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Communication students get career guidance and a glimpse into Vision 130

17 May 2024 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Sonia Small

UFS Humanities graduate, ready to make a mark in the world.

The Faculty of The Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS), in line with the goals of Vision 130, hosted a dynamic career webinar on Thursday 9 May. This event, organised by the Department of Communication Science, offered invaluable guidance and inspiration to students pursuing Communication Science degrees as their future career path.

The webinar featured a lineup of successful alumni who shared their diverse career paths within the ever-evolving communication landscape. Students gained practical insights from these experienced professionals, fostering a clearer understanding of the vast opportunities available to them. A particular highlight of the event was a presentation by Dr Phumzile Mmope, whose powerful and motivational graduation speech continues to resonate with many. Dr Mmope, a renowned expert in leadership communication, generously volunteered her time to address the students. This act embodied the spirit of mentorship and community that Vision 130 seeks to cultivate.

Beyond offering career guidance, the webinar served as a powerful symbol of the UFS' dedication to excellence and societal impact, as outlined in Vision 130. By connecting current students with accomplished alumni and promoting a culture of volunteerism, the Faculty of The Humanities empowers graduates to become well-rounded professionals equipped to make a significant difference in the world and contribute meaningfully to society.

A glimpse into the future of communication

The webinar not only provided practical career advice, but also offered a glimpse into the future of communication. Alumni speakers discussed emerging trends and the evolving skillsets required for success in the field. Students gained a deeper understanding of how their communication degree can be leveraged in new and exciting ways, preparing them to thrive in this dynamic and ever-changing landscape.

A network of support

The webinar fostered a sense of community and support among communication students. By connecting them with successful alumni, the event showcased the diverse career possibilities that await graduates. Additionally, the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals provided valuable insights and inspiration, empowering students to navigate their career paths with confidence.

Vision 130: building a brighter future

This career webinar exemplifies the core principles of Vision 130. By prioritising student success, fostering mentorship, and promoting community engagement, the Faculty of The Humanities equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to become impactful leaders in the field of communication.

News Archive

Research on locomotion of giraffes valuable for conservation of this species

2016-08-23

Description: Giraffe research 2016 Tags: Giraffe research 2016

Technology was used in filming the giraffes.
According to research, giraffes will slow
down when a drone is positioned
approximately 20 - 30 m away. When the
drone moves closer, they will revert
to galloping.
Photo: Charl Devenish

The meaning of the Arab term Giraffe Camelopardalis is ‘someone who walks fast’. It is precisely this locomotion of their longnecks that encouraged researchers, Dr Francois Deacon and Dr Chris Basu, to study the animals more closely.

Despite the fact that giraffes are such well-known animals, very little research has been done on the manner in which these graceful animals locomote from one place to the next. There are only two known ways of locomotion: the slower lateral walking and the faster galloping. Most animals use these ways of moving forward. It is unknown why giraffes avoid intermediate-speed trotting.

Research of great value to the industry
Research on the manner in which giraffes locomote from one place to the next will assist the industry in understanding aspects such as their anatomy and function, as well as the energy they utilise in locomoting from one place to another. Information on the latter could help researchers understand where giraffes fit into the ecosystem. This data is of great value for large-scale conservation efforts.

Universities working together to collect data
Dr Basu, a veterinarian at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK, has studied the animals at a zoo park in the United Kingdom. He visited the University of the Free State (UFS) in order to expand his fieldwork on the locomotion of giraffes. This study was done in cooperation with Dr Deacon from the Department of Animal, Wildlife, and Grassland Sciences at the UFS. Dr Deacon is a specialist in giraffe habitat-related research in South Africa and other African countries.

The fieldwork for the research, which was done in the Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate and the Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve, preceded research on the movement and the forces involved in the locomotion of giraffes. Due to the confined fenced area in the zoo park, it was practically impossible to study the animals at speed. “The study of actions ‘faster than walking’ is crucial for gathering data on, inter alia, the frequency, length, and time associated with each step.

Technology such as drones offers unique
opportunities to study animals like giraffes.

Technology used to ensure accuracyTechnology such as drones offers unique opportunities to study animals like giraffes. Apart from the fact that it is possible to get high-quality video material of giraffes – moving at speed – it is also a very controlled device that ensures the accuracy of data.

It is the first time ever that a study has been done on the locomotion of giraffes with this level of detail.
Research on the study will be published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

The project was approved by the UFS ethics committee.

Previous research articles:

9 March 2016:Giraffe research broadcast on National Geographic channel
18 Sept 2015 Researchers reach out across continents in giraffe research
29 May 2015: Researchers international leaders in satellite tracking in the wildlife environment

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