The University of Venda (UNIVEN) continues to strengthen its position as a globally connected institution through strategic international partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for students, educators, researchers, and communities. As part of this commitment, from 22 to 28 June 2026, a delegation comprising members of the University’s Senior Management, together with the Senior District Director of the Vhembe East Department of Education, undertook a strategic educational visit to Beijing and Wuhan in the People’s Republic of China. The delegation comprised Dr Sannah Mativandlela, Director: Institutional Research and Planning, and Head of Delegation; Dr Mutshinyalo Ratombo, Director Strategy and Risk, Office of the Vice-Chancellor; Dr Takalani Dzaga, Director: Marketing, Branding and Communication; Mrs Beauty Mutheiwana, Director: Supply Chain Management and Expenditure; Professor Pfarelo Matshidze, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education; Dr Matodzi Raphalalani HoD African Languages; Professor Ernest Klu Department of English; and Mr Rendani Munzhelele, Acting Senior District Director, Vhembe East, Department of Basic Education. The visit was facilitated under the auspices of the Green Technology Confucius Institute (GTCI) as a “Chinese Bridge” education visit programme, with the in-China arrangements coordinated by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) and Hubei University of Technology (HBUT).
In the picture: : The UNIVEN delegation visiting the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of the Department of Education in Beijing
The visit formed part of the growing partnership between UNIVEN and HBUT, one of China’s leading institutions in engineering, technology and innovation. The primary objective of the visit was to deepen institutional collaboration, identify new areas of academic and educational cooperation, strengthen research and innovation partnerships, and explore opportunities to benefit both higher and basic education within the Vhembe District.
The delegation engaged with university leaders, visited innovation centres, and interacted with stakeholders involved in technology, education and sustainable development. These engagements provided valuable insights into international best practices while laying the foundation for long-term collaborative programmes between the two institutions.“ This visit marked a significant step in positioning the University of Venda as a globally connected institution, “ said Dr Takalani Dzaga, Director of Marketing, Branding and Communication at UNIVEN. “Strengthening our brand visibility beyond South African borders is essential in attracting international partnerships, research collaborations, and student exchange opportunities. Our engagement with Hubei University of Technology and the support of the Chinese Bridge programme have reinforced UNIVEN’s reputation as a forward-looking university committed to internationalisation and innovation.”
In the picture: The delegation is being warmly welcomed by the HBUT team, headed by the Vice-President, Prof. HE Xingyang
A key highlight of the visit was the continued strengthening of the partnership between UNIVEN and HBUT, the co-founder of GTCI at the University of Venda. The GTCI is the fi rst Confucius Institute in the world to feature green technology and serves as a centre of excellence for Chinese language teaching, cultural exchange, green technology, innovation, and sustainable development.
The visit reaffi rmed both institutions’ commitment to expanding the activities of the Green Technology Confucius Institute and leveraging it as a catalyst for educational excellence, technological innovation and international collaboration.
Recognising that educational transformation begins long before learners enter university, the inclusion of the Senior District Director of the Vhembe East Department of Education proved to be a strategic milestone. The visit strengthened collaboration between the University and the Department of Basic Education and established a shared vision for extending the benefits of the UNIVEN-HBUT partnership to primary and secondary schools throughout the Vhembe District.
In the picture: The HBUT Vice-President Prof HE Xingyang presents gifts to Mr. Rendani Munzhelele, Acting Senior District Director, Vhembe (East) District, Department of Basic Education
Through the Offi ce of the Senior District Director, the Department of Education will facilitate partnerships between UNIVEN and selected schools to implement programmes coordinated through the Green Technology Confucius Institute. These initiatives will include:
- Introduction of Chinese language learning in selected schools.
- Cultural exchange and international education programmes.
- Green technology and environmental sustainability education.
- Capacity-building programmes for educators and learners.
- Exposure to innovation, entrepreneurship and global learning opportunities.
Bergvlam Primary School has already been identified as one of the pilot institutions that will collaborate with the Green Technology Confucius Institute, particularly in advancing Chinese language education and promoting green technology awareness. This pilot programme will serve as a model for future expansion to other schools within the district.
The visit also strengthened plans to establish strategic partnerships with technically oriented schools. Marude Secondary School has been identifi ed as a potential partner for technical education initiatives that align with UNIVEN’s planned introduction of Civil Engineering and the future expansion of engineering programmes.
These collaborations are expected to:
- Strengthen the pipeline of learners pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
- Improve learner preparedness for engineering and technology programmes at university.
- Increase awareness of career opportunities in engineering, innovation and emerging technologies.
- Encourage greater participation in technical education and skills development.
The delegation also explored opportunities for learners from the Vhembe District to access higher education opportunities in China through scholarships, student exchanges and collaborative academic programmes. These opportunities have the potential to broaden students’ global exposure while equipping graduates with internationally relevant skills required in an increasingly interconnected world.
Dr Mutshinyalo Ratombo, Director of Strategy and Risk in the Offi ce of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, noted: “ What makes this visit particularly meaningful is the direct link between international partnerships and local impact. The inclusion of the Vhembe Department of Education in this delegation ensured that the benefits of our collaboration with HBUT will extend beyond the university campus to schools and communities across the Vhembe District. This is a powerful story of how global engagement can transform local education.”
In the picture: Dr Mutshinyalo Ratombo, Director of Strategy and Risk, Offi ce of the Vice-Chancellor, giving a speech at the welcome reception by HBUT
Beyond student mobility, discussions with HBUT identifi ed opportunities for expanded collaboration in research, staff exchanges, curriculum development, innovation, postgraduate training, and joint projects addressing sustainable development and green technologies. These initiatives will further strengthen UNIVEN’s internationalisation agenda while enhancing the quality of teaching, research, and community engagement.
The visit demonstrated how international partnerships can directly contribute to local development. Through collaboration between the University, the Department of Education and international partners, learners and educators in the Vhembe District will gain access to educational opportunities that were previously beyond reach.
The anticipated benefits include:
- Expanded access to quality international educational programmes.
- Increased opportunities for scholarships and international student mobility.
- Enhanced STEM education and technical skills development.
- Greater exposure to the Chinese language and Chinese culture.
- Promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship and green technologies.
- Professional development opportunities for educators.
- Stronger pathways from basic education to higher education.
- Enhanced research collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Improved graduate employability and global competitiveness.
- Long-term socio-economic development through education and skills development.
In the picture: The delegation visiting the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the School of Life and Health Sciences, the School of Economics and Management, the School of Foreign Languages, the School of International Education, the School of Intelligent Manufacturing Industry, and the Grid-Forming Photovoltaic Engineering Training Base at Hubei University of Technology
To ensure that the outcomes of the visit translate into measurable impact, the University of Venda will develop a comprehensive implementation framework in consultation with the Vhembe Department of Education, participating schools, and Hubei University of Technology. The framework will outline priority projects, stakeholder responsibilities, implementation timelines, monitoring mechanisms, and measurable performance indicators to ensure the sustainability of the partnership.
The strategic visit to Beijing and Wuhan marks another signifi cant milestone in the University of Venda’s journey towards becoming a globally recognised institution that creates local impact through international collaboration. By strengthening partnerships with Hubei University of Technology and the Vhembe Department of Education, UNIVEN is creating new opportunities for learners, educators, researchers, and communities while advancing internationalisation, innovation, sustainability, and educational excellence.
The University remains committed to building partnerships that transform lives, empower communities and prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving global knowledge economy. Through these initiatives, the benefi ts of global collaboration will extend far beyond the University campus, contributing meaningfully to the educational and socio-economic development of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province and South Africa.
Other related pictures:
The delegation is listening to the introduction of students’ products at the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Hubei University of Technology
The delegation admiring the ancient Ding () at the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation in Beijing
The delegation is experiencing the ancient Chinese musical instruments Bianzhong and the Zhongruan at the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation in Beijing
The delegation visiting the China Bridge Museum in Wuhan
The delegation visiting the OS-easy digital company and experiencing the Smart Campus and AI+ Education
The delegation conducting a cultural tour by visiting the symbolic building of Wuhan – the Yellow Crane Tower.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
