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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

Six Kovsies Stanford College
2014-05-30


Back, from the left: Rudi Buys (Dean: Student Affairs), Philip Kitsopoulos (BCom Law), Ulrich Kristen (Medicine) and Stephan Erasmus (Medicine).
Front, from the left: Sebabatso Makafane (Nursing), Kaylene Pillay (Psychology) and Vuyisile Kubeka (BA Media and Journalism).

Six Kovsie students were selected to attend a three-week seminar at the Stanford Sophomore Collegein September 2014.

Stanford Sophomore College (SoCo) is an immersive learning experience. Participants attend class meetings during the morning and afternoons include class activities, explorations of Stanford, field trips and organised events.

UFS students were invited to apply for one of six SoCo courses in February 2014. After the long wait, the successful Kovsie applicants were recently announced.

The names of these outstanding Kovsie students are:

  • Sebabatso Makafane, Vuyisile Kubeka and Philip Kitsopoulos – all attending the New Millennium Mix: Crossings of Race and Culture course,
  • Ulrich Kristen – attending the Resistance Writings in Nazi Germany course,
  • Kaylene Pillay – attending the Ghost Stories: Why the Dead Return and What They Want From Us course, and
  • Stephan Erasmus– attending the Responses to the AIDS Epidemic course.

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