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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!
Racial integration at student residences at the UFS
2007-07-25
The University of the Free State (UFS) takes note of the memorandum handed to the management by representatives of the Freedom Front Plus this morning (25 July 2007) on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
According to the Vice-Rector: Student Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Moraka, the UFS management will thoroughly discuss the memorandum at their next meeting.
Dr Moraka said the point of departure of the new guidelines is for students to learn to embrace diversity and to develop an appreciation for the humanity of their fellow students.
As far as consultation is concerned, Dr Moraka said that the affected students and student leaders were consulted. This includes groups such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Main Campus, residence primes, residence heads and student organisations such as the Freedom Front Plus Kovsies and Sasco.
It nevertheless seems that there is still no agreement on this matter and the UFS management will give attention to this.
About the integration of residences Dr Moraka said the UFS management is convinced that this decision is in the educational and career interest of students.
The management would not like to exclude interest groups. Therefore students, alumni and other interest groups can still make an input to make a success of the implementation of the guidelines.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs..ac.za
25 July 2007