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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

Avant-garde filmmaker. Renowned feminist scholar. Revolutionary Prof Laura Mulvey.
2014-06-27

Prof Laura Mulvey – currently a professor at Film and Media Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, is about to visit the Bloemfontein Campus. As a tribute to her achievements, the UFS is bestowing an Honorary Doctorate on her during our Winter Graduation Ceremony. In addition, two events are scheduled during which the public can get to know Prof Mulvey and her films better.

Prof Mulvey is a hugely influential figure in the international arena of film and visual media. She is globally recognised as an eminent feminist film scholar and worked at the British Film Institute for many years. During the 1970s and ‘80s she exploded onto the scene as a prominent avant-garde filmmaker.

During her visit, she will discuss a film with Prof Annie van den Oever (University of Groningen) and some of her most renowned film material will also be screened.

Under the Skin of the City (Iran, 2001), directed by Rakhshan Bani-E'temad, will be screened in full on Thursday 3 July 2014. The film centres on the trials and tribulations faced by an Iranian family. This award-winning film will resonate with a South African audience because of the social issues it addresses. Prof Mulvey and Prof Van den Oever will also discuss the film afterwards.

On Saturday 5 July 2014, Prof Van den Oever and Prof Mulvey will have another discussion and the audience will be treated to snippets from her prominent films.

The details of these events are:

Date: Thursday 3 July 2014
Time: 16:00 – 18:15
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: Elouise Johnsen, JohnsenE@ufs.ac.za, +27(0)51 401 2315 (mornings).
Refreshments will be served.

Date: Saturday 5 July 2014
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: Elouise Johnsen, JohnsenE@ufs.ac.za, 27(0)51 401 2315 (mornings).
Refreshments will be served.

 

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