march 2016 nendila - university of venda

1N E N D I L A N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F V E N D A

NendilaNEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERS I TY OF VENDA

MARCH 2016

University of Venda

Read insideDramatic increases in research outputs at Univen 2Successful induction workshop for new Univen employees 2Transformation – Univen and partners walk the talk 2Univen supports Makhado Municipality in opening a satellite campus 3Survey on school food gardening – Univen feedback 3Univen hosts research leadership workshop 3New director at Facilities Management 4Challenges of the post-colonial state in Africa a big concern 4“I am striving to receive the Senate Medallion in 2017”…Emely Chikuruwo 4Univen representative to International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry 4Workshop on University Higher Degree Committee 5Excelling in postgraduate supervision 5Water is scarce… #savewater 5Univen joins internationalisation programme 5Do more research 5Univen welcomes Next Generation of Academics programme 6

“I am impressed with the developments at Univen” – deputy minister “The University of Venda must be commended for its great efforts in dealing with increasing quality capacity for its students on campus,” says the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana.

Speaking during his visit to Univen as part of the ministry’s Siyahlola programme, Manana said although there will always be challenges with infrastructure demands, students must take ownership of their residences.

“This will ensure that future generations will experience the same quality of residences as they currently enjoy. Let us not vandalise our property, as this will deny future students the benefits that the current students would have enjoyed.”

The minister emphasised the commitment of both the department and universities to provide the best possible infrastructure requirements for students.

“I am impressed with the developments at Univen, particularly the role that management is playing to address the challenges to student accommodation. I also commend the Student Representative Council for its constructive engagement with management when dealing with student challenges. I salute the student leadership in ensuring that university property is not vandalised during student protests – keep up the good work.”

Manana, accompanied by the Chairperson of Council, Serobi Maja, Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati, the SRC President, Mashudu Nthulane and her cabinet as well as the university’s senior managers, also visited student residences F5, F4, F3, new Department of Higher Education and Training-funded male and female residences for 700 students, the new Development Bank of Southern Africa-funded residences that will accommodate 1 800 students and the Prefabs that currently accommodate 300 students.

Manana also visited other completed projects on campus like the state of art R16,5m Campus Health Clinic, funded through university reserves.

The Department of Higher Education and Training invested over one billion Rand over the past decade towards infrastructure at the University of Venda.

The minister also had the opportunity to address members of the university community who were participating in the First Thing First Campaign which encourages students to test for HIV and other diseases so that they could know their status. Other services include HIV counselling and testing, tuberculosis, diabetes and B/P screening as well as pap smears.

The deputy minister also received first-hand views from the students on the ground.

“I am going back to Pretoria with my head held high due to the positive feedback I received from the students. A few mentioned challenges with the living conditions, but were appreciative that construction is underway. There is a need to partner with the private sector to address the backlog of student residences. I commend the quality of SRC leadership on campus.”

“During my nine years tenure I have seen significant improvement on infrastructure development. I salute the continued support from the Ministry of Higher Education and Training, particularly towards infrastructure development. We are also encouraged by the role of student leadership that is working closely with management and students,” said Mbati.

Explaining progress - Project Manager Ronald Tshtangano (second from right) explaining the progress of the student entertainment centre to Deputy Minister Manana.

Deputy Minister Manana viewing the new student swimming pool.

Attending to patients - Mrs Mudangawe Muthambi (far left) attending to a patient in one of the consulting rooms.

Next please - Deputy Minister Manana (fourth from left) and Univen Chairperson of Council, Serobi Maja (far right) and a Univen delegation at the Campus Health Clinic waiting area.

One of the bathrooms at the student residences.

Univen treats everybody equally - Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Mbati ( left) SRC President, Mashudu Nthulane (second from left) and Deputy Minister Manana meeting a second year BCom Accounting disabled student, Shiela Ratshisinde.

Deputy Minister Manana greeting students on his rounds at the student residences.

2 N E N D I L A N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F V E N D A

Successful induction workshop for new Univen employees

Transformation – Univen and partners walk the talk

“The University of Venda strives to improve not only the quantity, but also the quality of its research output,” says Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Peter Mbati.

“Publication output in international journals increased from less than half of total output in 2013 to 66 percent in 2014.

“Undoubtedly, the improvement is due to the commitment by university staff and students to the research mandate of the university. It is an achievement worth celebrating and the university is committed to further improvement in the years to come.

“Our research activities are intended to benefit communities at various levels and should positively impact the lives of people, not only locally but also regionally and internationally. We are indeed grateful to see the growing output and will continue to create opportunities for researchers to participate in the global research community and to collaborate with international colleagues.

“I urge emerging researchers to consider publishing in high impact journals which will eventually attract funding from international donors and research funding institutions. One of our strategic objectives is excellence in research. We are committed also to increase the number of researchers rated by the National Research Foundation,” says Mbati.

“Univen remains committed to improving the research culture across all schools and staff members are encouraged to publish in accredited journals,” says Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof Jan Crafford.

The Director of Research and Innovation, Prof Georges Ekosse, says during the previous academic year, the university has experienced improved research productiv ity, which includes PhD and masters graduations.

“We are continuously building research capacity and productivity, starting at school level, and all schools are doing their best to improve research productivity. We have annually been encouraging eligible staff to apply for National Research Foundation ratings. As a result, the university now has 23 rated researchers – up from only 16 in 2015. We now have six new and two re-evaluated National Research Foundation- rated researchers in addition to fifteen others.”

Univen submitted a claim to the Department of Higher Education and Training for research outputs in 2014 amounting to 234.82 units for books, conference proceedings and journal publications. Following the assessment of the 2014 research outputs, Univen was allocated a total of 225.16 units – an increase of 76.39 units or 51 percent, from the 148.77 units awarded for 2013 publications. The institutional publication trend for all publications - books, conference proceedings, and journal articles - over the past five years shows steady and continuous growth.

In January, the first-ever contribution by the University of Venda to the journal Science appeared in print, adding considerably to its growing reputation. In this article, researchers were able to isolate and sequence the ancient genome of human gut pathogen, Helicobacter pylori, that once lived in the stomach of the 5 300 year-old Tirolean Iceman, a mummified Copper-Age European whose corpse was discovered in a melting Alpine glacier during the 1990’s. This is the oldest bacterium that has ever been sequenced.

The study was carried out by an international team of experts, of which Prof Yoshan Moodley, a National Research Foundation C1 rated researcher of the Department of Zoology, was the senior geneticist.

Moodley previously attained international recognition for his high-impact research linking the evolutionary history of populations of H pylori to prehistoric human migration events – like the Out of Africa exodus, the peopling of Australia and the Pacific, the colonisation of the Americas and the interaction between San and Bantu language speakers in southern Africa. He was therefore an ideal choice for carrying out the evolutionary genetic analysis of the newly discovered ancient bacterium.

The article in Science, which is arguably the most prestigious international science journal, ignited a media storm both locally and internationally within the first day of appearing in print, with Moodley quoted in, among others, the National Geographic, the New York Times and The Guardian. Locally, he was interviewed by the Mail and Guardian and the article was covered by most national newspapers.

Univen hosted the orientation of new employees recently.

The programme integrates new employees into the institution and assists with retention, motivation and job satisfaction through creating an enabling environment for each individual to become contributing members of the university community.

During the workshop, representatives from various university departments gave in-depth presentat ions of the programmes and serv ices, as well as procedures and processes on how things are done and handled at their respective departments and the university at large. These included Legal Services, Communi-cations and Marketing, Library Services, Quality Assurance, Information Technology Services, the

Campus Health Clinic, Human Resources, Finance, Facilities Management and Safety and Security Services.

The procedures of staff development, performance management, benefits and processes, the employee wellness programme, examination procedures, work integrated learning and community engagement were explained in detail.

The Center for Higher Education Teaching and Learning team made presentations on eLearning, teaching and assessment - theory and practice, developing a learning guide for students, student counselling and career development, services for students with disabilities as well as evaluation practice and personal or professional portfolio development.

Univen, in partnership with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants SAICA/Thuthuka, the University of Johannesburg and Bankseta celebrated academic excellence by students who are enrolled in the Thuthuka programme.

The Univen/SAICA Thuthuka project is a four-year capacity building project worth R68m – a tripartite partnership agreement involving Univen, SAICA and Bankseta. Through this agreement, Univen offers a four-year Accounting Sciences degree in the Department of Accounting. The aim of the contribution is desperately needed chartered accountants in South Africa, particularly in Limpopo and the Southern African Development Community. Univen is the last historically disadvantaged institution in the country where

this qualification is being introduced.

While Angelina Kale was the overal l best performing student in the first year, the best overall award for the second year went to Migingiriko Nkuna. The two students scooped trophies, certificates and cash prizes during the second SAICA/Thuthuka awards ceremony. A further 35 first and second year students received awards for their excellent performance in different modules.

Univen’s Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati congratulated all the shining stars of BCom Accounting for their sterling performance and encouraged those who did not receive awards to continue to work hard so that they will be among the top achieving students next year.

“The support from SAICA and Bankseta is assisting to effectively implement our strategic plan. SAICA is indeed walking the talk to ensure that the number of black chartered accountants is increased.”

Ms Elelwani Netshituni of Bankseta said they value the partnership with Thuthuka and SAICA in relation to capacity building projects at Univen and other universities.

“Our involvement with Thuthuka is about fast-tracking skills development, particularly in the banking and accounting industries. We are also grateful to Univen in this partnership as the ultimate success of this project depends on the university being able to get SAICA accreditation for its BCom Accounting programme.

“Bankseta, as the main funder of this project, is pleased with the collective effort by Univen, SAICA and the University of Johannesburg to ensure that academically deserving students get the opportunity to participate in this project.”

The SRC Pres ident , Mashudu Nthu lane , congratulated a l l the achievers for their outstanding performance and assured the recipients that the SRC is committed to provide its full support.

“The main purpose of this ceremony is to show the students that if they do well in their studies, they will be rewarded and we therefore encourage them to focus on their studies,” said Mr Matsoso Tsoaeli, SAICA’s Project Director: Nation Building, Transformation and Growth.

“To date 209 students from first to third year levels participated in the programme.

I am excited to be part of this project, as I want to see students succeed in their studies and careers,” said SAICA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Terence Nombembe.

“Students are the biggest pioneers of this project because without the students, there would be no SAICA. We must always make sure that we cherish their presence. There is no lecturer or professional who would like to come here if they are going to deal with students who have no ambition to succeed.”

The event was also attended by the Litshani-vhanavhadehanne Foundation led by Ms Bridget Mamugudubi and learners from local schools.

Saluting the best - Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati, best overall recipient in second year, Migingiriko Nkuna, best overall recipient in first year, Angelina Kale and SAICA CEO, Dr Terrence Nombembe.

Hard work pays – 2016 Univen, SAICA/Thuthuka best performing students showing off their awards.

Awards time - Students in first and second year categories receiving awards from the CEO of SAICA, Dr Terence Nombembe.

Univen choir at its best.

Learning the ropes – employees at the inductiuon workshop.

Dramatic increases in research outputs at Univen


Univen supports Makhado Municipality in opening a satellite campus

Univen hosts research leadership workshop

Univen’s Institute for Rural Development gave feedback on the findings of the diagnostic and opportunity survey on school food gardening which was recently conducted in the Sibasa Circuit, Vhembe district.

The survey sited the challenges that exist and made recommendations to improve the system.

The survey was conducted in twenty public primary schools, analysed related stakeholders, diagnosed the situation, identified opportunities and proposed a holistic intervention strategy for strengthening the school food gardens programme.

Univen’s Dr Kilonzo, the principal researcher, said the survey found that schools were not using the gardens as practical learning platforms, which is one of the key objectives of the programme.

“The lack of stakeholder involvement, common understanding of school food gardening, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, a self-driven mind-set in the implementation of school food gardens and an inadequate human capacity to drive successful school food gardens activities were some of the major challenges found hampering successful implementation.

“Important to note was that running garden activities rarely took into account the centrality of soil types for each product grown.

“Intervention strategies include the mobilisation and involvement of strategic stakeholders, human capacity and skills development and developing effective operational systems in consultation with strategic stakeholders. It also includes harnessing water harvesting, alternative energy technologies, promoting diversified food production for enhanced nutrition security and mainstreaming food gardens as a learning resource,” said Kilonzo.

Other challenges highlighted during the workshop included lack of effective operational systems for school food gardening and the lack of community-owned safety and security strategies. Other challenges include insufficient water supply and the lack of alternative energy and water harvesting technologies for sustainable school food production.

Mr Wilkinson of Tshikululu Social Investments said the vision is that every school in South Africa should have a thriving food garden which serves as an education resource, to help to develop quality education by 2030.

Participants were given the opportunity to interrogate the interventions and come up with stakeholder-owned intervention strategies to strengthen the process.

The survey was co-funded by the WesBank Fund on behalf of Tshikululu Social Investments in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and the University of Venda’s Research and Publication Committee.

Participants included members of the Department of Basic Education at national, provincial and district level involved in the national school nutrition programme, school principals, school governing bodies, educators, gardeners, Tshikululu Social Investments, ward councillors, community development workers and Univen staff and students from various departments who were involved in the survey.

Principal Researcher Dr Beata Kilonzo giving feedback on the diagnostic and opportunity survey of the school food gardens.

Mr Nemahunguni sharing the gardener’s challenges and perspectives for successful school food gardening.

Some of the school food gardeners.

Eager delegates at the leadership workshop.

Survey on school food gardening – Univen feedback

“We welcome the offer of a site to construct a satellite campus of Univen in the Makhado Municipality,” says Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati.

“We will further explore the partnership between the university and Makhado Local Municipality in realising this dream,” he said during a joint meeting between the university management and the Makhado Local Municipality management. The meeting discussed the establishment of a satellite campus in Makhado town.

The meeting was a culmination of a proposal that was made to Univen through the office of the Mayor of Makhado, David Mutavhatsindi.

“In Makhado Municipality we do not have an institution of higher learning and the people around the area have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time,” said Mutavhatsindi.

“We want Univen to contribute to Makhado’s vision as a dynamic hub for socio-economic development by 2025. Makhado Municipality will provide land in Makhado town for the establishment of this campus.

“A satellite campus would provide access to higher education for the people of Makhado and reduce the financial and physical burden on the university’s

main campus,” said the Director of Planning and Local Economic Development, Ms Sinthumule.

“The proposed campus will have massive economic, social, academic and developmental benefits for the community of Makhado. The partnership will ensure integrated medium to long term investment and inclusive growth of the town and accessibility to the university by the communities under the municipality. Mbati said that universities the world over served as catalysts and engines for regional and national socio-economic development initiatives.

“Univen had set a goal of making higher education accessible to more people and was currently looking at delivery sites at other nodes including the former Giyani Teachers College, Polokwane and in Makhado.”

The University Registrar, Prof Edward Nesamvuni, who will champion the process, said his office had already engaged the Department of Higher Education and Training regarding the matter.

“A joint contribution can go beyond Makhado municipality and can serve as a model to other provinces as well as the country as a whole.”

A task team, led by Nesamvuni, has been established and it will give feedback on a regular basis.

Good research leaders do not abuse their powers, students should feel free around their supervisors and a good leader should not be greedy.

This is according to Prof Georges Ekosse of the Univen Directorate of Research and Innovation Directorate.

Officially opening a recent workshop themed Attaining higher echelons in research leadership, Ekosse said supervisors should lead by example and have a positive attitude towards their students.

Main speaker Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the Durban University of Technology, said universities should put more focus on doing research and have more qualified researchers.

“Research helps to improve the quality of lives of our fellow citizens locally, nationally and globally and helps to alleviate poverty and empowers our economies. As researchers and leaders we must always strive for intellectual excellence in research and innovation, teaching and learning, and community engagement. When we conduct research, we are also striving for social and economic transformation and impact,” she said.

Researchers were also encouraged not to forget the roles of basic sciences and arts when conducting research.

“Our focus should be to get people qualified, as the more people have PHDs, the more publications we will have. We should also focus on doing more collaboration with other African countries.

The issue of students being the best asset at universities was also highlighted.

“As universities our main aim is to produce graduates and researchers who will make a difference in this world we live in. To achieve this goal we must always put our students forward in all we do,” said Moyo.

Universities were also encouraged to have a sustainable research culture, which the students should follow when doing their research and to collaborate with people who are at the right levels in terms of research.

To exciting times - The Mayor of Makhado Municipality, Councillor David Mutavhatsindi (third from right) and Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati (second from right) with Makhado and Univen delegates.


New director at Facilities Management

Univen representative to International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

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University of Venda

“I am striving to receive the Senate Medallion in 2017”…Emely Chikuruwo

Mr Malose Lamola has joined the University of Venda as the new Director of Facilities Management. He joined Univen recently.

Lamola is an engineer and project manager from the technical field of machine design. He started his professional career in underground mining and municipal services design and management.

His current field of interest is business analysis and project management. He has been responsible for initiating and managing projects from inception to completion, especially within the local government sector’s project management units.

Lamola is a seasoned projects manager who has delivered municipal project portfolios including roads, water networks and sewer networks. He is well-placed to take on this task given his extensive experience in facilities management. His invaluable managerial experience will enable him to be an integral and valued member of the senior management team.

“The current problems are not our own, we inherited the states which were created when we were not here by the colonisers, and we are now left to deal with all the problems,” said Dr Nicasius Achu Check.

Speaking at the recent public lecture hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council and the University of Venda, Check said colonisation left Madagascar dilapidated.

Themed Can local voices transform the current developmental trajectory on the continent?, Check said “80 percent of its citizens lived in a state of poverty with no access to proper healthcare.

“Government is not doing enough to address all those social issues. One of the disadvantages which had been created by colonisation in Madagascar is that there is no unity among its citizens of various races, which is playing a negative role in the development of the country.

“It will take some time for Africa to resolve all its problems which it is currently facing. Some of the problems have become a way of life for most of the people on the continent.”

“Poverty in Madagascar keeps on growing as the government is not doing enough to address the social issues,” said one of the researchers, Dr Palesa Sekhejane.

“These include the lack of access to healthcare, HIV and Aids and problems which women face when they give birth at public hospitals. Women are being ignored when it comes to their health issues. Ordinary people have no voice, as nothing is being done to keep children who are living in poverty off the streets. Social issues are not being addressed, as corruption in the government keeps on growing. This is one of the things which are hindering the government in its process, of trying to curb the spread of poverty in the country,” said Sekhejane.

“South Africa must import the solutions it used when it took over the government to officials in Madagascar to help deal with the current situation. Madagascar must address its health issues to make the country a better place to live for its citizens,” said Mr Frank Lekaba.

Dr Olivia Lwabukuna explored the legal challenges in a country that does not have separation of powers in the constitution.

“The country needs to develop a human rights culture to protect citizens from abuse. South Africa’s experiences can assist countries such as Madagascar,” said Lwabukuna.

The research started in in October 2015 when a team of Human Sciences Research Council researchers went to Madagascar. The research was undertaken seeing that one of the critical challenges of the post-colonial state in Africa was its inability to shed its colonial character and to evolve along the lines of local realities.

The research team included Dr Nicasius Achu Check, Dr Palesa Sekhejane, Dr Olivia Lwabukuna and Mr Frank Lekaba.

The best overall recipient of the 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Student Excellence Awards at Univen is working hard as she wants to receive the Senate Medallion during the May 2017 graduation ceremonies.

Rufaro Emily Chikuruwo recently received the Vice Chancellor’s Student Excellence Award for being the best performing student at the university in the 2015 academic year. The 22-year old Emely, originally from Zimbabwe, is currently doing her final year LLB in the School of Law.

For the past five years, Univen has been hosting the Vice Chancellor’s Student Excellence Awards, awarding undergraduate students as the best overall students in each of the eight schools.

“Attending university is challenging but not difficult. You have to prioritise your studies and always put God first in all you do and you will be

able to achieve all you do. I would not have done it, but through the favour of God, I did it,” said Chikuruwo.

“One should study hard, and do their part and let God do His part, God’s favour works only if you are also doing your part, which is focusing on your studies.”

The God fearing, humble and down to earth young woman, said that during her high school days in Zimbabwe, she was always among the best performing learners, as she went to one of the best schools in Zimbabwe.

She is determined to challenge the gender stereotyping that the legal industry is for powerful males and not for females, as they’re deemed to be soft by nature.

“In the next five years I want to see myself as an influential young woman, in society, holding the highest position in the law industry, being empowered to join the industry.”

Emily encouraged fellow students to focus on their studies and not waste their precious time on social networks, as they will still be around when they finish their degrees.

“One should not waste his or her time on social networking because it is an on-going thing. I am not different from other students. It is all about hard work and determination. Everything has its own challenges. Even in my studies there are challenges like writing tests on Saturdays, but if a person knows how to manage his or her time, there is absolutely nothing that can stand in your way.”

This recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award is determined to leave her mark at the University of Venda, and pave the way for other upcoming female students.

Prof Liliana Mammino of the Department of Chemistry in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences has been nominated national representative of South Africa to Division III of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Division III is the organic and biomolecular chemistry division. Mammino has been active in this division for several years, as a member of the subcommittee on Green Chemistry. In her new role, she aims to promote interdisciplinarity between different areas of chemistry and propose projects relevant to South Africa and the Southern African Development Community region.

Her nomination contributes to the international presence of Univen experts, and provides a direct contact between the university’s Department of Chemistry and the international body.

New representative to International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry - Univen’s Prof Mammino.

Challenges of the post-colonial state in Africa a big concern

“In Madagascar 80 percent of its citizens live in a state of poverty with no access to proper healthcare” - Dr Nicasius Achu.


Workshop on University Higher Degree Committee

Univen joins internationalisation programme

Excelling in postgraduate supervision

Water is scarce… #savewater

The University of Venda’s Research and Innova-tion Directorate hosted a meeting themed Post-graduate’s research supervision recently.

The focus was on postgraduate proposals, conducting of research as well as supervision. Many issues were brought to the table which led to many ideas from the deans of all schools.

“Postgraduate proposals will be handled at schools level, by deans and members of the schools,” said the directorate’s Prof Georges Ekosse.

“Ethics should be conducted truthfully and accuracy to ensure that integrity and quality are reflected in the research design. Univen was awarded 148,77 units for 2013 research output - an increase of

16,4 percent from publications that were made in 2012. For 2014 research publication output Univen was allocated 227,51 units, an increase of 52,93 percent.

“There should be a contract that needs to be signed by a student and the school which carries out guidelines for assessment of proposals,” says Prof Mogomme Masoga of the School of Human and Social Sciences.

“Ethics should be considered as part of proposals, data, collection method and report findings.

“The only challenge is students who want to be pushed, which is absolutely unacceptable,” said Masoga.

“You must associate yourselves with people who have the same goals as yours, who will encourage you to work hard in your studies,” says Univen’s Leader of the AIDS Virus Research Programme, Prof Pascal Bessong.

Speaking at the Directorate of Research and Innovation’s workshop on postgraduate students’ supervision and promotion, Bessong said students should balance their research finances to finish their research without any problems.

“Studying is a serious business, which students must put as their first priority. To become a rated researcher, you must work hard and always have focus on your studies. Refrain from plagiarism as it would not make you a better researcher.”

Themed Excelling in postgraduate supervision at Univen, the workshop emphasised that students should finish their studies in record time.

“When you do research, you must know that it changes the image of the university to attract more students,” said Univen’s Director of Research and Innovation, Prof Georges Ekosse.

“You are encouraged always to do your best every time you compile your research, as many people can benefit from your research.”

He urged postgraduates’ female students to work hard and draw inspiration from the university’s female rated researchers and doctors.

“Do not think that just because you’re a woman you cannot become a rated researcher. We have female rated researchers. Associate with them and they will help you succeed.

”Univen has become the university of choice and one now gets the chance to study any qualification - there is quality and respect here at our university,” said Ekosse.

As South Africa continues to battle the worst drought in more than two decades, Univen students under the leadership of the Universal Greening Organization, led by Chairperson Talifhani Tshitwamulomoni, joined the masses in fighting drought by saving water.

They embarked on the Saving water campaign to encourage university staff and students as well as neighbouring communities to save water. The roadshow, in March, started at the Univen Stadium and proceeded to the Riverside Bridge.

“We are happy to see the youth taking it upon themselves to save our precious water,” said a representative of the Limpopo Economic Deve lopment , Env i ronment and Tour i sm organisation, Marubini Mugivhi.

“We are trying to instil the mentality of saving water in our people, starting from early age, as water is our life.”

A student who participated in the roadshow, Justice Mukwevho, said it is his duty to make sure that he always saves water and encourages fellow students to do the same.

The campaign coincided with World Water Day on 22 March 2016, where the world was encouraged to save water.

Sponsored by the Elias Resort, the roadshow was among others, attended by representatives of the National Youth Development Agency, the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism organisation and the Kara Heritage Institute.

Univen has joined the internationalisation and modernisation programme for academics, leaders and administrators.

Funded by the European Commission, the project is coordinated by the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Supported by about R17m, it will be implemented over three years. The collaboration advances international isation in the South African higher education system and specifically at the four South African partner universities - the co-coordinating Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the University of Fort Hare, the University of Limpopo and Univen.

The project also incorporates four European partners - the University of Bologna, the University of Graz, the Utrecht Network and the Academic Cooperation Association. Principal interventions will include staff training, workshops and acquisition of instrumentation to support internationalisation.

“Univen has been co l laborat ing with the University of Antwerp and the majority of other partners in the past years on five editions of the EUROSA Partnership for Human Development,” says Univen’s Diretor of International Relations, Cornelius Hagenmeier.

“This enabled various Univen community members to undertake study and research in Europe. Three

staff members have been funded by the European Commission for PhD Degrees - Dr Glory Lekganyane who graduated from the University of Ljubljana with a PhD in 2015, as well as Keamogetse Morwe and Cynthia Phiri, both who are still studying in Europe. The project is likely to make a significant contribution to the process of internationalisation at Univen,” said Hagenmeier.

“We need more rated researchers from this university,” says Univen’s Director of Research and Innovation, Prof Georges Ekosse.

Speaking at the recent Univen Research Open Day, themed Attaining higher education echelons in research leadership, Ekosse said “Currently there are only 23 rated researchers and it is not

enough for a university of this calibre we intend to become.”

“The National Research Foundation supports and promotes research outputs in the country,” said the foundation’s Thashni Pillay.

“We have a strong focus on emerging researchers and support research in postgraduate studies. Everyone who wants to do research anywhere around the country is welcome to apply for funding.

“Use the assistance offered by the foundation to your advantage, “said Pillay.

“We need more research professors,” said the Dean of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Prof Natasha Potgieter.

“Our students must use the National Research Foundation funding to their advantage. Do more research which will go a long way in helping to improve the image of our university. Research helps us to shape the world which we are living in. Our students must be encouraged to do more research work, as it plays an important role in our lives.”

During the open day various schools were afforded the opportunity to showcase their posters and journals of the research work which they have done. The event was a lso attended by representatives of the National Research Foundation, the CSIR, the Office of the Premier of Limpopo and the Department of Science and Technology.

Putting action to words - Students cleaning the environment.

Ndivhuwo Mukwevho, Intern: Department of Communications and Marketing Photos: Ntsieni Sirwali and Nobuhle Mhlongo, Interns: Department of Communications and Marketing

Do more research


If you spot anything out of the ordinary on campus – contact the tip-off hotline - 0800 212 755, e-mail [email protected]

Univen welcomes Next Generation of Academics programmeThe University of Venda has recently appointed four Next Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) lecturers.

They are Ms Siphiwe Lusiba, appointed in the Department of Soil Science, Mr Lutendo Mathomu in the Department of Biochemistry, Ms Fhumulani Mathivha in the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources and Mr Sello Rangoato in the Department of Criminal and Procedural Law. They will be mentored by Prof Jude Odhiambo, Prof Addmore Shonhai, Prof John Odiyo and Prof Tharien Van Der Walt respectively.

It is widely recognised that the South African university system is currently experiencing severe challenges in relation to the size, composition and capacity of its academic staff. Despite some changes, the current academic workforce remains unrepresentative of the South African population. It is still predominantly white and male and many academics are aging. About one fifth of academics are due to retire in less than a decade, including nearly half of the professoriate.

Driven by the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework is a national response to address these challenges. The framework supports and retains young academic staff, especially blacks and women, to address their under-representation within the higher education sector.

Furthermore, it supports newly recruited academics to acquire doctoral or master’s degrees in selected fields, develop teaching expertise and develop research skills, including scientific publication skills. It also provides development opportunities for academic staff at all levels and enables the recruitment of supplementary staff to enhance teaching and research at universities.

nGAP involves the recruitment, support and retention of highly capable young scholars as new academics in discipl ines identif ied as scarce and critical within the higher education sector. nGAP covers a six-year period for each cohort taken onto the programme, covering a three-year development programme plus three years induction thereafter. Government will carry the full cost of the post for the first three years, with cost-sharing mechanisms between government and the appointing university from the fourth year of the programme.

nGAP is structured with a three-year development programme, with the possibility of the programme being tailored to meet the needs of nGAP lecturers, three years induction after successful completion of the development programme and continuing permanent employment at the appoint ing institution thereafter.

nGAP academics are required to undertake a reduced teaching load – a maximum of 20 percent

load against departmental norms - with a spread of responsibilities and levels.

All nGAP academics enter into performance contracts that clearly stipulate obligations, expectations, roles and responsibilities. Contracts set out the need to participate successfully in the development programme. The contract also spells out expectations in relation to registration for a PhD.

nGAP academics are each assigned an experienced and successful mentor for the duration of their participation in the programme. Mentors are experienced and successful academics. The duties of mentors will include providing assistance with the preparation of a personal plan for professional development, assistance with personal problems, time and financial management and opportunities for discussions on teaching and research experiences, opportunities and challenges.

Should an nGAP academic, on successfu l completion of the programme, choose to leave his or her home university and work at another South African university, the new university employer would need to repay reasonable costs to the state. The same goes if an nGAP academic chooses not to pursue an academic career. If the nGAP academic drops out of the programme, he or she would need to repay costs.

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Meeting with management – from left front Mr Sello Rangoato, Ms Fhumulani Mathivha, Ms Siphiwe Lusiba and Mr Lutendo Mathomu.

Back Dr Jannie Zaaiman, Prof Edward Nesamvuni, Prof Peter Mbati, Mr Patrick Rachidi and Prof Jan Crafford.

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