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02 March 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
Francois van Schalkwyk, Keenan Carelse, UFS Alumni, Bertus Jacobs, UFS, University of the Free State, alumni relations, IoT.nxt.

We are pleased to host Bertus Jacobs in our second episode of the Voices of the Free State podcast series. As Chief Technology Officer at IoT.nxt. (Internet of Things), Bertus’ mind is constantly searching for new techniques, and imparting these to his team of developers. Evident from his ‘always on’ approach, Jacobs has optimised his passion for turning ideas into mainstream realities. He co-founded a successful software company, CSS Software, which saw its humble beginnings grow from Bloemfontein-based to an international-footprinted company. CSS Software is regarded as having some of the most innovative products in its market segment and was acquired by a JSE-listed group.

François van Schalkwyk and Keenan Carelse, UFS alumni leading the university’s United Kingdom Alumni Chapter, have put their voices together to produce and direct the podcast series.  Intended to reconnect alumni with the university and their university experience, the podcasts will be featured on the first Monday of every month, ending in November 2021.  Our featured alumni share and reflect on their experiences at the UFS, how it has shaped their lives, and relate why their ongoing association with the UFS is still relevant and important. The podcasts are authentic conversations – they provide an opportunity for the university to understand and learn about the experiences of its alumni and to celebrate the diversity and touchpoints that unite them. 

Listen to the podcast: 

Our podcast guest

While studying towards his BScHons (Computer Science) at the University of the Free State, Bertus developed an SDK (Software Development Kit) with low-level integration into various graphics hardware.  

Bertus has researched many ways of contributing to the growing IT industry – from developing point-of-sale systems that still run today, qualifying as MCP and MCSE, engineering telematic and biometric solutions for clients (UFS was one of them). After being approached to consult in developing a solution for the government, his search for a certain hardware problem and his expertise in the IT realm resulted in his invention of a controller and the birth of the RAPTOR.  Reports that took eight weeks to compile previously, are now at the fingertips of those who need it – all through data harvesting and dashboarding that combines software and hardware. The world-changing RAPTOR delivers a complete IoT solution, which has been internationally validated as being at the forefront of the emerging IoT wave.  IoT.nxt was named Best Commercial and Best Overall Winner at the MTN Business M2M Awards in 2017.  

Stay tuned for episode three to be released on 5 April 2021. 

For further information regarding the podcast series, or to propose other alumni guests, please email us at alumnipodcast@ufs.ac.za 

News Archive

New arrangements for diploma and graduation ceremony
2009-03-30

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn diploma and graduation ceremony will this year be held in the Arena on the South Campus (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.

The various graduation ceremonies will take place on 20, 21, 23 and 24 April 2009.

There will be no graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 22 April 2009 because of the national elections.

A total of 3 390 degrees, 640 diplomas and 25 doctorates will be conferred.


The full programme is as follows:

  • Monday, 20 April 2009:

    - From 08:30, a total of 365 degrees and one doctorate will be awarded to students from the Faculty of Education.
    - At 14:30 on the same day 586 degrees and nine doctorates will be awarded to students in the Faculty of the Humanities.

     
  • Tuesday, 21 April 2009:

    - From 08:30, 107 students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will graduate. This includes students in BML, B.Admin., B.Pub. and related Honours degrees and all Master’s and Doctoral degrees.
    - At 14:30, 617 students in B.Com., B.Acc. and related Honours degrees will graduate.

     
  • Thursday, 23 April 2009:

    - A total of 297 degrees and four doctorates will be awarded to students in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences’ fields of Agricultural and Building Sciences at 08:30.
    - At 14:30, 447 degrees and six doctoral students in the same Faculty’s field of Natural Sciences will receive their degrees.

     
  • Friday, 24 April 2009:

    - From 08:30, 331 students and five doctorates in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology will graduate.

    - At 14:30 on the same day, 640 diplomas will be awarded in all seven of the university’s faculties.

Academic dress can be collected from Monday, 6 April 2009 at the gown store in Rector’s Avenue (opposite Armentum Residence) weekdays between 08:00-16:00.

  • Academic dress will not be available on the South Campus.

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
30 March 2009
 

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