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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!
Extension of the academic calendar
2016-03-21
At the Senate meeting which was held on 29 February 2016, a resolution was taken to extend the academic calendar by one week to make up for the lost academic week as a result of the recent student protest action. In particular, it was decided that the commencement of the mid-year exams be postponed by one week. The Faculty of Health Sciences was the only faculty that was allowed to stick to the initial dates.
At its meeting of 2 March 2016, Rectorate discussed this matter and resolved to endorse the resolution of Senate, namely that the mid-year exams will be postponed by one week and that only the Faculty of Health Sciences can stick to the original dates as stipulated in the calendar.
Undergraduate lectures
(Excluding Faculty of Health Sciences)
First semester
Lectures start: 1 February 2016
Lectures end: 20 May 2016
8-credit modules
1 February 2016 - 1 April 2016
11 April 2016 - 20 May 2016
Holiday: 22 - 24 March 2016
Easter Weekend: 25 - 28 March 2016
Main mid-year examinations
Start: 23 May 2016
End: 11 June 2016
Additional mid-year examinations
Start: 13 June 2016
End: 4 July 2016
End of first semester: 8 July 2016
Holiday: 11 July 2016 - 15 July 2016
Second semester
Undergraduate lectures
(Excluding Faculty of Health Sciences)
Lectures start: 18 July 2016
Lectures end: 21 October 2016
8 Credit modules
18 July 2016 - 2 September 2016
5 September 2016 - 21 October 2016
Holiday: 3 - 7 October 2016
Main end-of-year examinations
Starts: 24 October 2016
Ends: 12 November 2016
Additional end-of-year examinations
Starts: 14 November 2016
Ends: 3 December 2016
End of Second Semester
9 December 2016
UFS holiday: 8 August 2016.
UFS recess from: 20 December 2016 - 3 January 2017.