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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!
Alumni get together on Bloemfontein Campus
2012-08-22
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At the Kovsie Alumni Trust’s Prestige Evening were, from the left: Mr Gerhard van Rhyn, Deputy Director: Marketing at the UFS; Anton Botha, Chairperson of the Kovsie Alumni Trust; Mr Francois Strydom, Managing Director of Senwes; Prof. Hendri Kroukamp, Dean: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences; and Justice Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council.
Photo: Dries Myburgh
22 August 2012
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Kovsie alumni from around the country came together for the Kovsie Alumni Trust’s Prestige Evening at the Bloemfontein Campus recently. At the event donors were thanked for their contributions to the university. Mr Francois Strydom, Managing Director of Senwes and also a former Kovsie, was the guest speaker. Strydom shared strategic processes at his company with guests and also talked about his relationship with the university. He praised the university for what’s happening at the institution and committed to broaden cooperation with his alma mater to the advantage of the community.