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20 June 2023
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Story Melissa Kilian
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Photo Supplied
Melissa Kilian is a Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy.
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.
Melissa Kilian, Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy, shares her UFS journey:
Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:
A: 2011 and 2021.
Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:
A: Baccalaureus and Master of Occupational Therapy.
Q: Date of joining the UFS as a staff member:
A: 1 June 2022 (employed for one year this month).
Q: Initial job title and current job title:
A: Lecturer in Occupational Therapy.
Q: How did the UFS prepare you for the professional world?
A: The UFS provided me with excellent clinical exposure to the diverse profession of occupational therapy. Additionally, the occupational therapy undergraduate course provided many opportunities for promoting self-awareness and self-development and entering the workforce as a graduate willing to explore the dimensions of the profession and what my unique contribution can be.
Q: What are your thoughts on transitioning from a UFS alumnus to a staff member?
A: Since being employed with the UFS, I have a deeper acknowledgement and appreciation for lecturers, as well as a multi-layered understanding of the importance of curriculum development and how this translates into students becoming competent graduates.
Q: Any additional comments about your experience?
A: It’s been quite an experience ...!
Large number of UFS department's staff and students participate in international conferences and workshops
2009-01-19
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An exceptionally large number of staff and students (25 in total) of the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of the Free State (UFS) participated in international conferences and workshops (poster and lecture presentations) and undertook research visits to foreign countries during 2008. This is indicative of the high level of research activities in the department and international involvement. The countries visited included Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai emirate), France, Germany, Greece, Mauritius, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the USA. Here are, from the left, front: Prof. Hugh Patterton, Dr Lizelle Piater, Prof. Lodewyk Kock, Dr Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, Prof. Rob Bragg, Ms Sonia van Zyl, and Prof. Martie Smit; middle: Profs Garry Osthoff, Esta van Heerden, James du Preez (Departmental Chairperson), Hester Steyn, Ms Carina Bothma, Profs Koos Albertyn, Bennie Viljoen, and Derek Litthauer; back: Ms Liezl Renz, Mr Ruan Ells, Ms Chantal Smith, Mr Walter Müller, Dr Elsabé Botes, Ms Ntsoaki Leeuw, Ms Nathlee Abbai, Dr Khajamohiddin Syed, Ms Kamini Gounder, and Dr Suman Pradhan.
Photo: Supplied |