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Head of International Scholarships selected for prestigious US International Visitor Leadership Programme

03 September 2024 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Lunga Luthuli

Mbali Moiketsi, Head of International Scholarships, Marketing, and Web Content in the University of the Free State’s (UFS’s) Office for International Affairs, has been selected to participate in the prestigious US International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP). The programme, which runs from 13 September to 7 October 2024, is a significant professional exchange initiative, with participants nominated by US embassies globally rather than applying directly.

“Being selected for the IVLP represents a remarkable milestone that fills me with pride and a sense of accomplishment,” Moiketsi said in reaction to her selection.

The IVLP focuses on fostering partnerships between African universities and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Moiketsi outlined key objectives, including establishing long-term collaborations that extend beyond the programme and exchanging best practices in various areas such as university administration and community engagement. “Through this programme, sustainable long-term partnerships will be ensured, to provide mutual benefits for African universities and HBCUs,” she said.

Moiketsi said these partnerships will enhance global recognition of both African universities and HBCUs. She plans to implement specific initiatives during her IVLP experience, such as identifying research interests that align with both institutions' strengths and needs, and establishing connections with key stakeholders. “I aim to encourage a partnership between UFS and HBCUs and identify grants and scholarships to support these initiatives,” she explained.

She cited the collaboration between Howard University and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town as exemplifying a successful existing partnership, one that has led to faculty exchanges and joint research projects over the past decade. “This partnership has yielded joint publications and shared conferences, serving as a model for internationalisation at UFS.”

Moiketsi believes international partnerships can significantly enrich students’ academic and cultural experiences. She emphasised the importance of exchange programmes that include cultural immersion and exposure to diverse teaching styles.

Ultimately, she hopes her involvement in the IVLP will result in enhanced opportunities for students at the UFS and contribute to a broader culture of collaboration among African universities, primarily by expanding access to higher education through scholarship programmes and collaborative initiatives.

“I hope to foster strong international research collaborations and strengthen processes through the adoption of best practices,” she concluded.

News Archive

Future Leader’s Award 2017 goes to UFS Quantity Surveying student

2017-08-11

Celebrating big achievements in the construction
sector at the recent Association of South African
Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) conference are, from
the left: Cameron Ferreira, junior lecturer in the
UFS Department of Quantity Surveying,
Jhon Thatcher, former UFS student in the same
department who was the second runner-up for the
Gold Medal Award, Dr Stephan Ramabodu, President
of ASAQS, Gerné Bothma, former student in the
department and winner of the Future Leaders’
Award 2017, and Pierre Oosthuizen, UFS lecturer in
the same department.
Photos: Supplied

The Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS) made good on its promise to develop independent and critical-thinking graduates who will become leaders in their field. At the recent Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) conference and gala dinner, two students from the department, Gerné Botma and Jhon Thatcher, received awards for their outstanding performance.

Best of the best
Botma received the ASAQS Future Leaders’ Award (2017), an award based on academic achievement in the first three years of study. He competed with nominees from universities across South Africa offering Quantity Surveying programmes, and was the winner in this category.

Thatcher was a second runner-up for the ASAQS Gold Medal Award (being in the top three Quantity Surveying students in South Africa). This is awarded on a number of criteria, including academic achievement. Fourth-year students from all the universities in South Africa offering Quantity Surveying programmes compete for this award, and must display achievement in categories such as academia, leadership, community engagement, and general interests. In 2016, the Gold Medal Award was won by the UFS student, Kamogelo Leeuw.

Keeping abreast of developments
Today, organisations are relying on its members to stay ahead of issues, technologies, innovations and trends. In Quantity Surveying, to keep abreast of developments in the built environment, ASAQS was established as a voluntary association, with one of its goals being advancing and promoting the science and practice of Quantity Surveying. ASAQS works in close collaboration with its member firms, tertiary institutions, and the South African Council for Quantity Surveying Professions (SACQSP), a statutory body that oversees and regulates the profession, and accredit Quantity Surveying programmes in South Africa.

Two staff members from the UFS Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management, Cameron Ferreira and Pierre Oosthuizen, attended the recent ASAQS annual conference. Ferreira, a junior lecturer in the department, is the current Chapter Chairperson of the Free State for ASAQS and Oosthuizen, a lecturer in the department, is the former Chapter Chairperson.

According to Ferreira, they attended the conference to keep abreast of the latest development within the industry. “The event also served as a great networking opportunity for the UFS to build partnerships with other industry pioneers,” she said. Making use of opportunities such as these is in line with the UFS’s pursuit of lifelong learning.

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