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UFS staff member Nambitha Manqola scoops national Librarian award

18 October 2022 | Story Tsholo Maleho

UFS librarian Nambitha Manqola received top honours at the 2022 Library and Information Association of South Africa conference, scooping the association’s Emerging Librarian Award.

The University of the Free State Library and Information Services (UFS LIS) continues to deliver world-class services, with its staff members receiving national accolades.

Highlighting the library’s positive contributions, Nambitha Manqola, Chief Officer in the UFS LIS on the Bloemfontein Campus, recently scooped the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) - Nevada LMS Emerging Librarian Award at the association’s national conference hosted in Gauteng from 4 to 7 October 2022.

A role model for the Library and Information Services community

This award is given to someone who demonstrates characteristics indicating that they are a role model for the library and information services community, someone whose contributions could have a long-term impact on the sector, and someone who will be an ambassador for LIASA, Nevada LMS, and librarianship in the coming years, including embracing the post-modern digital landscape.

This accolade recognises the achievements and accomplishments of emerging, inspiring, and exceptional public, academic, school, and special librarians who have earned their LIS qualification within the past five years.

Manqola is known throughout the UFS LIS and Free State library community as a well-rounded individual who is gifted and skilled in a variety of areas, particularly technology. She is based in the UFS LIS Digital Scholarship Centre and is responsible for research data management, and library systems.

Her contribution to the UFS library's growth and marketing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left a lasting impression, making her an ambassador for how library professionals should embrace change and technology.

News Archive

School of Medicine White Coat ceremony embraces first-years into the fold

2016-03-17

From the left are first-year UFS medical students Liandri Van Zyl, Lane Halberg, Wisani Baloyi, and Neve Steenbeek at the annual White Coat ceremony, wearing their white coats for the first time.

“Life isn’t about yourself. It’s about what you can pour into the lives of others.” The first-year medical students will not soon forget Dr Lynette van der Merwe’s words during their recent White Coat ceremony. Dr Van der Merwe is the Programme Director of the MBChB undergraduate program at the University of the Free State (UFS) School of Medicine.

The annual White Coat ceremony is a tradition at the school to welcome first-year students to the world of medicine. As an official initiation into this new world, students are allowed to put on their white coats for the first time. During the ceremony, representatives from the Medical Students Association contributed to the significance of the event by reading a declaration of intent regarding professional behaviour for all medical students.

Dr Wayne Marais, Head of the UFS Department of Ophthalmology, was the guest speaker, sharing his vivid memories of being the first black student to study Medicine at the UFS in 1987. Prof Marais encouraged students to embrace their failures and successes, and to ultimately stay true to themselves – both personally and professionally.

Second-year medical students were at hand to offer advice and support. In addition to offering encouragement, they also assured the newcomers that there is a life outside of their books as well.

The entire ceremony not only served to welcome the first-years into the fold, but also unite them in a common purpose towards helping others in future.

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