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18 November 2024 | Story Jacques Maritz | Photo Supplied
Muhammad Cassim
Muhammad Cassim, a second-year student in the Department of Engineering Sciences in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Muhammad Cassim, a second-year student in the Department of Engineering Sciences in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State, will participate in the winter university project in Pskov, Russia, from 25 November to 9 December 2024.

The winter school aims to strengthen relationships among young engineers and deepen international interaction via skills improvement, joint projects, and social cohesion. The programme boasts a densely packed education block, project block, and cultural block.

Cassim is part of the UFS Grid Related Research Group and actively participates in research centred on complexity science. He intends to complete his BSc Physics degree with Engineering subjects and progress towards postgraduate studies in the UFS Department of Physics.

He is currently working on verifying experimental developments in the field of synchronisation in complex networks. While he has already completed this high-performance computing training in his first year under the leadership of Albert van Eck (Director, UFS E-research), he is looking forward to the masterclasses in holographic modelling, deep learning, direct laser deposition, and database. Closely resembling his current research, he will have the opportunity to gain more experience in the use of set theory and graph theory in solving digital information processing problems.

For more information about international scholarships for study abroad opportunities, contact Mbali Moiketsi in the Office for International Affairs.

Cassim’s student profile is the culmination of the department’s strategy to produce young applied scientists who are subjected to the culture of research during their undergraduate study and could articulate with ease to other departments for postgraduate studies.  The department aims to align with the UFS’ Vision 130 by producing competitive students who can operate in the postgraduate paradigm with the digital themes of veterinary science and ecological engineering science.  

News Archive

South African universities: Political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence?
2009-02-11

Joint statement by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) and The South African Academy for Science and Arts

Are South African universities political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence? This is the theme of an international symposium that will be presented on 26 and 27 February 2009 by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with The South African Academy for Science and Arts on the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein.

Several renowned speakers such as Prof. Fernand de Varennes (of the Murdoch Law School, Perth, Australia), Prof. Stef Coetzee (former rector of the UFS and presently the executive director of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI)) and Dr Franklin Sonn (chancellor of the UFS) will take part in the discussion. Matters like diversity, transformation and conflict management, alienation, tolerance, conciliation and solutions will be debated. Members of the Convocation and the Academy are invited to attend and take part in the discussion.

The symposium commences on Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 19:00 in the Centenary Complex with a reception and opening address by Dr Sonn. On Friday, 27 February 2009 from 08:00 the discussion of the theme takes place in the Senate Hall, CR Swart Building. The proceedings are expected to last until 17:00.

A complete list of the speakers and the titles of their addresses are available on request.  

Due to limited seating interested persons are advised to confirm their attendance with Ms Kathy Verwey at 051 401 9343 / verweyke.stg@ufs.ac.za .

Full programme

SA Universities:  Political Flashpoints or Centres of Academic  Excellence? – 26-27 February 2009

P R O G R A M
Chairperson: Judge Joos Hefer
Sponsors: The Centre for Financial Planning Law UFS
The Kovsie Alumni Trust

Thursday 26 February

19:00                           Welcome: Judge  Joos Hefer (President Convocation UFS)
19:10                           Welcome:  Prof. Theuns Verschoor (Acting Rector UFS)
19:20 - 19:50               Dr. Franklin Sonn (Chancellor UFS)
19:50 - 20:20               Mr. Dave Steward (Executive Director, F.W. de Klerk Foundation)
20:25                           Reception

Friday 27 February

08:30 - 09:10               Prof. Fernand de Varennes (Murdoch School of Law)
09:10 - 09:20               Discussion
09:20 - 09:50               Prof. Stef Coetzee (Former UFS Rector)
09:50 - 10:00               Discussion
10:00 - 10:20               Interval
10:20 - 10:50               Prof. Annette Combrink (Rector, NWU, Potch-campus)
10:50 - 11:00               Discussion
11:00 - 11:30               Prof. Pieter Kapp (President, Convocation, US)
11:30 - 11:40               Discussion
11:40 - 12:10               Mr. Sean Moodley (CEO, Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust)
12:10 - 12:20               Discussion
12:20 - 12:50               Dr. Dirk Hermann (Deputy Executive Head: Development, Solidarity)
12:50 - 13:00               Discussion
13:00 - 14:00               Lunch
14:00 - 14:30               Prof. Marlene  Verhoef (Director Institutional Language Directorate NWU)
14:30 - 14:40               Discussion
14:40 - 15:10               Dr. Danny Titus (Executive Director: Culture ATKV)
15:10 - 15:20               Discussion
15:20 - 15:50               Interval
15:50 - 16:20               Prof. Hennie van Coller (Head Dept. Afrikaans, Dutch. German and French UFS, Chairperson SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns)
16:20 - 16:30               Discussion
16:30                           General discussion: Dilemma or opportunities?
17:00                           Close


 Statement by:

Judge Joos Hefer
President of the Convocation
Tel: 051 436 1843
Cell: 083 630 1395
E-mail: jjfhefer@telkomsa.net  

Prof Jacques van der Elst
Chief Executive Officer
The South African Academy for Science and Arts
Tel: 012 328 5082
Cell: 082 8807636
E-mail: jvde@akademie.co.za  

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
10 February 2009

Dr Franklin Sonn,
Chancellor of the University of the Free  State.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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