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29 October 2024 | Story Jacky Tshokwe | Photo Supplied
RAiN Automate Innovate Challenge 2024
The University of the Free State accounting students rise to the challenge in the RAiN Automate to Innovate Challenge.

The School of Accountancy at the University of the Free State (UFS) is leading a forward-thinking initiative by introducing the RAiN Automate to Innovate Challenge in 2024. This marks the first time that the UFS has run this challenge, and it is already making waves in the accounting education landscape. As one the few Accountancy department in South Africa to host such an event, the UFS is paving the way for technological integration in the academic world, setting the stage for future inter-university competitions.

The RAiN Automate to Innovate Challenge invited second-year BAcc students enrolled in the EIDE2724 module to participate in groups of three to four. Their task was to identify and solve a real-world problem related to either students or business by developing a robotic process automation (RPA) bot using Power Automate.

The challenge followed an exploratory learning approach, empowering students to dive into the world of automation with minimal formal lecturing. This approach develops students’ creativity and problem-solving skills. The students worked hard to master Power Automate and applied their knowledge to build automation bots that successfully solved business and student life problems.

Presentations and the final showdown

After presenting their bots on 10, 11, and 14 October, the top six groups were announced in class, eagerly awaiting the grand finale. The final round took place on 18 October from 12:00 to 14:00, where the top six groups competed head-to-head.

A distinguished panel of judges, consisting of three judges from RAiN Auditors and three from the UFS, evaluated the bots based on creativity, functionality, and potential impact. By the end of the event, the winning groups were announced, and the following prizes were awarded:

  • First place: R1 500 each
  • Second place: R1 200 each
  • Third place: R1 000 each

The prizes were generously sponsored by RAiN Auditors, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation in education.

Looking ahead

As the first South African university to run this type of challenge, the UFS aims to inspire other institutions across the country to follow suit. The School of Accountancy is eager to expand this competition, with the hope of challenging other universities in 2025 and beyond, creating a platform for students to showcase their technical skills and business acumen in the rapidly evolving field of accounting.

Stay tuned for the impact and future growth of the RAiN Automate to Innovate Challenge, where we continue to push boundaries and prepare the next generation of accountants to excel in a digital world.

For more insight into the competition, check out the video recap [here](insert Vimeo link). Be sure to explore the image gallery, showcasing the incredible work and teamwork of our students.

Check out the video here for more details.

News Archive

UFS/PUK Intervarsity - Results
2009-08-04

 KOVSIES / PUKKE INTERVARSITY 2009: UITSLAE / RESULTS  
           
  SPORT SPANNE                                                     TEAMS   UITSLAE / RESULTS
        PUKKE KOVSIES
1 GHOLF  /  GOLF MANS / MEN   4.5 1.5
           
  KARATE MANS / MEN   * *
    DAMES / LADIES   * *
2 BASKETBAL / BASKETBALL PUK UFS 40 72
3 PLUIMBAL/ BADMINTON PUK 1 KOVSIES 1 5 0
4   PUK 2 KOVSIES 2 5 0
5 VLUGBAL / VOLLEYBALL PUK KOVSIES 1 3
6 MUURBAL / SQUASH PUK UFS 2 4
  LANDLOOP / CROSS COUNTRY UV Mans / UFS Men PUK Mans * *
    UV Vroue / UFS Women PUK Vroue * *
  BASKETBAL / BASKETBALL UV Mans / UFS Men PUK Mans * *
7 SOKKER                               FOOTBALL UFS 1 MEN ALS PUK MEN 1 1
8 SOCCER     * *
9       * *
10 TENNIS UV MANS / UFS MEN PUK MANS * *
12 HOKKIE                               HOCKEY PUK 1 (V) KOVSIES (V) 3 0
13 HOCKEY PUK 2 (V) REDS (V) 4 1
14   PUK 1 (M) KOVSIES 1 (M) 3 1
15   PUK 2 (M) REDS (M) 1 3
16   VMN SOETDORING 1 0
17   WANDA VMN * *
18   REPUBLIEK WNB * *
19   OOSTERHOF HOBHOUSE * *
20   EXCELSIOR VERITAS 0 1
21   PATRIA TKV * *
22 NETBAL                              NETBALL PUK 1 KOVSIES 1 34 43
23 NETBALL PUK O/21 KOVSIES 3 24 31
24   PUK O/19 A KOVSIES 4 39 34
    PUK 2 KOVSIES 2 33 45
    PUK O/19 B HOBHOUSE 35 12
    EIKENHOF SONNEDOU 21 18
    KASTEEL ROOSMARYN 2 20 9
    DINKI MARJOLEIN 21 11
    OOSTERHOF ROOSMARYN 1 21 8
25   WANDA SOETDORING 1 26 3
26   KARLIEN SOETDORING 2 31 7
27   KLAWERHOF VMN 17 14
28   BELLATRIX WNB 19 16
29   MINJONETTE WNB 27 6
30 RUGBY PUK 1 SHIMLAS 20 6
31   IBBIES IRAWAS 21 6
32   PUK O/21 UV O/21 20 9
33   PUK O/19 UV O/19 12 8
34   PATRIA ARMENTUM 22 12
35   VILLAGERS KAREE 9 8
36   DE WILGERS VERITAS 27 7
37   HEIMAT VISHUIS 5 17
38   OVERS JBM 18 21
39   VERITAS  HEIMAT 11 15
  INTERVARSITY OPSOMMING / SUMMARY 2009    
        PUKKE KOVSIES
  WEDSTRYDE / GAMES     37 37
  GEWEN / WON     25 11
  VERLOOR / LOST     11 25
  GELYK / DRAWN     1 1

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