Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, UFS

When people think about why entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses, the answers usually seem obvious: more profit, a larger customer base, or a bigger market share. Sometimes, the spark that drives growth is not profit. It can simply be the excitement of what might be possible, writes the UFS’ Dr Ekaete Elsie Benedict.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4ahuS9l

𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: 𝐔𝐅𝐒 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐔𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏

The UFS Business Incubator, housed in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, recently embarked on a strategic entrepreneurship learning journey to the Western Cape. The purpose of the trip was to engage with leading experts in entrepreneurship and innovation in higher education to explore best practices in student entrepreneurship support, discuss opportunities for global student exchange programmes, and identify collaborations that can strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of the Free State. As part of this journey, the delegation visited the University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Cape Town.

The delegation included Chipo Matambo, Incubator Manager - Project Lead, Bhekumusa Zikhali, Internationalization at Home; Incoming Exchange and Internationalizing Entrepreneurship, Tebello Leputla, Incubator Project Coordinator, Dr. Jabulani Nkosi, Incubator Business Coach, Dr. Ekaete Benedict, Lecturer in Business Management with specialization in Entrepreneurship

Key outcomes included valuable insights into building entrepreneurial mindsets, strengthening entrepreneurship education through experiential learning, developing student-led innovation programmes, expanding mentorship and incubation opportunities, and creating stronger pathways for venture growth. The engagements also highlighted the importance of collaboration between local and global universities, industry, and entrepreneurship support organizations in preparing students not only to seek employment but also to create meaningful economic opportunities.

As we continue to build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at UFS, these learnings will help create more opportunities for our student entrepreneurs to develop sustainable businesses, create jobs, and drive positive social and economic impact.

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄

We are proud to celebrate Tshepang Lesufi from the School of Accountancy for being selected as one of only 16 finalists for the ISCA Global Talent Programme. This outstanding achievement reflects our commitment to developing globally competitive graduates who are equipped to lead, innovate, and create impact on the international stage.

We are where potential is transformed into impact!

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4enmdob

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗲𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲

University of the Free State accounting student Tshepang Lesufi has been selected as one of just 16 final candidates for the ISCA Global Talent Programme, earning the opportunity to compete alongside the best young accounting professionals in the world.

"Setbacks are not final destinations. They are simply the fire that refines your drive."

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4enmdob

As the University of the Free State, we believe that “acquiring the right talent is the most important key to growth and hiring was and still is the most important thing we do.”
We have the following vacancy available at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, UFS - kindly follow the link to the UFS vacancies page for a full description of all positions.
https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll
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𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲
1.Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor (5 positions) (Job ID: 6509)
Link : https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/2187

𝟔𝟕 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒. 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐋. 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓

This Mandela Day, don’t just celebrate change, help build it.

Join us as we partner with the Occupational Therapy Field at National District Hospital to bring to life 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 a unique sustainability project built from recycled materials, designed to leave a lasting impact on both people and the environment. Get your hands dirty, connect with fellow changemakers, and be part of an initiative that transforms discarded materials into something meaningful.

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙. 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚. 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧.

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 17 July 2026
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10:00 – 15:00
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: Occupational Therapy Field, National District Hospital, Bloemfontein

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MuKQeqMrcFz5xv1K7

Ready to make your 67 minutes count?

𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

The Faculty congratulates Prof Liezel Massyn, Associate Professor and Programme Coordinator in the Department of Industrial Psychology, whose co-authored article has been recognised as a Wiley Top Viewed Article (2025) in Systems Research and Behavioral Science.

The article, “Enriching systems practice with African perspectives” speaks to the quality and relevance of Prof Massyn's scholarship and its resonance within global academic discourse.

This work was co-authored together with recently graduated PhD student, Dr Samuel Njenga, as part of his doctoral research journey, demonstrating the strength of collaborative research and postgraduate excellence within the Faculty.

The Faculty is proud of this achievement and celebrates the important contribution the article makes to positioning African perspectives at the forefront of systems research internationally.

𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐒𝐘𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 - 𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 & 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓

Career success is more than academic excellence, it’s about building meaningful professional connections that can open doors to future opportunities.

Join the Regional Meet & Greet Network launch to connect with industry leaders, gain insights into the future of Industrial Psychology, and explore opportunities within the profession.

Whether you’re looking to grow your network or stay connected to industry developments, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Date: 11 June 2026
Time: 17:00-19:00
Cost: Free

Book your spot today on:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/SMPyWLT0Rhurzanl32A1AA

SIOPSA Regional Chairs
Regional Meet & Greet

Be part of an exciting new chapter as we officially launch our regional network!

This launch is more than an event, it's an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, strengthen our community, and help shape the future of our profession in the region. Join us for meaningful conversations, valuable networking, and insights into the vision and opportunities that lie ahead.

Whether you're a long-standing member or newly connected to our community, your voice and participation matter. Come celebrate this milestone with us and be part of building a stronger, more connected future together.

TIME: 17h30 - 19h00
DATE: 11 June 2026
PRICE: FREE

Bookings Now Open!!!
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/SMPyWLT0Rhurzanl32A1AA

Reserve your place and join us for an inspiring launch experience!

𝐃𝐑. 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐊𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀’𝐒 𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒

Dr. Herkulaas Combrink, Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty, has been named a finalist in the NSTF-SADiLaR Research Software: Human Language Technologies category.

This recognition acknowledges his work in the development of SignBank, as well as the curation of the LebitsoApp, a research software platform supporting large-scale South African Sign Language human language technology development. His work integrates computational infodemiology and data science, alongside a range of GitHub pages that collectively analyse, structure, and model elements of signed languages within digital information ecosystems.

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences congratulates Dr Combrink on this outstanding achievement.

Full article available: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/june/four-ufs-academics-named-finalists-in-south-africa-s--science-oscars

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫.

The Faculty hosted an academic engagement titled “Curating Your Research Career for Long-Term Success”, led by Prof Brownhilder Neneh, where postgraduate students and researchers gained practical insights from experienced academics on publishing in top-tier journals, securing research funding, building meaningful collaborations, and navigating the realities of academia.

More than a discussion, the event provided a roadmap for what it takes to build a successful research career.