The University of Venda (UNIVEN) convened its 2026 Strategic Readiness Session from 25 to 27 February 2026 at the Blyde Canyon Resort, Mpumalanga Province. The high-level engagement brought together members of Executive and Senior Management to reflect on the University’s 2025 performance, assess divisional alignment, and strengthen institutional readiness for 2026.
The University reaffirmed its institutional readiness to implement its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, marking a decisive shift toward performance excellence. The engagement enabled senior leadership to reflect on strategic priorities, review past institutional performance, and consolidate lessons to guide evidence-based decision-making and strengthen governance over the next five years.
A milestone of internal capability and strategic maturity
When opening the session, University Registrar, Dr Joel Baloyi described the moment as both a celebration of progress and a call to pursue excellence with renewed vigour. He emphasised that the transition to the new strategic performance cycle, executed without external consultants,signals UNIVEN’s growing internal strategic capability. He commended the Strategy and Risk Directorate for embedding a culture of performance management, while urging leaders to break down operational silos, embrace systems thinking, and align all planning with the academic project.
A vision rooted in values and driven by measurable outcomes
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni, described 2026 as a year of consolidation that bridges vision and implementation. Guided by the University’s values (integrity, respect, excellence, diversity and accountability), the 2030 Strategy is structured around four thrusts: Student-Centredness; Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; People, Health and Environment; and Internationalisation and Partnerships.
Key 2026 deliverables include improved undergraduate and postgraduate student success, rollout of the Talent Acquisition Strategy, expansion of Work Integrated Learning to 15% of academic programmes, enhancement of academic support services to achieve 90% student satisfaction, and intensification of research productivity and impact.
A portion of the session was dedicated to evaluating the University’s performance during 2025 against its strategic objectives and Annual Performance Plan (APP) targets. The review acknowledged notable achievements in various areas, including improved digital visibility and strengthened stakeholder engagement. At the same time, the leadership identified areas requiring focused attention, particularly in improving operational efficiency, accelerating service delivery, and ensuring tighter alignment between planning and implementation.
Strengthening research, postgraduate growth and academic excellence
The session reaffirmed Research and Postgraduate Studies as central to UNIVEN’s ambition for relevance and societal impact. Key interventions include removing postgraduate registration fees, expanding African partnerships, digitising selection processes, and strengthening research themes. Enhanced research centres, NRF-funded Chairs, and emerging institutes of excellence underscore UNIVEN’s commitment to becoming entrepreneurial, innovative, and environmentally responsive.
Governance and academic planning reform as strategic enablers
Governance reform emerged as a critical enabler for robust oversight, resilience and accountability. Discussions centred on Council oversight, streamlined committee structures, improved integration of governance, risk and compliance (GRC), and strengthened quality assurance.
Academic planning reforms include a shift from informal admissions processes to ranked, criteria-based selection systems, supporting fairness and improved throughput. New flagship programmes, such as MBA, EMBA and Civil Engineering, are advancing through statutory quality and accreditation processes.
Operational readiness to drive digital transformation and sustainability
The Chief Operating Officer detailed a comprehensive operational readiness plan that aligns infrastructure, digital innovation, and strategy execution.
Makhado Campus and Convention Centre: A catalytic investment
A significant highlight is the Makhado Campus development, approved in 2025. Envisioned as a green innovation hub, it will house a Business School, Tourism and Hospitality programmes, an Innovation and Enterprise Precinct, and a Convention Centre. With land transfer completed and environmental approvals secured, the project is expected to create over 1,500 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, driving regional socio-economic growth.
Financial sustainability: A strategic imperative
UNIVEN’s 2026 budget projects R2 billion in revenue and R2.046 billion in expenditure, with a R44 million operating deficit offset by investment income. With personnel costs comprising nearly half of total revenue, expenditure discipline, diversified income streams and effective implementation of the Financial Sustainability Strategy remain essential. A R360 million capital programme will prioritise academic and strategic infrastructure.
A comprehensive Sustainability Plan reinforces revenue diversification, strengthens governance, optimises costs, and establishes an Endowment Fund.
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Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
