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14 December 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Ofhani Mavhungu was recently awarded the Professor Rob Gous Scholarship by the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) of South Africa.

From a very early age, Ofhani Mavhungu knew he wanted to be involved in agriculture one day. Fast forward a few decades and you find Ofhani enrolled for the MScAgric Animal Science degree at the University of the Free State (UFS).

As a goal-orientated person who is open to new ventures, he reckons this degree will broaden his knowledge and understanding of the industry. “I believe Animal Science is an interdisciplinary field of study that enables students like me to pursue various career opportunities, ranging from primary animal production to secondary product processing, retail, and quality assurance. This motivates me to be part of the team that will ensure food security for the future generation,” says Ofhani.

Opening doors to a career in Animal Science

The Professor Rob Gous Scholarship for 2020/2021 that was jointly awarded to him and Victor Makofane of the University of Limpopo by the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) of South Africa, is for Ofhani a step closer to realising his dreams. 

“Diligence and hard work have always been the driving force throughout my studies, and I am delighted that my hard work was rewarded. This award further reflects on the Department of Animal Science’s dedication and commitment to build and mentor strong candidates who are recognised by the industry,” he says.

With increasing animal feed costs, the search for more cost-effective feed utilisation techniques – without compromising the nutritive value or feed quality – becomes critically important for intensive broiler producers. 

Ofhani’s study, which aims to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of a nutritional fat emulsifier with a high HLB on the (i) diet digestibility and (ii) production performance of broilers, will provide some insight into the possible energy-saving effect of dietary emulsifiers with a high HBL in broiler diets with moderate lipid inclusion levels. 

“A digestibility study will give more information on the emulsifier effect at metabolic level, and a production study will provide information on growth characteristics and carcass composition.”

An opportunity to compete with other candidates in the industry

“Few studies have been conducted on lipid emulsifiers under South African conditions, which necessitates the need for further research in this field,” he says. 

Ofhani, whose motto in life is to stay humble and accept positive criticism – as it is meant to enlighten you – wants to pursue a career in the animal feed industry. “My qualification will give me an opportunity to compete with other candidates of our generation in the industry, as well as on a research/academic level. By completing my MScAgric, I will broaden my own skill set so that I can continue with industry-related research in the future and provide mentorship to prospective animal scientists,” he adds. 

News Archive

UFS 2015 group for Stanford Sophomore College announced
2015-06-09

Photo (from left to right):
Farzaana Adam, Cornel Vermaak, Anje Venter, Tristan van der Spuy, Precious Mokwala and Naushad Mayat.

Six second-year students from the UFS were selected to attend a two-week seminar at the Stanford Sophomore College in August/September 2015.

The Stanford Sophomore College (SoCo) is an immersive learning experience. Participants attend class meetings during the morning while afternoons include class activities, explorations of Stanford University (USA), field trips, and other organised events.

Since 2012 UFS students have been invited to apply. This year’s successful applicants were recently announced. They are:

•    Farzaana Adam
B. Accounting student
Attending the SoCo seminar on Great Ideas in Computer

•    Naushad Mayat
Medicine student
Attending the SoCo seminar on HIV/AIDS Epidemics

•    Precious Mokwala
Social Sciences student
Attending the SoCo seminar on Photography: Truth or Fiction

•    Tristan van der Spuy
B. Accounting student
Attending the SoCo seminar on A Walk Down Wall Street

•    Anje Venter
Actuarial Science student
Attending the SoCo seminar on New Millenium Mix: Cross between Race and Culture

•    Cornel Vermaak
Medicine student
Attending the SoCo seminar on The Intersection between Arts and Science


SoCo group of 2014 announement:
http://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item?news=4019 
2012:
http://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item?news=2344

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