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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

Roelf Meyer – Inaugural Recipient of the UFS Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award
2015-08-17

The University of the Free State is pleased to announce that Roelf Meyer is the inaugural recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

A lawyer by profession, Roelf Meyer’s contributions to the human interests of South Africa are immeasurable. Advocate Meyer’s current work in business and consultancy on peace processes around the globe benefits from his historic role as chief negotiator for the National Party (NP) alongside Cyril Ramaphosa, chief negotiator for the African National Congress (ANC).

Meyer will receive the award from the university on 29 August 2015 at the first annual Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Awards Luncheon.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award initiates a tradition at the University of the Free State that will honour excellent alumni who model superior academic and/or human achievement. Selected recipients embody the spirit of a transformed, inclusive society, and the modernised intent of the University of the Free State.The guest speaker will be Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Executive Director of Inyathelo, and a renowned politician.

The Luncheon will be held on Saturday, 29 August 2015 at 12h00 in the Reitz Hall of the Centenary Complex on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Entrance to all events is free of charge.
For concert tickets, please contact Institutional Advancement at 051 401 3966/9343 or alumni@ufs.ac.za.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and Luncheon are anchor initiatives for Reunion Weekend 2015, which takes place on 28-29 August. Please visit the alumni web site for additional information about the weekend’s activities.

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