Partnerships

Global Engagement Through Strategic Collaboration

The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is committed to building and maintaining strategic partnerships that enhance teaching, learning, research, and community engagement.

Our internationalisation strategy is guided by the principle of mutual benefit, ensuring that all collaborations are equitable, inclusive, and aligned with institutional and developmental goals, which emphasises mutuality and complementarity in international engagements.

Through formal agreements such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), UNIVEN engages in diverse forms of collaboration including:

• Joint research initiatives
• Academic mobility programmes
• Joint degree offerings
• Shared innovation and knowledge transfer platforms

All partnerships adhere to the Policy Framework’s core values of academic freedom, legal compliance, ethics, and quality assurance, while contributing to national priorities, starting with SADC, followed by the rest of Africa, BRICS, the Global South, and then the world beyond.

List of Partner Institutions

UNIVEN has established formal relationships with institutions across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. These partnerships support:

• Student and staff exchange programmes
• Joint research initiatives
• Joint degree offerings
• Shared access to research facilities
• Co-hosted conferences and workshops

A full list of current partner universities will be available in our online MoU database, which will allow users to search by:

• Region or country
• Field of study
• Type of collaboration
• Date of signing

This database serves as a living repository of partnership information, updated regularly to reflect new agreements and ongoing activities, fulfilling the requirement for transparency and record-keeping.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Database

An essential part of UNIVEN’s internationalisation strategy is the use of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) — formal documents that express the mutual intent to collaborate between UNIVEN and its global partners.

Each MoU record will include:

• Full text of the agreement (where available)
• Summary of proposed activities and outcomes
• Names and contact details of liaison officers
• Expiry date and review status

This system ensures transparency, accountability, and ease of tracking for both internal stakeholders and external collaborators, supporting the Policy Framework’s emphasis on institutional responsibility and reporting obligations.

New MoUs will be signed following a structured process that includes:

• Proposal submission
• Legal and strategic review
• Signing ceremony (digital or in-person)
• Implementation planning and monitoring

All MoUs must align with the principles of value creation, quality over quantity, and ethical internationalisation.

Types of Collaborations

UNIVEN engages in various types of international partnerships, tailored to the needs and strengths of each institution. These include:

1. Research Collaboration

Joint research projects, co-publications, and shared laboratory or fieldwork resources.

“Co-authorship of publications by South African and foreign scientists and scholars is highly encouraged.”

2. Academic Mobility Agreements

Supporting student and staff exchanges, internships, and semester abroad programmes.

3. Cotutelle

Formal agreements enabling students to earn qualifications from both UNIVEN and an international partner.

“Joint degrees are awarded in terms of an agreement of the partner institutions on successful completion of a jointly offered single study programme.”

4. Consortium & Network Membership

Participation in regional and global networks such as SARUA, SANORD, EAIE, and the BRICS University Consortium, reflecting alignment with national strategies for multilateral cooperation.

5. Community and Societal Impact Initiatives

Projects that link international research to local development priorities, such as rural health, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation, consistent with the national goal of contributing to the public good through international collaboration.

These diverse forms of collaboration ensure that internationalisation remains embedded in the university's broader mission of engaged scholarship and social justice.

Partnership News & Updates

Stay informed about the latest developments in UNIVEN’s global engagement:

• New MoU signings with institutions in North Africa, Europe, and Asia
• Joint research publications with international scholars
• Exchange programme milestones, including incoming and outgoing mobility statistics
• Newsletters and reports highlighting partnership impact and progress

You can find regular updates in the News & Events section of this website, or via our monthly IRP newsletter.

How to Initiate a New Partnership

To propose a new collaboration with UNIVEN, please follow these steps:

• Submit a Proposal Form

Include details about your institution, intended area of collaboration, and expected outcomes.

• Initial Review

The IRP Directorate will assess alignment with UNIVEN’s strategic goals and the national Policy Framework.

• Drafting the Agreement

If approved, a draft MoU will be prepared and circulated, incorporating key clauses on:

• Intellectual property rights
• Quality assurance
• Credit transfer arrangements
• Supervision and examination procedures (for joint degrees)
• Signing Ceremony

Formalised through digital or in-person signing, in accordance with institutional and national guidelines.

• Implementation Plan

A clear roadmap outlining specific activities and timelines will be developed, ensuring

measurable outcomes and alignment with institutional performance plans.

All proposals must meet the requirements set out for notification to the DHET and adherence to quality assurance standards.

Benefits of Partnering with UNIVEN

By forming a partnership with UNIVEN, institutions gain access to:

• Research expertise in rural development, health, environment, and African jurisprudence
• Opportunities for South-South cooperation and Africa-led knowledge creation
• Support for joint funding applications and project implementation
• Access to a growing network of African and international higher education institutions

We believe in reciprocal, sustainable, and impactful partnerships, where both parties contribute equally and grow together, in line with the national vision of creating value through international collaboration.

Let’s Build Together

At UNIVEN, we believe that strong partnerships are built on:

• Shared values
• Clear communication
• Long-term commitment

Whether you are an academic institution, research body, or non-profit organisation, we invite you to explore opportunities for collaboration that align with our vision of African-rooted, globally engaged internationalisation.

Let’s connect across borders, disciplines, and ideas to shape a better future through education and research.