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13 March 2020 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Xolisa Mnukwa
Daniela and Stefan recognised by national quantity surveying organisation
Daniela Da Costa and Stéfan Olivier bagged the DJ Laing Memorial Scholarship for the 2020 academic year from the prestigious Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS).
The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) plays a vital role in the building industry in South Africa and aims to advance and promote the science and practice of Quantity Surveying and cognate matters in the country.

University of the Free State (UFS) second-year Quantity Surveying students, Daniela da Costa and Stéfan Olivier, were awarded DJ Laing Memorial Scholarships for the 2020 academic year by the prestigious association. 

The scholarship advocates for the education and development of Quantity Surveying students by providing those exemplifying academic merit and ongoing dedication to the profession through financial assistance. 

Karl Trusler, Edutech Director for ASAQS, says in addition to being academically strong, both Da Costa and Olivier have demonstrated leadership and good character through their work experience, sports achievements, and community involvement. “We believe that they have the potential to make a great contribution to the future of the Quantity Surveying profession,” he added.

“I was having a pretty bad Monday when I received the call from ASAQS telling me that I had been awarded the scholarship. At that point, I don't think I realised quite what had happened and didn't really have words to describe my happiness,” reflected Olivier. 

He went on to say, “I can only hope that it will show people that I am a hardworking, dedicated, and trustworthy person.” Governed by his practical and problem-solving mind, Olivier believes that he will make an excellent quantity surveyor one day. 
Fellow scholarship recipient Da Costa says she would like to break the glass ceiling in her career and encourage young girls to pursue their education in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field. 

Da Costa described the qualities which set her apart from others as her intellectual curiosity. “I am enthusiastic about attaining knowledge about every subject matter possible, which creates a genuine interest in Quantity Surveying,” she explained.
Trusler further mentioned that ASAQS has a free student membership category. He encouraged Kovsies studying towards a Quantity Surveying qualification to join the association to enjoy the wide range of resources and opportunities available to them.

News Archive

Meet our Council Members: Derek Foster, ethical and responsible leadership role model
2016-05-18

Description: 2016 05 18 Derek Foster Tags: 2016 05 18 Derek FosterMr Derek Foster
Photo: Stephen Collett

Derek Foster was elected to the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) in October 2012. He was the first Chartered Accountant (South Africa) to be appointed to Council because of the role he could play through his training, background, and experience. In particular, it was his knowledge of corporate governance, ethics, and reporting that led to his serving currently on the Audit and Risk Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Investment Committee of Council.

This Kovsie alumnus qualified as chartered accountant at the UFS in 1978. During his student years, he played rugby for Oud-Studente, and served in the Evening Student Representative Council.

Until December 2010, Derek was a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers, which he joined in 1972 as a rookie when the company was still known as Meyer, Nel and Co. Nowadays, he is a business consultant and company director, serving on the boards of NWK Limited, Cancer Association of South Africa (national), and Samba Cooperative Limited.

His background and knowledge of auditing shine through strongly when it comes to the manner in which he sees his role as Council member. “The contribution which I can make to the Council of the university is to ensure that management executes strategy and policy appropriately, as formulated and approved by Council, in the best interest of the university community. Of course, this should be done in an ethical, sustainable manner, taking into account the risk environment we find ourselves in. We need to provide ethical leadership, and ensure that the UFS is a responsible corporate institution,” he says.

Work obligations are keeping him very busy, but his four grandsons are equally high on his priority list. He met his wife, Sally, at Kovsies, another reason why the university is close to his heart. “Everything I do, I want to do with enthusiasm and passion, and I want to make a difference wherever I go. I would also like to be a good grandfather, and set a memorable example to my grandchildren,” he says.

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