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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

Want to make a difference in the world? Here is how.
2016-05-13

Video
Student Bursary Fund Campaign booklet (pdf)
Donate
Student Bursary Fund Campaign launched: #FundAFuture and make a difference
Motho ke motho ka batho. A person is a person through others

 

We live in a world filled with want. Often, we ache to make a difference, but become overwhelmed and despondent when we look into this chasm of need. However, the University of the Free State (UFS) has created a way for each of us to change lives, in much the same way that the life of Nozi Bonje has been changed.

“Through the opportunities given to me, I realised that you don’t have to be defined by the school you went to. You can do so much more – and you can dream big dreams and realise them.”

Then
The early chapters of Nozi’s life story reveal a shy girl, hiding between the pages of her books on the playground of a township school. With barely a whisper, Nozi was slipping into a desolate future where dreams existed only in sleep.

Now

Today, that timid young girl has grown into a woman who throws her head back in effortless laughter, confidence sparking off her in bright arcs. What changed the trajectory of her future? Financial support for a tertiary education altered Nozi’s life permanently.

“If I didn’t go to university, I would have been this sad little person,” she remarks. “Studying is not just about learning from a textbook, though. It also challenges you to think critically. You start seeing things in a different perspective, and respond differently.”

Description: Nozi_FundAFuture Tags: Nozi_FundAFuture

Nozi Bonje
Photo: Sonia Small

Giving back
Funding enabled Nozi to obtain a BSc degree in Human Molecular Biology at the UFS in 2015. She was one of the top students in her class. Inspired and driven, she is currently pursuing an honours degree in Molecular Genetics, also at the UFS.

“My main dream is to make a difference in people’s lives. For me, it’s all about giving back, because so many people helped me throughout my journey.”

Student Bursary Fund Campaign

In order to help increase the number of lives transformed through higher education – such as Nozi’s – the UFS has established the Student Bursary Fund Campaign. This campaign aims to raise money to fund talented, deserving students who lack the financial means of obtaining a university degree. We cannot do this alone, though.

Your support is crucial.

Each contribution will bring us closer to our goal while changing the future of our youth. Visit our Giving page for ways to donate.

 


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