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07 December 2022 | Story Samkelo Fetile
Students from the UFS Department of Economic and Management Science
Students from the UFS Department of Economic and Management Science attend the British Council’s Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Programme.

The British Council’s Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Programme brings together universities across sub-Saharan Africa and the UK with organisations supporting sub-Saharan African ecosystems. The programme aims to grow universities’ capabilities for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Supporting youth social entrepreneurship

The Supporting Youth Social Entrepreneurship (SYSE) project is part of the IAU programme, and includes 24 projects (in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa) funded through the IAU programme. The SYSE project is being delivered by the University of the Free State (UFS) Centre for Development Support, working with Challenges Ghana and Scotland’s Glasgow Caledonian University

Professor Deidre Van Rooyen, Associate Professor at the Centre for Development Support, said, “The programme teaches students in terms of social justice, creating change in communities, and making a difference, which all aligns with our vision as UFS.” The project trained 50 students on aspects of social entrepreneurship, and groups of five were matched with 10 NGOs.  In this way the knowledge they gained was transferred to community projects. “Ultimately, these organisations are now able to become more self-sustainable.”   

Prof Van Rooyen added that the project benefits the UFS as it also touches on the University’s three main pillars. “Teaching, research, and engaged scholarship are what the UFS aspires to do and, through that, students can gain not only theoretical knowledge but practical and soft skills to assist with social changes in society. By working with NGOs and applying social entrepreneurial principles and practice to generate measurable and meaningful outcomes, students will improve (self-) employability and social impact experiences. Students will further obtain hard social and economic skills.”

She concluded that, “If we for example have trained 40 students through the project, as well as teaching programmes in 10 NGOs, just think what type of social impact we can create within the region – touching lives of children, vulnerable people, the elderly, youth, and more.” 


The University will learn later this month whether the British Council will award further funding to the project. 

News Archive

Bok jersey – Oupa’s next goal
2014-05-22

Former Shimla captain and 2013 Varsity Cup player that Rocks, Teboho Oupa Mohoje, was recently added to the 36-man Springbok training squad for the coming 2014 mid-year international tests.

Teboho already achieved his goal for 2014 when he earned himself Super Rugby caps with the Cheetahs. Next, he has set his sights on becoming a regular with the Boks.

“I found out a week before the announcement was made,” says Oupa. “When [Cheetahs] coach Naka [Drotske] told me, I was actually shocked and had no reaction. I even asked him if he was serious. But it all started to sink in when the announcement was made public.”

This star on the rise is actually better known as Oupa – as he was dubbed by his primary school coach who noticed he had grey hair. Oupa used to study BAgric and now studies Human Movement Sciences at Kovsies, although he does not play Varsity rugby anymore.

“I’ve learnt a lot. I made good mates like Willie Britz [now playing for the Lions] and Freddie Ngoza. I have a lot of great memories and all-in-all it was a good learning curve,” he fondly sums up his time as a Varsity rugby player.

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