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20 September 2024 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Ian Van Straaten
Vincent Mahapa 2024
The Campus Principal, Prof Prince Ngobeni and the Dux award Winner Vincent Mahapa.

The University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus recently celebrated academic and holistic excellence at its annual Student Excellence Awards. The event honoured high-achieving students from various disciplines, as well as those who have made significant contributions to the campus community.

The air was electric with anticipation as the campus community gathered to honour its brightest stars. The annual Student Excellence Awards showcased the exceptional talents and achievements of students across academic and extracurricular realms. This event took place in the iconic Mandela Hall.

Vincent Mahapa, a dedicated 21-year-old from Bronkhorstspruit east of Pretoria, was recognised for his exceptional academic achievements by being awarded the prestigious Dux prize at the event.

Mahapa is on the verge of completing his Bachelor of Administration and Management degree in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and has consistently demonstrated academic excellence. In his second year, he achieved an impressive average of 82%, securing a remarkable seven distinctions in 2023. These outstanding results were further acknowledged through his induction into the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society, Class of 2023.

Driven by a passion for public administration and management, Mahapa has a strong interest in black empowerment, organisational leadership, and community development. He aspires to leverage his skills and knowledge to drive positive change within these fields.

Overcoming challenges, achieving success

Mahapa's journey to academic excellence was not without its hurdles. He openly acknowledges the challenges he has faced in effectively managing time, balancing academic and personal life, staying motivated, and overcoming social anxiety. However, his determination to succeed shone through as he strategically tackled these obstacles.

Commenting on this laudable recognition, he said, “By creating a well-balanced schedule, setting realistic goals, and seeking support from peers and lecturers, I developed effective coping mechanisms.” He emphasised the importance of creating a study plan and adhering to it, along with techniques such as breaking down complex topics into manageable sections and employing the Pomodoro technique to optimise study sessions.

Words of wisdom for fellow students

As a Dux awardee, Mahapa offered valuable advice to his fellow students who aspire for academic excellence. He encourages them to:

  • seek help and support when needed;
  • remain consistent and persistent in their efforts;
  • set clear goals and work diligently towards achieving them;
  • develop strong organisational skills and manage time effectively; and
  • surround themselves with positive influences that will motivate and support their endeavours.
  • Finding balance for academic and personal well-being

Being an introverted individual, Mahapa acknowledges the importance of striking a healthy balance between academic commitments and personal life.  He achieves this by meticulously planning his schedule, allocating specific time slots for studying, relaxation, and personal activities. Setting realistic goals and further prioritising tasks allows him to manage his time effectively.

Additionally, he stresses the importance of creating a designated study space that is comfortable, organised, and minimises distractions, thus boosting productivity. Distinguishing the importance of self-care, Mahapa highlights activities that bring him joy and relaxation. He does not hesitate to seek support from loved ones and lecturers when needed, and regularly reviews and adjusts his approach to ensure a healthy balance that meets his individual needs.

The university congratulates him on this well-deserved achievement and commends him for his commitment to using his knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on society.

And a big congratulations to all the winners. Indeed, we are inspiring excellence!

News Archive

Business School in top ranks of survey
2012-02-15

 
UFS Business School
Photo: Liezl Muller

The UFS Business School was ranked amongst the top business schools in South Africa in a survey by Finweek and MBAConnect.net. MBAConnect.net is the biggest social network for MBA graduates in South Africa. 

More than 10 000 MBA graduates and students were invited to take part in the survey and 1 575 of them completed it. More than half of the respondents are in senior or executive positions.
 
Prof. Helena van Zyl, the Director of the UFS Business School, says any business school has a moral obligation towards its alumni to ensure that the quality of the qualification that they obtained is maintained, that network opportunities are created for graduates, and that job opportunities are communicated, etc. Investment in and involvement with the alumni are non-negotiable as they form the backbone of a business school.
 
The UFS Business School’s results are listed below. The respondents rated the school as the school with the highest:
  • percentage of respondents saying they had definitely made the right choice in doing an MBA: second with 92% (average 86%)
  • score in leadership effectiveness: third with 8.9 (average 8.7)
  • decision-making effectiveness: shares first place with 9.4 (average 9.1)
  • credibility in business: second with 8.9 (average 8.6)
  • impact of an MBA in changing industries: third with 8.3 (average 7.9)
  • score for influence of an MBA in starting your own business: second with 8.5 (average 6.9)
  • percentage of respondents saying an MBA was definitely worth the price paid: shares first place with 80% (average 72%)
  • score for changing the outlook of students: shares first place with 9.3 (average 8.9)
  • score for improving people’s views of their own potential: shares first place with 9.5 (average 9.1)
  • score for helping people become better leaders in their personal lives: shares third place with 8.3 (average 7.8).
The UFS Business School shared first place with its alumni averaging the shortest payback period amongst those who thought the MBA was worth it. Its score was 1.1 years (average 1.8 years)
 
The report says across all schools, at least 73% of students report a negative impact on their stress levels. In the worst case, this goes up to 94%. The impact on the UFS’s students was the lowest at 18%. The average was 81%. At least a quarter of students in all schools report a negative impact on their health, and it goes up to 47% in the worst case. The UFS got 0 (nil) in the category for serious impact.
 
Alumni of the UFS Business School were very satisfied with the school. These results are as follows:
  • Helps keep business knowledge up to date: third (6.5)
  • Provides networking opportunities: first (7.3)
  • Informs about business events: second (8.9)
  • Communicates regularly: first (9.2)
  • Helps access MBA-level jobs: second (6.2)
  • Helps build personal brand: first (5.2)
  • Helps start or grow business: first (5.2)
 

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