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05 October 2022 | Story Samkelo Fetile
Studentships and Internships
Interns based in various departments on the Bloemfontein, South, and Qwaqwa campuses participated in a workshop hosted by the Department of Human Resources.

The Department of Human Resources at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently organised a session for interns employed by various departments on the Bloemfontein, South, and Qwaqwa campuses. These interns appointed by the UFS, are funded through various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (Presidential Youth Employment Initiative).

The goal of these workshops is to provide interns with the required skills to prepare them for the workplace.

 

Building the skill set of interns

Telishia van Vollenhoven, Training Specialist in the Department of Human Resources, says interns are essential to the UFS because they provide a new perspective on the institution's day-to-day operations and processes and may give thoughts on strategy, goals, rules, and more.

 “Interns are a very important part of an organisation. They are also our employees. With these workshops, we would like to equip them with the necessary skills to prepare them for the workplace. They bring in new fresh ideas and assist with the operational function of the institution. The workshop is not just applicable to interns, but all staff and line managers could also benefit from such a workshop.”

As part of the workshop, interns were introduced to a variety of programmes that aid in their overall development. These include how to create a results-oriented resume/CV, the definition and benefits of an internship, understanding the internship programme at the UFS, understanding workplace requirements, delivering effective customer service, becoming more productive, learning organisational skills, the importance of teamwork, creating awareness of differences in the workplace, and how to compile a portfolio of evidence (POE).

 

Empowering young people

Interns are further empowered by participating in brainstorming sessions and meetings, as well as providing feedback and proposals to institutional or internship leaders. Through their education and knowledge, they may assist the institution in implementing the most recent strategies and methods in their chosen career field.

The workshop is conducted four times a year or as the need arises. Thus far this year, a total of four workshops have been conducted as follows:

  • 29 June 2022 – Bloemfontein Campus
  • 18 August 2022 – Qwaqwa Campus
  • 14 September 2022 – Bloemfontein Campus
  • 28 September 2022 – Bloemfontein Campus

News Archive

Golden Key International Chapter again receives prestigious award for service
2011-05-04

 
The management team of our university's Golden Key (GK) International Honours Society
Photo: Gerhard Louw

Our universities chapter of the Golden Key International Honours Society is the proud recipient of the Golden Key International Chapter Service Award for the second consecutive year.

The chapter received this $1000 award in recognition of the services they deliver to the community of the Free State and the hard work each of their members put in to ensure that their community projects run smoothly.

Mr Ruddy Banyini, the chapter president, says they feel very privileged to know that the chapter’s work  receives international recognition.  “We feel so privileged that the work of our chapter is appreciated internationally and that it will serve as motivation to everyone to start giving back to their communities,” he said.

The UFS chapter adopted The House of Compassion, an orphanage on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, at the start of 2010. They have collaborated with associations such as the PSA and visit the house on weekends to play with the children. They have also donated food, clothing and shoes. “Our chapter’s motto is ‘It’s not how happy we are that matters, but how happy others are because of us’” Mr Banyini said.

The chapter was selected as one of the 10 most deserving chapters from a possible 390 university and college chapters worldwide, based on their community-service activities. The chapter was also selected to host the South African Regional Golden Key Summit from 06 - 08 October 2011, which means that our university will host the top 15% of achievers from all South African universities.

Mr Banyini said this is a dream come true, since their chapter’s main goal is to see our university as  South Africa’s Golden Key reference point.

The GK UFS Chapter will soon be starting a “Together means Warm” campaign which will attempt  to provide winter clothes, shoes and new school shoes to the children of the orphanage and also improve their living condition.

“I would like to urge everybody to keep in mind that the community is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr Banyini said.
 

Media Release
4 May 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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