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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!
Law Teachers Congress, University of the Free State
2005-01-14
The Congress of the Society of Law Teachers of Southern Africa (17-20 January 2005) to be hosted by Free State University's Faculty of Law, promises to be the largest gathering of the Society yet. No less than fifty papers will be delivered, including no less than twenty-five legal fields of specialisation. The Congress aims at providing an ideal platform for collegial interaction and a wonderful opportunity for more experienced academics to assist newer colleagues to establish themselves in the academic arena. The Faculty of Law, UFS is hosting the Congress as part of the University's Centenary celebrations, celebrating 100 years of excellence in education. In the words of Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty: "As law teachers, we are aware of the ever increasing importance of the role that we need to play in making the law a dynamic and vibrant part of our societies -; this is exemplified by the theme of the Congress, which is "Law in Action".
See website of the Faculty of Law, UFS for more details.