On Friday, 15 March 2019 the University of Venda (Univen) hosted the gala dinner at 2Ten Hotel to celebrate the appointment of Univen’s Vice- Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni. The formal event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Hon. Naledi Pandor, Thovhele Nthumeni Masia, on behalf of the VhaVenda King, Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Mavhungu Luruli-Ramakhanya, Univen Council members led by the Chairperson of Council, Mr Serobi Maja, Univen former Vice-Chancellors, Professors Muxe Gessler Nkondo and Peter Amunga Mbati, academic partners led by Mr Jimmy Wayland, sponsors and many more.
Dr Bernard Nthambeleni presenting the state of the Campus during the Inauguration Gala dinner.
Univen Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni presented the state of the campus. He said in the past decade, Univen has done considerably well both academically and infrastructure wise. He indicated that, in the past five years, Univen managed to secure two Research Chairs because of its dedicated and hardworking staff members. He further expressed his contentment about Univen because of its thirty (30) rated research scientists. “What I have noticed at Univen is that most researchers have PhDs and that afford us a good chance of becoming the best University in the country in research.” Dr Nthambeleni presented the growth of infrastructure since 2010 and highlighted that this University has a high number of disabled students and Univen makes sure that the needs of disabled students are catered for both academically and in the infrastructure development. Dr Nthambeleni concluded his talk by highlighting the improvement of broadband at Univen.
Chairperson of Finance Committee, Mr Thapelo Molapo delivered the opening and welcome address. He exclaimed the inauguration dinner of the Vice- Chancellor and Principal as an exciting occasion that occurs once in a decade. He explained the inauguration ceremony as a celebration of hope because the University hopes to achieve what has been planned for the next five years.
In his Congratulatory message and word of support as peer representative, Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg expressed that he is impressed with exponential growth of research output at Univen. Prof Marwala gave Dr Nthambeleni five matters to practice throughout his term as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal. He advised him not to be afraid to dream; to connect with the community, Southern Africa and the rest of the world; to connect with the students; to have Knowledge production and commercialisation and to take advantage and making use of the 4th Industrial Revolution. He concluded his presentation by encouraging Univen to actively participate in the 4th Industrial Revolution agenda.
Delivering the key note address was Dr Molapo Qhobela, National Research Foundation Chief Executive Officer, who expressed his heartfelt congratulatory message to Dr Nthambeleni. He said, Dr Nthambeleni does possess a number of qualities that best qualifies him to be the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda. Dr Qhobela’s address focused more on the importance of understanding the power of knowledge to change lives.
Academic partners handing over painted portrait of Dr Bernard Nthambeleni to the Chairperson of Council, Mr Serobi Maja
L-R: Mr Serobi Maja handing over a painted portrait to Dr Bernard Nthambeleni
Mr Levy Ndou, President of Convocation, giving a Vote of Thanks.
Mr Serobi Maja, Chairperson of Council was the Programme Director of the Inauguration Ceremony Gala dinner.
Attendees of the Inauguration Gala Dinner listening to the presentation of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni.
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 26 March 2019
