu

Postgraduate Student Council:
Thato Karabo Moloi

International Student Council:
Mamokete Mokhatla

SOUTH CAMPUS SRC:
President: 
Phehellang Ralejoe

Deputy President:
Nokubonga Mangaliso

Secretary:
Mpumelelo Ndzube

Treasurer:
Sithembiso Khoza

Policy and Transformation:
Casles Phasha

Commuter Students:
Sthembele Kunene

News Archive

UFS implements paperless meeting system
2004-08-20

 

The Management Committee of the University of the Free State ’s (UFS) Executive Management recently entered the electronic environment of more effective and centralised meeting and decision-making administration by implementing ‘n computerised meeting system.

With this the UFS became the first higher education institution in the world to use the PARNASSUS-meeting management system. PARNASSUS , which refers to a mountain in the Greek mythology, is a licensed system from CIPAL in Belguim – a developer of software for a variety of applications.

“In stead of coming to a weekly management meeting with a file of documentation, each member now walks in with his/her laptop and the whole meeting procedure takes place electronically,” says Prof Sakkie Steyn, Registrar: General at the UFS.

At the same time the secretary registers the minutes point by point on the PARNASSUS programme. At the end of the meeting, after certain technical finishes are done, the minutes are distributed to members of the meeting and their secretaries/office managers. The draft minutes is also distributed to those who must implement decisions and prepare implementation steps. These staff members are given security clearance beforehand.

“The system is unique due to the fact that a translation engine has been built into the agenda and minute system. Agenda items can be submitted in Afrikaans and then automatically be translated in English by means of the interactive translation engine, or vice versa. The same principle applies to the minutes,” says Prof Steyn.

According to Prof Steyn the translation engine was develop with the expert assistance of the UFS’s Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment (ULFE). Word strings from previous minutes are now being added to the corpus of the translation engine.

“The system enables the secretary to continuously monitor which points are submitted for the agenda and if these points comply with the set standards namely clear recommendations, background and proposed implementation steps. The agenda is closed at a certain moment and no new points can then be added. The secretary does certain technical finished by means of a final classification of point and annexures. The draft agenda is then sent to the chairperson for approval, after which the agenda is electronically sent to members of the meeting and their secretaries/office managers for preparation,” says Prof Steyn.

“After the minutes have been approved at the next meeting, it is saved on the PARNASSUS decisions data base. The tracing of decisions made during previous meetings can be done by any person with the necessary security clearance. This is different from the past where stacks of documents had to be searched to find a decision,” says Prof Steyn.

According to Prof Steyn the secretariat and meeting administration services at the UFS has now entered a fully virtual and electronic environment. This will enhance effective decision making tremendously. “The PARNASSUS system saves us costs and time and the decentralisation of submissions to meetings lessens the work at centralised points,” says Prof Steyn.

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