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18 October 2021
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Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
Our podcast guest
Prof Jeandrew Brink holds the post of Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Applied
Mathematics within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State. Her areas of interest include an analytical interest in Einstein field equations, dynamical systems, algorithms for testing general relativity
and the no-hair theorems, black holes, and gravitational waves. Prof Brink registered for a Bachelor of Sciences in 1998, continued with honours studies in 1999, and completed her master’s degree in 2000. Prof Brink’s research is on various
theoretical aspects of testing general relativity. She is a member of the MeerKAT telescope team that times and detect pulsars. She is also working with members of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) to find ways of using
gravitational waves to test Einstein’s theory.
Prof Brink was involved in the compilation of a video of geodesic orbits around a Manko-Novikov singularity, selected to be part of a Starmus 3 concert, the proceeds of which went towards promoting the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication and
to support the charitable activities of the Stephen Hawking Foundation. It could also be part of a subsequent documentary.
Listen to the podcast at
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.
For further information regarding the podcast series, or to propose other alumni guests, please email us at
alumnipodcast@ufs.ac.za
For all Voices from the Free State podcasts,
click here.
Perseverance is key for 2017 Abe Bailey recipient
2017-08-23
Gosego Moroka, recipient of the 2017 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary,
says his never-say-die attitude is what helped him win the bursary
the second time round.
Photo: Rulanzen Martin
A valuable life lesson can be learned from Gosego Moroka. The fourth-year LLB student was in the top three for the 2016 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary which was awarded to Candice Thickeson. And now in 2017 Moroka is the recipient.
“It means the world to me as it shows that perseverance is the key. I took last year’s loss as a lesson which I would use to improve as a candidate this year and I’m ecstatic that it came full circle.”
Bursary aims to broaden views
The educational tour will start on 21 November 2017. “We will be travelling to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and then to London, Oxford and Cambridge universities in England, as well as Edinburgh University in Scotland,” Moroka says. The tour group will be hosted by Goodenough College in England. The bursary aims to broaden the views of young South Africans by providing outstanding students the opportunity to engage with students from other universities.
Comprehensive application process
The application process starts with a motivation letter by the applicants stating the reason for applying. They must then submit letters detailing their leadership roles in the community, school, and at university. This is followed by an interview process. “The university will recommend three persons as possible bursars,” Moroka says. The Abe Bailey Trust will then, with the recommendation of the university, make its own decision in selecting the successful candidate.
Great achievement adds to repertoire
“This achievement was extremely important to me as it is testament that greatness is something one works towards.” Moroka is a former 100m South African champion and is part of the Golden Key International Honour Society. And now he is an Abe Bailey Bursar.