UIGC – UNIVEN Innovative
Growth Company (UIGC)
We provide a wide range of support services to enhance your university experience and ensure your success.
Overview
Welcome to the home page of UNIVEN Innovative Growth Company
Our Story
The UNIVEN Innovative Growth Company story has its origin in the heart of Limpopo — South Africa’s land of myths, legends and boundless potential.
Entirely owned by the University of Venda (UNIVEN), an esteemed academic institution with a proud legacy, UIGC was founded on a commitment to innovation, excellence and sustainable growth.
As forward-thinking professionals in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world — particularly within our predominantly rural setting — we embrace the values of innovation, ingenuity and excellence that define who we are and how we operate.
Our diverse portfolio includes:
- Short course learning, audits and consultancy
- Leisure and business travel services
- Digital security and surveillance, armed guards and patrols, close protection, crowd control and hazard identification
- Landscaping, gardening, cleaning and maintenance services
- Wi-Fi and fibre-to-home installation, provision and maintenance
Human Capita
People are at the heart of UIGC. Our 600-strong workforce is united by dedication, professionalism, and a shared vision for excellence. Guided by a competent board and an accomplished executive team — each an expert in their respective field — we foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and accountability.
We recognise two labour unions that represent our employees, ensuring that fairness, inclusion and worker well-being remain central to our organisational ethos.
Our Mandate
Established in 2010, UIGC serves as the third income stream generator for UNIVEN. Our mission is to fulfil this mandate through the delivery of innovative and impactful solutions in:
- Training, skills audits and consultancy
- ICT services
- Travel and leisure booking services
- Security solutions
- Landscaping, cleaning, and maintenance
Beyond our business operations, UIGC contributes actively to national dialogues on workforce transformation, innovation and institutional capacity development, strengthening both our local and national impact.
Our Entities
UCE empowers individuals and organisations through short courses and skills development programmes designed to drive lifelong learning and professional advancement.
UCE is responsible for the administration, coordination and quality assurance of short learning programmes across a wide range of disciplines and offers both credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing courses within the framework of lifelong learning delivered through in-person or online classes to accommodate diverse learning needs.
Since 2010, UCE has been delivering world-class short courses, of which many include a work-integrated learning component to ensure that participants gain practical experience aligned with their studies.
UCE’s vision
To provide innovative training solutions that support human capital development.
UCE’s mission
To deliver high-impact skills training programmes and translate research into practical, market-ready solutions.
Principles and values
- Upholding professional integrity and adhering to sound corporate governance principles
- Acting with commercial and social responsibility
- Prioritising the interests of all stakeholders
Innovative training solutions for human capital development
UCE’s short courses are purposefully designed to address real-world challenges faced by organisations, industries and society.
Participants spend approximately 70% of their time in the workplace, actively researching and investigating real issues and developing practical, implementable solutions.
Unlike long-term degrees and diplomas, UCE’s short courses are more affordable and can be completed within six months, enabling participants to enhance their employability and career prospects.
All courses are tailored to equip learners with specialised skills relevant to specific industry, organisational or societal challenges. Course content is delivered by highly experienced professionals and leading consultants who bring current, real-time industry insights into the learning experience.
Upon successful completion, participants are awarded a certificate, recognising their achievement and newly developed expertise.
Our most popular courses, with 31 January 2026 set as the registration deadline for the next intake, include Project Management, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Technician and Commercial Cleaner Occupational Certificates.
UIGC Security safeguards UNIVEN’s students, staff, and infrastructure through a comprehensive range of professional security services.
UIGC Security is fully registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), upholding the highest industry standards and regulatory compliance. All our employees are vetted by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Our offerings include:
- 24/7 digital security monitoring;
- Armed patrols and guard services;
- VIP and close protection;
- Infrastructure protection;
- Hazard identification and risk management; and
- Crowd control and event security.
GARCLE is responsible for keeping the UNIVEN campus, business premises and domestic environs spotless and well-maintained, which leaves our valued clients to focus on what truly matters.
Our dedicated team is responsible for:
- Gardening and landscaping;
- Cleaning and sanitation;
- Facilities maintenance; and
- General upkeep.
UIGC News and Announcements
Contact Us
We are excited to hear from you!
Connect with us via any of our channels or pay us a visit.
University of Venda (UNIVEN) campus
University Road
Thohoyandou
0950
Phone/WhatsApp: 067 939 3395
Email: hello.uigc@univen.ac.za