Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
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

NBT tests compulsory for all prospective students of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS
2010-05-21

All prospective students who apply for study in the Faculty of Health Sciences (excluding Nursing) at the University of the Free State in 2011, must undergo die National Benchmark Tests (NBT) on 17 July 2010 or 31 July 2010.

Students who do not have an NBT test result will not be considered for selection at the Faculty of Health Sciences. The Health Sciences Placement Tests (HSPT) has been replaced by the NBT.

Applications for selection for 2011 close on 28 May 2010. A student who has not undergone the test will not be considered for selection and no exceptions will be allowed. If a student therefore does not undergo the test on 17 July 2010 or 31 July 2010, the university will not have the results in September 2010 before the preliminary selection takes place.

Prospective students who have undergone the test before 2010 will have to write the test again. Only students who have undergone the NBT in 2010 needn’t write the test again, but they have to fax their NBT reference number to 051 401 3226.

Prospective students have to register at www.nbt.ac.za  themselves and undergo the test. The cost of writing the test is R110.

The NBT is used by all universities in South Africa to improve the quality of education and learning in order to enhance the performance of students.

Students may visit the www.nbt.ac.za  web page for any further enquiries. Enquiries about applications en selection to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS may be directed at AdminFHS@ufs.ac.za  or feel free to visit the UFS web page at www.ufs.ac.za/HealthSelection  . Students are requested to read the question-and-answer section regarding selection.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (acting)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za  
21 May 2010
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept