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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

Interpreting implemented at UFS residences

2007-10-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) has begun to implement interpreting services at student residence meetings on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein, as part of the management of diversity and the racial integration of its residences.

As a pilot project, the interpreting services are being offered since the third term at Emily Hobhouse and Roosmaryn ladies residences, where a significant racial diversity already is present. From next year this service will be extended to all the student residences on the Main Campus.

The interpreting project is being managed by the Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice at the UFS.

“Students in training at the Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice and senior interpreters from the UFS are currently interpreting during residence meetings,” said Prof. Jackie Naudé, Departmental Chairperson of the UFS’s Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice.

“Students in these residences are given the opportunity to be trained to interpret during their residence meetings. Four students from each hostel are being trained as interpreters,” said Prof. Naudé.

According to Prof. Naudé both residences have meetings that take place on a Monday evening at 22:00. Interpreting is also provided at the first-year students’ meetings at Emily Hobhouse on Tuesday evenings.

The interpreters experience the interpreting at the residences as positively and they experience that students often do utilise this service. At Roosmaryn 16-18 students are utilising the interpreting service, while at Emily Hobhouse approximately 18 students are utilising the service.

“The interpreting service definitely contributes to the enhancement of communication during residence meetings. Students can exactly follow what is happening during the meetings. In the past a residences like Emily Hobhouse tried to repeat everything in English, which extended the meetings,” Prof. Naudé said.

With the envisaged extension of interpreting services in hostel meetings to all the hostels on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein, there is a need for interpreters as these meetings will take place simultaneously. Through this initiative, exiting new opportunities are created for aspiring interpreters. The training takes place under leadership of Prof. Annelie Lotriet who holds the ATKV Chair in Interpreting in the department.

Aspiring candidates can contact Mr Cobus Snyman, Manager of the UFS’s interpreting projects at 051 401 9005 in connection with the selection criteria for interpreters.

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
14 October 2007

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