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Welcoming postgraduate students

13 March 2020 | Story Amanda Tongha and Andre Damons | Photo Johan Roux

UFS postgraduate welcoming — Attending the Postgraduate Welcoming were, from the left: Itumeleng Mutla, second-year master’s student; Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation; Prof Witness Mudzi, Director of the Postgraduate School; Hesma van Tonder, Chief Officer: Research Librarian; and John van Niekerk, a master’s student.

The University of the Free State prides itself on being an institution committed to excellence in postgraduate education. In 2019, the UFS boasted more than 6 900 postgraduate students enrolled for postgraduate diplomas, honours, master’s and doctoral qualifications. Of these, 77% previously enrolled at the UFS, while 23% started at the institution for the first time.

Targeting this group of students who make up 17% of the total number of degree-seeking students, the UFS Postgraduate School formally welcomed new senior students to the university on Friday 6 March.

Postgraduate success
“It is the best time to be a senior student, and I hope it is a wonderful experience,” said Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation in her welcoming address to the more than 150 postgraduate students gathered in the Reitz Hall of the Centenary Complex.

Giving reasons as to why Kovsie students should consider postgraduate studies, Prof Witthuhn said there are many opportunities associated with making the jump from undergraduate to postgraduate student.

“All the data shows that postgraduate studies increase employability. It creates the opportunity to deeper engage with the field that you are interested in.”

The postgraduate journey
Dr Musawenkosi Saurombe, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology who became the youngest PhD holder on the African continent at age 23, was also on hand to offer advice.

“Are you willing to see the task to completion? How badly do you want it?” she challenged postgraduate students, talking about her journey from 16-year old first-year student to 23-year-old doctoral degree holder.

Itumeleng Mutla, who is in the second year of her master’s degree in Administration, said she found the speech by Dr Saurombe inspiring and encouraging. “I felt like a groupie and took pictures with her afterwards. We felt inspired by her story and she encouraged me in my own studies. I think I am also going to push to finish my studies earlier,” she said.

John van Niekerk, a master’s student in Education and Psychology, said Saurombe’s talk was brilliant and he would like her to give a talk to learners at Kimberley Boys High, where he is a teacher.

News Archive

SA women’s Hockey players give a recount of Hockey World League

2015-07-02

Nicole Walraven and Liné Malan
Photo: Hatsu Mphatsoe

Three of the star players of Kovsies Hockey formed part of the South African Women’s Hockey team, which competed at the Hockey World League (HWL) tournament in Spain.

Hatsu Mphatsoe, student assistant at the Department of Communication and Brand Management, spoke to Nicole Walraven and Liné Malan. Tanya Britz will be returning only at a later stage to South Africa.

As key players in the Kovsies women’s team, Malan and Walraven (along with Britz) have a new wealth of knowledge that could assist the team in their forthcoming USSA tournament. Here are some of the sentiments they had to share:

What was your reaction when you first received the news that you’d be representing the country in Spain?

Liné: “It was a shock to me, I honestly didn’t expect it. At the same time, I was extremely excited to be granted the opportunity to represent my country, and prove my worth to the team.”

Nicole: “I was so excited and felt honoured! To represent my country at such a big tournament is amazing. I was very nervous, but excited.”

How has playing at an international level improved your personal performance and mentality of the game/sport?

Nicole: “Playing at such a high level has helped my hockey immensely. It has helped me read the game better, it has upped my self-confidence, and it has also improved my ability to deal with pressure.”

Liné: “Playing at an international level looks much easier than it is. It is a much faster game, the pressure on the ball is much higher, and the individual skills are on a different level. It has helped me to lift my game, and make decisions much quicker. It has honestly benefitted me as an individual, and I’ve learnt so much from the experience.”

Now that you’ll be going to play at the USSA tournament, what new perspectives do you wish to bring to the team in order to improve its overall performance there?

Nicole: “The importance of teamwork as well as adapting the game plan according to the situation and the opposition. Constant hard work and a never-give-up attitude are vital. One quote that stood out from the tournament is ‘1MT, 1MT’ which stands for ‘1 More Thing, 1 More Time’.

Liné: “Going to USSA, I now have a better understanding of what pressure is, and how to make better decisions. We will still make use of our Kovsies brand of Hockey, which is our passing game, and apply all aspects to the best of our ability.”

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