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Amrut Foundation hosts Inaugural Innovathon at UFS

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

Rag queen and Mr Rag crowned this year

2012-02-07

Rino Balsamo and Shivani Dhar

For the first time in the history of our university, there was a Mr Rag standing next to the Rag queen this year.

Kovsies Rag’s Community Service hosted the annual Rag Coronation Ball on Friday 3 February 2012. Shivani Dhar, a medical student, was crowned as Rag Queen.

Shivani takes over the crown from the 2011 Rag Queen Henrika Sabbagha who did an excellent job during her reign.

Rino Balsamo, who is doing a master’s degree in architecture, scooped the coveted title of Mr Rag.

Rino and Shivani will act as ambassadors for Rag and the university this year. They will attend public events and be closely involved in community service.

The Rag finalists collected more than R700 000 which will be used exclusively for charity organisations of their choice.

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