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24 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Corlé van der Walt received her honours degree in mathematics and applied mathematics. She wants to show students that mathematics is not necessarily difficult, but that it is logical and practical.

Mathematics is undeniably part of the world – from telling time, buying groceries, to manufacturing clothing sizes, and everything in between.

This is the view of Corlé van der Walt, Junior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of the Free State (UFS), who received her honours degree in mathematics and applied mathematics (with distinction) at the university’s April 2023 graduation ceremonies. 

The focus of her honours was on applied mathematics, specifically optimisation and dynamical systems. “These subjects link to my undergraduate degree, which is in industrial engineering,” says Van der Walt, who has always enjoyed and excelled in mathematics for as long as she can remember. 

Maths = skills +

She believes that mathematics is important because it helps us describe and value ourselves. “But still, mathematics is more than just the skills we learn; in the words of Albert Einstein, "Mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas".

She says that mathematics is also the foundation for other sciences, such as physics, chemistry, and engineering. “Mathematics paves the way for all other forms of science. Without the computational groundwork, it will not be possible to do physics, chemistry, engineering, or any other form of science,” she adds, remarking that we will not be able to make scientific or technological progress.

“This is where I come in; I want to teach young upcoming students’ mathematics and the power of it. I want to show students that mathematics is not necessarily difficult, but that it is logical and practical. With my current qualification, I have already been appointed as a junior lecturer and I teach precalculus to university students who would like to take calculus,” she says.

A balancing act

Although she enjoys her work, Van der Walt finds it challenging to juggle work and studies. But she overcomes these obstacles by prioritising tasks and celebrating small achievements. Her motivation also comes from the joy of seeing her students understand concepts that they previously struggled with. 

With plans to complete her master's degree in the next two years and commencing her PhD studies, Van der Walt is committed to teaching the power of mathematics to upcoming students.

News Archive

Centre for Accounting receives a grading of 1 from SAICA
2007-11-02

 

The Centre for Accounting at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently became the first university in South Africa to receive a grading of 1 during a monitoring visit of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Altogether 14 universities in South Africa are accredited with SAICA. These universities are visited by SAICA over a period of five years during which criteria are set by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Only four universities must still be monitored this year. So far most of the universities visited received a grading of 2. The centre was especially complimented in the report on its top quality lecturers and creative programme development to accommodate all students. The students at the centre reacted positively on service delivery in focus groups. Here are, from the left: Prof. Tienie Crous (Dean of the UFS Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Prof. Ronell Britz (Head of the UFS Centre for Accounting) and Prof. Hentie van Wyk (Programme Director of the UFS Centre for Accounting).
Photo: Supplied

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