In a significant move towards fostering academic collaboration and agricultural innovation, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) held a strategic meeting aimed at exploring mutual opportunities for partnership.
In the photo: The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UNIVEN, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni (third from right) and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of MUAST, Professor Justice Nyamangara (third from left)
During the meeting, Professor Nyamangara outlined the rapid development and growth of MUAST. He shared that the university was officially established in 2015 through an Act of Par-liament (Chapter 25:29) and became independent in August 2017, after being incubat-ed by the University of Zimbabwe since 2012. The university began academic activities at the Dozmery Campus in 2013, expanded to the Cold Storage Commission (CSC) Complex in 2018, and further opened another campus at United Methodist Church (UMC) in 2021.
MUAST is currently constructing a world-class main campus at Cloverhill Farm, approximately 5 km from Marondera Town. This development is part of the university’s broader goal to trans-form Marondera into a university town and to establish the institution as a central pillar in lo-cal economic development. “Marondera University is committed to being a modern, technolo-gy-driven institution offering sustainable, green agricultural solutions,” said Professor Nyamangara.
UNIVEN’s Director of Marketing, Branding, and Communication, Dr Takalani Dzaga, intro-duced the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda, Professor Nthambeleni to the audience, highlighting his extensive academic background and leadership experience.
Professor Nthambeleni emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts between the two institutions, particularly in addressing socio-economic challenges faced by communities. “This partnership presents an opportunity to enhance food production, boost employment, and align our academic offerings with real-world needs,” he said. He also provided an overview of UNIVEN’s four faculties and current institutional developments, stressing the need for univer-sities to remain relevant and responsive to the development of society and the local economy.
Both institutions expressed a shared vision of leveraging their academic strengths in ag-riculture to drive innovation and sustainable development across Southern Africa.
Below are some of the photos from the collaborative farm visit by UNIVEN and MUAST representatives
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
