The University of Venda (UNIVEN) has taken a decisive step to strengthen its student recruitment strategy by convening a two-day Student Recruitment Planning Workshop with its faculties on 25–26 March 2026 at The Park Hotel in Mokopane. The workshop forms part of a strategic response to the Executive Management Committee’s directive to deepen faculty involvement and improve institutional coordination in achieving enrolment targets.
Bringing together faculties and key administrative units, the workshop created a platform for developing a cohesive and integrated recruitment approach. Central to the discussions was aligning institutional enrolment strategies with faculty-level recruitment plans, with a focus on identifying priority programmes and responding effectively to the evolving higher education landscape in South Africa.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Dr Takalani Dzaga, Director of Marketing, Branding and Communication, set the tone by emphasising the importance of early, integrated planning in both student recruitment and career development. He highlighted that programme information should be finalised well in advance to enable effective marketing and meaningful engagement with prospective students. Dr Dzaga further stressed the importance of collaboration between Marketing, Branding and Communication (MBC), faculties, and other stakeholders to ensure the delivery of accurate academic, career, and financial information. He also called for a coordinated recruitment calendar that includes school visits, career exhibitions, and international engagement, while promoting inclusive and targeted strategies to improve access, diversity, and student empowerment.
Adding to this perspective, Adv Rolien Roos, Director from the Teaching and Learning Division underscored the value of collaboration in breaking down institutional silos. She encouraged a shift from a purely numbers-driven recruitment approach to one that prioritises the quality and suitability of students, particularly in critical fields such as STEM, health sciences, and accounting sciences. Adv Roos further highlighted the need for the university to position itself as a preferred institution by actively showcasing its academic support systems and student success initiatives, thereby attracting students well aligned with its academic offerings.
The workshop programme featured in-depth discussions on enrolment projections, recruitment trends, and reflections on previous recruitment cycles as well as the importance of leveraging digital platforms in student recruitment initiatives. Faculties engaged in dedicated planning sessions to develop targeted strategies, including school outreach programmes, participation in career exhibitions, digital engagement initiatives, and identifying specific marketing support requirements. These faculty-driven plans were consolidated into a unified institutional recruitment framework.
The expected outcome of the workshop is a more structured, collaborative, and strategic recruitment approach that effectively integrates academic insight with marketing and outreach efforts. This is anticipated to enhance programme visibility, strengthen engagement with prospective students, and support sustainable enrolment growth.
Overall, the workshop marks a significant milestone in strengthening UNIVEN’s recruitment capacity. It reinforces coordinated planning across faculties and administrative units, ensuring the institution is well-positioned to meet its enrolment targets and broader strategic objectives.
This two-day workshop was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including directors from key portfolios such as Marketing, Branding and Communication; Teaching and Learning; and International Relations and Partnerships.
Participation also included faculty managers, academic staff, representatives from the Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning, as well as Institutional Research and Planning The Marketing, Branding and Communication team played a leading role in facilitating the engagement, further reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
As a united team, participants pledged to drive student recruitment with passion, purpose, and persistence. The team is committed to acting with integrity, innovating boldly, and collaborating fully, ensuring that every effort made opens doors, empowers futures, and strengthens UNIVEN.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
