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22 October 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath

The National Student Entrepreneurship Week (#SEW2020) is a project of Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) in collaboration with Universities South Africa (USAf). 

The University of the Free State (UFS) has been selected to host the National Student Entrepreneurship Week from 2 to 4 November 2020. The programme is presented virtually and will be streamed by the UFS from 2 to 4 November; the events can be accessed live on the Whova app and on Facebook: @EDHEStudententrepreneurship, allowing students to watch at their convenience.

Background of SEW 2020

The National Student Entrepreneurship Week was piloted in 2017 and successfully executed in 2018 by the public universities and TVET colleges. This year, themed #AfroTech, #SEW2020 aims to gain participation from all (26) public universities and TVET colleges.

Objectives of SEW 2020

The objectives of Student Entrepreneurship Week are to raise awareness among students that participation in the economy is not necessarily only through the avenue of formal employment. Students are encouraged to develop innovative and creative ideas to solve many problems facing society. This year, the event allows universities and TVET colleges to showcase the different entrepreneurial activities and achievements of their institutions, which are intended to raise awareness and inspire students towards entrepreneurship and emphasising the benefits of having the best of both worlds as a student and as an entrepreneur.

Format of event

The event promises to offer a high-impact experience that will be easily accessible virtually, with multi-institutional participation and collaboration nationally. Participating universities will contribute to the content of the programme, which will be curated by the EDHE and livestreamed by the EDHE production partner.

The virtual format of the event allows students to preselect sessions in order to create a personalised experience that is customised for their personal schedules and circumstances. Students can watch the live stream as well as missed sessions on YouTube, and further engage with their own institution or with EDHE on social media.

More information on the Student Entrepreneurship Week can be found at  https://edhe.co.za/

News Archive

Quantity Surveying and Construction Management department aspires to excellence
2017-08-14

Description: Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu Tags: Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu 

From the left: Prof Danie Vermeulen, Dean of the
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences;
Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu, Head of the Department
of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management;
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor
at the UFS; and Dr Franco Geminiani, chairing the
panel from the South African Council for the Project
and Construction Management Professions.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Achieving programme accreditation from the respective professional bodies is the ultimate goal for the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS). This is according to Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu, the head of this department. This hallmark of quality reflects the university’s aspiration towards excellence.

Construction Management programmes reviewed
The university recently received a visit by a panel, representing the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) to re-accredit programmes offered by the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management. During the accreditation visit, the panel evaluated the programmes to determine whether they met the minimum requirements according to a set of pre-determined criteria.

When reviewing the programmes: BSc and BSc Hons Construction Management respectively, as well as the Project Management stream of the Masters programme in Land and Property Development Management (MLPM), the panel looked at programme design and outcomes including curriculum, study material and exam papers, institutional support, student recruitment, admission, development, retention and throughput, staffing recruitment and development, teaching and learning strategies, quality assurance, facilities, infrastructure and resources, professional development, industry and practical exposure and postgraduate policies, procedures and regulations, including research activities.

If the minimum requirements are achieved, the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS will receive accreditation for its programmes from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2022.

It will also mean that we are certified
as producing quality employable
graduates who are well prepared to
enter the industry and make a difference.

Currently, the department has full accreditation by the SACPCMP (until March 2017) and the SACQSP (until December 2017).

Later this month, a panel from the South African Council for Property Valuation Profession (SACPVP) will review the accreditation of the Valuation stream of the MLPM programme. The South African Council for Quantity Surveying Profession responsible for accrediting the Quantity Surveying programmes will visit the university in 2018.

Certified as producing quality students

Prof Kajimo-Shakantu said: “If we maintain our accreditation, it will reflect that the UFS is among the best, with programmes which are recognised by professional bodies that set competence standards for professional registration of students. It will also mean that we are certified as producing quality employable graduates who are well prepared to enter the industry and make a difference. The programmes contribute to the development of the much-needed critical skills in the built environment.”


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