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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!
Business people visit the UFS
2009-05-25
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A group of prominent business people from prestigious companies recently visited the University of the Free State (UFS). According to Ms Cathy Castagno from the UFS, the aim of this visit was to introduce business people like these to the good work that is being done on the campus. The group visited, amongst others, the Unit for Students with Disabilities, the new Computer Laboratory and the Beds of Hope Project. After visiting the Beds of Hope Project and the Unit for Students with Disabilities, Dr Phogolo Sethole, Director: Business Development of Prudential Portfolio Managers, said that there were certain things that one could not change but that one had to add value to. Mr Ram Barkai, CEO of the Cadiz Financial Strategy Group, was also impressed by the work that is done at the UFS. Present at the occasion were, from the left: Mr Barkai, Prof. Teuns Verschoor (Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS), Mr Jospeh Kganakga (Managing Director: Recruitment and Advertising from Saatchi & Saatchi) and Dr Sethole.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |