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13 December 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Charl Devenish
Lieutenant Colonel Dr Rifa Tshivhase, Head of the Department of Surgery at 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein, addressed graduates within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State on 10 December 2024.
Momentous and joyous – these are some of the words used to describe the December 2024 graduations at the University of the Free State (UFS). In celebration of the academic achievements of its students, the UFS hosted graduation ceremonies at the Callie Human Centre on its Bloemfontein Campus from 9 to 10 December 2024.
Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, encouraged the graduates to always acknowledge and recognise the significance of this achievement as they transition from being UFS students to being UFS graduates.
Undergraduate and postgraduate achievements
At least 2000 undergraduate qualifications and postgraduate qualifications were conferred. As such, there were some standout academic achievements across the sessions. For instance, Itumeleng Pooe received his Advanced Diploma in Theology cum laude, making him the only graduate in the Faculty of Theology and Religion to receive his qualification with distinction during these graduations. In addition, Dr Bobuin Jr Valey Gemandze Oben – at just 28 years old – was the youngest PhD graduate from the Faculty of Law at the graduation ceremony, which took place on the morning of 9 December 2024.
Conferring Honorary Doctorates
Some highlights from these graduations were the recipients of honorary doctorates, as well as the keynote speakers. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the UFS conferred an honorary degree on Prof Murray Leibbrandt, Research Chair in Poverty and Inequality Research in the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). In addition, the Faculty of The Humanities at the UFS conferred an honorary degree on HE Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace, and Security.
On the final day of the graduations, graduates within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS were addressed by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Rifa Tshivhase, Head of the Department of Surgery at 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein. In her address, Lieutenant Colonel Dr Tshivhase encouraged and challenged the graduates to actively seek out good in the world.
As the December 2024 graduations concluded, several of the graduates within the Faculty of Health Sciences indicated that the most memorable moments in the session were the cheers and applause they received as they walked across the stage.
UFS Qwaqwa Campus honours research champions
2016-11-22
Best Emerging Researcher in the Faculty of
Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Dr Puseletso Mofokeng,
being congratulated by Drs Elsa Crause
(Campus Vice-Principal: Academic and Research)
and Dipane Hlalele
(Acting Campus Vice-Principal: Operations).
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Academic and Research Office on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State recently honoured innovative academics and leading researchers. The event was the highlight of the 2016 academic year and was aimed at recognising academic innovation, dedication, and hard work.
The winning academics and categories were:
CTL Awards:
Dr Emile Bredenhand – Design Your Course
Dr Marga Stander and Bianca Naude (joint winners) – Student Engagement
Dr Marga Stander – Research in Teaching and Learning (runner-up: Fani Radebe)
Wouter de Wet – Assessment Methods (runner-up: Ntebohiseng Sekhele)
Ben Mase – Technology (runner-up: Dr Jared McDonald)
The History Department – Departmental Award
Outstanding researchers were also honoured per faculty on the day.
Academic and Research Awards:
The winners were:
Habasisa Molise – Best Emerging Researcher (Faculty of Education)
Calvin Mudzingiri – Best Emerging Researcher (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences)
Dr Oliver Nyambi – Best Emerging Researcher (Faculty of the Humanities)
Dr Puseletso Mofokeng – Best Emerging Researcher (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences)
Dr Dipane Hlalele – Prolific Researcher (Faculty of Education)
Dr Jared McDonald – Prolific Researcher (Faculty of the Humanities)
Dr Tom Ashafa – Prolific Researcher (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences)
Prof Birhanu Dejene – Consistent Researcher
Prof Rodney Moffett – Life-long Researcher
The event also acknowledged Drs Geofrey Mukwada (Geography) and Aliza Le Roux (Zoology and Entomology) as newly-appointed Professors. The duo leads the Afromontane Research Unit.