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#YouthMonth: Celebrating youth empowerment (Brent Jammer)

13 June 2023 | Story Brent Jammer | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) is celebrating Youth Month by showcasing the positive influence of the institution on career development. As part of this initiative, we are sharing the stories of UFS alumni who are now working at the university.

Brent Jammer, Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics, shares his UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: 2017, 2018, 2019

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: I obtained my undergraduate degree in Agricultural Management with distinction in 2017 and received the ABSA award for best Bachelor of Agriculture final-year student at the faculty awards. In 2018, I obtained my honours degree in Agricultural Management with distinction and received the Standard Bank award for best BAgric Management honours student at the faculty awards. In 2019, I obtained my master’s degree in Agricultural Management.

Q: Date of joining the UFS as a staff member:

A: I joined the university as a permanent staff member (Lecturer) in September 2022.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: After completing my studies, I went on to work as a production manager on a commercial farm where I managed approximately 1 500 sheep. I returned to the university in 2022 and was then appointed as a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

Q: How did the UFS prepare you for the professional world?

A: The UFS served as a great foundation where I built my expertise with the knowledge and skills that I gained while studying at the university. The biggest advantage of being a UFS graduate is my ability to adapt in any space outside my comfort zone, which in turn made me excel in my field. The UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science is indeed the front runner in producing excellent students who can make a difference in the agricultural industry.

Q: What are your thoughts on transitioning from a UFS alumnus to a staff member?

A: Transitioning from UFS alumnus to a staff member is still a dream come true for me, and it's actually funny that the people who taught me during undergraduate studies are now my colleagues. So, being among them and getting so much support is what makes me feel at home at the university.

Q: Any additional comments about your experience?

A: Additionally, I am also an emerging cattle farmer, where I implement all the skills I obtained from the university in practice. I farm with approximately 70 cattle where I employ youth members from my community as a means of ploughing back in order to reduce unemployment and enhancing livelihoods.

News Archive

Brazil: Wayde’s dream destination since childhood

2015-12-15

Wayde van Niekerk knows he has to work even harder in 2016 if he wants to achieve success at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Charl Devenish

When he was still in primary school, Wayde’s dream destination was Brazil. Even his dog’s name is Rio.

So it almost seems written in the stars for Wayde van Niekerk to take part in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio.

According to the 400m athlete of the University of the Free State (UFS), the Olympics has been something he has been dreaming about for years.

Van Niekerk, who studies BA Marketing at the UFS, has had a phenomenal 2015 season, and the whole of South Africa hopes he can repeat his outstanding form in Rio. The Olympics will be held from 5-21 August 2016.

Funny story

“It actually is a funny story. You know when you are in primary school, and the teacher says you have to write down your dream destination. Mine was Brazil,” Van Niekerk revealed.

“In 2012 at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics, I saw they introduced Rio as the next hosting country, and I thought Wow! That is where I want to be, and what I want to do.

“That opened my eyes and I knew God has a plan for me. I have to put in the hard work and achieve something with my life. Luckily from there on, there was pure growth in my life and I am grateful for that.”

His dream is also carried by his dog, Rio, a husky he got about two years ago.

Preparation in 2016

Van Niekerk will follow a specific programme leading up to Rio 2016.

In February next year, he will still be taking things easy, but will probably compete for the UFS in the Varsity Sports athletics.

“You have to build up slowly to peak at the right time,” he said.

In June 2016, he will start competing internationally in Jamaica, then New York, the All-Africa Games in Durban, and then, some Diamond League events before the Olympics in August.

In the archive:

KovsieSport star

NBC tells waydes story

Wayde nominated as SAs best

Wayde Adidas face

Wayde’s hat trick of awards

Congratulate wayde and other achievers

Wayde wins gold

Kovsie trailblazing track runner

Kovsie gold medalist

Kovsie Campion sprinter

Wayde sets African record

Kovsies keep winning, this time in athletics

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