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04 January 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Hay’s family celebrated his graduation ceremony with him in 2013. Pictured here are Frank Hay (father), Hay, his brother, Shanley and his mother, Vasi Hay.

Diversity, inclusivity, and transformation are what sets the University of the Free State (UFS) apart from other institutions of tertiary education. It instils in graduates the values of attention to detail and precision, being meticulous, adherence to deadlines, being honest, ethical, and taking the ‘moral high ground’. 

Graduates at the UFS are also introduced to high levels of dedication and commitment, irrespective of the task at hand; taking pride in producing work of high quality; having a non-discriminatory mindset; the ability to be team players or leaders (depending on what needs to be done); and demonstrating an understanding and consideration for society at large. 

This is the view of Ashley Hay, a successful UFS alumnus who completed his honours (accepted through the Recognition of Prior Learning process) and master’s degrees (graduating cum laude) in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Throughout his academic career, Hay has achieved good results and accolades such as Best Master’s Student, Best Master’s Dissertation, Best Research in Advanced Planning Practice, and also receiving membership of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Today, he is employed by the Gauteng Provincial Government as Director: Land Use Management and Statutory Boards in the Office of the Premier and is in transition to a new branch called ‘Urban Planning’ under the Minister for Cooperative Governance, Urban Planning and Human Settlements.  

He leads a team of professionals on spatial planning and land use management aspects, and particularly to monitor and support three metropolitan municipalities, two district municipalities, and six local municipalities in Gauteng. His achievements include the development of a policy document titled, Gauteng City Region Implementation Plan for SPLUMA, which was approved by the Provincial Cabinet Executive Council and endorsed by the Premier’s Coordinating Forum. At a previous place of employment, the uMshwathi Local Municipality, he was the author of one of the best Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), which received an award in KwaZulu-Natal.

Proudly UFS

Hay believes he was equipped with a set of values and skills to deliver services and to make a difference wherever he is. Not only through the resources and means available to him, but also with a high level of dedication to the general good of others – whether it is ordinary citizens or people who just need the very basics to uplift their livelihoods. “These basics should be forthcoming from the people’s government, which in turn implicates me among many other government employees,” he believes.

Hay says in the UFS Department of Urban and Regional Planning – from the administration team through to the lecturers and senior academics – everyone plays a role to instil a wealth of knowledge and expertise in students to understand and resolve societal problems. “It is the manner in which the course is conducted, the administrative facilitation, the steadfast pace of learning, as well as the personal attention to students, that have equipped us to later formulate solutions for everyday life challenges.”

He is convinced that these are the fundamental principles that graduates need to achieve academic excellence and make themselves employable in a competitive world.

Words that stick with Hay from his master’s classes, are those of the former Head of the Department, Prof Das Steyn, “Gain experience, build your capacity, and do something positive with the education you receive. Education is not what we teach you, it is what you do with it. Everyone gets the same degree, but some will fail with it and some will do something positive with it and make a difference”. 

Standing out

And UFS graduates distinguish themselves in the workplace.

“In my work environment, the UFS graduates I know and have worked with are dedicated, goal-orientated, and passionate about the discipline. We go the ‘extra mile’ irrespective and have been able to apply the knowledge we gained from university towards problem-solving and contributing to make society a better place for all,” says Hay.

He also believes that the university has strong leadership and dedicated staff who actively respects the country’s rich diversity, acknowledging that we are an all-inclusive society, and creating a learning atmosphere that is transformed towards democratic principles.

News Archive

UFS becomes partner of national bursary competition for the performing arts
2008-11-28

The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) has become a partner of the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and the Dramatic, Artistic, and Literary Rights Organisation’s (DALRO) new bursary programme for the performing arts.

The ACT DALRO Scholarship Programme will be implemented for the first time in 2009. For the following three years (2009-2011) one learner will receive
R75 000 per year that will be used to pay for his/her studies to an accredited undergraduate tertiary institution of their choice in the performing arts.

Grade 12 learners are invited to participate in the national competition where their abilities to act, sing and dance will be judged. Individuals who already matriculated and who are not registered for a formal course in the performing arts, are also encouraged to participate. Schools, drama clubs and colleges may also register a group of learners.

An elimination round of the competition will take place next year on 21 and 22 July 2009 at the Scaena Theatre on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

The registration fee is R200 per participant and a limited number of registrations will be subsidised. The closing date for the applications for subsidies is 31 March 2009 and registration of individuals and/or organisations is 30 April 2009.

Register at the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the UFS or fax the necessary documents to 051 401 3494. Application forms, rules and requirements to prepare for the competition can be requested from kamperm.hum@ufs.ac.za or fax a request to 051 401 3493.

Finalists must be available for the final round that will take place in September 2009 in Johannesburg. ACT will carry the cost of the transport and accommodation of the finalists for the final round.

Ms Marijda Kamper can be contacted at 051 401 2160 or kamperm.hum@ufs.ac.za  for more information regarding the Free State round. Mr Pieter Jacobs can be contacted at 011 802 7646 or pieter@act.org.za for general enquiries about the ACT Programme, or visit www.act.org.za .


Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
28 November 2008
 

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