Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Ibrahim Mahama engages with future artists during UFS visit

14 May 2024 | Story ANTHONY MTHEMBU | Photo Supplied

Ghanaian contemporary artist, Ibrahim Mahama, visited the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) to share insights with staff and students during his stay in the country.

Dr Adelheid Von Maltitz, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts at the UFS, highlighted the significance of Mahama’s visit which took place from 21 to 28 March 2024, marking the first instance of such interaction between a Fine Arts department in South Africa and Mahama. She remarked, “It is truly astounding that a person of his calibre dedicated time to focus on our department, and I believe this has catalysed a positive shift within our department.”

Mahama’s impactful presence at UFS

Dr Von Maltitz emphasised that Mahama’s visit aimed to offer staff and students a glimpse into his artistic process and mindset. During his time at the UFS, Mahama, who was virtually overseeing his latest recent large-scale artwork titled Purple Hibiscus, which involved wrapping the Barbican Centre in London, engaged extensively with staff and students from the department about their research. He shared insights into his creative journey, presented select works, and conducted critique sessions with fourth year and postgraduate students, among other activities. Dr Von Maltitz believes this interaction, particularly with students, has significantly bolstered their confidence as aspiring artists, preparing them for professional endeavours.

Broader implications and future prospects

Mahama’s visit not only energised the department’s academic environment but also holds broader implications. Dr Von Maltitz asserted that it will solidify the department’s identity nationally and create avenues for students to pursue residencies in countries like Ghana. Therefore, maintaining a fruitful relationship with Mahama remains a priority for the department.

Reflecting on the visit Dr Von Maltitz concluded, ‘’the key takeaway, especially for the students, was witnessing the potential of their works within the broader South African and international contexts. “

News Archive

Better education automatically leads to employment, right?

2014-07-24

The book ‘Education, Economy and Society’, by Salim Vally and Enver Motala, is about to be launched on the Bloemfontein Campus. The Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice will be hosting the event.

"In South Africa and elsewhere there exists an unquestioning acceptance of simplistic claims related to the link between education and economic growth and that more and better education and training will automatically lead to employment," states a quote from the cover of the book.

The contributors to this book systematically challenge these assumptions and set out the basis for an alternative vision. This vision embraces a much broader valuing of knowledge and skills that lead to an inclusive and transformed society. They also put forward different approaches to understanding the connections between education, unemployment, inequality and poverty.

‘Education, Economy and Society’ rigorously critiques conventional wisdom and offers a revised version of the relationship between education and society.

The public is welcome to attend the book launch.

Date: Friday 25 July 2014
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Venue: DF Malherbe House, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: vannestel@ufs.ac.za

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept