Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
13 August 2021 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
Mr Steve Strauss, an alumnus from the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State (UFS) who donated one of his paintings to the department, pictured with Dr Nico Keyser, head of the Department of Economics and Finance with the painting.
The office of the Head of the Department of Economics and Finance in the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences received a new piece of art in the form of a flower painting donated by an alumnus. 

Steve Strauss, who is now a fulltime painter, donated one of his paintings to the department from which he graduated in 1989 with a degree in BCom Economics. Strauss, who started painting as a hobby while still a student at the UFS, enjoys painting flowers because it reminds him of his mother’s garden.

Dr Nico Keyser, head of the Department of Economics and Finance, says he is delighted that alumni still want to be part of the department and the university. “It points to the extraordinary role that the years at the university have played in one's life, and also the diverse talents that people have besides the academy. Steve enjoyed his years at the university, as they were wonderful years. That is why he decided to donate the painting,” says Dr Keyser.

According to Dr Keyser, Strauss enrolled for a few formal and informal classes from 2011 and now has a studio on the farm in the Schweizer-Reneke district where he lives. 

“Steve Strauss’s motivation to start painting was to express his God-given talent. He is currently a full-time artist, and his work is on display at various galleries in Clarence, Kimberley and Johannesburg. He often attends art festivals to exhibit his paintings. 

“The painting will be on display in the HoD’s office. The donation is much appreciated by the department, and so is all involvement of alumni students in the department. I hope that the future HODs will also find joy from the painting,” says Dr Keyser. 

News Archive

Students get practical training in banking
2009-05-13

 
At the official announcement of the ABSA Internship Programme were, from the left: Ms Venete Klein, Executive Director: ABSA Retail Banking, Prof. Helena van Zyl, Director of the School of Management at the UFS, and Ms Christa de Bruin, Programme Leader: Internships at ABSA; back: Tebogo Mekgwe and Chantelle de Coning. Both are Honours students in Financial Economics and Investment Management at the UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) has launched a unique programme that will give provide postgraduate B.Com. students with the opportunity to work at the ABSA Regional Office in Bloemfontein for three weeks and obtain practical experience on what banking entails.

“It is the first time in the history of our faculty that we are getting involved with a programme of this nature where theory and practice will meet,” said Prof. Helena van Zyl, Director of the School of Management at the UFS at the official announcement of the ABSA Internship Programme this week.

The ABSA Internship Programme was born out of the faculty’s long-standing relationship with ABSA. The programme, the brain child of Mr Deon Loots, former Regional Manager of ABSA in the Free State, offers the ten hand-picked students the opportunity to equip and empower themselves better for their future. They will be working at the ABSA Regional Office from 22 June to 10 July 2009 and will be exposed to as many focus areas of the bank as possible in order to give them a good overview of what banking entails.

“A degree, even an honours degree, is not enough. When graduates knock on an employer’s door he/she already assumes that the student will have a certain set of knowledge. We must once again look at ways to enhance our students’ practical and softer skills in order for them to compete in the labour market,” said Prof. Van Zyl.

“With this programme we want to equip and empower our students and develop their talents. In the end the student must be able to answer the question, “What makes me better than the 27 000 other students on our campus and on campuses elsewhere?” Prof. Van Zyl said.

Ms Venete Klein, Executive Director: ABSA Retail Banking and Visiting Professor at the University’s School of Management stated that it was always good to meet and engage with young talent, the leaders of tomorrow. “The students are entering the world of work at a crucial and difficult stage; a time when financial services worldwide are transformed. They have proven themselves academically. Now they have the opportunity to complement theory with work experience. With this programme they can develop into competent and compassionate professionals. I am proud that ABSA is part of this programme,” she said.

Media Release:
Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za 
13 May 2009
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept