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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

UFS to host second Global Leadership Summit
2015-07-02

 

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The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) will be held at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses between 5 July and 17 July 2015.

More than 103 international delegates from various universities in Asia, the United States, and Europe, as well as 40 student delegates from the University of the Free State, are expected to attend.

Keynote speakers will include local and international academics, thought leaders, and local celebrities, such as Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Zelda le Grange and Donna Walker-Kuhne.  This is the second time that the UFS hosts the GLS. The first time was in July 2012, when it was a great success and was attended by about 160 international and local delegates. 

This year, panel discussions and workshops will focus on gender issues, citizenship and leadership, race relations and interfaith leadership. The summit will strengthen formal and informal international academic partnerships, sharing the emerging UFS international network with its partner organisations, while expanding opportunities for new cooperative initiatives, and enhancing international exposure of UFS staff and students by creating opportunities for vibrant intercultural interaction and exchange on campus. 

New possibilities for participation in international research partnerships in diverse research areas will be explored, as well as issues relating to diversity and transformation and the exchange of ideas and international experiences that contribute to the rethinking of curricula and educational approaches in Higher Education.

As part of the programme, delegates will visit the Qwaqwa Campus on 10 July 2015, where they will interact with the leadership of the campus, its staff and students and enjoy the arts and cultural experience of the Eastern Free State.  The summit will end with a visit to various sites in Bloemfontein, where delegates will engage in community-based outreach activities in disadvantaged communities around the city.

More about the Global Leadership Summit

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