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13 May 2019 | Story Selloane Mile | Photo Tsepo Moeketsi
Qwaqwa Campus Open Day
Colourful learners from near and far descended on the Qwaqwa Campus for this year’s Open Day.

The 2019 University of the Free State Open Day on the Qwaqwa Campus was a colourful affair, attended by learners from high schools in and around Qwaqwa. Leaners were treated to information tables that saw a display of activities, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the campus, dubbed ‘the education hub in the mountains’. The first session began with an excited crowd of mainly Grade 12s receiving words of encouragement from the Campus Principal, Dr Martin Mandew, who extended a word of welcome and gratitude to the teachers for responding to their call. He also encouraged learners to apply as early as possible for the 2020 academic year, as space in tertiary institutions is limited.
 
“Your future is here; Qwaqwa Campus is the place to be,” he reassured the learners. He concluded by saying, “Ours is a smart campus, well-resourced with information and communication technology facilities, among many other features”. 

Learners explore campus

In the second session, learners explored the campus to learn more about what is being offered. They were met by warm and welcoming smiles from representatives of all the faculties and departments. Support services sharing information with potential students included Housing and Residence Affairs, the Student Representative Council (SRC), Student Life, and KovsieSport. Pretty Nzong, a learner from the Seotlong Agricultural and Hotel School, said she has learnt a lot, especially from the faculties, as she did not know what she wanted to study next year. “My highlight of the day was the inspiration I drew from the Assistant Deans and Campus Management in their academic regalia. I hope one day I will ascend that very stage as a graduate,” she said. Her friend, Lebohang Motsoeneng, said the experience gave her a sense of direction on the career path she wants to follow, and this experience re-ignited her spark to become a natural scientist.

Student Life

Although academy was the centre of attention on the day, learners also experienced ‘the feeling’ said to be only known by Kovsies, as they indulged in the essence of student life, including sports, student leadership, counselling services, and career guidance.
 
A sports fanatic, Moleleki Motaung from Mmathabo Secondary School, alluded to his experience as ‘exciting’. “I have been struggling to get exposure, and I believe this campus will afford me an opportunity to showcase my talent on the football field.”  Kamohelo Pholohang, also from Mmathabo Secondary, said the experience was enlightening, as it dealt with his indecisiveness on the course of study that he wants to pursue next year. Both learners emphasised that they are definitely coming to study here next year; both will be studying for a Bachelor of Education degree, with the former reiterating that he will also be the campus football star!

News Archive

Like Idols for scientists
2014-04-10

Kovsie student and scientist Karabelo Moloantoa recently represented the Free State in the South African finals of the FameLab competition during the Sci-Fest in Grahamstown.

Karabelo is a 24-year-old student doing his master’s in Biotechnology. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology, as well as his Honours degree in Biochemistry at Kovsies. His research is focused on Bioremediation of mine waste waters.

“FameLab is like the scientists Idols taking place annually,” says Karabelo.

“In the competition we are given three minutes to explain a science aspect to a non-science audience. There are 25 countries that participate. South Africa is the only African country participating.”

“I was called by one of my lecturers an hour before the local competition took place at the National Museum in Bloemfontein. I was actually still tired from playing volleyball the night before,” he explains. “I was unprepared and without slides, but I did my presentation.”

This was the first year Karabelo entered FameLab and although he was somewhat unprepared for the local competition in Bloemfontein, he was nominated to represent the Free State in Grahamstown at the Sci-Fest event. From the 18 semifinalists, Karabelo qualified to go the finals where the 9 finalists were competing to represent South Africa in the United Kingdom for the international finals.

“I did not win the UK trip, but I made it to the finals, which is an achievement as half of the semi-finalists could not make it to the finals,” says Karabelo.

“I feel like I have done well to represent the university and the province as a whole. It was amazing to speak in front of more than 800 people, delivering my presentation. I learnt a lot and improved my skills of communicating scientific aspects. I will definitely enter again next year.”

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