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31 January 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied
Michelle de Lange
Michelle De Lange: The winner of the ‘Elite University Educator’ award announced at the first AICPA & CIMA CGMA Professional Awards Africa ceremony.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has proudly clinched two prestigious awards at the inaugural Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Leadership Award ceremony. Organised by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, comprising AICPA and CIMA, this event recognises the outstanding contributions to the finance and accounting industry on the continent.

Top university accolade

UFS secured the coveted CGMA Leadership Award for ‘Excellent University Partner (Top 10 in Africa).’ This accolade underscores the institution's commitment to advancing the finance and accounting sector. The presentation took place at the awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on 24 November 2023, marking a significant achievement for the UFS.

Prof Frans Prinsloo, Vice-Dean of Learning, Teaching, Innovation, and Digitalisation in the Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) Faculty at the UFS, views the award as a testament to the alignment of the academic programmes with the standards of leading professional accountancy bodies in South Africa, including the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Prinsloo stated, “We have worked diligently to align our academic programmes with the requirements of key potential professional bodies, positioning ourselves as an educator of choice. This recognition, alongside our other accreditations, confirms our success in achieving this goal.”

A global educator recognised

Further enhancing the UFS’s recognition, Michelle de Lange, Lecturer in the School of Accountancy and Programme Coordinator of the B.Com Honours in Management Accounting, received the ‘Elite University Educator of the Year Award’ in the CGMA Leadership Award category. Nominated by her students and colleagues, De Lange expressed her honour and surprise at winning, highlighting her commitment to delivering valuable content to her students.

De Lange shared her perspective, stating, “To compete against phenomenal educators was a privilege, and winning signifies that my efforts are making a positive impact on students and colleagues alike.”

According to Prinsloo and De Lange, these accolades affirm the institution’s dedication to producing top-class accountancy and finance graduates.

News Archive

UFS mourns the passing away of Prof. Leo Barnard
2009-04-02

It is with sadness that the management of the University of the Free State (UFS) heard about the death of Prof. Leo Barnard. He passed away yesterday afternoon in the George Medi-Clinic as a result of cancer.

Prof. Barnard was associated with the UFS for many years and was Head of the university’s Department of History from 1997–2008. He was appointed as research associate at the department after his retirement last year.

“Prof. Barnard was one of the few military historicists in South Africa. He was amongst others a member of the South African Historical Society and also served on several professional organisations such as The South African Academy for Science and Arts,” said Prof. André Wessels, Head of the Department of History at the UFS.

He served on the editorial committee of the Journal for Contemporary History, an accredited academic journal published by the Department of History at the UFS. He was editor of this journal for ten years. “Prof. Barnard played an important role in the development of the journal, especially in the publishing of special editions. When he passed away, he was working on the latest edition of the journal, which deals with the so-called border war,” said Prof. Wessels.

Prof. Barnard was especially well-known for his mentorship to Master’s and Doctoral students. “At the time of his death he was still providing guidance to students,” said Prof. Wessels.

Prof. Barnard did a lot of research and writing for the UFS’s centenary publication, From Grey to Gold – The first 100 years of the University of the Free State.

“We also sympathise with Mrs Renaldine Barnard and the couple’s four daughters, Eda, Arina, Leona and Elfrieda, their two sons in law and one grandchild. Prof. Barnard has left a gap in the hearts of the people who knew and worked with him at the UFS,” said Prof. Wessels.

The memorial service will be held on Friday, 3 April 2009 in the community hall of Vleesbaai in the Western Cape.

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
1 April 2009
Prof. Leo Barnard

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