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24 May 2021 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
The 2021 Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race puts students’ sustainable energy and critical thinking skills to the test.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Division of Student Affairs’ (DSA) Director of Student Life, Dr WP Wahl, believes the knowledge and skills that students have gained through participating in the 2021 Eco-vehicle project will position them more optimally in the future world of work. “We are also tremendously grateful for the project funding received from merSETA; without their support, none of this would have been possible,” he remarked.

The Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race, in conjunction with the overall programme, was established to encourage students to learn more about the technology and logic behind sustainable energy sources and how this can influence the future global society.

This year’s events witnessed students competing according to their UFS residence teams, with Sonnedou, Legatum, Kestell (SonLeTell); Soetdoring, Beyers Naude, Arista (Soetbeyrista); and Roosmaryn, Kagiso, Karee (Kar-is-myn) ending in first, second, and third place respectively, obtaining the highest scores for the races they competed in.

Anton Calitz, Electrical Engineer in University Estates who was the announcer on the day, described the event as one that exceeded his wildest expectations. “From a sustainable energy point of view, the eco-vehicle race results really turned the tables, with lower energy usage per lap being successfully recorded – as anticipated,” he further added.

Andre van Wyk, Client Liaison Officer of merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta) for the Free State and Northern Cape – as one of the sponsors of the innovative programme – extended warm congratulations to the UFS for hosting an outstanding event. He further applauded the university for its resourcefulness in virtually adding electronic media broadcasts to extend the event to the entire UFS community.

“The Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle programme was eye-opening and exposed me to the broad field of electronics. It definitely came as a challenge – one I had not anticipated on that level, because at times I couldn’t even see what all the building was leading to, but I just had to put my mind and hands to work – it pushed me to think critically and creatively. I was honoured to have been part of this entire experience and I’m grateful to Anton and his team, as well as the Kovsie ACT office, for being a constant support structure throughout the process, as it was not easy.” 

These were the humble words of Sinegugu Sibisi, a University of the Free State (UFS) student who was part of the 2021 Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race, where sustainable energy was at the order of the day.

For more information about the Kovsie ACT eco-vehicle skills programme, email ACT at ACT@ufs.ac.za
 

 

News Archive

Prof. Jonathan Jansen receives an honorary doctorate from Cleveland State University
2010-05-27

 
 Prof. Jonathan Jansen


The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the Cleveland State University in the United States of America (USA).

The degree, an Honorary Doctor of Higher Education Administration, was conferred on him at the graduation ceremony on 15 May 2010 in Cleveland.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this wonderful gift from one of the most distinguished public universities in the world,” Prof. Jansen said in his acceptance speech.

“I am especially excited to share this grand moment with you, the proud graduates of Cleveland State University,”

“Both you and I live in countries that have made significant progress in human relations. Yet the long shadows of racial, ethnic and religious divisions continue to haunt so many parts of the world – from Rwanda and Zimbabwe, to the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Whether it is Ventersdorp in South Africa or Arizona in the USA, our world needs leaders who build bridges, and who work against the logic of hatred, division and retribution.”

“For this to happen, we need counter-cultural leadership from a new generation of graduates. You see, it is easy for me to take sides, to stand by fellow black South Africans against the other side, to see the world only through my injury. But counter-cultural leadership in broken communities means to do what is unexpected. You see, this kind of leadership in a man like Nelson Mandela whom they sent to prison for 27 years and when he emerged insisted on reconciliation with those who had imprisoned him,” he told the graduates.

Prof. Jansen was honoured for his outstanding contribution towards the transformation of education, politics and diversity for the citizens and students of South Africa and the world.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za  
27 May 2010
 

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