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01 October 2019
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Story Prof Francis Petersen
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Photo Pixabay
During October, the national focus is on mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month also coincides with a time when our students prepare for the end of the year exams, making it a particularly valuable time for us to think about how we can continuously assist them during their time at university. The value of peer support and genuine care can never be overstressed; that is why I want to encourage our students to reach out to their support networks such as our Department of Student Counselling and Development, as we move towards the end of the year.
Mental health is an equally important matter for our staff. During this month, I want to encourage our staff to also take cognisance of their own well-being. There is a lot of wisdom in the old adage: Healthy body, healthy mind. Many of the initiatives of our Division of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness are focused on the value of physical activity and the negative impact that inactivity can have on one’s productivity and mental health. They also present regular lunch-hour sessions for our staff, where experts share information and practical tips for mental wellness. I want to encourage our staff to attend these sessions and to make use of the services the university has to offer in this regard. It is important to note that suffering from mental and anxiety disorders is not weaknesses and it is not always indicative of a deeper psychological issue; it is an illness and hence can be treated.
On 20 September 2019, a 21-member team was sent off on their run of 1 075 km to Stellenbosch to raise awareness for mental health. The run was organised by the Division of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness and the Faculty of Health Sciences. The team ran in relay format throughout the night and handed the baton of hope to Stellenbosch University on 25 September 2019. I admire and thank them not only for their commitment and stamina, but also for addressing this crucial matter in the public domain and for raising awareness in the many towns and communities along the way.
This is an excerpt from a message by Prof Francis Petersen.
Kovsies do well in SAICA QE1 exam
2010-06-10
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Students from the University of the Free State (UFS) performed well in Part I of the Qualifying Examination (QE I) of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
Of the 43 Kovsie students who wrote this examination for the first time, 34 (79%) passed. The average passing rate for residential universities is 73%.
This exam sets the standard for Chartered Accountants (CA) and is written after the completion of the B Acc (Hons). The QE1 aims to assess the core technical competencies of prospective CAs.
The examination consisted of four sections, namely Auditing, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Taxation. The Kovsie students had the best results in the country in the Taxation section. This is an enormous accomplishment, as the average percentage of the 14 accredited universities writing the examinations for Taxation was 51.6%. The Kovsie students passed with an average of 65.38%.
Prof. Hentie van Wyk, Programme Director at the Centre for Accounting at the UFS, says he is satisfied with the results and the standard of the Kovsie students who wrote the exam. Five students who passed the QE1 exam are currently academic clerks at the Centre for Accounting. The five clerks will start their second year of practical traineeship at different companies/firms in 2011.
In order to qualify as a CA and become a full member of SAICA, the students will also have to complete a specialist diploma, pass the final examination and complete the remaining period of their practical training. Once all three these requirements have been completed, the students will qualify as CAs in South Africa.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (acting)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
9 June 2010
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