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22 August 2024 | Story Mbali Moiketsi
Alexander Solomons
EMS honours student Alexander Solomons has been awarded the 2024/2025 Ernst Mach Grant to take part in an exchange programme with FH Salzburg University.

Alexander Solomons, an honours student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been awarded the prestigious Ernst Mach Grant for the 2024/2025 academic year. This competitive grant will enable Solomons to participate in an exchange programme at FH Salzburg University, one of Europe’s leading institutions for higher education and research, in Salzburg, Austria.

The Ernst Mach Grant, named after the renowned physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach, is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research. It aims to foster international academic exchange and support students who demonstrate exceptional academic merit and a strong commitment to their field of study.

“Spending time abroad did not seem like something that I would be able to do so early in my life,” Solomons said. “Coming from Scottsville, Kraaifontein, in the Western Cape, I never thought that I would be able to take part in opportunities such as this one.”

“Alexander’s selection as an Ernst Mach Grant recipient is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the high standards of academic programmes at the UFS,” said Lynette Jacobs, Acting Director in the Office for International Affairs at the UFS.

During his time at FH Salzburg University, Solomons will have the opportunity to immerse himself in a vibrant academic environment, engage with leading scholars in his field, and access cutting-edge resources and facilities. “I will have the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and engage in a different form of high-impact learning,” he said. “Professionally, international experience can be valuable in the advancement of my career. Being exposed to global practices as well as networking has the potential to enhance my career prospects and potentially open doors for me in the country I originate from and internationally.”

Jacobs added that this programme will not only enhance Solomons’ academic and professional development but also strengthen the international ties between the UFS and FH Salzburg University.

"I am thrilled to witness the incredible opportunities scholarship programmes offer to our students,” she said. “Scholarships like the Ernst Mach Grant not only provide financial support but also open doors to unparalleled academic and cultural experiences. I strongly encourage all UFS students to explore these opportunities and apply for scholarships. Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, offering new perspectives, fostering personal growth, and building a global network.”

In addition to his academic pursuits, Solomons will serve as an ambassador for the UFS, sharing his experiences and insights with his peers and faculty members at FH Salzburg University. He intends to integrate the knowledge gained into research and projects he takes on in the future. He believes the exposure to diverse opinions can help him approach problems from a more global perspective, and help him think in a more adaptable and inclusive manner.

“His participation in this exchange programme will contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote international collaboration and cultural exchange within our academic community,” Jacobs said.

Students and staff interested in applying for scholarships are welcome to contact Mbali Moiketsi, Study Abroad Officer  in the Office for International Affairs on the top floor of the Theology Building.  Information about scholarships is shared regularly through channels such as newsletters, social media, and the UFS website.

News Archive

UFS first tertiary institution in SA to form association with the Arbinger Institute
2008-02-15

 

 A two-day seminar entitled: "The Choice and The Choice @ Work" was recently presented in Bloemfontein to companies in the Free State region. Here are, from the left: Mr Braam Botha (Well @ Work), Mr Jozef Myburgh (Telkom), and Dr Cobus Pienaar (from the Department of Industrial Psychology at the UFS and facilitator of the Arbinger Programme).
Photo: Lacea Loader

 

UFS first tertiary institution in SA to form association with the Arbinger Institute

The University of the Free State (UFS) has become the first tertiary institution in the country to form an association with the Arbinger Institute in the United States of America (USA).

“The Arbinger Institute is a global management training and consulting firm applying the implications of self-deception and its solutions to all aspects of organisational performance. Our association with this Institute is a major step for the development of leadership in the country,” says Mr Danie Jacobs, Head of the Centre for Business Dynamics at the UFS.

Dr Cobus Pienaar, from the Department of Industrial Psychology at the UFS, is currently the only licensed facilitator to present Arbinger’s work in South Africa. Dr Pienaar presents The Choice and The Choice @ Work programme on behalf of the Centre for Business Dynamics, under the banner of the UFS School of Business.

According to Mr Jacobs, the programme has already had successes in South Africa. “Dr Pienaar presented the first programme last year in Bloemfontein and Pretoria to leaders from various companies. The feedback on the application of the programme to the South African business environment was phenomenal,” says Mr Jacobs.

The Arbinger Institute’s change work grows out of the scholarly work of philosopher Terry Warner. With an international team of scholars, Warner has broken new ground in solving the age-old problem of self-deception, or what was originally called “resistance”.

“This phenomenon is at the heart of much organisational failure. It is the reason why many organisational problems seem so intractable at their core – they are in self-deception; they resist solution,” says Mr Jacobs.

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  
15 February 2008

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