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UFS student attends COP27 Simulation Model in Egypt

26 September 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Letsatsi Lekhooa, a UFS student who was selected to be part of the COP27 Simulation Model.

Nearly 150 students from across the world will gather in Egypt for the COP27 Simulation Model from 9 September to mid- October 2022. Among them will be Letsatsi Lekhooa, a Master of Science student specialising in Climate Change from the University of the Free State (UFS).

Lekhooa was one of 150 students from a pool of more than 1 800 applicants across the world who were selected to be part of this prestigious initiative. “This opportunity is appealing, because as young people we need to work hard to not only ensure that we break through walls, but to also represent our university well everywhere we go,” Lekhooa indicated.

The COP27 Simulation Model

The COP27 Simulation Model, which is organised by the British University in Egypt along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a worldwide climate conference led by and targeted at the youth. The conference is important for several reasons, such as encouraging conversations around climate action among the youth. As it stands, the initiative is split into two categories, which include the hybrid capacity-building programme that started in September, and the COP27 Mock Conference set to begin in October. Lekhooa is currently engaged in the online capacity-building programme, which he describes as a learning curve. “Every day I learn something new, and I enjoy it because the process is assisting me in learning more about this climate change issue,” Lekhooa expressed.

The benefits of attending the COP27 Mock Conference

Although the first leg of the COP27 Simulation Model is online, Lekhooa will get the opportunity to travel to Egypt and physically be part of the COP27 Mock Conference on the campus of the British University in Egypt. As such, he hopes to take away as much as possible from the experience. “I hope to learn about the ways in which I can better communicate this climate change issue, not only in my home country of Lesotho, but generally in Southern Africa,” said Lekhooa. Furthermore, through his interactions with international scholars, he hopes to create and encourage a collaborative spirit to battle climate change.

The experience does not only serve as a learning curve for Lekhooa, but it is also one of the key steps that will allow him to reach a life goal. “I would like to be an international consultant in bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as they play a key role in making decisions on climate change,” Lekhooa highlighted.

News Archive

New residences officially open

2013-03-06

Celebrating the official opening of the two new residences, were Vusumzi Mesatywa, Prime of House Outeniqua and Sherilyn Roelofse, Prime of House ConLaurês.
Photo: Johan Roux
06 March 2013

Video clip (YouTube)

The one implies dreams of victory; the name of the other means ‘bringers of honey’ in the Khoisan language.

With these unique names, two new residences, House ConLaurês and House Outeniqua, will create new memories for generations of Kovsie students. The two residences were officially opened on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State, bringing the number of junior residences on the campus to 19.

Celebrating the new addition to residence life, Mr Quintin Koetaan, Director: Housing and Residence Affairs, told residents of House ConLaurês and House Outeniqua that they were part of history. He told guests that the residences will provide accommodation for a new generation of students and encouraged residents to breathe life into their respective abodes.

“Nobody thought that two residences could be built in a year,” he said about the short time between the planning and opening of the residences in January this year. The two residences welcomed 250 students each, with male and female students living under one roof, but in separate units.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, praised Koetaan and his team, as well as the developers, saying they have done something completely different on the campus. He said the two residences will create a place which students can call home. “It will create a place not just to eat and sleep, but also to learn. It will create memories for many years to come.”

Mr Rudi Buys, Dean: Student Affairs, said House ConLaurês and House Outeniqua is much more than simply residences. “It’s about the university putting its heart out there, showing what can be done.” He told guests that representatives from other universities and the Department of Higher Education and Training have visited the UFS to see what is being done here.

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