UNIVEN participates in US-SA Higher Education Network Project
The launch of the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) for University Capacity Development Programme National Collaborative Project Plan to support the establishment of the United States-South Africa Higher Education Network which is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the United States of America to the tune of R6,720,720 and to which the University of Venda is a party took place between 25 and 27 July 2018 at the University of Pretoria Gordon Business School (GIBS), Illovo, Johannesburg.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela launching the project
The UCDP project is a network of US and South African universities to respond to the needs in the South African higher education community (and in the world). The project consists of the management of the US-SA Higher Education Network and the US-SA HE Network doctoral initiative. UCDP has 12 cohorts with universities in USA and South Africa participating. The University of Venda is participating in 4 cohorts which are: 1) Coordination of US-SA HE Projects: University of Pretoria, Rutgers University-Network, USA and the University of Venda; 2) Mountain Research: University of the Free State, Appalachian State University, Montana University, Colorado State University and the University of Venda; 3) Global Health: University of the Free State, University of Virginia and the University of Venda; 4) Sustainable Environmental: University of Cape Town, University Fort Hare and University of Venda.
It is anticipated that as the coordinating entities for this US-SA HE Network, the four entities will be in a position to both advance strategies to facilitate the growth of a doctoral candidate pool in South Africa and create exchange opportunities for faculty, staff and students in the collaborating institutions and institutions in both nations. It is also aimed to advance the South Africa higher education transformation agenda by encouraging support for the Department of Higher Education and Training’s University Capacity Development Programme by encouraging the development of a network of institutions in the US and SA committed to building exchange opportunities, and shared infrastructure development. The project will run for 4 years from 2018-2022.
Prof Jan Crafford, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Dr. L. Zhou (UFH); Dr. NS Nethengwe, Ms. Leigh Cobban (UCT) and Dr Segun Obadire together with colleagues from partner Universities: UFH and UCT
The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Jan Crafford was present at the launch. Others present at the meeting were Prof Pascal Bessong, Research Professor, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Dr NS Nethengwe, Deputy Dean and Head Geographic Information Systems Department, Dr Segun Obadire, Acting Director International Relations and other coordinators from partner universities in South Africa and USA. The project implementation strategies and way forward were discussed where project coordinators presented their plans and what they have done so far. There were discussions on the ability to leverage on the DHET for engaging sponsors and supporters for various components of the US_SA HE Network, funding for parallel research agenda and budgeting for all the programmes.
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 17 August 2018
