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07 September 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs
Two lecturers in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at the University of the Free State (UFS) authored and presented a paper that received the best paper award at this year’s 50th Annual Conference of the Southern African Computer Lecturers’ Association (SACLA). 

SACLA is an association for academics teaching Computer Science, Information Systems, and Information Technology subjects at universities and other higher education institutions in Southern Africa. The Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Johannesburg hosted the conference.

Dr Pakiso Khomokhoana, Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics, presented the paper titled Mapping the problem-solving strategies of novice programmers to Polya's framework: SWOT analysis as a bottleneck identification tool. He chose this topic because he was concerned that students (especially novices) are always encountering challenges when it comes to understanding source code and working with related problems.

Prof Liezel Nel, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics, co-authored the paper with Dr Khomokhoana.

“When the time came to announce the best paper, my heart was panting, and I was thrilled to hear elements of my paper mentioned in preparation for the final announcement,” says Dr Khomokhoana, who reckons that the amount of work one puts into a paper is equivalent to the yield you receive in return.

He is convinced that one should feel the ‘pinch’ for whatever you do in life. Those who are studying can relate to nights spent toiling, headaches, and stressed muscles, with the pain only going away after reaching your goal. “One has to work hard in order to succeed in life,” he states.

He says that being recognised for this paper not only means that he can produce more acceptable research in the future; with the feedback received from reviewers, he can help other upcoming researchers by imparting to them the research skills he obtained over the years.

The UFS also presented a second paper at the conference. Mokotsolane Mase, Lecturer from the same department on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, presented a paper co-authored by Prof Nel as well, titled: Common code writing errors made by novice programmers: Implications for the teaching of Introductory Programming.

Continuous excellence

The SACLA programme committee is committed to keeping papers earmarked for journal publication to a very high standard. “Since only the top papers are earmarked for journal publication, it was a great achievement to have both papers selected for inclusion in the 2021 publication,” says Prof Nel. 

However, the highlight of the conference for her was when the paper she co-authored with Dr Khomokhoana was recognised as the best paper. 

“What makes this achievement even more special, is that it is the second time in three years that Dr Khomokhoana and I have received this award (2019 and 2021). This is also the third time (since the inception of the ‘best paper award’ in 2014) that I have been the co-author of the best paper.”

“Being recognised at this level for our research in the field of Computer Science Education (CSE) is testament to the quality and importance of the research being conducted within the CSE research group of the UFS Department of Computer Science and Informatics,” she says. 

The way forward

Prof Nel believes in the potential of the CSE research group, and her goal for the next five years is to continue to expand the CSE research group within the department. 

“What I love most about this type of research is that it requires a close integration of the lecturing and research roles of academics. As educational researchers, we must reflect critically on our current teaching and learning practices and consider ways in which we can ultimately provide our students with the best possible learning experiences that will adequately prepare them for the world of work. Mentoring young academics who are interested in this field of research, is one of my biggest passions. By sharing our research at conferences (such as SACLA) and through publication in international journals, we contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning on a much broader scale,” she says. 

Dr Pakiso Khomokhoana reckons that the amount of work you put into a project is equivalent to the yield you receive in return.
Dr Pakiso Khomokhoana reckons that the amount of work you put into a project is equivalent to the yield you receive in return.
Prof Liezel Nel believes that educational researchers need to reflect critically on their current teaching and learning practices and consider ways in which to ultimately provide students with the best possible learning experiences.
Prof Liezel Nel believes that educational researchers need to reflect critically on their current teaching and learning practices and consider ways in which to ultimately provide students with the best possible learning experiences.
Mokotsolane Mase, lecturer from the same department on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.
Mokotsolane Mase, lecturer from the same department on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.

News Archive

Inauguration of Prof Francis Petersen as 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS
2017-05-23

Description: Prof Petersen Inauguration Charl Devenish photo Tags: Prof Petersen Inauguration Charl Devenish photo

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, robes Prof Francis Petersen as Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Charl Devenish

“At the UFS, we want to produce graduates for the world, and we need to ensure that we use our knowledge to uplift society”
— Prof Francis Petersen, 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS)

On Friday 19 May 2017, the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated the inauguration of its 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Francis Petersen. The formal inauguration was held in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus. The ceremony was preceded by a week-long welcoming programme on the three UFS campuses.

The guest list included representatives from local and provincial government, vice-chancellors and rectors from across South Africa, and senior members of the university’s executive management.

During the inaugural address, Prof Petersen paid tribute to his predecessors for the role they played in making the university what it is today. This included former rectors and vice-chancellors who attended the ceremony, such as Prof Francois Retief and Prof Frederick Fourie, and Prof Stef Coetzee and Prof Jonathan Jansen who were unable to attend.

Prof Petersen characterised 2015 and 2016 as watershed years for the South African higher-education system. “The Rhodes Must Fall, and subsequent Fees Must Fall student and staff protests challenged us, and re-energised a critical engagement around the purpose of the university in an equal society, both as a site of complicity and as a potential agent for social change,” said Prof Petersen.

He committed himself to developing the UFS into an institution that will have an even greater impact than before.

“This institution I am striving to establish will be one that responds positively to inclusivity, diversity, and transformation, and which can incorporate these values into our curriculum, scholarship, and research in a productive way,” said Prof Petersen.

Prof Petersen emphasised the importance of the three-campus model. “The University of the Free State is ONE university with three campuses: the Bloemfontein Campus, our South Campus, and the Qwaqwa Campus. I am committed to align the activities of the three campuses, and to integrate our activities to a greater extent.

“We must work together to infuse each campus with the values we have identified as essential if we are to make our mark as a united University of the Free State: academic excellence, diversity and inclusivity, and innovation.”

The Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, had the honour of handing over the gown to Prof Petersen. Prof Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic, explained the relationship between the university and the Basotho people, and how this relationship is honoured through the official procession gowns of the UFS. The Basotho blanket is worn by kings, and the university therefore hopes that the symbolism of the gown would be a source of inspiration to Prof Petersen.

The event was concluded by congratulatory messages from former colleagues and the President of the Student Representative Council on the Bloemfontein Campus, SK Luwaca. The event was elegant and graceful – the inaugural address was thought-provoking and inspiring.

 

Official Inauguration Ceremony:

19 May 2017
Bloemfontein Campus

 Description: Official Inauguration photo small Tags: Official Inauguration photo small


"I challenge you to dream big and do big." - Prof Petersen

 

Photo Caption: Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, robes Prof Francis Petersen as Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.
Photo: Johan Roux

Short biography of Prof Francis Petersen
Inaugural address: 19 May 2017
Transcription of the ceremony
Photo Gallery
Video

 

Welcoming Ceremonies:

The week of 11-19 May 2017 was one of the highlights in this year’s calendar for staff and students of the University of the Free State (UFS), with various ceremonies taking place to welcome Prof Francis Petersen – who assumed his duties on 1 April 2017 – as the 14th Vice-Chancellor and Rector. The festivities culminated in the official inauguration ceremony at the Bloemfontein Campus on 19 May 2017.
 
The Qwaqwa Campus welcoming ceremony took place on Thursday 11 May 2017, attracting a wide spectrum of community leaders from the area. Prof Petersen was welcomed by representatives from the two trade unions, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and UVPERSU, as well as representatives from the Student Representative Council (SRC), the Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District, and the House of Traditional Leaders. Paramount Queen Mopeli of the Bakoena Royal House bestowed a special honour upon Prof Petersen by clothing him in a traditional Basotho blanket and hat. She said, "From our heart of hearts, welcome, Prof Francis ..., and all Godspeed during your tenure."
 
The South Campus in Bloemfontein hosted a welcoming ceremony for the new Vice-Chancellor and Rector on 18 May 2017. The ceremony included a number of vocal performances and messages from various stakeholder groups. The same afternoon, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ) also facilitated a panel discussion, titled Diversity, inclusivity, and social justice and the renewed call for decolonisation, in the Albert Wessels Auditorium (AWO) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The welcoming ceremonies culminated in an event in the Callie Human Centre on Friday 19 May 2017 at the Bloemfontein Campus, with a number of performances by musicians associated with the UFS, marimbas, drum majorettes from Jim Fouche Secondary School, the Grey College Gumboots, and school choirs from Eunice Secondary School, Brebner Primary School, and Willem Postma Primary School. Representatives from key stakeholders such as Nehawu, UVPERSU, the Campus Ministries Forum, SRC, Alumni, Convocation, and the UFS Council had the opportunity to convey their messages of welcome to Prof Petersen.
 
The formal inauguration ceremony took place in the Odeion Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus the same day.

 

Qwaqwa Campus ceremony:

11 May 2017
Qwaqwa Campus

 Description: Prof Petersen with the queen 2 Tags: Prof Petersen with the queen 2

 

"Qwaqwa Campus is the perfect laboratory for sustainable sciences.” – Prof Petersen

 

Photo caption: Paramount Queen Mopeli of the Bakoena Royal House with Prof Petersen and his wife, Cheslyn.
Photo: Mamosa Makaya

Photo Gallery
Video

Read the full story
Transcription of the ceremony

 

South Campus ceremony:

18 May 2017
South Campus

 Description: South Campus welcoming Tags: South Campus welcoming

 

"South Campus: you aspire excellence, adding to diversity and you are innovative in what you do." - Prof Petersen

Photo caption: Flag bearers and drummers walking to the Madiba Arena.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

Photo Gallery

Read the full story
Transcription of the ceremony

 

 

Bloemfontein Campus panel discussion:

Panel discussion: Diversity, inclusivity and social justice and the renewed call for decolonisation
18 May 2017
Bloemfontein Campus

 Description: Panel discussion 18 May 2017 Tags: Panel discussion 18 May 2017


"The UFS should be a place of belonging for everyone." - Prof Petersen

 

Photo caption: from left: SK Luwaca (SRC President, Bloemfontein Campus), Prof Elelwani Ramugondo (UCT), Prof Francis Petersen (UFS), Prof Melissa Steyn (WITS), Prof Andre Keet (UFS)
Photo: Lelanie de Wet

Photo Gallery

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Transcription of panel discussion



 

Bloemfontein Campus ceremony:

19 May 2017
Bloemfontein Campus

 Description: Bloem welcoming ceremony on 19 May 2017 Tags: Bloem welcoming ceremony on 19 May 2017


"I can just say, Wow! I've experienced a lot during the welcoming functions on all three campuses." - Prof Petersen

 

Photo caption: Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS
Photo: Rulanzen Martin

Photo Gallery

Read the full story
Transcription of the ceremony


 

 

Description: Inauguration and welcoming of Prof Petersen combined gallery Tags: Inauguration and welcoming of Prof Petersen combined gallery

Photo gallery of Inauguration and Welcoming Ceremonies

 

 

 

 

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