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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!
UFS appoints new Vice-Rector
2007-12-04
The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) has recently approved the appointment of Prof. Driekie Hay, currently Dean: Academic Development at the Central University of Technology (CUT), as Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS. Prof. Hay will commence with her duties on 1 January 2008.
Prof. Hay is appointed in the place of Prof. Magda Fourie who accepted a position at the University of Stellenbosch.
Before her appointment at the CUT in March 2004, Prof. Hay was the Director of the UFS Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) for a number of years. She was also involved with the Grow Our Own Timber project of the UFS. She obtained her Ph.D. in 1997 and has a strong research profile.
“Prof. Hay obtained valuable experience in senior management the past four years at the CUT, among others as acting vice-rector. Her understanding of academic planning and her exceptional expertise in staff development and
teaching-learning development makes her a very suitable candidate for the position,” said Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
“She also indicated that she has an exceptional talent for handling diversity and service delivery. She has an understanding of transformation in the context of the UFS and can play an important role in the university’s transformation process,” said Prof. Fourie.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
4 December 2007