Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

PhD student Alina Ntsiapane dominates in international research pitching contest

10 May 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Alina Ntsiapane, a PhD student at the University of the Free State, obtained second place in the partners category of the International Livestock Research Institute’s (ILRI) CapDev Grand Challenge research pitching contest, which took place on 13 April 2022. The pitching contest is the first part of the CapDev Grand Challenge, which is a 10-month process aimed at equipping scientists with the necessary skills to contribute to new research.

Presenting Research to a Tough Panel of Judges

Ntsiapane was one of 30 contestants who presented their research virtually to a panel of esteemed judges. “It was not easy, it was very challenging for me because it was my first time presenting my PhD study and I had to do it live on an international platform,” expressed Ntsiapane. Although each contestant is thoroughly prepared for their respective presentations, Ntsiapane argues that some of the questions asked by the judges can be quite daunting. “Some of their questions were very challenging and I did not know how to respond to them, but they made me aware of ways in which I needed to improve my research,” she stated. However, regardless of the intensity of the pitching contest, Ntsiapane’s research allowed her to progress to the next stage of the CapDev Grand Challenge. She will be part of the rigorous 10-month training process that will begin in June 2022.

Ntsiapane’s Research Project

Ntsiapane’s PhD research focuses on the production of smallholder wool as a means to improve livelihoods in both Thaba ’Nchu and Botshabelo in the Free State. In fact, in the research Ntsiapane highlights that there has been a significant decline in the production of wool within the last three decades. As such, Ntsiapane believes it is imperative to create spaces that allow for the training of small-scale farmers, so that the production of wool can still be a possibility.

Consequently, Ntsiapane hopes that the 10-month training she will receive from the CapDev Grand Challenge will not only allow her to grow but will assist in opening doors for her. “I’m hoping to get exposure and to make connections with policy makers and the donors as well. This will assist me in achieving my goals,” she explained.

Future Endeavours After the Training Course

Subsequent to the training course, Ntsiapane would like to utilise that knowledge by continuing to make her most recent project a reality. Ntsiapane is currently working on developing a television show aimed at providing adequate training to small-scale farmers, so that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the industry in which they find themselves. As such, being part of the CapDev Grand Challenge will allow her to learn some of the necessary ways in which this dream could become a reality.

News Archive

Odeion: Staff Events in November

2008-10-15

Sunday, 9 November 2008
Christmas Concert Picnic
Odeion Amphi Theatre
18:00

You are cordially invited to the Christmas Concert Picnic presented by students of the Department of Music. Bring your picnic basket and be part of Christmas sing alongs and music.

Admission is free! Invite your friends and family with and enjoy carols by candlelight under the stars!

For more information, contact Ninette Pretorius (051 – 401 2504).

Department of Music - Public Examination Recitals.

The Department of Music presents Public Examination Recitals in the form of concerts in the Odeion. You are cordially invited to these free events.

Admission to all concerts are free : Book your free ticket at Ninette Pretorius (051 – 401 2504).

Monday, 10 November 2008
19:30 - Chester Meyer (B.Mus.Hons. – Choral Directing)
with
Primary School Jim Fouché Choir
Aurum Men’s Choir
UFS Choir
Accompanists: Joanita Erasmus, Jo-retha Smit & Hans Potgieter

Programme:
Works by Bach, Eben, Temmingh, Lightfoot, Britz and Orff, amongs others, will be performed, including two arrangements by Corné van Pletzen and Chester Meyer.

Tuesday, 11 November 2008
18:00 - Braam van Tonder (B.Mus. – Trumpet)
with
Petro Engelbrecht (piano)

Programme:
Torelli – Sinfonia con tromba
Hummel – Trumpet concerto in E-flat major
Addison – Trumpet concerto
Hindemith – Sonata in B-flat major for trumpet and piano
Arban – Variations sur Norma von Bellini

Tuesday, 11 November 2008
19:30
- Andrea Hobson (B.Mus.Hons. – Euphonium)
with
Petro Engelbrecht (piano)

Programme:
Barat - Fantaisie in E flat
Horovitz - Euphonium concerto (Moderato & Adagio)
De Faye - Deux Danses (Danse Sacreé & Danse Profane)
Hidas - Euphoniada
Jacob - Fantasia
Goedicke - Concert Etude

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept