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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. 

News Archive

Sello, Brits and Van Vuuren shine at Varsity athletics
2017-03-10

Description:Varsity athletics   Tags: Varsity athletics  longdesc=

Elmé Smith represented Kovsies in the 100 m
and 200 m at the Varsity athletics event in
Potchefstroom.
Photo: Mario van de Wall/SASPA

Jovan van Vuuren, Maryke Brits, and Tsepang Sello were our big stars at the first Varsity athletics event in Potchefstroom. They all finished first in their items and helped their Kovsies team claim an excellent overall third position among eight universities.

The jumps by Van Vuuren and Brits (both long jump) of 7.73 m and 6.11 m respectively were the longest, while Sello’s time in the 800 m was 2:12.01. Brits not only won the long jump, but was also second in the 100 m hurdles (13.65 s).

UFS outperform the likes of Maties, UJ

The Kovsies eventually bragged with three first, seven second, and two third spots on the podium. They ran, jumped and threw, bagging altogether 12 podium spots to accumulate 14 902 points (with an average of 993). Tuks, with 15 604 (1 040), and Pukke with 15 252 (1 017) was respectively first and second on 3 March 2017. Our team outperformed universities like the Maties and the University of Johannesburg.

Rynardt, Kesa claim second place

Big names such as Rynardt van Rensburg (800 m, second in 1:50.49) and Kesa Molotsane (1 500 m, second in 04:29.31) also scored podium spots. The second Varsity athletics meeting will take place in Pretoria on 31 March 2017.

Team results in Potch:

1. Tuks 15 604 (Top 15’s average: 1 040)
2. Puk 15 252 (1 017)
3. Kovsies 14 902 (993)
4. UJ 14857 (990)
5. Maties 14317 (954)
6. UWC 14068 (938)
7. Madibaz 13721 (915)
8. TUT 13463 (898)

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