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02 November 2023
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Story Kekeletso Makau
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Photo SUPPLIED
The UFS Heads of Mission Breakfast event attracted a distinguished delegation of foreign diplomatic missions.
The second Heads of Diplomatic Mission breakfast was hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Pretoria, South Africa on 26 October 2023.
The event served as an opportunity to position the UFS as a preferred partner for international collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation – following the success of the inaugural event in 2022. More than ten diplomatic missions were represented by distinguished foreign mission representatives who shared in the deliberations on this year’s theme, namely partnerships and collaborations.
The keynote address was delivered by the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Francis Petersen, with contributing presentations from MISTRA researcher Laurence Caromba, UFS Professor of Pharmacology, Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa, and Senior Lecturer from the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, Dr Grey Magaiza. A key goal of Prof Petersen’s presentation was to highlight the benefits of reciprocal collaboration and co-creation of knowledge with international partners, including industry partners. Contributing presentations posited the UFS as a partner of interest in research, innovation, and technology in the international arena and showcased the value of university and diplomatic partnerships in support of the UFS Internationalisation Strategy and Vision 130.
Caromba, a MISTRA researcher, reiterated the importance of collaboration between universities, research institutes, and the diplomatic community, further reaffirming the partnership value proposition entrenched in the UFS-MISTRA collaboration in co-hosting this year’s event. MISTRA, a renowned influential think tank, served as an excellent partner for the event.
The UFS currently boasts more than 100 vibrant international partnerships and is the incumbent coordinator of large EU-funded Erasmus+ projects among South African universities, with UFS researchers having co-authored more than 5 000 scientific publications with universities worldwide (2018-2022).
An engaging question-and-answer session concluded with insights and further action items for continued engagement post the event.
Kovsie’s big break legacy
2013-03-12
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Zama Sibinda
Photo: Zama Sibinda
08 March 2013 |
The University of the Free State is proud of Zama Sibinda’s national accomplishment. The BCom Honours student were selected in the top 25 from a list of 2 500 contestants to take part in the “The big break legacy” competition that will be broadcast on SABC. This show aims to start a global revolution of entrepreneurs that will build new enterprises which are innovative, exciting and sustainable and that contributes meaningfully towards the social development of communities.
Zama’s concept is that of a night billboard which can be seen from every angle in a particular city where it will be displayed. The billboard will be reflected towards the sky using a laser hologram projector and it will only work at night. “This billboard would be ideal for specific cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, New York and Las Vegas that hardly sleep,” says Zama.
To vote Zama into the top 12 of the competition, please sms “Zama Sibinda” to 33614 (sms rates: R1.50. Ts &Cs apply).The competition lines are open from 8 March till 12 March 2013.
More information: Students can follow Zama on twitter: @Mr Sibinda. They can also like his FACEBOOK page: Zama Sibinba.