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02 December 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
The UFS team that emerged as victors in the IFAMA International Case Study Competition, were from the left: Carien Denner, Alina Ntsiapane, and Andries Strauss, all three from the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, and Michelle Marais from the Department of Agricultural Economics.
A group of students in the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State (UFS) walked away as victors in the recent International Case Study Competition presented by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA).

“It is an amazing accomplishment to be world champions. The competition was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talent of the UFS on the international stage. It has also been a platform for some insightful and educational conversations with students and specialists from around the world. Winning has been an affirmation of the high standard that the UFS holds and has shown that the department is excelling on a global scale,” says Dr Jan Swanepoel, Senior Lecturer in the UFS Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

After submitting their essay and video on the challenge, How can the sustainability, productivity, and market access of smallholder sugar cane farmers be improved? the team is now the world champions of the IFAMA International Case Study Competition.

A fresh and inspiring perspective 

According to Dr Swanepoel, the group participated against teams from 17 countries all over the world and faced the Philippines in the final round. 

The top finalists were invited to a final round to present their essay online before a panel of judges consisting of an international team of researchers, entrepreneurs, and policy makers.

The UFS team that emerged as winners in the IFAMA International Case Study Competition in the category for Graduates / Early Career Professionals are Carien Denner, Alina Ntsiapane, and Andries Strauss, all three from the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, and Michelle Marais from the Department of Agricultural Economics.

Dr Swanepoel believes that by taking a personal approach to the problem, focusing on the people, made the students stood out in the competition. “It was not just about the business plan, but also about the story behind the solution to the problem. On the international stage, this was a fresh and inspiring perspective.”

It was not just about the business plan, but also about the story behind the solution to the problem. On the international stage, this was a fresh and inspiring perspective. – Dr Jan Swanepoel

He adds: “The challenges are also very personal, because it is around us and we should be part of the solution. 

Making a positive difference in society

The students who participated in the competition are involved in similar projects that will make a positive difference in society, including increasing employment, community upliftment, and development of small-scale farmers.

At the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, they consider the students as well-rounded individuals. “We believe that the students should not only have the theoretical knowledge, but also be practical in their applications.”

One of the students acknowledged that, “The centre sees each student as an individual and go above and beyond to create opportunities for students to apply and develop their skills and talents in contexts that stretch far beyond the classroom.” 

The top essays and the winners will be published in a special online publication, Food for the Future essay collection on IFAMA’s website.

 

 

WATCH:Video of the winning team: Alina Ntsiapane, Andries Strauss, Carien Denner, and Michelle Marais. Video: RooistoelTV



News Archive

UFS launches history book
2007-02-02

 
Attending the launch of the UFS history book were, from the left: Prof Stef Coetzee, Prof Francois Retief, Prof Wynand Mouton, Mr Pieter Cox (Chairperson on Sasol) and Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS). Profs Coetzee, Retief and Mouton are former rectors of the UFS.
UFS launches history book
 
The University of the Free State (UFS) today launched its history book titled, From Grey to Gold, on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
 
“The history of the UFS is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. The book tells a fascinating story that stretches over a 100 years. It is divided into five main phases, which tells about the growth of the UFS from a poor Free State community to a mature university. Interesting stories about student days, sport, rag and hostel activities are included in each phase,” Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor said during the launch of the book.
 
“One cannot know where you are going if you don’t know where you are coming from. You have a clearer idea of the issues facing an institution if you know the history. A book like this one is also an important source of reference for staff on the campus,” said Prof Fourie.
 
The first research for the book was done from 1999-2003 by Prof Leo Barnard from the Department of History and a team of researchers. They also compiled the first manuscript. 
 
During the last three years, Prof Fourie was closely involved with the writing of the final phase and finishing off the history book project. “It was an honour to be so closely involved with the story of the UFS because now I have a better understanding of the institution, its people, its culture and its way of thinking. For any rector of a university, such an understanding of its institution is a requirement,” Prof Fourie said.
 
The book is partly sponsored by Sasol. During the launch of the book, Mr Pieter Cox, Chairperson of Sasol said the company and the UFS have been partners for 57 years. “Both Sasol and the UFS are striving for excellence – Sasol for excellence in technology and the UFS for excellence in education,” said Mr Cox. 
 
“It was an easy decision when the UFS approached Sasol for financial support of the history book. Its a formidable piece of work, something Prof Fourie and the UFS can be proud of,” said Mr Cox.
 
The book consists of more than 500 pages with hundreds of photos and a wide range of supplements of office-bearers, awards and achievements (including national and sporting colours). A timeline framework, putting the history of the UFS in context with the history of the Free State, South Africa and of the world, is also included.
 
Besides the supplements, the history book also tells the story of amongst others the establishment of the UFS; the role of its founding fathers; black pioneers of transformation; the establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers; pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs; campus issues and campus politics; interesting facts and stories about student life (rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders, sport and the Springboks, hostel traditions); the admission of black students and anguish about race; language and culture; the development of the Main Campus; the Tickey and the Banana and much more.
 
Emphasis is placed on a very high level of quality. “It is not every day that the university becomes hundred years old and the institution will be measured by the quality of the book. We cannot say the UFS is a university of excellence if the book does not reflect that,” Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Resources and Special Projects said. Ms Pelzer managed the project as part of the last mentioned part of her portfolio.
 
The search for photographs was an important aspect of the book and it was a big task to find photographs and write captions. It took almost a year to translate and prepare the English edition and almost ten months to ensure the accuracy thereof, especially to correctly translate the typical Free State and UFS terminology and naturally to complete the English manuscript’s layout and proofreading. In the mean time the cover pages were designed and in September 2006 the manuscript went into the final print process. The Afrikaans title is: Van Sink tot Sandsteen tot Graniet.  
 
The cost of the book is R380 per copy. Those who already ordered the book will soon receive their copy. Orders can be placed by contacting Mr Dawid Kriel at UFS Marketing on 051 401 3409 or on the UFS web site at www.ufs.ac.za. The book is also available at Van Schaik Book Store on the Thakaneng Bridge, UFS Main Campus and at Fascination Books in Mimosa Mall, Bloemfontein.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
2 February 2007

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