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01 June 2023
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Story Nicole Bongo
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Photo Supplied
University of the Free State students participating in one of the many projects coordinated by the Engaged Scholarship Office.
To help make a change and push for sustainable development, the University of the Free State Division of Student Affairs works with communities around Bloemfontein fostering a culture of creating sustainable solutions.
Gernus Terblanche, Kovsie Support Services and Assistant Researcher in the Division says, ‘it is important for the university to be actively involved in the community as it makes up such a large portion of the Bloemfontein and students also
represent many different communities on and off- campus.’
Terblanche said: “As an educational institution it is vital for the UFS to support and guide students towards creating innovative solutions; both local and globally. Our experience is that students often come up with real solutions that can
make a real impact in the lives of real people – and it would be crucial to support such initiatives.”
The office has worked with BloemShelter, VermiVillage, GAP Equip, National Hospital and as part of the programmes of 2022 also with Lighuis, Talita Cumi, ROC Kids and the Universitas Neighborhood association. “We are also very fortunate to have,
Shanen Emam, Miss Free State 2023 as one of our students that are involved with our programmes,” added Terblanche.
One of the students involved is Prince Sijane, Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council member responsible for Civic and Social Responsibility when asked why student participation is important, he said, “By actively participating in
initiatives that address social issues or promote community well-being, students become more aware of the challenges faced by society.”
Tereblanche said: “The produce of these gardens addresses hunger and malnutrition amongst students on campus. KovsieACT also facilitates an eco-vehicle project during which student teams learn how to build electric vehicles powered by solar charging
stations. This project is aimed at developing skills appropriate to the 4th Industrial Revolution and sustainable resources development including clean and green energy.”
dti announces nominees for 2008 Science and Technology Awards
2008-10-03
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At the announcement of the nominees for the 2008 dti Technology Awards were, from the left: Prof. Schalk Louw, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mr Sipho Zikode, Deputy Director General at the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), Dr Romilla Maharaj, Executive Director: Human and Institutional Capacity Development at the National Research Foundation (NRF), and Mr Ephraim Baloyi, Director: Innovation and Technology at the dti.
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Mr Michael Chung, master’s student in Plant Pathology, explaining some of the research conducted in the Centre for Plant Health Management (Cephma).
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Prof. Schalk Louw, Department of Zoology and Entomology, and Mr Ephraim Baloyi, Director: Innovation and Technology at the dti in the Cephma laboratory.
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dti announces nominees for 2008 Science and Technology Awards
The Department of Trade and Industry’s (dti) Deputy Director-General, Mr Sipho Zikode, yesterday announced the nominees for the 2008 dti Technology Awards which will take place on 30 and 31 October in Bloemfontein.
The purpose of these annual awards is to recognise those researchers, private institutions and students who performed well in terms of innovation and technology development, says Mr Ephraim Baloyi, Director: Innovation and Technology at the dti.
The awards are a combination of the Annual Awards of the different dti programmes supporting technology in industry. They are the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP), administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII), administered by the Industrial Development Corporation, and seda Technology Programme (stp), administered by the Small Enterprise Development Agency.
The dti delegation also visited the laboratory of Prof. Schalk Louw of the UFS to view the work of this former dti Technology Awards recipient. Prof. Louw is a member of the UFS Centre for Plant Health Management (Cephma) team that won a 2007 Technology Award for groundbreaking research work on kenaf (a South African commercial fibre crop used, amongst others, in the automotive industry). The research of the Cephma team is supported by the NRF’s THRIP programme.
The awards are hosted in a different province each year to increase awareness around the dti’s technology support for researchers, small enterprises, large industries and business incubators.
Media Release
Issued by: Leonie Bolleurs
Tel: 051 401 2707
Cell: 083 645 5853
3 October 2008
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