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20 April 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Charl Devenish
Rea Parkies
Dr Reabetswe Parkies, Senior Officer in Marketing within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), graduates with a PhD in Business Management at the April 2024 graduations.

The April 2024  graduations at the University of the Free State (UFS) mark a significant moment for graduates in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS),  including Dr Reabetswe Parkies, whose journey in attaining a PhD in Business Management has been one of dedication and perseverance.

Reflecting on the upcoming ceremony, Dr Parkies expressed mixed emotions, encapsulating the essence of her journey: ‘’As I prepare to walk across that stage, I'm filled with a mixture of emotions—excitement, pride, nostalgia, and perhaps a hint of apprehension about what lies ahead.’’ This moment represents the culmination of years of hard work and commitment to her academic pursuits.

Dr Parkies’s doctoral thesis, titled “Student self-employment in South Africa: A triple helix model, entrepreneurial competence and social support perspective,” delves into the complex dynamics of student entrepreneurship within the South African context. Her study aims to develop a comprehensive model for understanding self-employment, incorporating factors such as entrepreneurial competence, social support, and the role of the university, industry and government initiatives.

A culmination of years of hard work

The path to achieving her PhD was not without its challenges. Balancing her responsibilities as a Senior Officer in Marketing at the UFS with the demands of academic research required meticulous time management and personal sacrifice. ‘’As time went on, I found my rhythm and developed strategies to become more efficient and effective,’’ Dr Parkies explained. She credits her successful completion of the PhD to the unwavering support of her supervisors and her determination.

As she prepares to celebrate this milestone, Dr Parkies looks ahead to future contributions to her field. ’’By delving deeper into my area of expertise, I aim to uncover new insights and share these findings with the academic community through scholarly articles,’’ she remarked, emphasising her commitment to ongoing research and knowledge dissemination.

Dr Reabetswe Parkies's achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars and underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in pursuing academic excellence. Her journey exemplifies the ethos of the University of the Free State in fostering academic growth and scholarly inquiry. 

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Nobel Laureate for Chemistry to visit UFS
2017-10-28

Description: Prof Levitt read more Tags: Prof Levitt read more

Prof Michael Levitt will be hosted by the UFS from
14 to 16 November 2017, where he will present the
first lecture in the Vice-Chancellor’s
Prestige Lecture Series.
Photo: Supplied

It is a great honour for the University of the Free State (UFS) to host Prof Michael Levitt, recipient of the 2013 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, which he shares with Marti Karplus and Arieh Warshel.

The trio received the Nobel Prize for their development of multiscale models used for complex chemical systems. “Being awarded the Nobel Prize is a unique and marvellous experience that no one can prepare for or could in any way know what to except,” said Prof Levitt during his 2013 Nobel Lecture at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

First lecture in Vice-Chancellor’s lecture series

The South African-born Nobel Laureate and Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Visiting Scholar will present the first lecture, Birth and Future of Multiscale Modelling of Macromolecules, in the Vice-Chancellors Prestige Lecture Series at the UFS on 14 November 2017. Prof Levitt is well-known for developing approaches which predict macromolecular structures.

He is one of many distinguished academics invited annually by ASSAf to deliver lectures as part of the Distinguished Visiting Scholars’ Programme, presented by ASSAf at universities across the country.

Pioneer in research of molecular dynamics

Prof Levitt is a biophysicist and a professor of Biology at Stanford University. He was one of the earliest researchers to conduct research on molecular dynamics stimulations of DNA and proteins. “My post-prize ambitions are twofold and probably inconsistent: (1) Work single-mindedly as I did in the mid-1970s on hard problems, and (2) Help today’s young scientists gain the recognition and independence which my generation enjoyed,” said Prof Levitt.

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