Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
18 October 2021
|
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.
South African universities: Political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence?
2009-02-11
|
Joint statement by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) and The South African Academy for Science and Arts
Are South African universities political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence? This is the theme of an international symposium that will be presented on 26 and 27 February 2009 by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with The South African Academy for Science and Arts on the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein.
Several renowned speakers such as Prof. Fernand de Varennes (of the Murdoch Law School, Perth, Australia), Prof. Stef Coetzee (former rector of the UFS and presently the executive director of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI)) and Dr Franklin Sonn (chancellor of the UFS) will take part in the discussion. Matters like diversity, transformation and conflict management, alienation, tolerance, conciliation and solutions will be debated. Members of the Convocation and the Academy are invited to attend and take part in the discussion.
The symposium commences on Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 19:00 in the Centenary Complex with a reception and opening address by Dr Sonn. On Friday, 27 February 2009 from 08:00 the discussion of the theme takes place in the Senate Hall, CR Swart Building. The proceedings are expected to last until 17:00.
A complete list of the speakers and the titles of their addresses are available on request.
Due to limited seating interested persons are advised to confirm their attendance with Ms Kathy Verwey at 051 401 9343 / verweyke.stg@ufs.ac.za .
Full programme
|
SA Universities: Political Flashpoints or Centres of Academic Excellence? – 26-27 February 2009
P R O G R A M
Chairperson: Judge Joos Hefer
Sponsors: The Centre for Financial Planning Law UFS
The Kovsie Alumni Trust
Thursday 26 February
19:00 Welcome: Judge Joos Hefer (President Convocation UFS)
19:10 Welcome: Prof. Theuns Verschoor (Acting Rector UFS)
19:20 - 19:50 Dr. Franklin Sonn (Chancellor UFS)
19:50 - 20:20 Mr. Dave Steward (Executive Director, F.W. de Klerk Foundation)
20:25 Reception
Friday 27 February
08:30 - 09:10 Prof. Fernand de Varennes (Murdoch School of Law)
09:10 - 09:20 Discussion
09:20 - 09:50 Prof. Stef Coetzee (Former UFS Rector)
09:50 - 10:00 Discussion
10:00 - 10:20 Interval
10:20 - 10:50 Prof. Annette Combrink (Rector, NWU, Potch-campus)
10:50 - 11:00 Discussion
11:00 - 11:30 Prof. Pieter Kapp (President, Convocation, US)
11:30 - 11:40 Discussion
11:40 - 12:10 Mr. Sean Moodley (CEO, Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust)
12:10 - 12:20 Discussion
12:20 - 12:50 Dr. Dirk Hermann (Deputy Executive Head: Development, Solidarity)
12:50 - 13:00 Discussion
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 14:30 Prof. Marlene Verhoef (Director Institutional Language Directorate NWU)
14:30 - 14:40 Discussion
14:40 - 15:10 Dr. Danny Titus (Executive Director: Culture ATKV)
15:10 - 15:20 Discussion
15:20 - 15:50 Interval
15:50 - 16:20 Prof. Hennie van Coller (Head Dept. Afrikaans, Dutch. German and French UFS, Chairperson SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns)
16:20 - 16:30 Discussion
16:30 General discussion: Dilemma or opportunities?
17:00 Close
|
Statement by:
Judge Joos Hefer
President of the Convocation
Tel: 051 436 1843
Cell: 083 630 1395
E-mail: jjfhefer@telkomsa.net
Prof Jacques van der Elst
Chief Executive Officer
The South African Academy for Science and Arts
Tel: 012 328 5082
Cell: 082 8807636
E-mail: jvde@akademie.co.za
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
10 February 2009
|
 |
Dr Franklin Sonn,
Chancellor of the University of the Free State.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |
|