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08 October 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Charl Devenish
Gradstar UFS
The 2019 GradStar programme is all about producing well-rounded students and providing them with opportunities in the world of work, explained Head of UFS Career Services, Belinda Janeke.
Congratulations to the Kovsies top-11 students who made it into the GradStar top-100 programme for 2019!

Each year, 100 South African students are selected through a rigorous four-phase judging process to become part of the GradStar programme. The programme is designed to offer opportunities for employment to previously unrecognised students.

What makes the top 11? 

According to the UFS Head of Career Services, Belinda Janeke, the GradStar programme is all about producing a well-rounded student. Approximately 6 000 applications were received from Kovsies, of which 500 were selected based on a personality test. Another test was given to the 500 students who passed the personality test, after which interviews were conducted to determine the top 100 from the UFS.  

The students who were selected to represent the UFS exhibited the most potential as future leaders in their respective fields. Apart from academic achievement, contestants were evaluated according to their individual soft skills such as motivation, discipline, altruism, and attitude. This combination promised to deliver top candidates for future employers. 

2019 GradStar programme experiences

Throughout the competition, Kovsie contestants were exposed to new people and opportunities to network with various companies in their preferred career fields, where they had the opportunity to share their CVs with potential employers. Contestants were also afforded the opportunity to develop critical problem-solving skills in the world of work. The GradStar top-100 students also have a WhatsApp group where jobs are advertised.

The programme was valuable for the Kovsies; not only did it prepare them for employment, but also provided them with an opportunity for learning and recognising their own strengths and weaknesses as individuals in the working world. 

Congratulations to the Kovsies who made it into the GradStar top 100: 

Mariné du Toit: Bachelor of Social Work
Nyiko Maluleka: Bachelor of Arts, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Bianca Malan: Bachelor of Accounting, Financial Accounting
Boitumelo Mancoe: Master of Business Administration
Kabelo Mashego: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB)
Kananelo Moletsane: Bachelor of Agriculture
Mudzunga Mukwevho: Bachelor of Accounting, Financial Accounting
Neo Roberts: Bachelor of Science, Information Technology 
Refilwe Maimane: Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting 
Themba Makhoba: Bachelor of Public Administration
Mpolokeng Mmutle: Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting

News Archive

Eight from UFS elected to ASSAf
2012-09-05

Eight UFS academics have been elected as members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). They follow in the footsteps of seven colleagues who already were elected as members of the Academy.

The new members are Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic; Prof. Melanie Walker, Senior Professor; Prof. Ian Phimister, Senior Professor; Prof. Pumla Godobo-Madikizela, Senior Professor; Prof. Lodewyk Kock, Outstanding Professor; Prof. Hugh Patterton, Department of Biotechnology; Prof. Heidi Hudson, Department of Africa Studies and Prof. Odireleng Ntwaeaborwa, Department of Physics.

ASSAf was established in 1996 with the mission of using science for the benefit of society. New members are elected after nomination by four existing members (at least two of whom do so from personal knowledge of the candidate).

ASSAf has some 350 members and represents South Africa in the international community of science academies.

UFS academics who are already members of ASSAf are Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector; Prof. Johan Henning, Dean: Faculty of Law; Prof. Hendrik Swart, Physics; Prof. André Roodt, Chemistry; Prof. Zakkie Pretorius, Plant Sciences; Prof. Max Finkelstein, Mathematics; Prof. James du Preez, Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology; Prof. Maryke Labuschagne, Plant Sciences; and Prof. Neil Roos of our Postgraduate School.

Prof. Aldo Stroebel is a founding member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), the youth branch of ASSAf. SAYAS seeks to provide a voice to young scientists on international issues that interface with science.
 

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