The University of Venda (UNIVEN) has taken a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s digital future by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Technology Forum (ATF) on Friday, 06 March 2026. The ceremony, held at the university’s Council Chambers in Thohoyandou, marked the beginning of a five-year strategic partnership aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation, research, and technology-driven talent development across the continent.
L-R: Ms Ntsoaki Mohapi and Prof Bernard Nthambeleni
The collaboration establishes a structured framework for long-term cooperation between the two institutions, with a shared vision to equip students with future-ready digital skills while strengthening research capacity and innovation ecosystems within higher education. Through the partnership, several ATF initiatives, including the ATF AI School, the ATF AI Challenge, and other emerging programmes, will be implemented in collaboration with UNIVEN to create op-portunities for students to gain practical exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
Delivering his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda, Ber-nard Nthambeleni, described the MoU as strategically aligned with the university’s recently launched Strategy 2026–2030, which prioritises biodiversity, entrepreneurship, and innova-tion. He highlighted UNIVEN’s position as a comprehensive university that bridges traditional academic scholarship with applied research and innovation.
Prof Nthambeleni stressed that the partnership must deliver measurable outcomes and tan-gible impact. He emphasised that the university’s leadership, including executive deans, direc-tors, and the deputy vice-chancellor, has been mobilised to ensure the successful implemen-tation of the initiatives arising from the agreement. The collaboration, he noted, will empower students from all faculties to engage meaningfully with emerging technologies and contribute to solving real-world challenges.
Speaking on behalf of ATF, South Africa Country Lead, Ms Ntsoaki Mohapi, congratulated both institutions on formalising the partnership and underscored the importance of action-driven collaboration between universities and technology organisations. She highlighted that the ini-tiative would help advance AI capabilities, foster local innovation, and support the development of research prototypes and practical solutions with real impact across African communities.
Reaffirming ATF’s vision, Ms Mohapi emphasised that the organisation is committed to en-suring that no student is left behind in the global AI revolution. She praised the University of Venda for its openness to innovation and expressed confidence that the partnership would ensure that African students actively participate in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Mavis Madzhie described the agreement as a powerful demonstra-tion of collective commitment to collaboration, innovation, and talent development across Afri-ca. She emphasised that the partnership would provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom while strengthening the university’s role in shaping the continent’s technological future.
Academic leaders at UNIVEN welcomed the partnership as a catalyst for interdisciplinary in-novation. Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Prof Natasha Potgieter, expressed excitement about hosting an ATF Student Chapter at the university. She noted that the initiative would empower students across all faculties with AI skills, mentorship from global experts, and hands-on innovation opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. Prof Potgieter added that establishing a joint steering committee would further strengthen collaboration and expand the programme’s reach.
Echoing this sentiment, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Prof Tawanda Runhare, emphasised the potential of the partnership to integrate science, technology, and indigenous knowledge systems. He noted that the initiative presents a unique opportunity to ensure that technological innovation is rooted in African contexts and responsive to societal needs.
Closing the ceremony, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Fulufhelo Netswera, delivered a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of all partners and stakeholders who made the collaboration possible. He emphasised that the true success of the MoU will lie in translating the partnership into concrete programmes and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology-driven opportunities for students, re-searchers, and the broader university community.
The signing of the MoU marks an important milestone in UNIVEN’s digital transformation jour-ney and reinforces its commitment to positioning the institution as a catalyst for innovation and inclusive technological advancement in Africa. By combining academic expertise with tech-nology-focused initiatives, the partnership between UNIVEN and ATF is expected to play a meaningful role in nurturing the next generation of African innovators and digital leaders.
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