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#YouthMonth: Celebrating youth empowerment (Dr Kamohelo Tshabalala)

14 June 2023 | Story Kamohelo Tshabalala | 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.

Dr Kamohelo Tshabalala, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics, shares his UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: 2004 and 2015.

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: BSc in Physics and Mathematics and PhD in Solid State Physics.

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

A: 2003 to 2004 and 2012 to date.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: I began my journey as a Lab Assistant, but over time, I advanced to higher positions within the academic realm. Presently, I proudly serve as a Senior Lecturer and Subject Head in the esteemed Department of Physics. Additionally, I have taken on the role of acting Assistant Dean in the distinguished Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

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

A: First and foremost, I successfully completed my BSc degree, followed by the attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). I firmly believe that these educational achievements serve as a solid foundation for excelling in both teaching and leadership roles.

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

A: It is a very interesting aspect; however, this transition may entirely depend on an individual’s interest in whether to continue with their studies or not. The stimulation may come from the undergraduate teachings that exhibit real interventions for new developments towards empowering the society at large.

Q: Any additional comments about your experience?

A: As both an academic and a departmental leader for the past nine years, I am very grateful for all the support from the university community. I would encourage young scholars to explore more leadership roles that are available in the sector, because one is always up to date with new initiatives and strategies for the betterment of human and academic projects.

News Archive

New SRC constitution for UFS main campus agreed upon by all organisations

2005-07-20

University of the Free State Fact Sheet

1. The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) unanimously approved an amendment to the SRC constitution for the main campus to allow for the introduction of proportional representation (PR) alongside a first-past-the-post electoral system.

2. This decision was taken by the UFS Council on 10 June 2005 at the same meeting where it also approved the establishment of a Central SRC for the three campuses of the UFS.

3. The new main campus SRC constitution is the result of consensus reached during a lengthy negotiation process involving diverse student formations such as Sasco, the ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League, the ACDP, HEREXVII, KovsieAlliance, as well as the democratically elected SRC members of the main campus. Independent persons such as Mr Jack Klaas and Mr Kobus van Loggerenberg facilitated the negotiation process.

4. The consensus reached during this process, and the subsequent decision by Council, represent a major breakthrough for student governance and transformation of the UFS main campus and constitutes a legitimate basis for the democratic participation of all students at the UFS main campus in the governance of the university.

5. The introduction of the proportional representation system follows earlier calls by some student formations, notably Sasco and the ANC Youth League, for such a system to be introduced at the UFS main campus in Bloemfontein.

6. In terms of the amendments to the main campus SRC constitution, nine of the 18 SRC members are to elected by means of proportional representation and nine on the basis of an direct, first-past-the-post election.

7. The following portfolios of the main campus SRC will be contested by individual candidates on the basis of “first past the post”:
• president
• secretary
• academic affairs
• legal and constitutional affairs
• student development
• arts and culture
• men’s internal liaison
• ladies internal liaison
• media, marketing and liaison

8. The following nine portfolios will be contested by affiliated organizations on a proportional representation basis.
• two vice-presidents
• treasurer
• dialogue and associations
• transformation
• campus affairs and recreation
• sport
• international affairs
• community service

9. These two decisions regarding student governance represent a breakthrough in that, for the first time in many years, all SRC constitutional changes were processed and approved by the June meeting of the Council, well in time for the scheduled August SRC election; in addition, all relevant student organizations have been part of the process and all have accepted the outcome of the process.

20 July 2005

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