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15 February 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo SUPPLIED
Crespen Ndlovua nd Reabetswe Parkies
Crespen Ndlovu (PhD Research Fellow in the Higher Education and Human Development Research Group (HEHD) at the University of the Free State) and Reabetswe Parkies (Senior Officer in Marketing in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State).

The University of the Free State (UFS) proudly sent two PhD students to the inaugural ‘Swiss-African PhD Winter School on Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development,’ held by the Bern University of Applied Sciences Business School from 22 to 26 January 2024 in Switzerland. Representing UFS were Reabetswe Parkies, a Senior Officer in Marketing within the Faculty of Economics Management Sciences and Crespen Ndlovu, PhD Research Fellow in the Higher Education and Human Development Research Group (HEHD). They were among 30 PhD students selected across several African and European countries to attend the school on the institution’s campus. 

‘’The winter school was indeed a beacon of holistic learning, where the promotion of sustainable development was seamlessly woven into the fabric of academic exploration. It provided a platform to engage with sustainable development's complex challenges and explore innovative, actionable, and impactful research pathways,’’ said Parkies. 

The purpose of the winter school

The primary goal of the winter school was to convene PhD students specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship to foster research insights conducive to sustainable development. It served as a forum for interdisciplinary dialogue, enabling participants to exchange ideas aimed at advancing this common objective. Ndlovu noted the significance of considering both global and local perspectives on sustainability challenges, emphasising the crucial role of ethical considerations, equity, and inclusivity in propelling sustainability initiatives forward. 

Insights and experiences

In addition to collaborative discussions, the winter school facilitated activities such as the sharing and deliberation of individual research projects. A highlight for Ndlovu was the opportunity to engage with influential scholars like Prof Sophie Bacq from the International Institute for Management Development, who continues to inspire his work on social entrepreneurship and human development.

Parkies and Ndlovu both affirmed that the experience not only contributed to their personal growth but also provided valuable insights into their respective research projects. Ndlovu stressed the importance of ensuring research relevance across various scales to contribute effectively to broader sustainability goals while addressing localised needs. Parkies echoed this sentiment, underscoring the significance of impactful research in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. 

News Archive

UFS in forefront with ASGI-SA initiative
2006-05-10

At the conceptualisation colloquium and stakeholder dialogue were from the left Dr Aldo Stroebel (senior researcher at the UFS Research Development Directorate), Dr Edith Vries (acting Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Development Trust) and Prof Frans Swanepoel (Director: UFS Research Development Directorate).

UFS in forefront with ASGI-SA initiative

Two staff members of the University of the Free State (UFS) have been appointed as members of the advisory board of the national programme for the creation of small enterprises and jobs in the second economy.  This programme forms part of government’s Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGI-SA).

Prof Frans Swanepoel, Director of the UFS Research Development Directorate and Dr Aldo Stroebel, senior researcher at the UFS Research Development Directorate, are working with a team of experts from the UFS on a draft implementation strategy for the national programme.  Both Prof Swanepoel and Dr Stroebel are also associated to the UFS Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.
 
“The strategy is being developed in collaboration with institutions like the Independent Development Trust, the Department of Agriculture, the National Development Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry,” says Prof  Swanepoel.  

The other team members of the UFS are Prof Basie Wessels, Director of the  Mangaung-University Community Partnership Programme (MUCPP) and Mr  Benedict Mokoena, project manager at the MUCPP.

Dr Stroebel was also member of the organising committee of a conceptualisation colloquium and stakeholder dialogue that was recently presented in Johannesburg.  The conference was attended by more than 400 delegates from government departments, higher-education institutions and civil society, including Dr Kobus Laubscher, member of the UFS Council.

The conference was facilitated by Ms Vuyo Mahlati, previously from the WK Kellogg Foundation’s Africa programme and opened by Ms Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs.   

“The colloquium formed the basis of an induction workshop during which a group of 150 individuals (50 teams of three) from all nine provinces, identified to initiate the implementation of the national programme, was trained and orientated towards an induction manual in collaboration with Hand-in-Hand, an Indian counterpart,” says Prof Swanepoel.

Dr Stroebel and Mr Benedict Mokoena formed part of the team to conceptualise and finalise this training manual.  The induction training includes a case study of a successful community self-help partnership model, namely the MUCPP at the UFS. Prof Wessels and Mr Mokoena are both playing a leading role in the further development of subsequent training initiatives throughout South Africa, in partnership with the relevant provincial departments.

“The involvement of the UFS in the programme is a compliment to us.  It reflects the value government sees in the use of academics and experts in the management of the ASGI-SA initiative.  It is also an indication of one of the aims of the UFS to play a role in South Africa and Africa and in the transformation and change that is taking place in our country,” says Prof Swanepoel.  

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
10 May 2006

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