At the heart of academic institutions lies the commitment to fostering an environment of growth, innovation, and impact. The University of Venda (UNIVEN) has long upheld these values, striving not only to provide quality education but also to contribute positively to the surrounding communities. In line with this, the University of Venda Vice-Chancellor Excellence Awards were introduced to celebrate and highlight the exceptional accomplishments of its staff in research, teaching and learning, and community engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation. The Excellence Awards aim to recognise staff members who have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to their professional roles and have gone beyond expectation in contributing to the university’s goals. Whether through groundbreaking research, transformative teaching methods, or impactful community involvement, these awards celebrate those whose efforts embody the core values of UNIVEN. The University of Venda 2024 Vice-Chancellor Excellence Awards were held at the Premier Hotel in Thohoyandou on Friday, 04 October 2024.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni celebrated the outstanding achievements of researchers at the University of Venda, emphasising the importance of research in advancing knowledge and shaping human progress. He highlighted the university’s continued commitment to fostering innovation and scholarly excellence, exemplified by the recognition of exceptional researchers.
Prof Nthambeleni also acknowledged the global impact of innovation, citing historical break-throughs like electricity, the airplane, and the telephone, as well as local South African contribu-tions to medical advancements. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal explored the concept of creative destruction, where technology evolves rapidly, and stressed the importance of addressing global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and inequality through research.
He commended the researchers’ contributions to the 4th Industrial Revolution and their work on sustainable development goals, social justice, and healthcare. Five researchers with significant out-put were specifically recognised with awards in April 2024. Prof Nthambeleni said any researcher who publishes more than seven units will be eligible to receive this same reward, as soon as the publication output report is released by DHET.
Prof Nthambeleni concluded with a call to continue pushing boundaries and advancing knowledge, expressing pride in the university’s scholars and their transformative work.
In her welcoming remarks, Professor Nosisi Feza, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Post-graduate Studies, expressed gratitude to attendees, including the Mayor of Thulamela Local Mu-nicipality, Cllr Sarah Rambuda, Principal of Vhembe TVET College and representatives from various institutions. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the University of Venda (UNIVEN) fos-ters a research culture centered on relevance, impact, and engagement, addressing real-world challenges and driving societal change. The university emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and policy integration to ensure its research is practical, actionable, and transformative. She pointed that the key pillars of UNIVEN’s research culture include interdisciplin-ary collaboration, stakeholder engagement, policy influence, a problem-driven approach, sustain-ability, ethical practices, and adaptability, emphasising that UNIVEN is committed to creating mean-ingful societal impact through inclusive, collaborative, and long-term solutions aimed at building a more equitable and resilient future.
Prof Sebie Lekalakala-Mokgele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, delivered a heartfelt message celebrating the recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards. She praised the award recipients for their dedication, intellectual curiosity, and perseverance, high-lighting their contributions to scholarship, teaching, and leadership. Awardees were recognised for their groundbreaking research addressing global challenges and for their impactful communi-ty engagement initiatives. Prof Lekalakala-Mokgele emphasised that these awards represent not only individual achievements but also a collective commitment to institutional excellence. She ex-pressed pride in their work and encouraged them to continue making meaningful contributions to academia, research, and society, while also acknowledging the support systems behind them.
Dr Mboneni Muofhe, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Innovation, em-phasised that a university’s value extends beyond its management—it is its researchers who truly define its impact. He highlighted the crucial role that researchers play in addressing the pressing challenges we face today. Dr Muofhe also encouraged those who have not yet received awards to remain focused, noting that they are on the right path, and that their research is already making a meaningful impact. He further stressed the importance of engaging with communities as knowl-edge holders, recognising that collaboration with local communities can enrich research outcomes and contribute to solving real-world problems.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards honour outstanding contributions across three core pil-lars that define the university’s mission and impact: Directorate of Research and Innovation; Com-munity Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation, and Teaching and Learning.
39 NRF Rated Researchers were also recognised during these Excellence Awards.
Dr Robert Martin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Corporate Services thanked those who were honoured, acknowledged their vital role in the university’s success. He reflected on the challenge of recogni-tion, which sets new expectations while celebrating past accomplishments. Dr Martin highlighted the university’s mission to create a meaningful impact on society, drawing parallels between entre-preneurship and research as both seek to address societal needs. Quoting philosophers, the Dep-uty Vice-Chancellor emphasised the importance of purpose in work and concludes with a quote from Nelson Mandela, encouraging everyone to push boundaries and inspire others.
In a time where the role of universities is evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world, these awards reaffirm UNIVEN’s commitment to fostering an environment where excellence is both recognised and cultivated. As the university continues to grow and innovate, the Excellence Awards will undoubtedly remain a key mechanism in encouraging staff to deliver their very best, driving the institution towards an even brighter future. With such a focus on excellence, UNIVEN is well-positioned to continue its pivotal role in shaping not only the minds of its students but also the communities it serves.
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University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
