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29 August 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Harmse Photography
Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.
The Business School at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Ross van Reenen, for a guest lecture. Van Reenen presented the guest lecture in the Business School Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 21 August 2024.
Reflecting on Van Reenen’s address
In a lecture addressed to an auditorium filled with UFS staff and students, Van Reenen’s talk was divided into several sections. Firstly, he spoke about the concept of the ‘black swan’ in reference to the book written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, titled The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. Referring to Taleb’s book, Van Reenen defined a ‘black swan’ as a rare event that has a severe impact, and the occurrence of which people try to explain. He used some examples to explore this concept as well as its implications, including COVID-19 and its impact on the world, and the tragic death of the people in the Titanic disaster. However, he delved deeper into 9/11 and the extent of its impact, saying that “9/11 was a major wake-up call in the world economy”. Van Reenen highlighted how some companies such as Barclays, for which he previously consulted, had to work to be up and running after the collapse of the Twin Towers in 9/11.
In addition, Van Reenen’s lecture also touched on the importance of the first ninety days of a job after an individual has been employed. “Those first ninety days are crucial, as you have to establish yourself in a company where you are paid less than you are worth,” Van Reenen said. As such, he gave the audience insight into what they could focus on in that time frame. This includes focusing on the small wins, as well as ensuring that you are working at keeping the team together, as the team is an integral part of an organisation.
Van Reenen concluded his address by speaking about his time as the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, including some of the decisions he took to ensure the success of the organisation.
UFS registration process starts
2008-01-16
The registration process for first-time entering first-year students at the University of the Free State (UFS) started on Tuesday, 15 January 2008 on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
The registration process is divided into different categories of students and it takes place according to a predetermined programme. Students are requested to adhere to the times applicable to them as it may cause unnecessary delays in the registration process.
First-time entering first-year students studying at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and the Faculty of Law will register today (Wednesday, 16 January 2008). The process, which is taking place in the Callie Human Centre, has been running smoothly so far.
Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 21 January 2008 according to a programme that was sent to all students who were registered at the UFS in 2007.
Students who applied for admission to the Main Campus after 30 November 2007 and were accepted, must register from 4 February 2008 according to a process applicable to them.
Lectures will start on 4 February 2008 and the registration process will end on 8 February 2008. Registered modules can be amended from 4-8 February 2008.
Qwaqwa Campus:
At the Qwaqwa Campus of the UFS first-time entering first-year students will start registering as from today (Wednesday, 16 January 2008) according to a specific programme. The official welcoming function for first-years will take place on Friday, 25 January 2008 at 08:00 in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall on the Qwaqwa Campus.
Detailed information on the dates and times of registration for the various faculties and academic learning programmes is available on the UFS website at www.ufs.ac.za .
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
16 January 2008