Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
20 June 2023 | Story Melissa Kilian | Photo Supplied
Melissa Kilian
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 ...!

News Archive

UFS professors invited to address the UN
2011-10-21

This month two senior professors from our university will give talks abroad at the offices of the United Nations (UN). Prof. Andre Keet, Director of the International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice, has been invited by the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to attend the ninth working session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in Geneva, Switzerland from 23-27 October 2011.

Prof. Kwandiwe Kondlo, head of our Centre for Africa Studies, will attend a high-powered UN Global Expert Meeting on Political Economy for Development in Egypt from 28-29 October 2011. The meeting will look into the reconstruction of Egypt and Prof. Kondlo will address the meeting on applying political analysis to policy and programming regional perspectives.

In Geneva Prof. Keet will deliver a presentation on the role of education in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, focusing on the role of National Human Rights and Higher Education Institutions.

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