NendilaNEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VENDA

Creating future leaders

University of Venda

1

For the first time in its history, Univen honoured long serving staff members recently. Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Peter Mbati awarded 400 staff members in recognition of their dedication, loyalty and service. A total of 248 people received awards for ten years of service, 145 for 20 years of service and 7 for 30 years of service. Mbati also bid farewell to seven retirees - Prof Mmbulaheni Musehane, Mr David Manda, Mrs Mutshekwa Ndou, Mrs Tshinakaho Rembuluwani, Mrs Doreen Mudumela, Adv Enoch Maphwanya and Mr Alfred Ramulondi, who will retire at the end of 2013 academic year.

On behalf of the University of Venda Council, Management, Staff and Students, I would like to express our overwhelming sadness following the passing of the world renowned former statesman and the founding president of South Africa’s democratic nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

We would like to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela. He was an exceptional leader and president – one of the best that the world has ever had. There are indeed lessons to be drawn from his life and it is important for all of us to live his legacy. At Univen we are determined to cherish the memory of Nelson Mandela.

Our thoughts are with Nelson Mandela’s family and we offer our deepest condolences.

HAMBA KAHLE NELSON MANDELA

Sincerely

Prof Peter Mbati Vice Chancellor and Principal

MR FS NETSHAPALA • MRS NG NEMANASHI • MR ER NDOU • DR NC NETSHISAULU • DR TM MASHAMBA • MR AZ NENGOME • DR P KABURISE • DR T NELWAMONDO • MRS

TA SINGO • ADV MK MALEPE • MISS CM MUTSILA • MR TH RAVHUTSI • MR NS NEMUKONGWE • MS NWF MASHAU • MR FG MULAUDZI • MR TP TSIWANA • MR NL MUOFHE • MR MC DAU • MR FM MABEGE • PROF V SANKARAN • ADV MI NETANGAHENI • MR A MULAUDZI • MS E CHAUKE • MRS NP LAVHELANI • MRS MR NELWAMONDO • MR MJ MOKGOEBO • MRS R KHAKHU • MR TR NDUVHENI • MISS MB MALIMA • MR AR KHANGALE • MS AJ MUTENDA • MR AS NEMUDZIVHADI • MR NG DZIVHANI • DR MP MULAUDZI • MR MW MUFAMADI • MR MF GWANGWA • MR AR MUDAU • MISS TG MADZIVHANDILA • MRS M NDOU • MRS NJ NTHANGENI • MRS TN MANGANYE • MRS NE MASALA • MRS NF PHASWANA • MRS TM MAKUMBANE • MRS TS MAMMBURU • MRS TS MUKOMAFHEDZI • MRS MG NYAMBENI • MRS TC MUDAU • MISS TG MARWALA • MRS M RAMULONDI • MRS MA NEMUSHUNGWA • MS MS NETSHIVHAMBE • MRS TL MUFAMADI • MRS MT KHAUKANANI • MRS AP MAPHAGELA • MRS MN MAFUDZHULE • MRS NW MABOGO • MS AE TSHIFULARO • MRS ML SINTHUMULE • MRS TF NENGWENANI • MR SA MATHAULULA • MR A DAMA • MR J DAMA • MR T.J MANENZHE • MS SC MUROVHI • MR AE MAKHADO • MR SA UGODA • MS B MUDAU • MR KF NEVUMBANI • DR MP TSHISIKHAWE • MS HC NEMUDZUDZANYI • MS M G LAMOLA • MS AM SIOTHO • MRS LR NDOU • MRS ME MUDAU • MRS VV NEVHUTALU • MRS NE MPHAGA • MS MJ MUKHARI • MRS MG MPHAPHULI • MRS AA MAGWABA • MRS FE KONE • MRS MM MASIA • MRS TH MAHUWA • MR TL MAGADANI • MR MJ MUKWEVHO • MS IN NEMADODZI • MR RA MASHAMBA • MRS MF MUSHAVHANAMADI • MS MD MAKHURA • MR KM MPHIDI • MR T MARAGANEDZHA • MRS GM VHUROMU • MR AD MAPHISWANA • MS AT NGOBENI • MRS AJ THEMELI • ADV PE MATSHIDZE • MRS J NETSHISAULU • MRS TS NEPHAWE • MRS TS NEPHAWE • MRS TS RATSHIBAYA • MRS TJ PHADZIRI • MISS MW MUKHUBA • MR TV DZAGA • MR NP TSHANWAKANI • MR TS RADZILANI • ADV HJ CHOMA • PROF A MUSYOKI • MRS SL BAKER • DR MC SELEPE • MRS MS MUDALAHOTHE • MS TV NEMALILI • MRS NI MUKONDELELI • MR NT RATSHITANGA • MS W TSHIVHENGA • MS B NETSHIOMBO • DR LD MOGOROSI • MR NL RAMAVHONA • PROF RR MOLAPO • MRS PD MAPHOLI • MS MM DAU • DR TM BABANE • PROF N POTGIETER • PROF IDI RAMAITE • DR KA KYEI • DR MC HLUNGWANI • MS ME MATIBE • MS LG TSHIPETANE • MR MA NTSHAUBA • MR MM RAPHASHA • MRS MP RAMABULANA • MRS MJ MUDZUNGA • MR FM RALINEBA • MRS MR RAPHALALANI • MS A RAMAREMISA • MRS VR MODAU • MS RP MUDZANANI • MISS NN SITHOLE • MR NA TSHIFHANGO • MRS TJ MULAUDZI • MR ME NTHANGENI • MR MS RAMUTUMBA • MRS AW TSHIKOMBEDZE • MR MP RAMOVHA • MR MP RAMOVHA • MR MP TAKALANI • MRS TR MUTHADZWI • MRS TG NENGWENANI • PROF NJ VERMAAK • MRS MD MAGAU • MR NE SIPHOLI • MR ME NYATHI • MR NP KHAKHU • MISS TP MATSHOTSHI • MR HV SITHAGU • MR MM MABOHO • MR NR NETSHINOMBELO • MR AS NDOU • MRS MA LEWIS • PR0F ML NETSHIKWETA • MR RF MASHAMBA • MRS NA MUTHEVHULI • MRS MJ MBOBVU • MISS NS MABIDI • MR TA MMBADI • PROF MA MAKGOPA • MRS TB MULAUDZI • MS N MULOVHEDZI • MRS ME NEMBUDANI • MRS PJ SIPHOROGO • MR KS MARAGANEDZHA • MR TI MULAUDZI • PROF AB GYEKYE • PROF SH FOORD • MR MA LURULI • MR RV RATSHISUSU • PROF GRA MCHAU • MR MM NEKHAVHAMBE • MR LG RATSHIRUMBI • MR MG MAHANI • DR TD SIKHWARI • DR NP MUDZIELWANA • DR MJ MUDAU • MR WE BALOYI • MR VT BVUMA • PROF VO NETSHANDAMA • MR TM MABITSELA • MS GC MUSHIANA • MS H MUNDALAMO • DR NCK NEETA • DR RT LEBESE • DR LH NEMATHAGA • MR DC MANDA • MRS MN LAMBANI • MRS NV MUDAU • MISS MP MASHAU • MRS LM MARIBA • MR NE RAMAFHIDZA • MRS RMM MBELENGWA • MRS ME MUNANO • MR HP NEMAKUNDANI • MS TG KUTAMA • MR D BESWA • MS FV NONGE • MR MS MUNYAI • MRS CN NESAMVUNI • PROF LL MALIWICHI • MRS M NKUNA • PROF XG MBHENYANE • PROF JS OGOLA • MR MS SADIKI • MR TK TAKALANI • DR MS MAKATU • MR T MUDAU • MR JN STEYN • MRS MA MATHAULULA • MISS BJ MAFOKO • DR PK CHAUKE • MS TA RAMABULANA • MR AE LUVHENGO • PROF JJO ODHIAMBO • DR EN RAIDIMI • PROF A KADYAMATIMBA • PROF LO AMUSA • DR NE MALUTA • PROF LB KHOZA • PROF JO ODIYO • DR MG MAPAYA • MR FV MUSHIANA • DR LF MUSHAPHI • MR MS MIKASI • MR RE SADIKI • DR LN MAQUBELA • MR TR MUSETSHO • MR LA MUSEKENE • MRS GB OLOO • MR ST MWIHOMEKE • MISS AC THOVHOGI • DR JK KIRUI • DR F AMPONSAH-DACOSTA • DR LV MATHYE • PROF AKM SIACHITEMA • PROF EK OSEIFUAH • DR LPM MULAUDZI • MR D TUTANI • MR MP RACHIDI • DR SPT ZIKHALI • MR ME MASHAU • MR RB MULOVHEDZI • DR M MALULEKE • R H SILUNGWE • PROF JBO OGOLA

MR AS MANENZHE • MR TA R A M U L O N D I • M R FE NETSHILUVHI • MRS

NE MPHUMA • MR TSO MATHOHO • MS OM RAMABOE • MR NA MAKHIPHA • MR AR MUADE • MR FC MULIDZI • MS MV MASHIMBYI • MS TP NENGOVHELA • DR JLM DEDEREN • MR TE NEMUHUYUNI • MRS TM NDOU • MR NW MASIAGWALA • MS HV NEMAVHOLA • MRS SR NDOU • MRS JM TSHIVHANDEKANO • MRS MC MAUMELA • MRS TS MASHAU • MR TS MATHASE • MR MD MALEMA • MR RM NETSHIVHAZWAULU • MS NB MAHADA • MRS TF RATSHITANGA • MRS T NEMUHUYUNI • MR NS PHUNGO • MR RR NETSHITONGWE • MR MJ SIKHOBO • MS RM MATHIBELI • MR KG MATHELEMUSA • MRS LG VHUROMU • MRS FA MANYAGA • MR NA DZHIVHUHO • MR PK NEDIVHINI • MRS MJ MUHALI • MR NJ VELE • MR NA MUTOTI • MRS MR MATHOMA • MRS TG CIBI • MR NM NELUONDE • MR JS NTHAMBELENI • MR TSL MATSEGO • MR NR RATSHILUMELA • MR ME MAGORO • MR M NETSHILEMA • MR NJ RAMULONDI • MR TJ MAEBA • MR AE SHAVHANI • DR NE PHASWANA • MR MH LIGAVHA-MBELENGWA • MS CM CHOATE • MRS MR TSHIKOMBA • MR DL DONGOLA • MR M LIGUDU • MR NH MUGWEDI • MR BL MAKHADO • MS ML TSHIKOSI • PROF JH JACOBS • MR AT MAUMELA • MR NC MUVHANGO • MRS A KIRK-COHEN LANSINK • MRS JM MANENA • MRS JM NETSHIVHERA • MRS NR MARUMO • MRS DM MASHAWANA • MS AA MATHOMA • MRS DD MUDUMELA • MRS AM MUDZUSI • MRS VL CHAUKE • MS TM NEMAVHIDI • MS EE NEMBAMBULA • MRS NJ RAMADOLELA • MS MG RAPHUNGA • MS TC RAVHUTSI • MRS ME TSHIVHASE • MRS MIG MASHAMBA • MRS TS MAGWABENI • MR TW MATHOHO • MR TE NESAMVUNI • MR RA MBUVHA • PR0F DG THABEDE • MR VW MANUKHA • MR MC MULABO • MISS LA KONE • MRS TC MUTELE • MRS F RAMANYIMI • PROF DT NGOBELI • DR EOM HANISCH • MR TN MAHOSI • PROF RP VIJAYAN • PROF MP KHWASHABA • MR SA TSHITHUKHE • MR PN TSHIVHUYAHUVHI • MR HP MUSHIANA • DR MA RAVHUDZULO • PR0F PSO FOUCHE • MS TA MATODZI • MS NT KHOHOMELA • MRS MN MABIDI • MR J FOURIE • MR NK MALABI • MR ZE MUTAVHATSINDI • MRS SK MUTHAMBI • MRS T REMBULUWANI • MRS MD RATSHITALI • MRS AJ MAMALI • MS MG THEMELI • MRS MA SINGO • MR NG MAVHUNGU • MISS LM MAKHAVHU • MRS LP MUDAU • MRS CJ HOFFMANN • MRS AL KHWASHABA • MRS MM MADAVHA • MRS IM KHOROMMBI • MRS AG LUVHIMBI • MS NL MUSHI • MR NM NETSHIFHEFHE • MR NS MATHANYA • MS NM NETSHIZWE • MRS S TSHIVHASE • MS MS MOLEFE • MR M JACOBZ • MR TR TSHIVHANDEKANO • MR MT MAMUKHWANA • MR NH MAKHUVHA • DR SN MAVHUNGU • MRS MF MUTAVHATSINDI • MRS MT MULAUDZI • DR KN PHALANNDWA • MR EN SADIKI • MR ME MANARI • MR PR RAMUTANDA • MRS MG TSHIMANGE • DR NS NETHENGWE • MRS TM NETSHISHIVHE • MRS NR MANI • MS PE RAMAITE • MS TL MADILONGA • ADV DE MAPHWANYA • MR P R MAWILA • MR NT RAEDANI • MRS RC PHASWANA

MR MR MURUGE • MRS MB NENGWEKHULU • REV JDN VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

• MR AB MAGWABENI • MRS E MASHAVHANDUNA • MRS FT MAKHADO • MR PM THEMELI

DECEMBER 2013

Historic long service awards to 400 loyal staff members

10 YEARS 20 YEARS

30 YEARS

Read insidePartnering with secondary schools to improve education 2A degree in Crop Science from Univen was only the beginning 2Women’s University in Africa benchmarks with Univen 2Let us be the change we want to see at Univen - new SRC president 3Financial matters the name of the game 3Become manufacturers – dti 3Univen lecturers improve their teaching skills 3My Experience at Rand Water 4Univen joins forces with a consortium of universities 4Univen Radio broadcasts24/7 4Bursary opportunities for BComm Accounting 5Unlocking the deepest secrets of the universe 5Two Univen staffers now National Research Foundation rated researchers 6Publish to generate knowledge – Prof Ekosse 6Univen social work students visit Germany 6

University of Venda

Nendila wishes you all the best for the festive season.

Your dream lives on. In all of us

Creating future leaders2

A degree in Crop Science from Univen was only the beginning

Women’s University in Africa benchmarks with Univen

Univen is partnering with secondary schools in Limpopo as part of a three-year community engagement initiative, Creating sustainable learning environments, to improve the educational outcomes of grade 10 to 12 learners. This is a project of the Directorate of Community Engagement and the School of Education.

Funded by the National Research Foundation, this

multi-stakeholder collaboration involves principals, teachers, learners and district representatives from seven selected schools. Univen facilitates professional development workshops to capacitate educators in the application of research-based teaching. I t advances educators’ content knowledge in Mathematics, Science, English and Life Orientation.

Development workshops have been held at Tshipise, Blyde River Canyon and the Luvhengo and Tshikundamalema Secondary School. Focus group discussions and initial assessments revealed that in addition to academic content, programme participants wanted sessions to focus on positive mental health and wellness. Workshop activities included sessions on how to maintain physical and

mental fitness, effective school management and policy, the creation of a student-centered learning environment and practical application of science through experimentation.

At the two secondary schools grade 10 to 12 learners were exposed to modelled teaching and learning strategies and the importance of community service and careers.

P ro f Fha tuwan i N i xwe l l Mudau completed a BSc Agric in Crop Science at the University of Venda in 1996. He then registered for MSc at the University of Stellenbosch where he researched on citrus nutrition. He completed a PhD in Horticultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria and he has done extensive research in herbal medicine. He recently completed an MBL at Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership.

Mudau’s previous working experience locations includes Vista University, now incorporated into Unisa, Univen and the University of Limpopo. In 2006 he was seconded by the then Tshumisano Trust, now the Technology Innovation Agency, to the Limpopo Agro Food Technology Station as an associate professor and centre manager to establish a fully funded research centre. He then joined the Industrial Development Corporation’s Agro-Industries business unit.

He is currently a Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health at Unisa. Mudau

has extensively published in both local and international journals. He has received n u m e ro u s f u n d i n g f o r r e s e a r c h f r o m v a r i o u s research funders. He has supervised MSc and MAgric postgraduate students and is currently supervising a number of PhD students in Horticultural Sciences.

Mudau is a board member o f s c i C rop P roduc t ion Journa l and a rev iewer in local and international

journals. He was a board member of the South African Horticultural Sciences Society and Rotondo, a subsidiary of the Industrial Development Corporation.

He has vast experience in project development and implementation in agro industries, education and the health care sectors. He has extensive experience in managing mega projects, performing initial assessment on business proposals, due diligence investigations as well as the presentation of written recommendations to credit, investment committees and investors.

The Director of Finance and Planning at the Women’s University in Africa in Zimbabwe, Simplicius Mugari, recently spent 30 days at Univen to benchmark and share experiences about the management of higher education institutions. He also observed methods, processes, procedures, equipment, systems and infrastructure development projects.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two universities in 2010 and the recent visit of Univen’s Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Peter Mbati in October 2013.

Mugari’s stay at Univen marks the implementation of staff and student exchange programmes agreed on in the memorandum of understanding.

Exchange programmes between Univen’s School of Agriculture and the Women’s University in Africa’s Faculty of Agriculture will take effect in the first quarter of 2014.

He also focused on activities in the Operations Division as his university is developing its new main campus in Marondera, 80km east of Harare.

Agriculture exchange programmes on the cards for 2014 – Mugari.

Partnering with secondary schools to improve education

Creating future leaders 3

“South Africa can make their own breath- able, antibacterial, viral barrier, fire protection, thermo-responsive, odour control and wear- able products instead of exporting this raw material elsewhere.”

This is according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (dti) Head of Textiles, Clothing, Leather and Foot Wear, Mr Peter Tembo.

Delivering a public lecture at Univen recently Tembo said manufacturing medical textiles such as clotting bandages, artificial tendons, synthetic heart valves and arteries, clinical wipes and pressure garments would create more jobs in South Africa.

“We should minimise the manufacturing of materials with our own raw material abroad as it blocks job creation initiatives.”

He called on Univen to work with the DTI to ensure that some of the textile and fibre are utilised in South Africa.

“Univen should join other universities in offering a programme in the textile industry,” said Tembo.

Financial matters the name of the game

Let us be the change we want to see at Univen - new SRC president

Become manu-facturers – dti

Univen lecturers improve their teaching skills 23 Univen academics have enro l led for a postgraduate diploma in higher education at the Rhodes University.

The diploma runs over two years part-time and the group should complete their studies in 2014.

As an initiative to support the development of teaching at multiple levels in higher education institutions, the Department of Higher Education and Training has introduced a teaching development grant for university academics.

Univen received R2 850 000 for this purpose and the group of academics is the first to benefit.

The diploma develops knowledge of higher education and assists lecturers to enhance their ability to facilitate, manage and assess students’ learning. It also provides professional accreditation for higher education practitioners and is registered as a 120 credit honours level course on the Higher Education Qualifications Framework.

The Director of Univen’s Centre for Higher Education, Teaching and Learning and coordinator of the project, Dr Clever Ndebele says the response for another intake in 2014 has been overwhelming.

“A total of 65 academics has expressed interest in enrolling in 2014. Rhodes University is unable to cope with our demands and the University of the Western Cape, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Stel lenbosch University, the University of Cape Town and the University of Fort Hare that also offer the diploma will enrol our academics for the diploma in 2014.

“We are conceptualising a similar diploma to be submitted to the university’s Academic Planning Committee in 2014 so that the Diploma can eventually be offered in-house,” says Ndebele.

“Discipline will be the order of the 2014 Student Representative Council,” says new council President Mr Samuel Mofokeng.

At a recent handing-over ceremony Mofokeng said “we must do what we said we will in the name of the needs of students who voted for us. Let us be the change we want to see at Univen. Loyalty, enthusiasm, accountability and discipline towards the student course is a true reflection of a good leader.”

In congratulating the new president, Univen Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Peter Mbati said a good leader listens, plans and budgets to achieve on what was promised as leadership.

Members of the previous counci l received certificates of recognition.

Financial matters were top of mind at the recent higher education management workshop for deans directors and heads of departments.

“The financial situation of an organistion dictates its performance and financial management is crucial in the running of its finances,” said Univen’s Prof Osefuah.

Univen’s Finance Director, Ms Dhumazi said the government grant, earmarked funding and student fees and third stream income are the sources of funding at universities.

“Contract research, short courses, endowment and business ventures also generate funds for the university. The number of students and enrolment planning are crucial elements in the university’s funding strategy.”

“Univen should offer programmes in the textile industry” – dti’s Tembo.

Enhancing their teaching skills - postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, 2013 Rhodes University intake.

“We will do what we promised” – new Student Representative Council President Samuel Mofokeng.

Food security in developing countries – Honours students of the Department of Public and Development Administration with Dr Masipa (third from right) during their presentations at a recent seminar.

“Explore all routes of funding” – Finance Director Dhumazi.

Creating future leaders4

My Experience at Rand Water

Univen joins forces with a consortium of universities

Univen Radio broadcasts 24/7

Rhinah Singo I am currently working as a graduate process scientist at Rand Water’s Scientific Services Division in Vereeniging. I am assigned within the Process Technology Department, whose roles focus on conceptualisation of water treatment technology and plant design.

Among others, the responsibi l i t ies of this department is to perform applied research that would improve the understanding of water related matters in fields of national and Rand Water’s interest.

I started the Rand Water graduate programme in March this year with other graduate trainees. The programme creates opportunities for both internal and external communities to support the national skills development strategy. Before being assigned to the Process Technology Department, I underwent a three-month induction programme to understand my role and expectations as an employee. Thereafter, we were allocated to various departments within the Scientific Services Division.

It has been a wonderful experience and I have learnt a lot about the day-to-day operations of various divisional services within Rand Water, as well as leadership and project management skills. The knowledge and skills that I have gained will help me greatly to progress in the water industry. I cannot thank Rand Water enough for giving me this opportunity. I am learning everyday as I still need to identify and fill gaps that I may encounter to improve my skills.

I can safely say that through induction programmes, one can learn various tasks for the job allocated, no matter how challenging the job may be. As a person living with a hearing impairment disability, the past months at Rand Water have taught me to surround myself with successful and positive thinking people to make a real difference to my situation.

• Rhinah Singo is a deaf PhD Student of the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, School of Environmental Sciences.

Univen recently s igned a memorandum of understanding with the Catholic University College Limburg, Belgium, the Belgium Campus, Pretoria and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. As part of this new collaboration Univen already hosted two exchange students in

education from the Catholic University College Limburg, while further cooperation is taking place between Univen’s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems and the Belgium Campus, which specialises in computer science programmes.

Univen Radio is now broadcasting 24-hours a day.Station Manager, Ms Tshilidzi Claire Shirinda says this is part of a long plan to accommodate new programmes that will promote the development of various communities through information sharing.

“The Licensing and Compliance Division at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has renewed our broadcasting licence until October 2018 and amended the broadcasting hours from 19 to 24hours.

“We call on listeners to suggest names for the new programmes and content,” says Shirinda.

Univen Radio has been broadcasting for 16 years successfully and will continue to serve its surrounding communities.

The station has always strived for excellence in quality programming and contributes towards skills development and training.

It provides the platform for the community to address politics, agriculture, sports, gender, ethnicity, economic, youth development, women and children, education, entrepreneurship, religion and race.

At the water laboratory with her trainer, Mrs Hannah Enslin.

Conducting jar test experiments- pH and turbidity of the water and the final residual turbidity are measured in each jar to determine the optimum pH and the optimum coagulant dose.

Her Royal Highness, Princess Astrid of Belgium and Minister Ingrid Lieten, Government of Belgium witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

At the pilot plant- an experimental facility for evaluation of treatment process.

Creating future leaders 5

Bursary opportunities for BComm Accounting

Unlocking the deepest secrets of the universe Prof Azwinndini Muronga, one of Univen’s prominent alumni and chairperson of the Gauteng Alumni chapter, recently took people on a journey to explore the universe’s deepest secrets.

In a public lecture themed ‘Unlocking the deepest secrets of the Universe’, Muronga who is a professor of Physics at the University of Johannesburg, first showed a video clip from the science fiction movie Star Trek- space, the final frontier.

”This, is no longer science fiction, because Voyager 1 is now the first man-made spacecraft to leave the solar system and it has entered interstellar space – the space between the stars.

“At the time of its last contact with earth, Voyager 1 was 19 billion kilometres from the sun and still going.

“Our solar system forms part of the much larger Milky Way Galaxy. The stars we see in the evening – about 2 billion of them – form part of the Milky Way Galaxy - just one of billions of galaxies. The universe is thus really huge.

“The universe started with a Big Bang some 14 billion years ago. And it has been expanding since then. We know this by looking at the light coming from the furthest galaxies in the universe – and the light from there has been travelling for 14 billion years to reach us.”

Muronga said scientists were exploring the beginning of the universe in the laboratory.

“Such experiments are conducted at CERN in Switzerland in a 27 km circular tunnel build 100 m deep underground. One result of this research has been the discovery of the so called Higgs boson - a particle which is believed to give mass to the rest of the particles in the universe.”

Indeed a very thought-provoking and interactive lecture.

Grade 12 learners who would like to enrol for BComm Accounting at Univen in 2014 can now apply for bursaries.

Prospective students must have qualified in level 6 Mathematics and must be a black or coloured South African Citizen.

Once the learner has met all the requirements and has completed the relevant tests and interviews,

this learner will advance to the stage where the bursary will be provisionally awarded, pending the final Grade 12 results.

Applications close on 10 January 2014.

For more information please contact Mr Nditsheni Tshithavhane at 015 962 8516/072 337 8787 or email Nditsheni.tshithavhane@univen.ac.za.

New staff members at Finance - Ms Mmakoma Sebetso, Management Accountant: Financial Aid, Management Accounting and Reporting (left) and Mr Richard Rammupudu, Head of Supply Chain Management.

“We are just a tiny grain of sand in the sea of stars in the universe” – Muronga.

We would like to hear from you!

If you spot anything out of the ordinary on campus – contact the tip-off hotline - 0800 212 755,

e-mail univenhotline@tip-offs.com

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Creating future leaders6

Dr Isaac Ndlovu of the School of Human and Social Sciences and Dr Daniel Ter Goon of the School of Health Sciences were awarded as National Research Foundation rated researchers. Ndlovu received a Y2 rating and Ter Goon a C3 rating.

Dr Isaac NdlovuNdlovu obtained his PhD in English at Stellenbosch University and subsequently joined the University of Cape Town as a postdoctoral fellow. He later joined the Univen’s English Department’s literature section) in 2012.

His expertise lies in life-writing and popular narratives, from South Africa and Kenya and particular attention to the ways in which both the literary form and the physical infrastructure of prison shape subjectivities and representational acts, while establishing strong comparative and connective framework between the South African and Kenyan contexts.

He has participated in a number of research activities which feed into and expand his research focus.

He is an active alumnus of Canon Collins Trust which specialises in developing and sponsoring young academics and researchers in Southern Africa. Ndlovu was also awarded the Ninth Cadbury Fellowship Scheme of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom in 2012.

Some of his publications are in the Journal of South African studies, African Identities, Alternation, and English Studies in Africa.

Dr Daniel Ter Goon Ter Goon is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science at the University of Venda. He obtained an M Tech degree in Sport and Exercise Technology in 2007 and a D Tech in Clinical Technology in 2011, both from the Tshwane University of Technology. He is a level 2 International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry anthropometrist - trained by Prof Hans de Ridder, an international Level 4 anthropometrist.

His research interests include anthropometry and body composition, obesity, physical growth and development in children, kinanthropometry as well as physical fitness testing.

He belongs to several professional bodies such as the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, the International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sports and the Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance.

He has authored and co-authored 73 scientific publications in peer-reviewed accredited national and international journals and has presented 23 international and eight national conference papers.

He has received several research awards including the University of Venda awards for active researcher - 2010, 2011, 2012. In 2011 he received the University of Venda’s Vice Chancellor’s award for Excellence in Research in the category Researcher with the most Department of Higher Education and Training Publication Output.

Ter Goon has international research collaborations with the Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria, the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and the Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda.

He is an editorial board member of the African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance and a regular reviewer for ten international journals.

He has made remarkable contributions to local and international capacity-building for lecturers. He has co-facilitated publication workshops for lecturers at the University of Venda, the Vaal University of Technology, the University of Limpopo, Monash University, Unisa, the University of Fort Hare, and the Kyambogo University in Uganda. He offers mentoring to both staff and students in research writing and publication skills.

He has graduated one masters student and is currently supervising several undergraduate

projects and five masters students and has been external examiner to two universities.

The National Research Foundation describes a Y-rated researcher as a young researcher (normally younger than 35 years), who has held a doctorate or equivalent qualification for less than five years at the time of application, and who is recognised as having the potential to establish himself/herself as a researcher within a five-year period after evaluation, based on his/her performance and productivity as a researcher during his/her doctoral studies and/or early post-doctoral career.

A Y2 rated researcher in this group is recognised by all or the over-riding majority of reviewers as having the potential to establish him/herself as a researcher, demonstrated by recent research products.

C-rated researchers are established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in the field who are recognised by their peers as having produced a body of quality work, the core of which has coherence and attests to ongoing engagement with the field. They have also demonstrated the ability to conceptualise problems and apply research methods to investigating them.

For a C3 rated researcher, most of the reviewers concur that the applicant is an established researcher.

“It is important that knowledge generated in research is translated through published articles,” says The Director of Research and Innovation Prof Ekosse.

Officially opening the recent article writing workshop for emerging researchers, Ekosse said while research output at Univen has improved since 2008, the increase was generated by a small core of active researchers.

“Researchers need to develop the skill and art of research article writing to enable the dissemination of knowledge in appropriate ways.”

The Directorate of Research and Innovation in conjunction with the Office of Staff Development and Training recently conducted a two-day workshop for academics and active researchers.

The attendees were researchers who recently completed their doctoral and master’s degrees, researchers who have not published for some years due to administrative or other related activities

and researchers who recently presented papers at conferences and would like to publish the findings.

The aim was to spur emerging researchers to publish in South African post-secondary education accredited journals.

Discussions included an overview of research article writing to emerging researchers and the publication process, emphasising publishable research, choosing a suitable journal, following the instructions to authors, structuring a journal article, understanding the review and publication processes and interacting with editors.

Writing effectively in English for publishing and available resources available at Univen were also discussed.

Participants heard about institutional research support and funding opportunities available in terms of publication costs and article writing retreats encouraged by the Directorate of Research and Innovation.

Ten Univen social work students recently visited the Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft and Kunst” – the University of Applied Social Sciences and Arts HAWK - in Holzminden, Germany for a short-term student exchange programme.

Accompanied by the Dean of Human and Social Sciences, Prof Mokgale Makgopa, they attended lectures and seminars at Univen’s new German partner university and visited relevant social work institutions in Germany.

Makgopa also delivered a public lecture - Training of social workers in South Africa: The University of Venda experience.

He highlighted the curriculum review and new aspects such as African languages and law that could be added to the curriculum.

The group visited the President of HAWK, Prof Christinae Dienel who outlined some of the challenges faced by higher education in Germany.

“Although higher education in Germany is free, the system has merits and demerits,” she said.

The group learnt about the degree of autonomy that universities enjoy in Germany, compared with South African universities.

The academic part of the programme included visits to social work institutions in Germany, including the Pattensen House in Hannover, a facility providing care for physically challenged children and the Ludwig Schloemann Haus in Höxter for physically challenged people from 18 to 75 years. Some are still maintaining links with their family members and visit relatives once a month. The institution is supported by the German government.

Makgopa also benchmarked aspects of Univen’s social work programme development and made recommendations for its curriculum reform process.

The new student exchange was conceptualised and implemented by the School of Human and Social Sciences in collaboration with the Directorate of International Relations. Funding was secured from the German Academic Exchange Service, Univen and HAWK. The student exchange was not only historic in that it was one of the first larger-scale outgoing engagements for Univen undergraduate students, but also in that selection was based on academic merit, rewarding excellent students.

Univen will possibly host a group of social work students from HAWK in 2014 – the beginning of a sustained partnership.

Two Univen staffers now National Research Foundation rated researchers

Publish to generate knowledge – Prof Ekosse

Univen social work students visit Germany

Learning the tricks of the trade of article publishing – delegates at the article writing workshop for emerging researchers.

Univen’s Social Work students with Dean Prof Mokgale Makgopa (centre front) and their German counterparts.