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27 August 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Sonia Small
Lacea Loader, an award-winning communications professional.

Lacea Loader is an award-winning communications professional who heads the UFS Department of Communication and Marketing as Director. She works with a multi-talented team that takes care of all aspects of corporate communication and marketing at the UFS. 

What is the best thing about your job?
Having a portfolio that is ever-changing and that provides me with a broad perspective of the university’s business, which is enriching and insightful. Most of all, I enjoy the people I work with in every area of my job. In general, I stand amazed at the commitment and dedication of our staff, especially during the national lockdown. It has been encouraging to experience how my team has grown and developed their skills and transitioned to the virtual workspace during this time.  

What is the best and worst decisions you have ever made?
I learn from every decision, whether it has a good or challenging impact on my life. Marrying my best friend from school and raising two beautiful, strong, and independent children are the best decisions I could have made.

What was/is the biggest challenge of your career?
The balancing act. Balancing work life and personal life; this remains a challenge throughout my career. I am trying, but I still don’t get it right!

What does the word woman mean to you?
Being able to be powerful and assertive, yet kind, gentle, compassionate, vulnerable, and understanding at the same time. 

Which woman inspires you, and why?
I work with a team of exceptional women leaders who inspire me every day. Many women at our university have reached incredible heights and put the institution on the national and international stage with their achievements. I salute all my women colleagues in whatever role they play. Also, my involvement with professional organisations and international awards programmes has given me the opportunity to work with so many women across the world in the field of communication and marketing who are making a difference in our profession. 

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?
Grab the opportunities that may come your way, and always think of ways to enrich yourself personally and as a professional. Remember that your character is like a tree and your reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what others think of you; the tree is the real you.

What is the one self-care thing that you do? 
I make time to drink tea, and lots of it! Walking with my husband, spending time with my family and friends, camping and enjoying nature are some of my favourite things.

What makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?
My intuition and sixth sense, positive mindset, and deep belief that nothing will get me down. If you ask my children, they will say it is my work ethic – as it inspires them in their studies, my kind heart, and my resilience. 
 
I cannot live without … my music playlist and a good night’s sleep.
My secret weapon is … knowing when to pause and to take time out.
I always have … a plan B.
I will never … jump from anything higher than five times my length.
I hope … to visit Easter Island, Alaska, and Norway.

News Archive

Postgraduate School and Faculty of Law receive Rector during discussion with emerging researchers
2012-09-11

A session of the special programme for upcoming researchers was attended by, from the left: Denine Smit, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Prof. Voet du Plessis of the Department of Mercantile Law and Marda Horn; back: Glancina Mokone, Albert Nell, Pieter Brits, Prof. Neil Roos, Director of the UFS’s Postgraduate School and Jamie Faber.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
11 September 2012

 Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the university, recently addressed six Ph.D. students and their supervisors in the Faculty of Law as part of a special programme of the Postgraduate School for emerging researchers. Prof. Jansen contextualised his lecture on the impact and significance of research, “How do you determine that the important and bigger questions in your research are addressed to ensure the impact thereof?” in his discussion with the researchers. Based on the model of international postgraduate seminars, the researchers set out their field of study to Prof. Jansen and the audience. Suggestions were then made on how to increase the intellectual impact and theoretical depth of academic argumentation.

According to Prof. Neil Roos, Director of the Postgraduate School, together with Prof. Jackie du Toit and Prof. Corli Witthuhn, Academic Coordinators for the Vice Chancellor’s Prestige Scholar Programme, the aim of the programme is to provide support to emerging researchers on postgraduate level similar to the Prestige Scholar Programme.

“The initiative is being rolled out in a faculty-specific way. In consultation with the deans, the specific needs in the faculty are determined, which in turn determines the approach,” says Prof. Roos.

The six students are all involved at the university in various capacities, and are studying towards a Ph.D. in Law. They are outstanding candidates who are being funded by the Postgraduate School in order to empower postgraduate students to greater reach, internationalisation and the establishment of long-term academic networks. The programme is coordinated in the Faculty of Law by Prof. Loot Pretorius.

Two upcoming researchers in the Faculty of Theology and one in Nursing joined the group for Prof. Jansen’s lecture on significant research.

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