Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

#YouthMonth: Celebrating youth empowerment (Katleho Leqheku)

30 June 2023 | Story Katleho Leqheku | 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.

Katleho Leqheku, Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Intern in the Health and Wellness Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus, shares her UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: 2023.

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication Science, currently doing my honours.

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

A: April 2023.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: PYEI intern in the Health and Wellness Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus.

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

A: The UFS has equipped me with in-depth knowledge. Through lectures, coursework, and research projects, I have gained a strong foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge related to what I am currently studying. Workshops offered by the UFS have been my key focus and an easy access to prep me for the professional world.

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

A: Honestly, it’s an answered prayer because last year, while I was in my final year, I prayed for employment and to get accepted for honours. I consider the transition a worthwhile opportunity that allowed me to grow mentally as well as equipping myself with various skills. It’s not easy though, as I am used to being a full-time student with little pressure. But now the professional world requires a lot, like waking up early in the morning EVERY DAY! Lol, it’s a struggle and it requires one to show up each and every day whether you feel like it or not.

Q: Any additional comments about your experience?

A: It’s been good so far; I believe I am gradually allowing myself to grow and leave room for more opportunities to attract me. This experience is exactly what I needed so that I can learn and be comfortable with facing the world – not just any world, but a professional world. However, I thank God for this opportunity.

News Archive

UFS awards its innovative thinkers

2009-11-18

Here are, from the left: Prof. Van Wyk with first-prize winners Precious Setlaba and Themba Motsoeneng and Prof. Muriel Meiring, the students’ promoter.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently announced the winners of the Innovation Fund Competition. This national competition, which is organised by the Department of Science and Technology aims to promote entrepreneurship through the commercialisation of the innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs.

Every participating educational institution first has an in-house competition in which a total prize money of R100 000 is at stake. At the UFS 14 business plans from students were received and evaluated by six external adjudicators. The three winners now have to take part in Phase II of the competition where 60 competitors from 20 universities will compete. The winners of the National Competition will receive prizes of up to R300 000. This money must be used for the development of the innovative idea with which the prize was won.

The first prize in the UFS’s Innovation Fund Competition of R50 000 was won by Themba Motsoeneng and Precious Setlaba from the Department of Haematology for the development of low-cost diagnostic assays for thrombotic diseases and bleeding disorders with the aim of supplying these test assays at a much lower cost to pathology laboratories all over the country. “This exciting idea appealed to many of the judges, especially because it can contribute to low cost health care in the country,” says Prof. Gerrit van Wyk, organiser of the Innovation Fund Competition at the UFS. The second prize of R30 000 was won by Charl Jaftha, MSc student in Physics. He has developed a low-cost hearing aid the size of a cigarette box. It contains a microphone and electronics to amplify the sound. The third prize of R20 000 was won by Adriaan Taylor and Jaco Brink, both MBA students. They designed a two-in-one lawnmower that would enable the average gardener with a bulky garden to shred the garden refuse and recycle it through composting or disposal through the normal disposal system. “One judge called this a novel use of existing technology,” says Prof. Van Wyk.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept