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UFS co-hosts the Global Social Innovation Indaba

24 July 2024 | Story Lacea Loader

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.

News Archive

Postgraduate success rewarded during winter graduation ceremony

2012-06-06

The university is celebrating an increase in postgraduate success with a record number of master’s degrees and doctorates to be awarded during the winter graduation ceremony on 14 June 2012.

A total of 481 master’s degrees and 82 doctorates will be awarded in two ceremonies in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus. This is the most postgraduate qualifications to be awarded at a single graduation ceremony.

The university will also award an honorary doctorate in Literature to the author, Etienne van Heerden. Van Heerden, the author of Dertig Nagte in Amsterdam and Toorberg, among others, will be honoured with a D. Litt degree. Van Heerden, currently Hofmeyr professor and Head of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch studies at the University of Cape Town, is one of the most acclaimed Afrikaans writers. His novels have been translated into eleven languages and his contributions are included in anthologies worldwide. One of his most important contributions to South African society is his creation of LitNet and the development of this powerful digital website that now also includes two accredited journals.

Ms Nicky Abdinor, a clinical psychologist of Cape Town, who was born without arms and with shortened legs, will be the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony.

The programme for the two ceremonies is:

At 10:15, the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will award 231 master’s degrees and confer 43 doctorates. The Faculty of Health Sciences will award 52 master’s degrees and confer seven doctorates.
At 14:15, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will award 62 master’s degrees and confer seven doctorates. The Faculty of the Humanities will confer one honorary doctorate, award 47 master’s degrees and confer 13 doctorates. In the Faculty of Education, 22 master’s degrees will be awarded and nine doctorates conferred. In the Faculty of Law, 34 master’s degrees will be awarded and one doctorate conferred. The Faculty of Theology will award 33 master’s degrees, and confer two doctorates.

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