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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

African Union acknowledges one of our own
2012-01-23

 

Prof. Maryke Labuschagne
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

The African Union awarded an international award to Maryke Labuschagne, a professor in Plant Breeding at our Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, for her contribution to science in Africa.

Prof. Labuschagne received the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific award in the category Life Sciences – Continental level. This is the highest level of this prestigious award programme.

The African Union Commission is committed to ensure that science and technology contributes to sustainable development efforts. In 2008 the African Union Commission launched the prestigious African Union Scientific Award Programme. This programme was later renamed the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific awards.

The programme is implemented at National level for young researchers, Regional level for women scientists and is open to all scientists on Continental level.

The Continental level is the highest level of the programme. The objective is to give out scientific awards to top African scientists for their scientific achievements, valuable discoveries and findings.

Prof. Labuschagne has been part of our university for the past 23 years. Over the last 20 years she has been involved in training and educating scientists in plant breeding all over Africa. Her work also entails the development of better cultivars to ensure food sustainability on the continent.

“I really did not expect to win this award. The criteria were really strict and one always sells yourself and your achievements short,” says Prof. Labuschagne.

With this award, Prof. Labuschagne also receives US $100 000 (about R 804 180) in prize money, which will be used to renovate her department’s lab facilities and provide bursaries.

The official award ceremony will be held on Saturday 28 January 2012 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
 

 

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