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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 ...!
First M-degrees in National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme
2005-09-16
The University of the Free State (UFS) yesterday became the first university in South Africa to award a masters degree in Physics to students who have completed the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP).
The aim of the programme is to train a new generation of astrophysics and space scientists that are comparable to the best in the world. The programme is presented in collaboration with six other universities in the country and national facilities such as the South African Astronomy Observatory (SAAO), the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) and the Hartebeeshoek Radio Observatory (HartRao).
Prof Peter Dunsby, lecturer at the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town and coordinator of the NASSP programme; Ms Elmé Breedt (from Pretoria) and Mnr Edward Jurua (from Uganda) who obtained the masters degree in Physics and completed the NASSP programme and Prof Pieter Meintjes, lecturer at the UFS Department of Physics and promoter of the two students.
The degrees were awarded during the UFS's spring graduation ceremony.