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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!
South African universities: Political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence?
2009-02-11
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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
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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
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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
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Dr Franklin Sonn,
Chancellor of the University of the Free State.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |
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