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Matric learners hone maths skills at Kovsies

19 July 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish

MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe, presents an award to Khesa Maphakiso from Beacon High School at the ceremony.

Projections indicate that by 2020 about 80% of all jobs will require some level of competency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Also, given the rising unemployment rate and the subsequent demand for entrepreneurial skills in the past few years, STEM education has become a priority for South Africa.

A step in the right direction

Equipping young people to be efficient in the world of work and business is a major driver behind the country’s education system. The MEC for Education in the Free State reiterated the importance of STEM subjects. Dr Tate Makgoe addressed about 200 top-performing Grade 12 learners from quintile 1-3 schools in the province who were attending the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA) maths camp.

Making mathematics fashionable

The week-long camp recently closed with an awards ceremony which was held on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS). Nine of the creams of the crop of matric learners were honoured for their achievements in mathematics, physical science, and accounting.

Zinhle Gumbi, from Morena Mokopela Secondary School, one of the three Mathematics Top Achiever award recipients has become more determined to choose a maths-related profession. “I have told myself that any career I follow must include maths. Dr Tate Makgoe said we must prove to people that the black child can do it.”

Emerging as one of the Accounting Top Achievers was Albert Ramatsekane from Tsoseletso Secondary School who intends to pursue a Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification. “The camp has boosted my confidence. Now I can choose the CA stream without thinking twice.”

Sowing the seed and reaping the fruits

Accounting lecturer Mojalefa Mosala was satisfied with the results of the camp. “I am happy to see many familiar faces in my classes who have attended previous camps. It means we’re doing something right.”

Mosala, a former assistant camp organiser, has confidence in the project as it “affords a rare opportunity to learners who have not been exposed to information, the higher learning environment, study skills and motivational figures to experience all of these”.
Kovsies prides itself in partnering with industry stakeholders to build the future of the country, one maths camp at a time.

News Archive

UFS forms International Advisory Council

2010-11-09

The University of the Free State (UFS) has established an International Advisory Council (IAC) to advise the leadership of the university on its future positioning strategies, especially in relation to its international ambitions as a place of scholarship and service among the leading universities in the world.

The Council, constituted by Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, consists of nine high-profile international experts with proven expertise, leadership, influence and experience.

“Since the appointment of Prof. Jansen, the leadership of the university has been revising and aligning several functions as part of a thrust to position the institution to meet 21st century national, regional and international challenges,” says Prof. Aldo Stroebel, Director of International Affairs at the UFS.

The appointment of the IAC is one of the strategies to advise and guide the UFS during the next phase of development and growth.

The university is fortunate to have attracted council members from various spheres of influence who can provide strategic guidance and bring cutting-edge expertise to bear on the policies, strategies and actions plans of the UFS. Among them are Prof. Brenda Gourley, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Natal (now UKZN); Mr Gert Grobler, SA Ambassador to Japan; and Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ncquka, Former Deputy-President of South Africa, and Executive Chairperson of the Umlambo Foundation.

The first meeting of the Council will take place from 10-13 November 2010. During this meeting the Council will advise the university leadership on the positioning of the UFS in a global knowledge economy; research excellence; excellence in the scholarship of teaching and learning; student engagement and transformation; and other strategic programmes of focus, including engaged scholarship.

The other Council members are:

- Prof. Joel Samoff: Professor of African Studies, Stanford University, USA (Chairperson)
- Prof Luc D’Haese: Chairperson: University International Committee and Advisor to the Rector, University of Antwerp, Belgium
- Prof. Masafumi Nagao: United Nations University and International Christian University, Japan
- Dr Uri Ofir: International Entrepreneur and Business Development Specialist, Scientech Inc., Switzerland
- Prof. Alice Pell: Vice-Provost International Affairs, Cornell University, USA
- Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr: Former Secretary-General, Association of African Universities (AAU), Ghana

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
8 November 2010

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