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19 April 2023
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Story Kekeletso Takang
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Photo Provided
Among the thousands of new graduates obtaining qualifications during the University of the Free State’s (UFS) April graduation ceremony, were twins – Angel and Angelica Eksteen. The duo obtained their Bachelor of Education degrees in the Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching with distinctions during the Faculty of Education ceremony on 18 April 2023.
Angel says the journey to graduating was challenging, but worth it. “The most fulfilling thing about graduating was seeing the excitement and pride on our aunt and grandmother’s faces, making the challenges worth it.”
Angelica says their education journey has only just begun. Next in line for the twins is Bachelor of Education honours degrees. “And while we strive towards that, we will be the best teachers in the profession.”
SADoCoL receives partial reinstatement of blood sample testing by the World Anti-Doping Agency
2016-08-22
Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced the lifting of the suspension of blood sample analysis by the South African Doping Control Laboratory (SADoCoL) at the University of the Free State (UFS). Although the suspension of urine sample analysis is still under review, the UFS is appreciative of the new outcome. The initial temporary suspension of SADoCoL, announced on 3 May 2016, included the suspension of all doping-control procedures which applied to both urine and blood samples.
The main reason for the suspension involved analytical techniques relevant to urine analysis; however, the testing of blood samples was also included in the suspension. At the time of the suspension, no adverse findings were reported for the laboratory in relation to blood-sample testing for Athlete Blood Passport (ABP) assessment.
According to the agreement with WADA, the suspension period would be utilised to implement and test new systems in order to achieve the standard presently required by WADA, as well as to perform development and improvements. SADoCoL is a specialised service laboratory of the UFS and has been in existence for more than thirty years.
Upon SADoCoL’s request to lift the suspension of only the ABP analysis, WADA agreed to allow the laboratory to apply for reaccreditation. SADoCoL immediately applied for reaccreditation of ABP analysis on blood, so that the laboratory would be allowed to at least offer this service to the Anti-Doping community in Africa.
For this purpose, inspections were performed by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) and by WADA, during which all aspects of blood analysis by the laboratory were thoroughly assessed and tested. The successful outcome of these inspections resulted in the reaccreditation of SADoCoL by WADA in order to perform ABP analysis as required by the WADA International Standard for Laboratories, with effect from 4 August 2016.
This outcome allows the laboratory to once again perform this very essential analytical procedure. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) and other regular users can now continue to send blood samples to SADoCoL for ABP analysis, instead of making use of alternative laboratories.
Released by: Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Tel: +27 51 401 3422/2707 or +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393