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#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

Valuable opportunity for future educators

2012-02-13

The UFS will award bursaries to about 670 students this year. These bursaries, to the value of over R42 million rand, will give these students the opportunity to follow their dream of becoming educators in South Africa. At the selection process were, from the left: Prof. Gawie du Toit, Programme Director: Initial Teacher Education at the UFS, Dr. Rantsie Kgothule, Teaching Practice Coordinator at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus; Ms Fiona Padayachee, Deputy Director: Recruitment and Selection in the Free State Department of Education; and Mr Kennedy Vilankulu, Information Manager at the Fundza Lushaka bursary scheme.

This year, 675 students from the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Education will be awarded bursaries worth more than R42 million from the Fundza Lushaka bursary scheme.

The selection process for the recipients is already underway. Although each student’s academic performance plays a vital role in the selection process, beneficiaries are also selected based on performance in scarce subjects like mathematics, science and African languages.

“We are trying to attract and train as many teachers as possible. Hoping they will honour their contract and teach in South Africa” said Mr Kennedy Vilankulu, Information Manager at the Fundza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.

Mr Vilankulu commended the faculty on its management of the bursary scheme. This is evident in the close liaison between the faculty, on both the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses, and the Free State Department of Education. Just over 90% of the beneficiaries of the bursary scheme study at the UFS.

Prof. Gawie du Toit, Programme Director: Initial Teacher Education (ITE) says the quality of a school can never exceed the quality of its teachers. It is the faculty’s aim to educate caring, accountable and critically reflective education practitioners. These teachers must be able to act as agents of change in diverse educational contexts. Prof. Du Toit said it was a privilege to collaborate with both national and provincial Departments of Education in this venture.

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