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14 January 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Anja Aucamp
Study Bug Bites Historian Early
Prof Corene de Wet, South Campus researcher, is a dedicated historian and educator.

From a childhood dream of being a historian, to a decades-long educator and double doctorate-holder, Prof Corene de Wet has led an eventful life. Realising that her undergrad qualification on its own would not get her a job, she completed the Higher Diploma in Education at the then Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. However, “just to buy some time for myself,” she decided to study part-time while teaching in Winburg.

Prof De Wet calls it “being bitten by the part-time study bug.” By 1991, she had obtained her BEd (an honours degree at the time), MEd, and DEd degrees. In 1999, she graduated with a PhD in History. Today, Prof De Wet is still a research associate on our South Campus.

Tremendous milestones and mentors

Dr Lynette Jacobs, co-researcher on several projects, says, “Prof De Wet was the first woman to receive a full professorship in the Faculty of Education, and the first woman in the faculty to obtain an NRF rating. She received her professorship at a time when the academic world belonged to men. She outclassed her peers, rising head and shoulders above the crowd.”

Prof De Wet says her superhero is Prof Daniella Coetzee, South Campus Principal and long-time colleague. “Prof Coetzee is a brilliant academic and organiser. She makes every member of her staff feel special. I am ever thankful that she saw the need for a researcher on the South Campus and that she appointed me in this position,” says Prof De Wet.

“She is a seasoned academic who
still enjoys international recognition.”
—Dr Lynette Jacobs.

Generational history and work ethic

Although much has changed in education since her initial research, Prof De Wet believes that both her doctoral dissertations still bear scrutiny. Regarding the zeitgeist and its impact on the written history of a nation, Prof De Wet says, “We regularly hear many voices today who say that history must be ‘rewritten’. My thesis dealt with exactly that: How different generations of historians wrote histories influenced by the spirit of the time, or by textbooks, or by their own political or world views, or their philosophy on life. Thus, different generations interpret the same events differently.”

During a career spanning more than four decades, Prof De Wet has upheld a strong work ethic. This has enabled her to maintain her C-rating as an NRF researcher. “If one doesn’t dare, if you are too afraid of critique or failure, you won’t get anywhere in academia,” she says, adding, “Criticism is part of academic life. Therefore, take chances, and learn from healthy, constructive criticism.”

News Archive

First-year students encouraged to attend UFS welcoming function
2005-01-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) will host a welcoming function for all new first-year students and their parents on Saturday 15 January 2005 in the Callie Human Centre on the main campus in Bloemfontein.

The function starts at 11.00 and will be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie. UFS staff will also be available to provide vital information to first-year students on academic matters.

According to UFS Registrar, Mr Vernon Collett, Saturday’s welcoming function can assist students and parents by providing vital information on the many high quality academic learning programmes on offer at the UFS in six faculties.

“If students and parents have this information it will make the registration process which starts next week Monday 17 January much smoother,” Mr Collett said.

The UFS has split the registration process into various categories of students and Mr Collett appealed to all students to adhere to the dates and times which apply to them as a one-stop service will be available so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the registration process.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students who applied before 30 November 2004 to study at the Bloemfontein campus will take place from Monday 17 January 2005 to 21 January 2005 at the Callie Human Centre.

Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 22 to 29 January 2005.

Postgraduate students, first time entering first year students and other students who applied for admission to the main campus after 30 November 2004 must register at the Callie Human from 31 January 2005 to 4 February 2005.

Due to the limitations placed by government on student numbers, the applications of students who applied late will be regarded as pending and will be processed as places became available.

Vista campus

The Vista campus in Bloemfontein – which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2004 – no longer accepts applications from first-year students. Such prospective students had to apply to the UFS main campus.

Students who had been registered as Vista students last year must register at the Vista campus on the same dates as applicable on the main campus.

Qwaqwa Campus

At the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS, all first-time entering first-year students must report on 17 January 2005, after which the registration of these students will take place according to a specific programme.

The official welcoming functioning for new first-years at the Qwaqwa campus of the UFS will take place on Saturday 22 January 2005 at 11am in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa campus. As on the main campus, this function will also be addressed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fourie.

Mr Collett appealed to first-year students who have applied to study at the Qwaqwa campus and their parents to attend this function which fulfills the same role as the one held on the Bloemfontein campus.

Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website: http://www.uovs.ac.za/content.php?cid=9

Prospective students may also call 051-401-3000 for more information.

    Media release
Issued by: Anton Fisher
Media Representative
Cell: 072-207-8334

 


12 January 2005

 

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