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13 December 2021 Photo Supplied
Besides being the top medical student at UFS in 2021, Dr Mario Vieira is passionate about food, music and sport, and plays the piano and guitar for leisure.

Dr Mario Vieira, one of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) newest graduates in the MBChB programme, says he is fortunate and blessed to graduate from the Faculty of Health Sciences as the top achiever in the class of 2021. Dr Vieira will graduate at the year-end ceremonies. 

Says Dr Vieira: “Privileged is the first word that comes to mind. Yet, there are so many other emotions and feelings involved. One is relieved that the hard work is over for now, but in the same breath, quite sad that this chapter of one’s life has come to an end. Excitement also comes through, knowing that a new challenge lies ahead.” 

Dr Vieira says being the top achiever is undeniably an unbelievable achievement, but there were many other factors and people who made it possible. His family, especially his parents, were his greatest motivation. Their unconditional love and support have made his success possible. 

Multiple factors led to medicine 

According to Dr Vieira, who wanted to be a pilot when he was growing up, there were multiple factors that led to him eventually study medicine. He says: “My first experience with medicine was at a young age when I lost a good friend of mine to cancer. I believe the seed that was planted began to grow when my brother started studying medicine. 
“In high school I made the decision once I realised I was passionate about people and would love to make a difference in the life of others. I think it was the idea that if one could pass this degree, one would be equipped and capable to change lives on a daily basis. My friends in medicine and the support system in Bloemfontein were also incredibly valuable. When times were tough, we would carry each other through,” says Dr Vieira on graduating in one of the university’s toughest fields.

He is starting his internship on 1 January 2022 at Addington Hospital in Durban. 

Besides medicine, this Bothaville, Free State native is also passionate about food, music and sport. He loves cooking and hopes to retire one day with a small restaurant by the sea – cooking food and putting smiles on people’s faces. He also loves playing piano and the guitar.

His message to other students who might be considering studying medicine is: “Be courageous. You are capable of more than you think. Believe in yourself. Hard work, determination and time management can get you where you want to be.” 

Your courage 

Prof Lynette van der Merwe, who took up her new position as Academic Head in the Division Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences on 1 December 2021, congratulated the new cohort of UFS doctors and reminded them of the three Cs in the MBChB programme in 2021 – courage, conviction and compassion.

 “I saw your courage, the way you squared your shoulders and looked personal, academic and financial problems in the eye, and endured. You were brave and strong when it mattered most. and stayed true to yourself despite overwhelming odds. You made good choices although they were hard, you found a way to put one foot in front of the other when you were too tired to even think.”

“In the words of the poet Amanda Gorman, “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. May you always carry your light into a dark world.” 

News Archive

RC members of Armentum not expelled from residence
2009-05-29

According to a memorandum of agreement that was concluded between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Residence Committee (RC), the Senior Bond Committee and seniors of the Armentum Residence, the parties involved agreed, among others, that the RC members of this residence would not be expelled from the residence.

This follows an incident during which a first-year student from Armentum, Alex Marais, was injured because of alleged initiation and admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic.

According to the agreement, the RC members will resign from their positions and not make themselves available for the next RC election, with the exception of Mr M.J. Pretorius, the RC member for Rag. He will stay on as unelected member of the interim RC. The UFS undertook to pay the RC that is stepping down their honorariums honorariums in August.

The UFS also gave permission to the Residence Head of Armentum, Adv. Bradley Smith, to appoint an interim RC for the remaining period of office of the current RC.

The Senior Bond must also undertake to submit the current rules of the Senior Bond Committee to the Acting Rector, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, before 1 June 2009. The Senior Bond Committee undertakes to comply strictly with these rules, also during Senior Bond activities.

In addition the Senior Bond Committee and the current Residence Committee must submit the following information to Prof. Verschoor before the reopening of the UFS for the second semester :
- The current orientation practices with regard to first-year students.
- Proposals on how the practices can be adjusted to render them enforceable within humane, reasonable, fair and humanitarian limits in order to implement and comply with the objectives of orientation, the exercising of control and the laying down of rules.

The compensating fine that was levied against the tuition fees accounts of senior students of Armentum, which would have been used to contribute to the medical costs of Alex Marais, is now cancelled.

This settlement is final and the parties will not lay any claims against each other as a result of this incident in future.

Media Release:
Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
Email: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
29 May 2009

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