Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Charissa Worthmann wins UFS FameLab!

27 December 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Xolisa Mnukwa

Clarissa — “It is my duty to share knowledge, and to make use of my academic experiences to uncover meaningful ways in which scientists can relay scientific information to the broader public. - 2019 FameLab winner: Charissa Worthmann

Kovsie student Charissa Worthmann considers herself an absolute nerd who loves science and surrounds herself with people who inspire her. An aspiring academic, Charissa says she has a passion for research and feels it is her duty to share knowledge and uncover meaningful ways in which scientists can relay scientific information to the broader public.

It is these qualities that earned her the title of 2019 UFS FameLab winner.
The Centre for Environmental Management master’s student impressed judges at the UFS leg of the international competition, beating 20 other contestants to be announced winner. Students from the Faculties of Health Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and the Humanities took part in the competition hosted on the Bloemfontein Campus in November 2019.

According to Charissa, science and technology are valuable to everybody exposed to it. She believes that today’s youth is the generation that will have the ability to implement transformation in our future society.
“My ambition in life is more than achieving my personal goals; I strive to seek gaps and identify where I can make a difference, both in people and systems or structures.”

FameLab and the significance of science and technology in our society

FameLab is an international competition designed to engage and entertain by challenging young scientists to communicate their science research to a public audience in less than three minutes. These talks by young scientists are designed to be fun and engaging, making science relevant and relatable to everyone. Charissa described her FameLab experience as quite challenging and nerve-wracking, but she wanted to make use of her discomfort and stress throughout the competition to aid her overall growth as a scientist.

Charissa’s presentation on hydraulic fracturing – an alternative way of fracking – and the impact it has on groundwater, is what earned her the win. “I believe the significance of my win is that it has showed me that my thoughts and perspectives give me power,” she explained.

“I have a passion for research and love the academic setting. I feel that a multi-disciplinary approach to research is the way forward to produce all-inclusive solutions that the ‘real world’ problems of our times need,” she explained.

News Archive

R2,5 million received from FNB Fund for Universal Access and Disability Support

2017-10-18

Description: FNB CUADS Funding Tags: FNB CUADS Funding
Tinotenda Magaya (left at the back), Robert Shoba and
Manus van Rooyen are some of the CUADS students
who will benefit from the money donated by the FNB Fund.
In front are Martie Miranda (left), Head of CUADS, and
Thandeka Rantsi from the FNB Fund.
Photo: Jóhann Thormählen

Funding isn’t only about giving money to provide access to education. There are many factors that contribute to the successful completion of studies, and this is even more applicable to students with disabilities.

That is why the FNB Fund decided to continue and further its relationship with the Center for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) at the University of the Free State (UFS). The fund recently donated nearly R2.5 million for 2017, 2018, and 2019 to CUADS in order to assist students with tuition fees, study material, accommodation and supportive devices.

A total of 11 students will benefit from the R 2 497 440. The UFS previously received R200 000 (2014), R238 000 (2015), and R192 500 (2016) from the FNB Fund.

“The FNB Fund would like to take it
a step further and not only provide
access in terms of funding, but also
provide all the support that
students require to be able
to complete their studies.”

Funders should be aware of challenges

“The FNB Fund would like to take it a step further and not only provide access in terms of funding, but also provide all the necessary support that students require to be able to complete their studies,” says Thandeka Rantsi from the FNB Fund.

The fund also partners with disability units from the University of Stellenbosch, the University of the Western Cape, and the University of Cape Town.

Rantsi says funders should be aware of the challenges students with disabilities face in order to provide the right support as their challenges are more extensive.

More flexible funding than others

Martie Miranda, Head of CUADS, says they are very grateful. “In comparison with other funding, this funding provides more flexibility. Because of the gap between government funding and students’ needs, there are always students who fall out of the criteria for the NSFAS bursary. Then the FNB funding comes in very handy.”

According to her, government funding is never enough. She says the FNB funding enables them to address specific needs such as equipment, accommodation etc. as they have more leeway than prescribed NSFAS amounts.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept