Bridging Cultures and Advancing Sustainability as UNIVEN – GTCI Celebrates Chinese Language Graduates

The Green Technology Confucius Institute (GTCI), at the University of Venda (UNIVEN), hosted a Chinese Language Class Completion Certificate Handover Cer-emony on 14 April 2026 at the GTCI Art Room. The event celebrated students’ achievements while highlighting cultural exchange and collaboration between UNIVEN and international partners. Through speeches, performances, and awards, the event emphasised GTCI’s role in promoting multilingualism and global engagement, reflecting UNIVEN’s commitment to developing globally competent graduates and strengthening international partnerships.

The group photo of the ceremony taken at the GTCI Art Hall

A total of 143 students successfully completed the 2025 Chinese language courses and received their certificates. Among them, 55 recipients were awarded Level 1A certificates, while Eight received Level 1B certificates. Two students attained Level 2A certification. Additionally, 24 students completed both Levels 1A and 1B, 3 com-pleted Levels 1A and 2A, and Three completed Levels 1B and 2A. Nine students were awarded certificates for both Levels 2A and 2B. Ten students received the Best Academic Performance Award, and Ndinae Kaevin Mapila was named Distinguished Student of the Year.

Professor Bernard Nthambeleni, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Venda, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni, de-livered a compelling address during the ceremony, celebrating the graduates’ achievement as both an academic milestone and a gateway to global collaboration.
Professor Nthambeleni emphasised that the Institute, established in 2023, was envi-sioned as more than a language centre, but as a platform integrating culture, innova-tion, and sustain-ability. He highlighted the programme’s broad impact, with over 1,500 learners across multiple institutions and more than 6,000 community beneficiaries, alongside international exchanges, research collaborations, and capacity-building ini-tiatives in collaboration with Hubei University of Technology.

The Vice-Chancellor un-derscored the strategic importance of Chinese language proficiency in advancing knowledge in green technology fields such as renewable energy and environmental sustainability, while commending the Institute and its partners for fostering meaningful South Africa–China cooperation.
He concluded by encouraging the awardees to view their certificates as a starting point for pursuing further opportunities, to act as am-bassadors of cultural exchange, and to contribute actively to building a more sustain-able future.

Professor Grace Ge, Co-Director of the Green Technology Confucius Institute delivering an opening and welcoming message

Professor Grace Ge, Co-Director of the Green Technology Confucius Institute (GTCI), delivered the welcome and outlined the event’s purpose, setting a reflective and thoughtful tone. She emphasised the importance of unity, collaboration, and practical support, particularly consid-ering challenges faced by communities. Her remarks underscored the University’s and its part-ners’ roles in fostering resilience and providing meaningful interventions that support both students and surrounding communities. She reaffirmed GTCI’s commitment to advancing edu-cation, cultural exchange, and social impact through its programmes.

Professor Tawanda Runhare, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Edu-cation (FHSSE), delivering an encouraging message

Professor Tawanda Runhare, on behalf of the faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, highlighted the transformative role of higher education in society. He stressed that universities must extend beyond traditional teaching and research to actively engage in com-munity development and social transformation. He encouraged strengthened partnerships among stakeholders and emphasised the need to equip students with skills that are socially relevant, innovative, and responsive to real-world challenges. He also underscored the importance of learning a foreign language such as Chinese and the benefits one can gain from being multilingual.

Mr Ndinae Mapila, a GTCI student representative, delivering an inspiring message in Chinese

The Distinguished Student of the Year, Mr Mapila, delivered an inspiring message in Chinese on behalf of his peers, reflecting on their journey at the Green Technology Confucius Institute. He highlighted the institute’s impactful role since 2024 in providing opportunities to learn Chinese while engaging with Chinese culture and society. He noted students’ steady progression from basic to advanced proficiency through commitment and interactive learning and emphasised how cultural activities have broadened their global outlook. Drawing on his own experiences in the Chinese Bridge Competition and his travels to China, he expressed sincere gratitude to the institute and its lecturers, encouraging fellow students to embrace the programme for both academic and personal growth.
The programme also focused on celebrating students’ academic achievements while promot-ing cultural exchange, multilingualism, and global collaboration. Through a structured lineup of speeches, performances, and the certificate handover ceremony, the event highlighted stu-dent progress in Chinese language learning and intercultural engagement. Additional activities such as award presentations, a sports equipment donation, and a vehicle handover further underscored the importance of partnerships, community support, and institutional growth, reinforcing the University’s commitment to producing globally competent graduates.

Prof Netswera, UNIVEN DVC Research, presenting the “Best Academic Performance” award to recipients

GTCI also established the 2025 “Outstanding GTCI Supporter” award to express gratitude to the recipients for their continuous full support of the Institute.

Mr. Botwe Kraziya, COO of UNIVEN, handing over the “Outstanding GTCI Supporter” award to Dr. Dzaga, Ms. Suzan Sathekge, Prof Runhare, and Mr. WANG Xiandie.

Dean of Students Mr Azwidohwi Mukhelli (3rd from left) and UNIVEN students receiving the donated sports equipment from GTCI Co-Directors.

Chinese language students and GTCI Senior Lecturer Mr. Ted XIONG (top middle playing the Guqin) per-forming during the event.

Professor Eric Maluta, Co-Director of the Green Technology Confucius Institute

Professor Eric Maluta delivered a vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to university leader-ship, staff, students, and international partners for their collective contribution to the event’s success. He highlighted the occasion as a celebration of student achievement and emphasised the role of language in promoting cultural exchange, global collaboration, and profession-al growth, while commending the institute’s ex-panding impact in education, research, and community engagement. The event un-derscored the university’s commitment to global com-petencies and partnerships, showcasing GTCI’s efforts in language education, green technology collaboration, and international exchange. He encouraged students to take advantage of available opportunities and reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to empowering communities through education and global collaboration.

In the picture above and below: Professor Bernard Nthambeleni handing over the GTCI car to the Co-Directors.

Some participants at the ceremony.

Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811