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12 April 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo Stephen Collett
Prof Francis Petersen with Dr Maye Musk
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), and Dr Maye Musk, recipient of an honorary doctorate in Dietetics, after the graduation ceremony.

Programme: Honorary Doctorate Conferral Ceremony

Dr Maye Musk, one of this year’s recipients of an honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State (UFS), says being conferred this honorary degree is the best thing that could have happened to her. She was conferred an honorary doctorate in Dietetics on Wednesday (12 April) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Dr Musk, who – in her acceptance remarks – gave the audience a brief overview of her life and how she ended up obtaining a master’s degree at the UFS, said that she had many happy memories of Bloemfontein and the university and that her experiences in the city also helped her when she moved to Canada and the USA.

Unexpected

“This was so unexpected. Thank you very much for this honour. My children are very proud of me. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has been wonderful experiences in Bloemfontein and at Kovsies, everybody was great. Thank you,” said Dr Musk.

Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, said honorary doctorates are bestowed upon individuals in recognition of their outstanding contribution to a particular field or society. It is based on generous and altruistic actions or lifetime accomplishments that benefit a community, nation, or humanity in general; Dr Musk meets these criteria and is a worthy recipient of a University of the Free State honorary doctorate.

Worthy recipient of a UFS honorary doctorate

In his congratulatory message to Dr Musk, Prof Petersen said that as an alumna of the UFS, Dr Musk is already a valued part of the university community.

“It is indeed a great honour for me to congratulate a very worthy recipient of a UFS honorary doctorate. A woman who has made her mark with grace and poise across the globe in the vital field of nutrition and dietetics, and whose passionate contribution to her profession will continue to reverberate wherever her popular publication is prescribed, studied, and its principles applied.”

“Dr Musk, today we participate in what you have achieved in the field of nutrition, healthy living, and wellness. May this gesture of recognition inspire you to keep on being successful and making an impact wherever you go. And may you always remember that you are part of our UFS community – and our family – here in the Free State.”

Prof Petersen said the UFS’ relationship with its alumni is one of university’s most cherished assets.  The university acknowledges the fact that the relationship between a university and its alumni is a very special, and in essence, a symbiotic one: your success is our success, and vice versa.

Passion for nutrition and empowerment

Dr Musk is an international best-selling author, dietitian, model, and public speaker. Her book, A woman makes a plan, is available in 100 countries and published in 30 languages. She has run her own nutrition business in eight cities and three countries for more than 45 years. Her company offered professional services in counselling, speaking, consulting, writing, and media work. In addition to her skills, Dr Musk’s leadership traits pivoted her into being the first Representative of the Consulting Dietitians of South Africa, President of the Consulting Dietitians of Canada, and Chair of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Paving the way for many to follow in her footsteps, Dr Musk was the first dietitian to run a website, and the only dietitian to take the registration exams in three countries. Her passion for nutrition and empowerment has seen her speak at events around the world, including Melbourne, Stockholm, Kiev, Budapest, Cannes, Beirut, and most of the major cities in the USA, Canada, and South Africa. She also won the Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award in the USA.

Luncheon celebrating 40th anniversary of UFS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics

After the graduation ceremony, a luncheon took place to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the UFS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, which was established in 1983. Dr Musk was the guest of honour at the event, which was attended by staff and students from the department, alumni, university friends of Dr Musk, and dietitians on the training platform in Bloemfontein.

 

 

News Archive

A time to celebrate: Autumn graduations
2016-04-07

General graduation information 
Livestreaming

The first series of graduations for the year are upon us. Graduates from all seven faculties, the Business School, and the School of Open Learning at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be celebrating their academic achievements. A total of 3681 qualifications will be conferred at ceremonies on the Bloemfontein Campus from 12 to 15 April 2016.

Sejakhumo Makhetha, daughter of our Vice-Rector: Student Affairs and External Relations, Dr Choice Makhetha, will be among the graduates receiving BA Governance and Political Transformation degrees. Coincidently, Dr Makhetha obtained her PhD in Political Science in 2003 at the UFS. Sejakhumo Makhetha is currently busy with her postgraduate diploma in the same field.

The four-day celebration symbolises the UFS prerogative as an institution to transform lives by producing leaders of tomorrow. Dr Muavia Gallie, Dr Sello Hatang, Dawie Roodt, and Nikiwe Bikitsha are expected to address these future leaders and guests at these ceremonies.

Addressed by the best

On the guest speaker line-up, we have Dr Gallie, a School and District Turnaround Strategist and education activist, who has been identified as one of the 10 Most Impressive Public Leaders for 2015 by the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen. The former Head of Operations, Human Resources and Information and Communication Technology at the South African Council for Educators (SACE) has had more than 30 years of experience in education.

Dr Gallie and Dr Hatang will address graduates of the Faculties of Education, Health Sciences, Law, and Theology on 12 April 2016. Dr Hatang is the Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. In addition to being a founding member of the Advisory Council of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Hatang has had the privilege of serving as the Head of Information Communications, and spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission as well as Director: South African History Archive at Wits University.

Dawie Roodt, founder, director, and chief economist of the Efficient Group, will speak at the Faculty of Economic and Management Science ceremony on 14 April 2016. This nationally-renowned economist boasts 30 years of experience in monetary and fiscal policy, and is one of the most referenced authors. In 2013, he published Tax, Lies and Red Tape.

As one of South Africa’s leading journalists, Nikiwe Bikitsha will draw on her 20-year career in radio, television, and journalism to address the Faculty of the Humanities graduates on the final day of graduations. Through her passion for Africa’s economic development and women empowerment, the co-founder and CEO of Amargi Media has been a successful Programme Director for UN, IMF and AU-related events.

 

Details of event

Dates: 12, 13, 14, 15 April 2016

Times: 09:00 and 14:30

Venue: Callie Human Centre, Bloemfontein Campus, University of the Free State

 

 

 

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