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Zola Valashiya’s journey of professional growth and impact

29 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

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

Expansion to Physics building officially opened on Bloemfontein Campus

2016-05-06

The newly-opened addition to the Physics Building on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Charl Devenish

An extension to the Department of Physics at the University of the Free State (UFS) was officially opened on the Bloemfontein Campus on 20 April 2016.

“This started off about five years ago when we were talking about not having enough room for large classes. Prof Matie Hoffman suggested that we build a large lecture room on our parking space,” said Prof Hendrik Swart, Professor in the Department of Physics as he addressed guests at the official opening ceremony.

“A year later, we received a Sarchi Research Chair [South African Research Chairs Initiative] on Advanced and Luminescent Materials. We needed more office and laboratory space. The two ideas were combined and presented to the university’s senior management,” he added.

When the university was founded in 1904, Prof James Lyle was appointed to head up the Physics and Chemistry departments. Five years later, a single room was allocated for the Physics laboratory in the main building upon its completion. In 1947, the old Physics building was designed and constructed. Fast forward 69 years, the department has reached another milestone. Facilities accommodated by the expansion include a new telescope for astrophysics experiments, a basement for storing old equipment, as well as a sliding trap door which allows heavy goods to be elevated into the building from the ground floor. The telescope is one of the many unique features of the building given its capacity to expose graduate students to the basic techniques of radio astronomy, especially in light of the fact that the SKA (Square Kilometre Array) project which is in progress.

“Our department is extremely strong at this stage, and a bright future lies ahead,” said Prof Koos Terblans, the Head of Department. The opening also served to celebrate the 103 publications achieved by the department last year.

Dr Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic is proud of the heights reached by the department to date. “The Department of Physics is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the crown of our university, and we are very proud of its developments. Universities are built on legacies, and they are also about change, which is what this department has been demonstrating.”

The expansions to the building with its top-class facilities, was constructed at a cost of R25 million – an infrastructure grant courtesy of the Department of Higher Education and Training.

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