FACULTY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND AGRICULTURE

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DEAN: FACULTY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND AGRICULTURE

In 2021 the former School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences and the School of Agriculture was merged to form the new Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture.  The UNIVEN Strategic Plan 2021-2025, is enabling the Faculty to restructure in the academic and research environments through engagement with relevant stakeholders such as local communities, industries, NGO’s and government departments to produce graduates that are locally relevant and globally competitive.

The Faculty introduces our staff and students to national and international interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research opportunities to develop in new concepts, analytical and problem-solving skills, independent thinking and to enhance their skill competencies and make them locally relevant and globally competitive.  The Faculty is actively engaged in various research projects and publish in high impact scientific journals.  We have several NRF rated scientists of which 2 are B-rated scientists.

The programmes in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, are designed to prepare our students to face the challenges in science, engineering and agriculture and be able to play a leading role in solving global challenges.  Our graduates are trained to develop an innovative mindset, teamwork, communication skills and leave the University with a combination of advanced technical and professional skills valued by employers, and a qualification that is globally recognised.

I, therefore, want to welcome you to the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture and request that you make use of all the opportunities that the Faculty offers their staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students and grow into the next generation of scientists that will take South Africa to the forefront of technology and innovation on the Africa continent and beyond.

Prof Natasha Potgieter
Executive Dean

Office of the Executive Dean
Life Sciences and Chemistry Building: First Floor
University Road, Thohoyandou

Executive Secretaries:
Ms Bronia Mantshimuli
Email: bronia.mantshimuli@univen.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 962 8107

Ms Ndidzulafhi Mulovhedzi
Email: Ndidzulafhi.Mulovhedzi@univen.ac.za
Tel: +27 15 962 8107

 

About Our Faculty

Position yourself for a leading role solving global challenges with a science, engineering and agriculture degree at South Africa’s top university. At the University of Venda, our curriculum and programmes are designed to prepare you for tomorrow’s science, engineering and agriculture challenges. Future leaders will require more than technical skills – they’ll need an innovative mindset, teamwork and communication skills.

At Univen, you will graduate with the ideal combination of advanced technical and professional skills valued by employers, and a higher level qualification that is recognised around the world.

 
Prof Natasha Potgieter

Prof Natasha Potgieter

Executive Dean

Tel: +27 15 962 8107 / 8317
Email:

Faculty Specific Calendar Booklet

What undergraduate programs can I study?

How to Apply?

Current Students

Student Life at Univen

What professional and graduate programs can I study?

Dr Sanet Hugo – Lecturer – Department of Biological Sciences – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Dr Sanet Hugo – Lecturer – Department of Biological Sciences – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Dr Sanet Hugo is a Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences. She has worked for over five years in the higher education sector. She specialises in ecological statistics and has published extensively in peer reviewed and accredited journals. Qualifications: PhD in Zoology (University of Pretoria) Phone: Email: Sanet.Hugo@univen.ac.za

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Dr Lufuno Mavhandu-Ramarumo – Scientific Coordinator
Dr. Mavhandu-Ramarumo’s research interest is on molecular genetics with a focus on the molecular basis of HIV drug resistance and its implications on the efficacy and sustainability of first line antiretroviral therapy. She is also interested in the preclinical evaluation of compounds for anti HIV properties. She has co-authored several peer reviewed articles in reputable journals such AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, Archives of Virology, and South African Medical Journal.

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Professor Pascal Obong Bessong – Director – SAMRC-UNIVEN Unit on Antimicrobial Resistance and Global Health Research
Professor Pascal Obong Bessong – Director – SAMRC-UNIVEN Unit on Antimicrobial Resistance and Global Health Research
His research focuses on microbiological investigations impacting on translational science and global health. Specifically, he is interested in host and viral determinants of HIV drug resistance and the sustainability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); the impact of HAART on the pathogenesis of malignancy associated viruses; and the interaction of enteric viruses, vaccine response, gut integrity, growth and development in young children, particularly in populations of low socio-economic status.

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Prof Afsatou Ndama Traore – Associate Professor – Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Prof Afsatou Ndama Traore – Associate Professor – Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Email address: Afsatou.traore@univen.ac.za Telephone number: +27 (0)15 962 8474 Office: FF172, Life Sciences and Chemistry Building

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Mrs René S. Pearce-Okwuashi – Lecturer – Science Foundation Department –  Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Mrs René S. Pearce-Okwuashi – Lecturer – Science Foundation Department – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Mrs René S. Pearce-Okwuashi is employed as the Science Foundation Chemistry Lecturer in the Science Foundation Department. She has worked for 16 years in the Higher Education sector and two years in the Department of Basic Education as a Physical Science Teacher.

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Dr Nikita Tawanda TAVENGWA – Senior lecturer (Analytical Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Dr Nikita Tawanda TAVENGWA – Senior lecturer (Analytical Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Qualifications: PhD (University of Witwatersrand), MSc (University of Witwatersrand) (Distinction), BSc (Hons) (University of Fort Hare) (Distinction), BSc (University of Zimbabwe) Email address: nikita.tavengwa@univen.ac.za Telephone number: +27 15 962 8279 Office number: SF009, Life Sciences and Chemistry Building

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Dr Lutendo Chester MURULANA – Senior Lecturer (Physical Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Dr Lutendo Chester MURULANA – Senior Lecturer (Physical Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Qualifications: PhD (North West University), MSc (North West University) (Distinction), BSc (Hons) (North West University), BSc (University of Venda) Email address: lutendo.murulana@univen.ac.za Telephone number: +27 15 962 8394 Office number: SF011, Life Sciences and Chemistry Building

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Prof Isaiah D. Ipfani RAMAITE – Associate Professor (Organic Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Prof Isaiah D. Ipfani RAMAITE – Associate Professor (Organic Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Email address: Isaiah.Ramaite@univen.ac.za Telephone number: +27 15 962 8262 Office number: SF004, Life Sciences and Chemistry Building

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Dr Simon Mnyakeni Moleele – Senior Lecturer (Organic Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Dr Simon Mnyakeni Moleele – Senior Lecturer (Organic Chemistry) – Department of Chemistry – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Designation: Senior Lecturer (Organic Chemistry) Qualifications: BSCHON (UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG), PHD (UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG) Telephone: 0159628190 Email address: mnyakeni.moleele@univen.ac.za

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Professor Jude Julius Owuor Odhiambo – Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Professor Jude Julius Owuor Odhiambo – Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Qualifications: He holds a BSc (Hons) Agriculture and MSc Agriculture (Soil Science) degrees from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and a PhD degree in Soil Science from The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Phone: Email: Jude.odhiambo@univen.ac.za Office:

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Ms Thifheli Gloria Kutama – Experimental Farm Manager –  Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Ms Thifheli Gloria Kutama – Experimental Farm Manager – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Qualifications: B.Agric Hon, BTAGMN, ND, Animal Science. Phone: 015 962 8649 / 082 047 2510 Email address: Thifheli.kutama@univen.ac.za Office no. 01

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Dr Nnditshedzeni Eric Maluta – HoD, Coordinator Vuwani Science Resource Centre
Dr Nnditshedzeni Eric Maluta – HoD, Coordinator Vuwani Science Resource Centre
Designation: Lecturer Qualification: BSC (UNIVERSITY OF THE NORTH), MSC (University of Venda Production), BSCHON (UNIVERSITY OF THE NORTH), DPHIL (FOREIGN PSE INSTITUTIONS) Telephone: 0159628162 Email: eric.maluta@univen.ac.za Office: NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING Building, Office Number , Floor Number
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