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Launching the South African Chapter of the SANRAL Chair alumni programme

25 October 2023 | Story Dr Kwazi Magwenzi | Photo supplied

SANRAL Chair launch — The SANRAL Chair in Mathematics and Science , Prof Loyiso Jita with the Programme graduates, the PhD and Masters SANRAL Alumni at the event held on 28 September 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The South African Chapter of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) Chair alumni programme at the University of the Free State (UFS) was recently launched at the Silverstar Hotel and Casino in Johannesburg. The event aimed to showcase and celebrate the achievements made and lessons learnt in the programme, highlight the key elements and outputs to the Faculty of Education stakeholders and reimagine the future. The Faculty of Education has increased its footprint in Engaged Scholarship activities, aligning itself with the UFS Vision 130. Multiple stakeholders and community partners were invited to witness the outstanding achievements of this programme.

Since its inception in 2014, the SANRAL Chair has produced over 40 PhD graduates in three countries, namely South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. One of the key goals of Vision 130 is for the UFS to be regionally engaged and to contribute to pressing societal needs. This involves knowledge generation that contributes to local and regional development and building sustainable partnerships. The PhD and Masters graduates have become a highly valued human resource in the South African education system and the region, and are now positioned as leaders in Institutions of higher learning in South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

The SANRAL Chair currently supervises a cohort of doctoral and master's students, providing guidance in mathematical research and publications. The internship programme represents SANRAL's commitment to building skilled capacity in communities, along with driving social and economic transformation. SANRAL has also identified common challenges faced by Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in its projects and has implemented training programmes to address these issues.

South Africa has implemented a range of programmes designed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1), which includes land reform, agriculture, free higher education and growth. Despite the significant progress made on South Africa’s developmental journey since the advent of democracy in 1994, the country remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. Achieving the SDGs is, therefore, in South Africa’s best interest as the country pursues the vision of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous nation living in harmony with itself and the rest of the world.

As South Africa looks ahead to 2030, it seeks to build on the substantial progress achieved thus far, and on the robust policy, legislative, and planning foundation. The focus will be on consolidating and expanding the many areas where public welfare and development are at the forefront.

News Archive

Because you can do the undoable

2014-05-30

Gabriela Schroder

Since visiting the University of Vermont in 2011 as an F1 student and attending the Stanford Sophomore College the year after, Gabriela Schroder has never stopped dreaming and working towards her objectives.

During the autumn graduation earlier in 2014, Gabriela received the Dean’s Medal. This award goes to the final-year student who achieves the best results in respect of a first Bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Her triumph did not end there. In addition, she also received the Senate’s Medal and Prize which is awarded to the best Bachelor’s degree student at the university. Across all the faculties of our university.

“Although these medals came to me as a surprise, it really was a reward to my hard work and toil throughout my undergraduate years,” she said. Schroder was also honoured and introduced by Prof Jonathan Jansen on stage at this year’s Kovsie Open Day, along with other top achieving students. She believes that anybody can reach their goals if they are willing to make sacrifices and through focus, hard work and determination.

One of her favourite quotes that motives her is of Albert Einstein, “You really understand something if you can explain it to your grandmother.” In the process of learning, one must break down what they are working towards. She advises to make the knowledge your own – this develops a better insight into the concept. In the end, that which is regarded as complex is originally built from simple principles.

Schroder is currently studying towards her BSc Honours in Biochemistry at Kovsies. She has her sights set on a master’s degree in the near future.

“To my fellow Kovsies and beyond: seize your opportunities. Don’t be afraid to think the unthinkable – because you can do the undoable,” she added.

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