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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

Graduates encouraged to emulate the greats
2016-07-06

Description: z 2016 Winter grads Tags: z 2016 Winter grads

The University of the Free State Winter Graduation ceremonies
took place on 29 and 30 June 2016 on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

Trevor Manuel and Max du Preez among the recipients of honorary doctorates at UFS graduation 

Take up the challenge, make things happen, and emulate the greats. This was the overwhelming theme of messages from speakers to graduates at the Winter Graduation ceremonies of the University of the Free State (UFS).

According to Prof Joel Samoff, Professor in Africa Studies at Stanford University (USA), the graduands are the “new generation of analysts, researchers, and practitioners”, and should “assume the responsibility for keeping your senior colleagues on a productive path.” Prof Samoff, who received an honorary doctorate from the UFS on 30 June 2016, was the guest speaker at the afternoon graduation ceremony on 29 June 2016.

The UFS awarded a total of 482 Master’s and doctoral degrees on 30 June 2016 – 53 doctorates and 429 Master’s degrees – in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus. On 29 June 2016, diplomas were awarded in the School of Financial Planning Law, as well as certificates and diplomas in education on the South Campus.

“You are smarter
than you think.
Smarter than other
people think you
are, and smarter
than the country
thinks you are.”


Rise above South African standards

According to Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, South Africans have become use to a low standard of human decency, entertainment, and academics. He encouraged the graduates to rise above it.

“You are smarter than you think. Smarter than other people think you are, and smarter than the country thinks you are.”

Make impact like honorary doctorates

Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, asked the recipients of honorary doctorates, Prof Samoff, Max du Preez, Trevor Manuel and Dr Reuel Jethro Khoza, and of the two Chancellor’s medals, Antony Osler and Marguerite van der Merwe (née Osler), to face the graduates at the morning ceremony on 30 June 2016. “I challenge you to look at them and to emulate them,” he said. “May it transform you to be like them in 10, 15 or 20 years.”

Dr Mokhele thanks Prof Jansen as leader

Dr Mokhele made special mention of Prof Jansen, who will step down as Vice-Chancellor and Rector on 31 August 2016, as these were his last UFS graduations. He thanked Prof Jansen for his major contribution to transformation at the UFS. “You are not only a Vice-Chancellor, but also a project leader,” Dr Mokhele said.

 

Click here to see a photo gallery of the graduations.

Click here to see a list of distinctions and special awards.

 

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