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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!
UFS signs co-operation agreement with Thailand's Mahasarakam University
2009-02-26
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The Higher Education Studies and Research Division of the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently had the honour of hosting an academic delegation from Thailand which visited the UFS from 19 to 24 February 2009. The Dean and Associate Deans of the Faculty of Accountancy and Management at the Mahasarakam University visited the UFS to discuss areas of co-operation and exchange and to sign a letter of intent between the two universities supporting the formalisation process. This follows a successful postdoctoral study by one of their colleagues, Dr Ubonwan Rawd-iam, at the UFS. Dr Rawd-iam has engaged in an interdisciplinary study in Higher Education Studies and Economic and Management Sciences. Dr Rawd-iam is also an associate dean at the Faculty of Accountancy and Management at the Mahasarakam University. Pictured are, from the left: Prof. Phapruke Ussahawanitchakit (Dean of the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Mahasarakam University) and Prof. Teuns Verschoor (Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, UFS).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |