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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!
Free State Forum For Women
2007-06-26
The School of Medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS) presents:
Free State Forum For Women
Doctor, Help! My water is leaking. What do I do now?
Urine incontinence, the Social Dilemma of the Ageing Woman.
The first in a series of talks aimed at knowledge empowerment of the women in our society:
Date: Saturday, 21 July 2007
Time: 08:30 for 09:00 until about 11:00
Venue: Capstone Building, Boerneef Street, Langenhoven Park (opposite the Boeremark)
The programme will comprise of among others:
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Narratives on emotional experiences, self-esteem, social interaction and physical discomfort associated with urine incontinence;
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Explanation of the structure and functions of the pelvic floor, and why this happens with the modern woman;
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Exercises to do at your own time; and
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Medical and surgical treatment.
The presenters are Dr Lizeth Roets from the UFS School of Nursing, Dr Daleen Raubenheimer from the Department of Human Anatomy, Ms Berna De Kock from the Department of Human Movement Sciences and Prof. Hennie Cronjé from the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
Admission: R40,00 payable on entrance (this includes tea and refreshments). Men are welcome to attend.
Bookings can be made before/on 18 July 2007 with Annette 083 269 3105 or Salmie at 051 405 3555.
Talks will be presented quarterly on topics such as allergy in children, nutrition for babies, overweight and obesity, pregnancy in teenagers, breast cancer, burns, high blood pressure and stroke.