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15 February 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo SUPPLIED
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.
Businessmen based in Gauteng visited Campus
2006-05-10
A group of prominent businessmen based in Gauteng visited the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) as part of a project to build relationships and to introduce them to the UFS.
At the back from the left are Mr Vuyo Jack (chief executive officer and founder of Empowerdex), Dr Ezekiel Moraka (Vice-Rector: Student Affairs at the UFS), Mr Mavuso Msimang (chief executive officer of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA)), and Mr Peter Malungani (chairman of PEU Investments). In front are Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS), Mr Moss Mashishi (chairman of Matemuku Investments), Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS), Mr Moses Kgosana (chairman of KPMG) and Mr Quentin Eister (chief executive officer of Interstate Bus Lines and chairman of the Black Management Forum in the Free State).