JANUARY Nendila 2018 NEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VENDA University of Venda University of Venda @Univenofficial universityofvenda University of Venda Official Leadership can Read inside Univen overcomes challenges during 2018 registration 2 improve student life Rendani Sitholimela - best overall student 3 Emerald Publishing awards at Univen – Martin quiz winners 3 “You have been wise to choose Univen,” said experience, the sustained growth of Univen Reviving old songs 4 Univen’s Deputy Vice Chancellor: Operations, continued and the campus environment remained Dr Robert Martin. stable and calm. Our research output grew strongly LGSETA hosts research Officially opening the university’s academic year with the number of rated researchers increasing recently, Martin said Univen is committed to significantly to 26. seminar series 4 supporting free higher education for financially “2018 is going to be a particularly challenging year, needy students. but also a year that presents immense possibilities Univen participates in Leading “However, mindful of the pressure on staff and and innovations for higher education in South like Mandela workshop 4 facilities that the growth in enrolment poses, I urge Africa,” said Martin. all staff members to make every effort to treat “I am impressed with the calibre of young men students with dignity. Provide the necessary service and women who are represented on Univen’s SRC “Univen remains the proud to ensure that all registered students receive quality cabinet. Since they came into office, they have beneficiary of all Mbati’s efforts” 5 service with minimal inconvenience. demonstrated a good level of maturity in their interactions with the university management and “Thank you to everybody who played a part to Condomise to prevent HIV/Aids ensure a smooth and incident free registration an understanding of higher education issues. I 5 process. Univen remains committed to improving applaud you for actively pursuing an agenda its facilities and services to students. We are aimed at improving the service that Univen offers A visionary leader 6 also committed to completing a number of students.” infrastructure projects taking place on campus, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic, Prof Jan Univen awards long serving particularly student residences. Crafford, thanked the SRC President, Lindokuhle “Despite the challenges which the South Lukhele, for motivating members of his cabinet to staff members 6 African higher education sector continues to make education fashionable. “Univen treats students with dignity” – Martin. Don’t bribe officials for admission - SRC President “Student assistants should never take money from “Participate in community engagement activities anyone in exchange for anything,” says Univen’s because this will help boost your CVs and SRC President, Lindokuhle Lukhele. improve your personal profiles,” said the Director Speaking during Univen’s official orientation of Community Engagement, Prof Vhonani “Never pay a bribe to anyone in exchange for a favour or a service” – Lukhele. programme, Lukhele said even if it is a token of Netshandama. appreciation, do not take it, because it might cause “Participating in community engagement might problems in future. even increase your chances of getting scholarships.” “First-entering students should also never pay “Engage with international students and make a bribe to anyone in exchange for a favour or a them feel at home,” said the Acting Director of service. Report anyone who demands anything International Relations, Dr Segun Obadire. from you in exchange for being assisted. It is our duty to assist you free of charge, because we are “Contact my office for more information here to serve you. regarding exchange programmes and international scholarships.” “Invest most of your time in your studies. Finish your degrees within the stipulated time as this will “Attend all orientation programmes – they have open spaces for other qualifying students,” he said. been prepared to assist you,” said the acting “We want you to help us achieve all our institutional Director of Student Affairs, Lufuno Tshikhudo. values,” said the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic, “These student structures and facilities include Prof Jan Crafford. the campus clinic, student residences and sporting “We want you to help us produce valuable and facilities.” quality graduates. We strive to produce quality Prof Nancy Mutshaeni, the Director of the Centre leaders.” for Higher Education Teaching and Learning, “Make use of the Financial Aid Office – it is there said the Academic Development Unit, Student to serve you,” said the Head of Financial Aid and Counselling, the Career Development Unit and the Reporting, Benji Ngobeni. Disability Unit are designed to assist students. First-entering students and staff members at the official 2018 orientation. NENDILA NEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VENDA 1 Univen overcomes challenges during 2018 registration Unlike previous years, the 2018 academic admission Mapaseka Mokgaphane, Univen SRC Minister of and registration process was a memorable one. Information said that the admission and registration First-entering students made history by being the of first-entering students went according to the first group to receive free tertiary education – now plan. known as first-time entrants. “Everything ran smoothly. What was most exciting Univen’s Assistant Registrar, Mpfariseni Ligudu, was to see students smiling because at last they got says prior to the re-opening of the university, what they wanted, having waited for free education the Student Administration Section selected and for many years. This has made disadvantaged admitted students who applied for admission students who come from poor backgrounds access before the closing date in 2017. education like every other citizen of this country. Those who did not apply were given a window for “When the national matric results were announced late application. on 5 January 2018, the university auto-selected applicants and sent messages to admitted students, “Everyone has the right to further education which inviting them to register online from 8 to 19 January the state, through reasonable measures, must make 2018. available and accessible.” “The president’s announcement in December Nthabeleng Kwinda, one of the 3 100 students who 2017 about free tertiary education caused unusual managed to register at Univen, is excited about challenges. One of these was that there is limited being a registered student. space for first-entering students. Univen received “I am currently registered for a Bachelor of 24 000 applications for 2018 with only 3 100 Environmental Sciences. I was desperate to be a spaces for new students.” registered student of the University of Venda. On 15 January, the Deputy Vice Chancellor: “I always accept challenges and believe in positivity. Operations, Dr Robert Martin visited the registration Throughout the process of registration, I have site to check whether everything was going learned that you don’t always get what you want in according to plan, especially registration of first- life. People should learn to accept what is available entering students. because God knows our future. He cannot give us “I was impressed with the way everything was things that we cannot handle.” handled during this tough time on the academic Kwinda is one of the students who will receive free A smile to remember - Nthabeleng Kwinda is delighted to be a registered Univen student. calendar.” education. Useful information - Mapaseka Mokgaphane, Minister of Information, providing clarity Patiently waiting - prospective students queueing to receive acceptance letters to register. about late online application to prospective students. Getting clarity - Dr Robert Martin engaging with student assistants and members of First-entering and returning students in the registration queue. the SRC regarding registration the processes. 2 NENDILA NEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VENDA Rendani Sitholimela - best overall student Rendani Sitholimela, a third year student in “You deserve to be praised for having devoted most Computer Science and Information Systems who of your time to your studies,” said the Deputy Vice hails from Tshedza, Nzhelele, was awarded as Chancellor: Operations, Dr Robert Martin. Univen’s best overall student for 2017. “Congratulations to the winners. If you did not “I always wanted to be the best student and make make it this time around, the time is now to work my family proud. The thought of not disappointing towards excellence next time.” my family kept me motivated. Never give up - put “The awards celebrate top academic student your mind to everything you do, then you will achievers,” said the Director of the Centre for achieve the best results. Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Prof “Students should start believing in themselves Nancy Mutshaeni. and in what they do, then they will achieve their “The awards promoted a culture of teaching and objectives. My dream is to become a software learning.” engineer,” he said. More than 50 students with outstanding performance were awarded as part of the Vice Hard work rewarded – best overall student, Rendani Chancellor’s Student Academic Excellence awards. Sitholimela, with his certificates and trophies Congratulations young man – from left, Dr Robert Martin, Rendani Congratulations are in order - best performers displaying their certificates and trophies. Sitholimela and Prof Jan Crafford. “Celebrating top academic student achievers” – Mutshaeni.