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20 June 2023
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Story Melissa Kilian
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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 ...!
Leadership for Change celebrates graduation ceremony
2014-10-15
The Leadership for Change Programme hosted its third annual graduation ceremony on 9 October 2014 at the Centenary Complex on the Bloemfontein Campus.
The event consisted of two segments. The first was aimed at the group who has travelled abroad during the past year. They were presented with special certificates acknowledging the work they have done during their participation in the programme.
The second element of the evening was to wish the 2014/2015 group all of the best for their upcoming travels. This group will be travelling abroad during next year. Of the 250 applicants, the top 32 students were chosen to be part of the Leadership for Change Programme.
Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, said, “I hope you came back with the capacity to distinguish right from wrong – not only through law, but morally as a leader.”
Waldo Staude, Vice-president of the Student Representative Council (SRC), acted as Chair to the evening’s proceedings. He is also an alumnus of this programme.
“This programme has made its mark as we observe the number of leadership positions our students from the programme hold on this campus,” Staude said. “We have eight Leadership for Change students in the SRC for the 2014/15 term.”
The Leadership for Change Programme each year gives first-year students exposure to top universities throughout the world. Its focus is to establish a new campus culture of student relations across boundaries.
Six cohort groups – of between five to six students each – will visit universities on three different continents in January 2015. Each group will be accompanied by a UFS staff member serving the role of mentor.
The universities they will be visiting (according to continent), are:
USA
Cleveland State University
University of Minnesota
University of Vermont
Europe
The Netherlands: Vrije University in Amsterdam
Belgium: University of Antwerp and Ghent University
Asia
Japan: International Christian University