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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!
Health's service learning showcased
2007-10-29
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The Department of Community Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) held a function to thank stakeholders for their contributions throughout the year. A DVD, entitled: "Community Service Learning" was also launched. The DVD showcases the community service work of respectively the School of Allied Health Professions, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing in the faculty. At the occasion were, from the left: Dr Mabel Erasmus (Head of the Division: Community Service Learning in the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development at the UFS), Dr Santie van Vuuren (Head: School of Allied Health Professions at the UFS), Prof. Anita van der Merwe (Head: School of Nursing at the UFS), Dr Brenda de Klerk (Chairperson of community service learning in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS) and Ms Monique Nel (Community Service Co-ordinator in the faculty).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
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