Latest news with #GoldenGate
IOL News
17 hours ago
- General
- IOL News
How Strategic Mentoring Drives Academic Success at the University of the Free State
The University of the Free State's commitment to nurturing academic excellence. (NRF Rated Scholars, from left to right: Prof Martin Nyaga, Prof Adelheid von Maltitz, Dr Andronicus Akinyelu, Prof Jared McDonald, Prof Lizemari Hugo, Dr Calvin Ullrich, Prof Olusola Ololade) Image: Supplied Grow your own timber. This philosophy, rooted in the commitment to invest in 'home-grown' academic talent, has seen the University of the Free State (UFS) continue to make remarkable strides in transforming its academic landscape through innovative mentoring programmes. Building on five years of success, the university's comprehensive Transformation of the Professoriate Mentoring Programme has significantly enhanced research productivity, leadership capabilities, and institutional cohesion. Mentorship as a catalyst for transformation At the UFS, the strategic implementation of structured mentoring has proven to be a powerful tool in building a pipeline of accomplished scholars who are ready to excel at the highest academic levels. This approach recognises that true transformation in higher education requires more than just appointments – it demands sustained development and support. Building a Brighter Future: Participants of the University of the Free State's mentoring programmes recently attended a research retreat at the Golden Gate in Clarens, aimed at nurturing diverse academic talent and fostering research excellence Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A portfolio of specialised programmes Since launching its Transformation of the Professoriate Mentoring Programme five years ago, the UFS has expanded its initiatives to address the specific needs of academics at different career stages. The current suite of programmes now supports 165 staff members across four tailored interventions: THE FUTURE PROFESSORIATE PROGRAMME Targeting academics five to eight years post-PhD, this flagship programme focuses on developing scholars who are poised to become professors and associate professors. The two-year fellowship emphasises building international profiles, increasing research impact through quality publications, and achieving recognition as established researchers through NRF ratings. In total, 41% of the 2025 cohort are black South Africans, 41% are white South Africans, and 18% are foreign-born African scholars. THE EMERGING SCHOLAR ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME (ESAP) This programme supports academics one to four years post-PhD, helping them increase research productivity, prepare for NRF Y-ratings, develop postgraduate supervision capabilities, and advance to senior lecturer positions. ESAP provides crucial early-career guidance that establishes foundations for long-term academic success. In the 2025 cohort, 54% are black South Africans, 32% white South Africans, and 14% foreign-born African scholars. THE WISE PROGRAMME (WOMEN INFLUENCING SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATION) Recognising the unique challenges that mid-career women academics face, WISE provides targeted support to female scholars. The programme emphasises strategic career planning and creating pathways for advancement. Among its 23 participants, 61% are black candidates, reflecting the university's commitment to intersectional representation. The WISE Programme empowers women academics through tailored support and strategic career development. Image: Supplied THE RESEARCHER EXCELLENCE ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME (REAP) REAP supports staff members who are completing their PhD qualifications or have recently graduated. With 54 participants (54% black and 69% women), the programme focuses on successful PhD completion, publishing research findings, and developing scholarship of engagement skills. Beyond these quantifiable achievements, the mentorship initiatives have also fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence that permeates the institution. COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH The UFS mentoring programmes implement a holistic approach to academic development: Intensive Writing Support: Regular writing retreats provide dedicated time and space for focused research output, with guidance from experienced mentors and editors. Expert Mentorship: Participants benefit from both internal mentoring and connections with external mentors from leading South African universities, many of whom are A- and B-rated researchers. Tailored Workshops: Programmes offer customised workshops on supervision, academic leadership, grant writing, time management, and presentation skills. Peer Learning Communities: Strategic retreats and group sessions foster collaborative networks across departments and faculties, breaking down institutional silos. Individual Guidance: Each participant receives personalised career planning and progress monitoring towards specific milestones. ESTABLISHED PROGRAMMES – EXCELLENT RESULTS The Future Professoriate and ESAP Programmes have made significant impact on the career progression and research productivity of candidates. The results after five years of structured mentoring speak volumes about the programmes' effectiveness: Career advancement: 3 promotions to Full Professor, 24 to Associate Professor, and 34 to Senior Lecturer, with several participants being promoted twice during this period. Research recognition: 29 scholars have achieved NRF ratings, enhancing the university's research profile. Research productivity: The 2024 cohort alone produced impressive research output, including journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. Among their achievements are 16 published books and 6 UFS Exceptional Achiever Awards. EMERGING PROGRAMMES – PROMISING RESULTS The REAP and WISE Programmes that were launched in 2024 are gaining momentum, continuing to effectively support members towards achieving their career goals. PhD completions: Multiple successful PhD submissions were secured, with around 22 candidates graduating in the 2024/2025 period. International exposure: Increased attendance at international conferences, with significant co-funding support from the mentoring programmes. Leadership development: Several WISE participants have secured leading research positions, delivered keynote addresses at international forums, and received institutional excellence awards. ADDRESSING CHALLENGES PROACTIVELY While celebrating its successes, the UFS recognises the challenges facing emerging academics, and the toll that high academic output can take on scholars' health and family life. By identifying systemic barriers and providing targeted support, an environment is created where talented academics choose to build their careers at the UFS rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. This proactive approach has proven effective in retention and succeeded in cultivating a strong community of emerging scholars committed to the institution's future. BUILDING ON SUCCESS As the UFS mentoring initiatives enter their next phase, the focus is on sustainability and expanding impact. Alumni of the programmes now serve as mentors themselves, creating a virtuous cycle of development and support. The university's Vision 130 strategy emphasises continued transformation of the professoriate, with these mentoring programmes serving as cornerstone initiatives. Through strategic mentorship, the University of the Free State is not only transforming its professoriate but also redefining what academic success looks like in the South African context – ensuring that excellence and representation go hand in hand. Contact Us: Bloemfontein Campus: +27 51 401 9111 Qwaqwa Campus: +27 58 718 5000 South Campus: +27 51 401 9111 info@ UFS social media: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: LinkedIn YouTube: UFS Image: Supplied
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US officials visit Alcatraz amid Trump's plan to reopen island prison
Federal prison officials visited Alcatraz last week after Donald Trump's announcement earlier this month of plans to rebuild and reopen the infamous island prison, which has been closed for over 60 years. David Smith, the superintendent of the Golden Gate national recreation area (GGNRA), told the San Francisco Chronicle that officials with the Federal Bureau of Prisons are planning to return for further structural assessments. 'They have been out here. They'll be coming out again to do assessments of the structure,' Smith told the news outlet. The island facility has been closed since 1963, when then attorney general Robert F Kennedy ordered its shutdown amid high operating costs, limited space and multiple escape attempts. BOP director William Marshall told Fox News that engineering teams are already surveying the site. 'We've got engineering teams out there now that are doing some assessments, and so I'm just really excited about the opportunity and possibilities,' he said. In recent months, the US government has moved to reopen at least five previously closed detention centers and prisons. Although California lawmakers have dismissed the Alcatraz proposal as a 'distraction' and not a serious plan, the Trump administration is actively working – with the help of private prison companies – to reopen other facilities, some of which are already back in operation. Related: A hard cell? Alcatraz tourists dismiss Trump's 'insane' plan to revive it as a prison Smith said he was skeptical about reopening Alcatraz, pointing to the large financial investment and legal challenges it would require. He said it's 'just not well-situated' for the Bureau of Prisons. But Marshall called the proposal 'exciting' and feasible. He suggested that modern, lightweight materials could solve some of the island's logistical challenges. 'When you think of Alcatraz, you think of Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Lambeau Field, those types of facilities … you just get that kind of feeling about Alcatraz when you think of those historical venues,' Marshall told Fox News's My View with Lara Trump, Trump's daughter-in-law. 'And so, yeah, we absolutely think we can get it done.' Meanwhile, the GGNRA is undertaking seismic retrofitting projects on the island, including reinforcing the pier and stabilizing the aging cellhouse to prevent further deterioration.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Golden Gate acquires 99.98% stake in The Coffee House
Vietnamese restaurant group Golden Gate has acquired a 99.98% stake in The Coffee House for VND270bn ($10.5m) from the retail group Seedcom. The acquisition price is a fraction of The Coffee House's previous $50m valuation, evidencing the difficulties faced by the brand since the Covid-19 pandemic. The acquisition was initially reported by DealStreetAsia in February 2025, although neither party issued an official statement at that time. Once a rapidly expanding coffee chain with 150 outlets, The Coffee House has seen a decline in both revenue and store count and now operates 93 sites, mainly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. In the latter half of 2024, all its foodservice outlets in the Can Tho and Da Nang areas were closed as a tactical decision aimed at cost-cutting and boosting sales at sites with greater customer traffic. The move was intended to enhance financial efficiency and concentrate on penetrating the market more effectively. But despite a surge in net revenue in 2022, reaching VND781bn ($30.5m), The Coffee House experienced an 11% revenue drop the following year. The brand's financial struggles have been ongoing, with no profits recorded between 2019 and 2023 and Seedcom incurring losses of VND1.17tn ($49.82m), leading to store closures. Golden Gate, established in 2005, is a leading force in Vietnam's food and beverage industry with 500 restaurants across 22 brands, including Gogi House and Kichi-Kichi. The group's revenue grew 5.5% to VND 6.63tn ($258.7m) by the end of 2024, although net profit decreased 28% to VND 100bn ($3.9m). "Golden Gate acquires 99.98% stake in The Coffee House" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Golden Gate's cumulative sales reach EGP 23bln as REDCON Properties sets new industry benchmark
Cairo: REDCON Properties, a subsidiary of REDCON Group, has announced record-breaking sales for 2024, reaching EGP 12 billion, bringing its cumulative sales to EGP 23 billion since the launch of the Golden Gate project in 2022. Golden Gate has maintained its position as the top-selling mixed-use development in East Cairo, reaffirming its status as one of Egypt's premier real estate projects. This success is attributed to customer confidence in REDCON Group's extensive expertise in construction and real estate development, alongside Golden Gate's exceptional competitive advantages that set it apart in the market. 'The remarkable sales growth of Golden Gate is a testament to our ability to deliver real estate projects that meet market needs while also serving as a benchmark for sustainable architecture,' Eng. Tarek El-Gammal, Chairman of REDCON Properties. 'Moving forward, we remain committed to developing similar projects that add value to Egypt's real estate sector while ensuring the timely execution of Golden Gate as per the established schedule'. "We invested EGP 5 billion in 2024 to accelerate Golden Gate's development, achieving remarkable progress in construction and initiating the handover of the first phase to our clients. In 2025, we plan to increase our investments to EGP 7 billion to inaugurate the first phase by the third quarter while aiming to achieve EGP 18 billion in sales by year-end." He added. Launched in 2022, Golden Gate is a landmark mixed-use development spanning 160,000 square meters in the heart of New Cairo, with total investments of EGP 20 billion. The project features 29 buildings, comprising commercial and administrative spaces, designed across five distinct zones within the development. To bring this vision to life, REDCON Properties collaborated with a consortium of renowned consulting firms, including WATG London, SWA for landscape design, Dr. Amr Abdelrahman Consulting Engineers (AACE), Omran & Arc Vision for architectural design, and Eng. Hani Ali's EMG, ensuring a design that seamlessly blends modernity with heritage, aligning with the surrounding urban fabric. Additionally, EHAF Consulting Engineers oversees construction supervision, while Polar Project Management is responsible for project management. Dr. Osama Aqil leads traffic and road planning, and Walker Consultants, one of the world's leading firms in parking solutions, has designed Egypt's largest indoor parking facility within Golden Gate, accommodating 8,000 vehicles. Strategically located in the heart of New Cairo, Golden Gate boasts the largest frontage overlooking South 90th Street, directly opposite the American University in Cairo (AUC). The development offers a unique retail and entertainment experience, incorporating the walkable downtown concept, alongside sustainability-driven solutions that reduce energy consumption by 53% and water usage by 44% compared to traditional buildings. Golden Gate stands as Egypt's largest green mixed-use development, fully adhering to environmental sustainability standards across construction and operations, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). REDCON Properties has partnered with Intro Sustainable Resources to implement smart, sustainable energy solutions, integrating solar power as a key electricity source, thereby reducing the project's carbon footprint. As a result of these efforts, Golden Gate has earned both the EDGE certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Tarsheed certification from the Egyptian Green Building Council, making it the first commercial complex in Egypt to receive these combined sustainability credentials. -Ends- About REDCON properties: REDCON Properties was established in 2019 as the development arm of REDCON Group, specializing in mixed-use real estate projects. The Company operates with sustainability as its core value, where it leads the Egyptian real estate sector in the implementation of sustainable building and green architecture, with Golden Gate as its first flagship project. REDCON Properties derives its heritage from 30 years of experience with REDCON Constructions, which delivered more than 200 projects, among which are El Alamein Towers, Maspero Towers, Mansoura University, ABB, Pharco, Electrolux, First Abu Dhabi Bank – the Company's first green building that received a LEED silver certificate for its leadership in energy-saving designs and conservation of the environment.
