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Natural and Agricultural Sciences celebrates best of the best

13 December 2020 Photo Supplied

Read More NAS Danie Vermeulen — The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences held its very first virtual Academic Awards Ceremony this year, where 103 prizes were awarded in 75 different categories. Prof Danie Vermeulen sponsored the award for the best undergraduate student in the faculty.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) presented its very first virtual Academic Awards Ceremony this year, celebrating the achievements of students.

According to Tracy Isaacs and Heidiry White, both from the Office of the Dean: Natural and Agricultural Sciences and organisers of the event, the aim of this event is to award and reward skills, knowledge, talent, and abilities. They believe the event contributes to encourage, inspire, and motivate other students to excel.

“Academic awards in the faculty create meaningful moments of recognition that inspire others and reinforce the behaviour that led to the reward. Rewarding students for their hard work forms an integral part of creating a competitive spirit among students. Competition is essential, as it encourages every student to do their best to stand out,” says Isaacs.

Support and innovation

During this year’s ceremony, 103 prizes were awarded in 75 different categories. Dedicated academic staff who went the extra mile to ensure that no student was left behind, played a major role in the faculty awarding this number of prizes.

The quality of the programmes and the curriculum, together with innovative teaching and learning activities and approaches, form the basis for academic excellence in the faculty. Lecturers and students are also provided with ongoing support and proper resources to maintain a high quality of teaching.

An achievement that stood out was the work of Philip Schall, who received the Dean’s Award for best undergraduate student in the faculty. Schall obtained his degree with distinction. The Dean, Prof Danie Vermeulen, sponsored this award.

Search for knowledge encouraged

Lecturers and researchers encourage students on a daily basis to pursue academic excellence by challenging them to obtain the highest level of success in their work.

Students are also provided with an academic, creative, and enterprising spirit that not only prepares them for their academic journey, but also for the world of work. “While being exposed to a range of valuable and relevant learning experiences, students are prepared for further study, ongoing learning, and for their future work environment,” says Isaacs.

News Archive

King Moshoeshoe comes alive on national television

2004-11-02

Honourable Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho, and his wife; King Letsie III of Lesotho and Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs at the UFS during the première of the film at the Royal Palace in Lesotho

The ground-breaking documentary film on the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho nation, will come alive on Thursday 4 November 2004 when it is screened on SABC2 at 21:00

The film, called Moshoeshoe: The Renaissance King, forms part of a larger project by the University of the Free State (UFS) to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. It was produced by the well-known journalist Mr Max du Preez and commissioned by the UFS as part of its centenary celebrations.

The SABC2 screening was preceded by a première in Bloemfontein last month, and was attended by provincial political leaders.

This past weekend there was a première at the Royal Palace in Lesotho, which was attended by King Letsie III, the prime minister, the chief justice, judges, the president of the senate, cabinet ministers and directors-general.

“Through this documentary film the UFS commits itself to developing a shared appreciation of the history of this country and to the establishment of the Free State Province as a model of reconciliation and nation-building. King Moshoeshoe is also a strong common element, and binding factor, in the relationship between South Africa/the Free State, and its neighbour, Lesotho,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“Not all people in South Africa know the history of Moshoeshoe. Many Basotho – but not all – are well versed in the history of Moshoeshoe, and his name is honoured in many a street, town and township. Many white people know little of him, or have a very constrained or even biased view of his role and legacy. In Africa and the world, he is much less known than, for instance, Shaka,” said Prof Fourie.

“King Moshoeshoe did a remarkable thing in forging a new nation out of a fragmented society. He also created a remarkable spirit of reconciliation and a remarkable spirit of leadership,” said Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie we already benefit from his legacy: the people of the Free State share a tradition of moderation and reconciliation rather than one of aggression and domination. “For the UFS this is also part of real transformation – of creating a new unity amidst our diversity,” said Prof Fourie.

“We also find in the legacy of King Moshoeshoe the possibility of a “founding philosophy”, or “defining philosophy”, for the African renaissance. To develop this philosophy, we must gain a deeper understanding of what really happened there, of his role, of his leadership. Therefore the UFS will encourage and support further research into the history, politics and sociology of the Moshoeshoe period, including his leadership style,” said Prof Fourie.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
2 November 2004

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