Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

#YouthMonth: Celebrating youth empowerment (Sanchay Kalicharan)

21 June 2023 | Story Sanchay Kalicharan | Photo Supplied

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.

Sanchay Kalicharan, ETDP SETA Intern at DiMTEC, shares his UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: I graduated from the UFS Bloemfontein Campus in 2022.

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: I obtained my Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Management through the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at the UFS.

Q: Date of joining the UFS as a staff member:

A: In August 2022, I embarked on a new journey as a staff member at the UFS. From the outset, the UFS provided a nurturing and challenging environment that fostered both personal and professional growth. As an intern, I was immersed in a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities that contributed significantly to my understanding of my chosen field.

The experience has been highly rewarding, equipping me with valuable insights and practical skills, while offering an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the university's community. The camaraderie and support of my colleagues made for a dynamic work culture that drove excellence and innovation. Overall, joining the UFS marked a significant step on my career path.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: In August 2022, I embarked on an enriching journey with the UFS as a PYEI intern at DiMTEC. Over the course of six months, I was deeply immersed in a variety of tasks, honing my skills, and gaining valuable insights into disaster management.

As my initial internship drew to a close in January 2023, a new chapter began. I transitioned into the role of an ETDP SETA intern with DiMTEC. From February 2023 till now, I have been extending my understanding and practical knowledge of the field. Each day brings a new learning opportunity, reinforcing the theoretical concepts I have studied with real-world applications. These successive roles at the UFS have played an integral part in shaping my professional career.

Q: How did the UFS prepare you for the professional world?

A: The UFS prepared me for the professional world in numerous ways. The internships I undertook at DiMTEC provided me with a robust platform to acquire practical skills and insights that are highly valuable in the professional world.

During my time as a PYEI intern, I was exposed to various facets of disaster management. This hands-on experience, paired with guidance from seasoned professionals, allowed me to delve into the complexities of the field and build my competency. Transitioning into the role of an ETDP SETA intern, I was able to further develop my understanding and skills in the disaster management field. The UFS provided continuous opportunities for learning and development, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world experiences.

In addition to the technical skills, the UFS also fostered the growth of soft skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership, which are paramount in the professional world. Through collaborations, projects, and day-to-day interactions, I learned how to work effectively with diverse individuals, navigate challenges, and lead initiatives. This holistic training at the UFS has equipped me with the tools and confidence to navigate the professional landscape.

Q: What are your thoughts on transitioning from a UFS alumnus to a staff member?

A: Transitioning from a UFS alumnus to a staff member has been an enriching and rewarding journey. As a student, the university provided an excellent foundation of academic knowledge and practical skills. As a staff member, I have had the opportunity to apply and extend this knowledge, further deepening my understanding of my chosen field.

This transition has offered a different perspective on the workings of the institution. While my focus as a student was primarily on learning and personal development, as a staff member I am now contributing to the university's operations and its mission. This has given me a greater appreciation for the efforts that go into running such an institution, and the responsibilities that come with my role.

Being a part of the UFS staff also gives me a unique opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me during my student years. It is a chance to contribute to the academic and personal growth of current and future students, just as my teachers and mentors did for me. Overall, the transition has been a fulfilling experience and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in my role at the UFS.

Q: Any additional comments about your experience?

A: Throughout my journey at the UFS, both as an alumnus and as a staff member, I have found the environment to be nurturing and inspiring. Each role has brought new challenges and opportunities that have fostered my personal and professional growth.

The transition from being a student to joining the staff was seamless, largely due to the supportive community and culture of the UFS. I have been fortunate to collaborate with and learn from a diverse and talented group of professionals who are deeply committed to their work and the university's mission.

One significant aspect of my experience has been the real-world impact of the work we do at DiMTEC. It is fulfilling to know that our efforts contribute to the broader goal of enhancing disaster management strategies and practices.

Lastly, I greatly appreciate the continuous learning opportunities provided by the UFS. Whether it is through formal training, learning from colleagues, or tackling challenging projects, there is always an opportunity to learn and grow. This commitment to continuous learning is something I value deeply, and it fuels my passion for my work at the UFS.

News Archive

Research by experts published in Nature

2011-06-02

The members of the research group are, from the left, front: Christelle van Rooyen, Mariana Erasmus, Prof. Esta van Heerden; back: Armand Bester and Prof. Derek Litthauer.
Photo: Gerhard Louw

A research article on the work by a team of experts at our university, under the leadership of Prof. Esta van Heerden, and counterparts in Belgium and the USA has been published in the distinguished academic journal Nature today (Thursday, 2 June 2011).

The article – Nematoda from the terrestrial deep subsurface of South Africa – sheds more light on life in the form of a small worm living under extreme conditions in deep hot mines. It was discovered 1,3 km under the surface of the earth in the Beatrix Goldmine close to Welkom and is the first multi-cellular organism that was found so far beneath the surface of the earth. The worm (nematode) was found in between a rock face that is between 3 000 and 12 000 years old.

The research can shed some new light on the possibility of life on other planets, previously considered impossible under extreme conditions. It also expands the possibilities into new areas where new organisms may be found.

These small invertebrates live in terrestrial soil subjected to stress almost for 24 hours They live through sunshine, rain, scorching temperatures and freezing conditions. Through time they developed a means to cope with harsh conditions. Terrestrial nematodes (roundworms, not to be confused or related to earthworms) are among those very tough small invertebrates that deal with those conditions everywhere. After insects they are the most dominant multi-cellular (metazoan) species on the planet having a general size of 0,5 to 1 mm and are among the oldest metazoans on the planet, Nature says in a statement on the article.

They inhabit nearly every imaginable habitat form the deep seas to the acid in pitcher . Some nematodes simply eat bacteria and these are the ones we study here. Terrestrial nematodes have developed a survival stage that can take them through hard times (absence of food, extreme temperatures, too little oxygen, crowding, and more).

At the head of the research was Prof. Gaetan Borgonie of the Ghent University in Belgium and a world leader in the discipline of nematode research. He was brought into contact with the South African research leader, Prof. Esta van Heerden, who set up a cooperation agreement with the University of Ghent and Prof. Borgonie. Prof. Van Heerden manages the Extreme Biochemistry group at the UFS and the research was funded by several research grants.

The search for worms began in earnest in 2007, but it was soon clear that the sampling strategy was insufficient. A massive sampling campaign in 2008-2009 in several mines led to the discovery of several nematodes and the new nematode species Halicephalobus mephisto. It is named after the legend of Faust where the devil, also known as the lord of the underworld is called Mephistopheles.

Nature says special filters had to be designed and installed on various boreholes. Unfortunately, there is no easy way of finding a magic formula and designs had to be adapted by trial and error; improving existing designs all the time. The work of the UFS Mechanical Workshop, which manufactured, adapted and helped design it, was crucial in this respect. Filters were left on the holes for varying periods, sometimes for a few hours and sometimes for months. Prof. Derek Litthauer from the UFS played a big role in sampling, filter designs and coming up with ideas for names for the new nematode with Prof. Borgonie.

Research showed that the nematodes can live in the deep for up to 12 000 years. Three students – Armand Bester, Mariana Erasmus and Christelle van Rooyen from the UFS – did the work on this.

The importance of multi-cellular animals living in the ultra-deep subsurface is twofold: The nematodes graze on the existing bacterial population and influence their turnover. Secondly, if more complex multi-cellular organisms can survive in the deep subsurface on earth, this may be good news when looking for life on other planets where the surface is considered too inhospitable (e.g. Mars). Complex life forms can be found in ecosystems previously thought to be uninhabitable. Nature says this expands the possibilities into new areas where new organisms may be discovered.

Future research will focus on selective boreholes to look for more metazoans, so that a better idea of the complexity of the ecosystems there can be obtained. It will also look for metazoans in the deep subsurface on other continents to determine similarities and differences.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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