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08 August 2023
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Story EDZANI NEPHALELA
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Photo EDZANI NEPHALELA
Mbulelo Aven Jafta, Xhariep Municipality Corporate Services Director, and Dr Engela van Staden, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, sign a memorandum of understanding to enrich various communities in the Xhariep Municipality areas through leadership training.
The University of the Free State (UFS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Xhariep Municipality that is aimed at positively impacting communities through strategic partnerships. The organisations plan for their collaboration to make a significant difference by training 35 of their employees via the UFS Business School – 15 will undertake the Foundation Skills Short Learning Programme, and 20 the Bachelor’s degree in Management Leadership.
This joint effort will equip these employees with essential skills and knowledge and empower them to carry out their responsibilities efficiently and effectively. Rooted in the UFS’s Vision 130, this initiative fosters positive change within the community by enhancing social justice and innovation.
Dr Engela van Staden, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, emphasised the university's dedication to human resource development and empowering individuals. “We were very excited when we got this engagement with you, and I hope it will be fruitful for you, because that’s the intention. We are also reaching out to other municipalities because we are doing it for our country, and the sooner we do it, the better the services you will deliver to people.”
Xhariep Municipality expressed gratitude for the collaboration, recognising its significance in empowering its employees. Mbulelo Aven Jafta, Corporate Services Director at the municipality, thanked the university for accepting the partnership. “As a municipality, we are interested in capacitating our employees to perform their duties optimally. It is through these partnerships that we reach our intended targets. This is the first two projects, and many more will be coming as our partnership progresses, and we intend to use this opportunity to the best of our abilities.”
Jafta said that such partnerships encourage a more interconnected and interdependent world. “As organisations work towards common goals, they create a ripple effect that can lead to a brighter and more promising future and play a vital role in shaping a positive and sustainable future.”
South African universities: Political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence?
2009-02-11
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Joint statement by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) and The South African Academy for Science and Arts
Are South African universities political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence? This is the theme of an international symposium that will be presented on 26 and 27 February 2009 by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with The South African Academy for Science and Arts on the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein.
Several renowned speakers such as Prof. Fernand de Varennes (of the Murdoch Law School, Perth, Australia), Prof. Stef Coetzee (former rector of the UFS and presently the executive director of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI)) and Dr Franklin Sonn (chancellor of the UFS) will take part in the discussion. Matters like diversity, transformation and conflict management, alienation, tolerance, conciliation and solutions will be debated. Members of the Convocation and the Academy are invited to attend and take part in the discussion.
The symposium commences on Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 19:00 in the Centenary Complex with a reception and opening address by Dr Sonn. On Friday, 27 February 2009 from 08:00 the discussion of the theme takes place in the Senate Hall, CR Swart Building. The proceedings are expected to last until 17:00.
A complete list of the speakers and the titles of their addresses are available on request.
Due to limited seating interested persons are advised to confirm their attendance with Ms Kathy Verwey at 051 401 9343 / verweyke.stg@ufs.ac.za .
Full programme
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SA Universities: Political Flashpoints or Centres of Academic Excellence? – 26-27 February 2009
P R O G R A M
Chairperson: Judge Joos Hefer
Sponsors: The Centre for Financial Planning Law UFS
The Kovsie Alumni Trust
Thursday 26 February
19:00 Welcome: Judge Joos Hefer (President Convocation UFS)
19:10 Welcome: Prof. Theuns Verschoor (Acting Rector UFS)
19:20 - 19:50 Dr. Franklin Sonn (Chancellor UFS)
19:50 - 20:20 Mr. Dave Steward (Executive Director, F.W. de Klerk Foundation)
20:25 Reception
Friday 27 February
08:30 - 09:10 Prof. Fernand de Varennes (Murdoch School of Law)
09:10 - 09:20 Discussion
09:20 - 09:50 Prof. Stef Coetzee (Former UFS Rector)
09:50 - 10:00 Discussion
10:00 - 10:20 Interval
10:20 - 10:50 Prof. Annette Combrink (Rector, NWU, Potch-campus)
10:50 - 11:00 Discussion
11:00 - 11:30 Prof. Pieter Kapp (President, Convocation, US)
11:30 - 11:40 Discussion
11:40 - 12:10 Mr. Sean Moodley (CEO, Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust)
12:10 - 12:20 Discussion
12:20 - 12:50 Dr. Dirk Hermann (Deputy Executive Head: Development, Solidarity)
12:50 - 13:00 Discussion
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 14:30 Prof. Marlene Verhoef (Director Institutional Language Directorate NWU)
14:30 - 14:40 Discussion
14:40 - 15:10 Dr. Danny Titus (Executive Director: Culture ATKV)
15:10 - 15:20 Discussion
15:20 - 15:50 Interval
15:50 - 16:20 Prof. Hennie van Coller (Head Dept. Afrikaans, Dutch. German and French UFS, Chairperson SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns)
16:20 - 16:30 Discussion
16:30 General discussion: Dilemma or opportunities?
17:00 Close
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Statement by:
Judge Joos Hefer
President of the Convocation
Tel: 051 436 1843
Cell: 083 630 1395
E-mail: jjfhefer@telkomsa.net
Prof Jacques van der Elst
Chief Executive Officer
The South African Academy for Science and Arts
Tel: 012 328 5082
Cell: 082 8807636
E-mail: jvde@akademie.co.za
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
10 February 2009
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Dr Franklin Sonn,
Chancellor of the University of the Free State.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |
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