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29 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Zola Valashiya
Nearly a decade ago, Zola Valashiya completed his LLB at UFS and is currently working towards his second LLM in Technology and Innovation at the Seattle University School of Law.

Zola Valashiya graduated from the UFS almost ten years ago with an LLB. Since then, amid life’s twists and turns, he obtained an LLM from the University of Washington, secured a job with a successful law firm in the US, and married the love of his life. Currently, Zola is pursuing a second LLM in Technology and Innovation with the Seattle University School of Law.

Following the advice of a dear friend, Zola figured out what drives him and pursued it relentlessly. “This very simple piece of advice taught me the value of my time, and how much power you take back when you prioritise and protect it,” he remarks.

Advancing the greater good

Fast forward nine-plus years since UFS graduation day, Zola works as a strategic adviser at Coopersmith Law + Strategy, a boutique firm in Seattle specialising in health care, global health, gender/racial equality, and climate health.

“The legal work I do involves various tasks, from drafting legal contracts to conducting data analysis, and developing business strategies for deploying new technologies in health systems or addressing climate change. I value this environment because our efforts are focused on advancing the greater good. I have the opportunity to work on projects that I know will benefit individuals, communities, and the planet,” says Zola.

One of the highlights of his career occurred during the pandemic when he played a key role in preserving one of the largest US training programmes for physicians from diverse backgrounds who serve marginalised communities.

He explains, “The pandemic placed a strain on health-care systems worldwide, leading to cost-cutting measures in private hospitals, the termination of community health programmes, and the closure of small clinics in remote areas, in order to recover from the financial losses. However, these programmes and clinics are vital to the communities they serve because the nurses and doctors are often the only health-care providers for miles around. My contributions have helped to ensure the programme’s continuation, and the continued delivery of quality health care to underserved communities.”

Diversifying his skill set

For the future, Zola says he is working towards diversifying his skill set. “The modern-day lawyer needs to know more than just the law. I have learned coding skills, and I am currently focused on expanding my knowledge of artificial intelligence. In so doing, I am equipping myself with the necessary tools and expertise to thrive in this rapidly evolving field, thereby future-proofing my career.

News Archive

CHSR&D turns 10
2003-10-07

The Centre for Health Systems Research & Development (CHSR&D) was established at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 1993. The Centre came about due to recognition of a longstanding tradition of research and training in medical sociology/sociology of health and health care in the Department of Sociology. The Centre was founded specifically to meet the dire need for social scientific and operational research and related skills in the field of health and health care.

Since then the Centre has shown unremitting growth and expansion in terms of staffing, projects, the scope and diversity of its research and development activities, and its financial standing. The establishment and development of the Centre has indeed been marked by progressive entrepreneurship within the academic environment. Today the Centre has an established reputation and a continuously expanding market and clientele for its services and products. After ten years of successful operation, the CHSR&D can lay claim to commendable experience and expertise in a number of study fields and methodological approaches.

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