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24 February 2021 | Story Compiled by the Teaching and Learning Division of the UFS Library and Information Services


Writing a good research report does not come naturally to most of us, and it can often be a daunting task if you have never done it before – which is often the reality that most students find themselves faced with only later on in their academic journey. Realising this gap, the UFS Library and Information Services (UFS LIS) adopted the Best Assignment project as one of its flagship projects in collaboration with faculties from all three campuses. The project is meant to inspire and motivate students to make an extra effort in producing high-quality assignments and harness their research skills at undergraduate level. This is also in line with the university’s research-focus strategy. 

Students prepare, write, and present their assignments.  When the project was first launched, only two assignments were received. In 2020, this number tripled when a total of 13 assignments were received. Among the 13 assignments, 12 were individual assignments and one was a group assignment. Two faculties participated in the project, namely the Humanities and Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Below is a summary and extracts from the students’ work.

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 
From the Department of Computer Science and Informatics: 
Lecturer: Rouxan Fouché
Group assignment titled:  Software engineering project 

The project outlined the deliverables for the Requirements, Analysis and Design workflows of the Unified Process for the UFS COVID-19 screening system. The UFS COVID-19 screening system serves to automate the process of screening campus staff, students, and visitors for COVID-19 symptoms before accessing the campus. The winners were

   (SG Hasset)                                              ( TM Mochaki)                 (RG Phuthi)

 

From the Qwaqwa Campus: 

Department of Zoology and Entomology
Lecturer: Prof Aliza le Roux
Seeqela Ntsibiseng: Temperature and light effect on moth activity/numbers

In this article, students investigated the effect of temperature and light on moth activity or numbers. There is scientific proof that moths are mostly active in warmer temperatures and in medium light pollution. The study was conducted at sites in the Free State, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. 

 
Mollo Retshedisitswe: The effects of ambient light and temperature on moth behaviour in different South African locations

Insects, the smallest, most diverse animals in the world, can be great biological indicators. Moths are one of the few insects that need to be conserved in order to inform us about the environment. This study investigates how moths are affected by ambient light and temperature in three locations in South Africa. The data was collected by observing the number of moths present at a light source – in this case a streetlight – at three hourly intervals for several days in April and May. 

 
Faculty of the Humanities
Lecturer: Prof Nyasha Mboti
Department: Health and Development Communication 
Modiehi Koti: Alcoholism/Alcohol Abuse: Sejake Square in Bloemfontein
“I chose to focus on this selected health issue because it is a big and serious issue in my community. Too many people have given up their lives. They live for alcohol, they drink every day, and neglect their families. My father was an alcoholic – growing up in a household where there is an alcoholic is not nice. He passed away of a liver problem because of alcohol. I do not want other families to go through what I went through, seeing a loved one destroy their lives because of drinking alcohol every single day. I do not want to see households break because of alcohol abuse.”

Mpusheng Isaac Manasoe: Femicide in South Africa: South African Communities
“Nothing much is being done to address issues of gender-based violence or femicide. Women have marched and protested as if this is a problem they need to fix, although they are the victims and men being the perpetrators here. This isn’t an issue that women can or must fix. Men are the problem here, not the other way around. We live in a society ruled and governed by laws and systems that embed beliefs such as men are ‘superior’ to women. Men need to start realising that their toxic behaviours aren’t normal just because their beliefs are enabled by laws and systems, as well as unstable psychological issues.”
 

Dimakatso Macu: Drug addiction, specifically nyaope, among lower income groups in the township surroundings – Tembisa

“I have chosen to focus on this selected health issue because it is one of the biggest problems in our country, South Africa. It affects so many young people and families who never actually know how to deal with that situation. Nyaope kills in so many ways – it does not only affect the person using it, but even the community at large. Criminal activities such as housebreaking, robbery, and rape are on the increase. The younger generation in the community may even be influenced to consume the drug. So, choosing this health issue meant more awareness on nyaope, which means that communities will know how to deal with this problem.”


Lilita Majokweni: Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Soweto, Gauteng
“I have chosen to focus on this selected health issue because of the effects it has on a person physically, mentally, and emotionally and how it affects the families of such people. Alcohol and drug abuse are a serious problem in South Africa, especially in Soweto, as Soweto has one of the highest violence and crime rates in South Africa related to alcohol and drug abuse. It is also affecting the youth, as they turn to drinking and drugs at an early age due to social peer pressure or due to family problems.”  

Mathapelo Api: Violent crime: Johannesburg, Alexandra
“I have chosen to focus on this selected health issue because violent crime in South Africa keeps increasing. Each day there is a new report on peoples’ deaths due to violent crime. Women and children are becoming the greatest victims. Also, the scarcity of jobs in South Africa is the reason I chose this issue, because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If people from Alexandra had jobs, they could afford to move out of their slums to find places with proper sanitation for them and their children. Poverty and economic stress are the most common daily problems that people of Alexandra have to deal with, which are the key reasons for crime.”

Nkosingiphile Mkhwanazi: Substance abuse: Western Cape, Cape Town
“I have chosen to focus on substance abuse as a health issue because the consumption of alcohol and medications has numerous adverse health effects. Firstly, the behavioural issues whereby people suffer from social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, which sometimes leads to violence. Secondly, because it has killed many dreams for South African youths who abuse drugs. Thirdly, because I want this issue to be addressed in any possible way to avoid teenagers from dropping out of school. The last reason why I have chosen this is because I have been a victim of substance abuse at an early age; fortunately, I found help and I was able to proceed with my dreams.” 


Department: Art History 
Lecturer: Johanet Kriel-De Klerk
Sienta Human: Leora Farber and the Translation of the Classical Still Life into Commentary of South African Society
 

Department: Political Science 
Lecturer: Prof Theodor Neethling
Jana de Kluiver: The Political Economy of Nigeria as an Emerging Power

This essay attempted to establish whether Nigeria’s political economy is of such a nature that the country can be considered an emerging power in the global community. The research methodology used in this essay consists of a literature review that includes the use of internet articles, books, reports, and academic articles. Firstly, a conceptual clarification with relation to political economy was provided. Afterwards, Nigeria’s political economic history was discussed in an attempt to provide the analysis with context. Thirdly, a study was done on the strengths and weaknesses in Nigeria’s political economy, followed by a critical analysis of Nigeria’s current political economic prospects, taking into account the effects of COVID-19 and how it has influenced Nigeria’s standing in the international political economy.'

 

Department: Political Science (POLS6846)
Lecturer: Prof Hussein Solomon
Lumanyano Ngcayisa: A critical discussion of the phenomena of rentier states: The case of Qatar
The topic, ‘A critical discussion of the phenomena of rentier states: The case of Qatar,’ provides a guide to the study of rentierism as a theoretical concept while focusing on one case in the Middle East. In an ever-changing global economy, rentier states are challenged with diversification (adapt or die), which raises the question of their sustainability. The article investigated the economic implications of the rentier states after noting both contributions and limitations of rentierism. The article provided insight into the phenomenon of rentier states while providing a critical discussion of the functionality, highlighting economic implications on these economies and their citizenry, particularly Qatar's case.


Department: Language Practice
Lecturer: Dr Marlie van Rooyen
Calista Lambrechts: Discuss the contributions of scholars that have included non-western practices in the theoretical realm of translation and interpreting studies. 

“Translation and interpreting have been around since the beginning of human history, but Western theories and Eurocentric stereotyping seemed to have become the dominant view in this practice. This Western perspective has spread, “permeat[ing] the world” and seeping into countless cultures (Tymoczko, 2006: 13). By following these Western theories and examples of translation and interpreting that have been dominating the ideas, concepts and perceptions related to Translation1 for so long, our view is limited, and the study of translation theory is greatly restricted, keeping us from exploring and looking at all the other nooks and crannies of the world. We have been so used to this Western way of things, that many of our own studies and examples shows us just how powerful a hold these theories of the West have had.”

 

Sponsors for the Best Assignment Project include SABINET, Protea Books, Van Schaik Bookstore, LexisNexis, EBSCO, and Exclusive Books. 

News Archive

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
2009-04-28

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn diploma and graduation ceremony took place this week in the Arena on the South Campus in Bloemfontein (formerly known as the Vista Campus). This arrangement has been made because of the large-scale renovations to the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus.

Friday, 24 April 2009
Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology Diploma ceremony

Law student’s achievement excels 80%
Four Law students obtained the LLB degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) summa cum laude and were awarded the Moritz Bobbert Medal. They are from the left: Lezelle Olivier (80%), Albert Nell (91%) and Amanda du Toit (83%). LiFeng Chien were absent during the photo.




UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
Today 331 students and five doctorates in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology received their qualifications at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). Michael Molahloe (left) and Mamokete Ntholeng both received their LL.B. degrees in the Faculty of Law.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs




This year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) was held on the South Campus. From the group of students that received their qualification from the Faculty of Law, is from the left: Janine Jonson, Anneska van der Spoel, Andrea Coetzer, and Jo-Mari Visser.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs



Students in Nursing receive their degree
A group of students from the Faculty of Health Sciences received their B.Soc.Sc. degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). At the occasion were, from the left: Ruth Beukes, Basetsana Panana, and Dipontsheng Tsolo.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs



UFS Faculty of Health Sciences awards degrees
Liezl Swanepoel (left) and Heide van der Merwe received their BSocSC degrees at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn graduation ceremony.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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Thursday, 23 April 2009
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences & Chancellor’s Dinner



UFS awards unique doctorate
Dr Rodney Douglas, who had never obtained any formal undergraduate qualification, this week received a Ph.D. in Geography and Geology during the autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). The name of his thesis is “A new perspective on the geohydrological and surface processes controlling the depositional environment at the Florisbad archaeozoological site”. He had four papers published in journals that were related to his thesis. He obtained his South African Museums Association Diploma in Biology in 1988 and his M.Sc. in Environmental Biology at the University of Natal, Durban in 1992. He was accepted as a Master's degree student at that university based on research that he had conducted on, amongst others, the diets of reptiles. He has been working at the Department of Herpetology at the National Museum, Bloemfontein since 1984, where he holds the post of Principal Museum Scientist and Head of Department.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs



Chancellor’s Dinner: UFS honours doctoral students
Last night, the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured students who had received their Ph.D. degrees at the autumn graduation ceremony this past week, at the Chancellor’s Dinner. A total of 25 doctorates were awarded during the respective ceremonies. Attending the occasion were, from the left: Dr Annemarie Kühn, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Prof. Jeanet Conradie, Department of Chemistry at the UFS and Dr Kühn’s promoter, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS, Prof. Corene de Wet, Department of Comparative Education and Education Management at the UFS, and Dr Mafu Rakometsi, Chief Executive Officer of Umalusi and former head of the Free State Department of Education who received a Ph.D. in History. Prof. De Wet is Dr Rakometsi's co-promoter and the late Prof. Leo Barnard, former Head of the Department of History at the UFS, who passed away at the beginning of April 2009, was his promoter.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs



Mrs Annemarie Kilian, Mr Willem Kilian (BSc. Hons) and Prof Stephanus Kilian
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe



Mr Jaco van der Merwe, Mr Renico Pretorius and Mr Rion Terblanche (all BSc. Quantity Survying)
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe



Ms Mamakoanyane Amelia Shata (BSc. Genetics and BSc. Hons. Plant Molecular Biology) and Mrs Maente Adelinah Shata.
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe



Mr Maurice Ambrose and Mr Owen Monk (both BSc. Quantity Survying).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe



Ms Tobeka Mehlomekhulu (Lecturer: Department of Geography), Mr Neo Mokgosi (BSc. Hons. Genetics) and Ms Nwabisa Mehlomekhulu (BSc. Hons. Food Science).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe



Mr John Mdane, Mr Fana Mdane (BSc. Information Technology) and Mrs Agnes Mdane
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe



Mr Kevin Vermaak (BSc. Hons. Geohydrology) and Ms Michelle Steenkamp (BSc. Hons. Geology).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

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21 April 2009
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences



Prof. Magda Fourie's daughter graduates
Nadia Fourie, daughter of Prof. Magda Fourie, former Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS and now Vice-Rector: Teaching at Stellenbosch University, received the B.Com. Law degree.
Photo: Lacea Loader



724 degrees were awarded during the ceremony of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Here are, from the left: Simon Serutla, B.Com. Accounting, Lourencia Hamuaka, B.Com. Honours in Financial Economics and Investment Management, Sunet Opperman, B. Accounting, and Yolandi Greyling, B. Accounting.
Photo: Lacea Loader



Students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences graduated this week during the University of the Free State's (UFS) autumn graduation ceremony. Altogether 724 degrees were conferred. Here are, from the left: Marie-Louise Lombard, B.Com. Law, Adriaan van der Merwe, B.Com. Law and member of the Student Representative Council (Legal and Constitutional Affairs), Basanio Ncike, B.Com. Economics, and Richard Schooling, B.Com. Banking.
Photo: Lacea Loader



Center for Accounting honours top achievers
The Centre for Accounting at the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured the top ten students in the third-year B.Com. and B.Com. Hons. programmes respectively during this week's autumn graduation ceremony. Here are, from the left: Prof. Ronell Britz, Chairperson of the centre, Nils Kotze, first place in the B.Com. third-year group, and Madri Victor, first place in the B.Com. Hons. group; back: Prof. Hentie van Wyk, Programme Director: Accountant Training.
Photo: Stephen Collett



Accounting firms in Free State help with recognition of top achievers
Accounting firms in the Free State have contributed to a fund at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Centre for Accounting to give recognition to top achievers in the third-year programme for the B.Com. and B.Com Hons. degrees respectively this week. It is evidence of the good relationship that exists between the Centre and the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Free State. Here, from the left, are: Mr Pieter Clase, CoetzeeSmit Chartered Accountants, Mr Oswald Wentworth, KPMG, Mr Ettienne van Niekerk, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Herman Leach, Gobodo Inc. Chartered Accountants, and Mr Stefan Strydom, Havenga, Rossouw & Viljoen; front: Mr Ian Smit, Enslins Bloemfontein, Ms Thelma Crossman, Mazars, and Ms Daphline O'Brien, Ernst & Young.
Photo: Stephen Collett

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20 April 2009
Faculty of Education, Faculty of the Humanities.



CHESD awards 15 masters degrees
A group of 15 students received the Structured M.A. (Higher Education Studies) of the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). This is the biggest group in the centre's history to be awarded master’s degrees, while four of the students received distinctions. Also of interest is that six of the 15 students already have doctoral degrees. At the occasion were, from the left: Dr Dipane Hlalele, Qwaqwa Campus, Ms Liesl Hoare, Central Univeristy of Technology, Welkom Campus (best achiever), and Dr Fanus van Tonder, Programme Director: Higher Education Studies and Research, CHESD. Ms Hoare received the Deans medal in the Faculty of the Humanities as the best master’s graduate student at the graduation ceremony. At the faculty’s prize function she also received the Kovsie-Alumni Trust award as the best M.A student in the faculty. She also received the CHESD Prize for the best achievement in the Structured M.A. (Higher Education Studies).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs



UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
Five hundred and eighty six degrees and nine doctorates were awarded this week during this year's autumn graduation ceremony on the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) to students in the Faculty of the Humanities. At the occasion were, from the left: Nicola Bekker, Madré van der Merwe and Esté Scholtz. All three the ladies received the qualification B.A. Language Practice.
Photo: Lacea Loader



This year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) is held on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. Today a group of students from the Programme: Governance and Political Transformation in the Faculty of the Humanities received their qualification. From the left, front are: Dr Tania Coetzee, Head of the Programme: Governance and Political Transformation, and Mr Itumeleng Liba, Chief Operation Officer at CENTLEC; back: Mr Kennett Sinclair, Vice-Chairperson of COPE in the Northern Cape, Ms Nicole Joannou, Goldfields Business and Catering, and Mr Tembeni Lobe from Bloemfontein.
Photo: Lacea Loader



Some of the students who received their qualifications during this week's graduation ceremony of the Faculty of the Humanities were, from the left: Shu-Jung Chan, B.Mus. Hons., Brian Gxavu, B.Mus., and Mpolokeng Lepote, B.A. Media Studies.
Photo: Lacea Loader



UFS’s CHESD awards doctoral degree
Ms Mardi Delport (middle), Assistant Director: Media and Communications at the Central University of Technology received her Doctoral degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). The title of her thesis is: “An internal communication model for the Central University of Technology, Free State as a multi-campus institution”. With her are her promoter Prof. Driekie Hay (left), Vice-Rector: Academic Planning, and her co-promoter, Prof. Annette Wilkinson (right) from the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at the UFS.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs 

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