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13 June 2023 | Story Brent Jammer | Photo Supplied
Brent Jammer
Brent Jammer, Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics

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

UFS Council confirms decision to integrate student residences
2007-09-14

At its quarterly meeting held today (Friday, 14 September 2007) the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) confirmed the decision taken at its previous meeting that the student residences of the UFS should be racially integrated.

The decision was taken with an overwhelming majority with only one vote against it and will be implemented in January 2008.

The Council tabled and noted the resolution of the Convocation of 11 September 2007 concerning the Council’s initial decision of 8 June 2007 and urged the management to continue to be sensitive, empathetic and inclusive in dealing with the concerns and views of all stakeholders.

The Council also gave all interested parties the assurance that any suggestions that could assist in the successful implementation of its decision would be considered and called once again on all stakeholders to make proposals to the management of the UFS so as to ensure a well-managed process of integration and managing diversity in residences.

In this regard it welcomed the suggestion made by the alumni of the UFS for the introduction of a Diversity Scorecard for residences which would include a multi-dimensional range of indicators and incentives for residences. This could include the diversity profile of a residence, the academic performance of the students in a residence, inter-residence activities and community service projects launched by students.

According to the Rector and Vice-chancellor of the UFS, Prof. Frederick Fourie, the Council hereby also restated the educational motive for the integration of residences, which meant that from an educational point of view, students who had the knowledge and skills to manage diversity would have a distinct advantage in the workplace and in life.

“Today’s decision is a major step forward for the Council and the UFS to achieve a broad consensus around the promotion of diversity at the UFS and in its residences, as the institution has always been committed to giving the best education to students in a diverse and non-racial environment. I would like to call on current students, prospective students, parents, alumni and other stakeholders to make this work in the best interests of the university and its students,” Prof. Fourie said.

He added that the UFS had established several task teams comprising staff and students to implement the Council’s decision of 8 June 2007 and that much work had already been done to identify critical areas and tasks ahead of implementation in January 2008.


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
14 September 2007
 

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