News

Great Zimbabwe University in the process of formulating its community engagement

Delegates from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) visited University of Venda’s Community Engagement Directorate on a fact finding mission from 26 to 27 September 2011. The aim of the visit was to gain insights on how GZU formulates its community engagement programme.

GZU delegates: Mr Lovemore Chirobe, Dean of Students and Mr James July, the Director of Information and Public Relations. Their discussion centred on the following areas:  the framework of the establishment of the Community Engagement Directorate, terms of reference and modus operandi of the Directorate, flagship programmes Univen has embarked on and the structure of the directorate. They also visited some of the projects on campus, including Vuwani Science Resource Centre which is outside campus.

On Tuesday, 27 September 2011 the delegates paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati. The delegates also met with Univen staff members who are involved in the teaching of Tshivenda and Xitsonga and discussed matters related to the teaching of these languages at GZU.

Great Zimbabwe University and University of Venda signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2007 where Univen  undertook to assist in the teaching of Tshivenda and Xitsonga at Great Zimbabwe University.  The first intake of students in this programme will graduate in 2011.

The Chancellor of the University of Venda, Honorable Mr Kgalema Motlanthe officially conferred degree qualifications to 555 students in  the fields of Agriculture; Education; Environmental Sciences; Health Sciences; Human and Social Sciences; Law; Management Sciences; and, Mathematical and Natural Sciences during September graduation ceremony which took place on Friday, 23 September 2011.

The September graduation consisted of one session where in a total of 57 undergraduate diplomas/ certificates, 417 undergraduate degrees, 8 postgraduate diplomas/certificates, 51 honours,18 masters and 4 PhDs were awarded.  

The Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati commended the Chancellor for being always available and presides over our graduation ceremonies. “We know, Mr Chancellor that you have an extremely busy schedule.  As a community and stakeholders of this institution, we want to sincerely thank you for your commitment in the growth and development of the University of Venda as exemplified by your contious  presence at our graduation ceremonies”, said Prof Mbati.          

The Chancellor gave a congratulatory message to the graduates and wished them their best as they have opened another chapter in life. He said that he hopes that the knowledge accumulated  by graduates will not just serve them, but should serve their communities, University of Venda and the nation as a whole.            

The graduation ceremony was honoured by the presence of  the MEC for Education in Limpopo, Mr Dicksom Masemola, Mayor of Makhado Municipality, Ms Mavhungu Luruli; representatives of traditional leadership and Council members.