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Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Dean’s Medal winners

09 October 2020 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath

EMS graduation — Jan Johannes van Niekerk and Pierré Ludwig Koekemoer

This year, two proud recipients of the Dean’s Medal were honoured during the 2020 UFS Virtual Graduation Ceremony. Jan Johannes van Niekerk received the award for the best results in respect of a Bachelor’s Degree in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (Bachelor of Accounting), and Pierré Ludwig Koekemoer was awarded the medal for the student who achieved the best results in respect of a Bachelor Honours Degree in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (Bachelor of Commerce Honours with specialisation in Marketing).

Jan Johannes van Niekerk

Prior to commencing his studies at the UFS, Van Niekerk attended Fichardt Park High School in Bloemfontein. Van Niekerk describes his time thus far as a student in the School of Accountancy as “nothing less than special”. He adds that “… the support from the lecturers is really great … every lecturer has always tried to help me to the best of their ability!”

His favourite subject is Financial Accounting, and his Financial Accounting lecturers inspired him to follow in their footsteps; accordingly, he became a Financial Accounting tutor in his second and third years of study. “As academic staff, we have come to know Johan as a pleasant and well-mannered, diligent, and hardworking student who pays attention to detail,” says Prof Frans Prinsloo, Director: School of Accountancy.

Johan is completing his BAcc Honours studies this year and will commence his training contract with Enslins Auditors in 2021 to qualify as a chartered accountant (SA).

Pierré Ludwig Koekemoer
“Pierré Koekemoer is one of the most decent young men I’ve met in years. Hardworking, diligent, and one of the most respectful and responsible people I know,” says Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Associate Professor in the Department of Business Management.

Pierre Koekemoer was identified as the Best Honours Student for 2019 in the School of Accountancy, as well as the student with the best Honours script. Koekemoer excelled during his Honours year, and successfully managed his responsibilities as student assistant/marker; he was also part of the City Lodge Marketing project that took place during the second semester.

The General Manager of the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi, Kenia, offered Koekemoer a short internship at the beginning of 2020, as he was impressed with his performance. Koekemoer could not accept the job, as he had obtained permanent employment and did not want to lose the position. “This also speaks of his integrity, as he had already committed to the company,” comments Prof Neneh.

News Archive

UFS seals cooperation with National Institute for Higher Education

2006-03-20

At the signing of the agreement were seated from the left Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS) and Dr Pearl Nkosi (Head: Academic Planning at the NIHE). Standing from the left were Dr Kopano Taole (acting head of the NIHE) and Mr Vernon Collett (Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS).
Photo: Stephen Collett

UFS seals cooperation with National Institute for Higher Education

A formal memorandum of understanding was recently signed between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the National Institute for Higher Education in the Northern Cape (NIHE).

The memorandum was signed to give both institutions a clear understanding of the way in which collaborative programmes should be implemented.

“Although the UFS has been presenting two bachelors degree courses (i.e. B Soc Sc in Human and Societal Dynamics and B Com in General Management) and the Career Preparation Programme at the NIHE since 2003, the cooperative agreement was never formalised,” explained Prof Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS, during the signing ceremony.

These academic programmes, presented by facilitators living in Kimberley and lecturers from the UFS, serve 270 students and the entry requirements of the programmes are determined by the UFS.

Prof Fourie said the UFS had a history of a relationship with the NIHE. The partnership should be seen as an example of how two institutions of higher learning can work together to serve the needs of the students in the region.

“The memorandum of understanding is part of the UFS’s commitment to and engagement with the central region. As the NIHE is currently operating in a policy vacuum, the memorandum is underpinned by certain principles aimed at providing some parameters within which the relationship is established and developed,” she said.

Dr Kopano Taole, acting head of the NIHE, added to this by saying that the understanding of where the NIHE wants to take the partnership is now reflected in the memorandum of understanding.

“The memorandum is the culmination of many years of hard work and of helping the people of the region. The continued input and guidance of the UFS is of tremendous help to us and through this we gained a greater sense of what the NIHE can grow to be,” he said.

The NIHE is a joint initiative of the BHP Billiton Development Trust (BBDT) and the Northern Cape Provincial Government and was established in June 2004. The National Plan for Higher Eduation (NPHE 2001) proposed the establishment of the NIHE in the Northern Cape to serve as the administrative and governance hub for ensuring the coherent provision of higher education through programme collaboration between the higher education institutions operating in the Northern Cape.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
20 March 2006

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