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03 October 2024 | Story Ansie Barnard | Photo Supplied
Amrut Foundation 2024
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! 

News Archive

Inaugural lecture focuses on intercultural communication
2005-03-15

Prof Johann de Wet, chairperson of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Communication and Information Studies, will deliver his inaugural lecture on Wednesday 16 March 2005 at 19:00 in the CR Swart Auditorium on campus.

The topic of the presentation is Meeting on the “narrow ridge” in intercultural communication.

Prof de Wet obtained the BA degree in 1977 at from the University of Cape Town, in 1982 an honors degree cum laude in Journalism from the University of  Stellenbosch, in 1985 an MA degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and in 1987 the D Litt Et Phil, also from UNISA.

His earlier professional life included being a diplomat stationed in Washington DC, and a SABC journalist.

Prof de Wet’s first stint in the academe was at UNISA (1983-1993) and the UFS (1993-1995).  He was an associate professor at both institutions.  Before returning to the UFS in 2001, Prof de Wet was director of communication in the public service, ministerial spokesperson at national and provincial levels, contributing editor of the Cape Argus, and communication consultant for various public and private sector institutions.

In his academic career of 16 years, Prof de Wet has authored/edited 12 scholarly books.  His other research outputs include some 20 accredited articles and scientific papers (national and international) respectively.  Much of his research has focused on persuasive and political communication, journalism and general communication theory. 

He is the founding and current editor of Communitas, a nationally-accredited academic journal on community communication and information impact.  He was appointed professor and chairperson of the Department of Communication and Information Studies at the UFS in January 2004.

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 March 2005

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