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03 October 2024
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Story Ansie Barnard
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Photo Supplied
From left to right: Londeka Mkhwanazi, Semither Mkhize, Salima van Schalkwyk, Slindokuhle Ndlovu, Asanda Mpinga, Mantombi Molefe, Ntombinkulu Khumalo, Mosebjadi Chauke and Thembinkosi Mkhwanazi.
The Amrut Foundation, in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), successfully hosted its Inaugural Innovathon at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. This competition is designed to identify and support innovative products and services that not only generate profit but also contribute to the public good, with a strong emphasis on ethical business practices. Through this collaboration, students gain national exposure for their businesses and receive support to create sustainable social enterprises.
Five teams of student social entrepreneurs from the Qwaqwa campus were shortlisted to participate in the regional finals. Their selection was based on ventures that adhered to a social entrepreneurship model and demonstrated plans for long-term profitability and sustainability.
During the Innovathon, a panel of judges from the UFS, the Amrut Foundation, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) selected two outstanding teams to represent the UFS at the national finals, which will take place in October. The winning ventures, Biofly-Pro and Root Rescue were each awarded R20,000 to further develop and expand their initiatives.
Hemang Desai, Executive Director of the Amrut Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for the event: "Amrut is proud to co-host the Free State leg of the inaugural Innovation Challenge with the UFS. Supporting students with entrepreneurial ambitions that align with societal care is one of our key focus areas."
Dr Grey Magaiza, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director for the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the UFS, highlighted the importance of social entrepreneurship: “Social entrepreneurship is a collaborative effort towards creating sustainable and ethical business processes. The two winning projects embody these principles, and we look forward to their continued growth. In line with our Vision 130, social entrepreneurship can serve as a critical lever for university-community engagement.”
Congratulations to Biofly-Pro and Root Rescue on their well-deserved achievements!
All you need to know about UFS December graduations
2017-11-14
Qualifications up to honours degrees in all faculties, as well as the Business School,
Educational qualifications in Open Distance Learning, and master’s and doctoral
degrees will be conferred during the End-of-year Graduation Ceremonies of the
University of the Free State.
Photo: Johan Roux
The End-of-year Graduation Ceremonies at the University of the Free State (UFS) are taking place in December, and the Kovsie community is looking forward to the annual celebrations. To access information about it, visit the dedicated graduation home page.
The Bloemfontein Campus will welcome graduates, their parents, friends, and relatives for the festivities, which promises to be yet another prestigious occasion. The ceremonies are taking place on 6 and 7 December 2017 in the Callie Human Centre.
The degrees to be conferred include all qualifications up to honours degrees in the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences (including the Business School), Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Education, Law, the Humanities, Theology and Religion, Health Sciences, and Educational qualifications in Open Distance Learning (South Campus). Master’s and doctoral degrees in all faculties will also be conferred.
For information about the ceremonies, visit the graduation home page.