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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

Avant-garde filmmaker. Renowned feminist scholar. Revolutionary Prof Laura Mulvey.

2014-06-27

Prof Laura Mulvey – currently a professor at Film and Media Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, is about to visit the Bloemfontein Campus. As a tribute to her achievements, the UFS is bestowing an Honorary Doctorate on her during our Winter Graduation Ceremony. In addition, two events are scheduled during which the public can get to know Prof Mulvey and her films better.

Prof Mulvey is a hugely influential figure in the international arena of film and visual media. She is globally recognised as an eminent feminist film scholar and worked at the British Film Institute for many years. During the 1970s and ‘80s she exploded onto the scene as a prominent avant-garde filmmaker.

During her visit, she will discuss a film with Prof Annie van den Oever (University of Groningen) and some of her most renowned film material will also be screened.

Under the Skin of the City (Iran, 2001), directed by Rakhshan Bani-E'temad, will be screened in full on Thursday 3 July 2014. The film centres on the trials and tribulations faced by an Iranian family. This award-winning film will resonate with a South African audience because of the social issues it addresses. Prof Mulvey and Prof Van den Oever will also discuss the film afterwards.

On Saturday 5 July 2014, Prof Van den Oever and Prof Mulvey will have another discussion and the audience will be treated to snippets from her prominent films.

The details of these events are:

Date: Thursday 3 July 2014
Time: 16:00 – 18:15
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: Elouise Johnsen, JohnsenE@ufs.ac.za, +27(0)51 401 2315 (mornings).
Refreshments will be served.

Date: Saturday 5 July 2014
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: Elouise Johnsen, JohnsenE@ufs.ac.za, 27(0)51 401 2315 (mornings).
Refreshments will be served.

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