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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 gives clarity on disciplinary action against students
2008-03-04
There seems to be some uncertainty about the course of the internal disciplinary steps the University of the Free State (UFS) is now taking against two current students in connection with the production of an extremely offensive and racist video which came to light last week.
Here is an explanation of the disciplinary steps:
The university’s legal representatives yesterday informed the student’s legal representatives that they are in the process of compiling a charge sheet against the two students. This was done in writing and no meetings took place between the lawyers.
The university’s legal representatives are in the process of compiling a charge sheet. When this charge sheet is finalised, it will be made available to the students’ legal representatives.
The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof. Frederick Fourie, is in the process of appointing a disciplinary committee.
Once the charge sheet has reached the students’ legal representatives, a date for the hearing will be arranged.
The criminal charges against the four students will be dealt with by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Enquiries can also be directed to:
Lacea Loader Mangaliso Radebe
Tel: 051 401 2584 Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 083 645 2454 Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
Media Release
Issued by: Mr Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za
4 March 2008