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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

Racial integration at student residences at the UFS
2007-07-25

The University of the Free State (UFS) takes note of the memorandum handed to the management by representatives of the Freedom Front Plus this morning (25 July 2007) on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

According to the Vice-Rector: Student Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Moraka, the UFS management will thoroughly discuss the memorandum at their next meeting.

Dr Moraka said the point of departure of the new guidelines is for students to learn to embrace diversity and to develop an appreciation for the humanity of their fellow students.

As far as consultation is concerned, Dr Moraka said that the affected students and student leaders were consulted. This includes groups such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Main Campus, residence primes, residence heads and student organisations such as the Freedom Front Plus Kovsies and Sasco.

It nevertheless seems that there is still no agreement on this matter and the UFS management will give attention to this.

About the integration of residences Dr Moraka said the UFS management is convinced that this decision is in the educational and career interest of students.

The management would not like to exclude interest groups. Therefore students, alumni and other interest groups can still make an input to make a success of the implementation of the guidelines.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs..ac.za
25 July 2007
 

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