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Drone awareness training pilot on UFS South Campus

16 March 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs

Drone training — Khanyisile Khanyi, trainer at Alpha One Aviation, and Alinah Nomthandazo Bokopt from Free State News, at the drone awareness training presented on the UFS South Campus.

A mixed group of 20 young people attended a Digital Television Broadcasting training session on the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS). The excited group of students received their first practical on drone awareness.

The UFS South Campus was the venue for this session, which formed part of a pilot project for drone awareness training. If the training curriculum is approved by the aviation accrediting body, the UFS Division of Social Responsibility Projects will collaborate with Sollywood South Africa to present a six-month course consisting of theory and practical sessions, including a focus on heritage and culture, converting from analogue to digital format, drone conferencing, creative writing, safety management, entrepreneurship, event management, and drone manufacturing.

Promoting self-employment

Campus Principal, Dr Marinkie Madiope, is thrilled about the possibilities of this pilot development opportunity. “Not many people in South Africa manufacture drones,” she says.

The university will ensure that the training is fit for purpose and that the qualification is recognised. “With its focus on impact and visibility in 2022, the UFS will impact disadvantaged communities by equipping the unemployed youth with the necessary skills to create their own employment.”

The service providers will source funding from the MICTSETA (Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority) to formalise the course content.

Investment in scarce skills

Thandeka Mosholi, Head: Social Responsibility, Enterprise, and Community Engagement on the UFS South Campus, says this project will not only contribute to job creation, but it will also bridge the gap in areas where there is a shortage of skills, such as drone manufacturing. “The skills obtained through this project also align with the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Mosholi adds.

Dr Zama Qampi, Executive Producer at Sollywood South Africa, says the company will erect a warehouse in the Free State later this year, specifically for the drone project.

News Archive

Dr Sheila Aronstam receives UFS Alumnus of the Year award

2014-10-23

Dr Sheila Aronstam, recipient of the Kovsie of the Year award and Pieter du Toit, Chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni association.
Photo: Dries Myburgh

The Office for Institutional Advancement at the University of the Free State honoured ten people at this year’s Kovsie Alumni dinner.

Dr Sheila Aronstam received the Kovsie Alumnus of the Year award. Dr Aronstam previously served for eight years on the management of the UFS, where she played a prominent part in the transformation of the UFS. In 2004, with the centenary celebrations of the University of the Free State, Dr Aronstam received a centenary medal for her contribution towards transformation.

She also served on the Council and the Executive of the University of the Free State for period of five years.

In 2014, after a lifelong commitment to Bloemfontein and the University of the Free State, Kovsie Alumni honoured Dr Aronstam as Alumnus of the Year. “Her legacy of equality, tolerance and charity will live forever within the borders of the University of the Free State and the City of Bloemfontein,” said Pieter du Toit, Chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni association.

At this event, Cum Laude awards were bestowed on:

-       Chris Botha, Group Managing Director of Media Shop
-       Pauline Gutter, Free State-based artist
-       Tate Makgoe, MEC for Education in the Free State
-       Jans Rautenbach, South African screenwriter, film producer and director
-       Johan Volsteedt, former principal of Grey College and involved with the television series Dream School SA.

The Ambassador Award was presented to:

-       Odeion String Quartet at the UFS
-       Sibusiso Tshabalala, programme coordinator of the World Design Capital promotion project.

Executive Management Awards were bestowed on:

-       Prof Johan Nel (Emeritus Assosiate Professor UFS )
-       DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport at the UFS.

Kovsie Alumni also bestowed honorary president awards on Prof Nico du Plessis and Adv Mauritz Randlehoff.

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