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11 May 2022 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
Belinda Viljoen
Belinda Janeke

Belinda Janeke is the proud recipient of the Dean’s Medal for best honours student in Industrial Psychology in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), which was awarded during the recent April graduation ceremonies. Janeke, a career adviser specialising in career services with a focus on career development and work-readiness programmes, is currently studying for a master’s in Industrial Psychology, with a view to becoming a registered industrial psychologist.

“The Dean’s Medal was a huge surprise and shock, and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing lecturers I had,” says Janeke.  “They have done so much to engage with us, teach us, and help us with online teaching in 2020 and 2021.”

Janeke began her career as an orientation officer at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2009 and was promoted to advising and lecturing before being appointed as Head: Career Services (Student Affairs) in 2013, a position she currently holds.

“I really enjoyed my studies; I could live my passion and apply the work experience I gained over time as well. It is just a super blessing from Above; only by God’s grace that this happened,” explains Janeke.

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Student represents UFS and SA in world orchestra
2015-11-27



The A-list violist, Maja van Dyk 

Among the 100 musicians from 74 countries who performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York as part of the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPHIL) tour was Maja van Dyk. The viola player was one of two South Africans, and the only University of the Free State (UFS) representative, in the main performance of the tour on 27 September 2015.

“The highlight of the tour was definitely the concert in Carnegie Hall,” said Maja.

The fourth-year BMus student at the UFS Odeion School of Music (OSM) was one of 900 musicians between 18 and 26 years of age who auditioned for the world orchestra.  She reached a major milestone in her music career when she was selected as both our country and our university’s ambassador.

The YPHIL project is a hub for the most powerful young performers from all over the world who spotlight social issues affecting the global collective through music. This objective behind creating one symphonic voice is to unite and empower in an unconventional manner.

Over the years, Maja has gathered a wealth of experience by playing for the MIAGI Youth Orchestra, the South African National Youth Orchestra, the Free State Youth Orchestra, the OSM Camerata, and the Free State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Bloemfontein and Stellenbosch City Orchestras.

As a member of the National Youth Orchestra, she was invited to tour the country with the world-class Zurich Chamber Orchestra and the Zürcher Kammerorchester in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Her recent international exposure cannot be separated from past stints on the world stage. “I participated in tours of The World Orchestra to Spain and Lebanon, prior to the YPhil tour to New York City this past September,” she said.

The award-winning Maja is currently playing as an ad hoc member for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. She moved to the Western Cape after she played in her last exam last week.

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