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24 July 2024
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Story Lacea Loader
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The University of the Free State (UFS) is co-hosting the Global Social Innovation Indaba together with Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) on its Bloemfontein Campus from 30 September to 2 October 2024. This event brings together people from different sectors all over the world to discuss how to accelerate and support people-powered
change and create a better society for generations to come.
The UFS is excited to collaborate with SIX, as its vision and values overlap. During this three-day indaba, aspects such as – what it takes to build accountable, inclusive, and participatory institutions, specifically the future role of universities in South Africa – will be discussed. Themes to be explored include young people as drivers of change, post-industrial transitions and community resilience, the role of art, social change and bridging divides, and systemic approaches to dealing with unemployment.
Some of the speakers and participants in the programme include Carla Duprat from ICE (Brazil); Cheryl Jacob from ESquared Investments (South Africa); François Bonnici from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (Switzerland); Sir Geoff Mulgan from the University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom; and Dr Narissa Ramdhani from the Ifa Lethu Foundation (South Africa).
The UFS will also use the opportunity to showcase its campus and offerings to attendees, focusing on its transformation story and some of the interdisciplinary forward-thinking programmes. Guests will also be treated to true South African hospitality, laying the foundation for strong relationships and collaboration.
SIX believes in the transformative power of people working together. Exchanges based on mutual value and reciprocity are the missing link in tackling the world’s problems. As a friendly, expert entry point to global social innovation, their work connects organisations, sectors, communities, and nations to build capabilities and create opportunities for collaboration.
UFS appoints Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor
2010-06-04
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| Dr Khotso Mokhele |
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The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) appointed Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor during its quarterly meeting held on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein today.
“It is an honour for the Council to appoint someone of this stature as Chancellor of the UFS. With his solid academic background and high profile in the business world, Dr Mokhele is a great asset to the UFS,” said Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council.
Dr Mokhele is a graduate of the University of Fort Hare and did his postgraduate studies at the University of California in the USA. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University in the USA. Dr Mokhele has eight honorary doctorate degrees from South African tertiary institutions – among others the UFS – as well as an honorary doctorate degree from Rutgers University in the USA. He holds post doctoral fellowships from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine, both in the USA.
Dr Mokhele was founder president and chief executive officer of the National Research Foundation (NRF), as well as founder president of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
He holds non-executive positions on the boards of several national companies, among others as the Chairman of Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd, non-executive chairman of Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd and non-executive director of both African Oxygen Ltd and Tiger Brands Ltd.
He is currently Chairperson of the selection committee of the Rhodes Scholarships for Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland, member of the Committee on Developing and Transition Economy Countries of the International Social Sciences Council (ISSC) and member of the Review Committee assessing VW Foundation research funding in Sub-Saharan Africa and the former Soviet Central Asian/Caucasus Republics.
Dr Mokhele received the Lifetime Achievement Technology Top 100 award in 2009 for his vision and major contribution in securing the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), constructed outside Sutherland in the Northern Cape.
Dr Mokhele’s succeeds Dr Franklin Sonn, who retired as Chancellor of the UFS at the end of 2009.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
4 June 2010 |