The University of Venda 2022 Winter graduation ceremony was organised into (4) four sessions which were spread over two (2) days. Over these two days, the Chancellor of the University of Venda (UNIVEN), Adv Mojanku Gumbi conferred 3 267 qualifications comprising of 357 Diplomas and Certificates; 2 517 undergraduate qualifications; 298 Honours degrees; 77 Master’s degrees and 18 Doctoral degrees. These qualifications were from the faculties of Health Sciences; Management, Commerce and Law; Science, Engineering and Agriculture; Social Sciences, Humanities and Education.
The Winter graduation Ceremonies took place at the University Auditorium on Thursday, 14 July 2022 and Friday, 15 July 2022.
The University is proud to see former and current SRC members receiving their degrees. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni congratulated SRC leaders for their exemplary leadership, hard work and determination that has culminated to this significant occasion.
Dr Nthambeleni was also thrilled by the performance of Tshinanne Edward Tshilololi who became the winner of Senate Medallion and a Trophy, and he was the Overall Best Student in the University for the 2022 Winter graduation. Tshiololi also scooped a number of awards.
During this graduation, a number of UNIVEN staff members also graduated, from undergraduate up to PhD level.
Dr Ndanganeni Phyllis Netshivhuyu
Ms Faith Muthambi
In these two days , a 72-year-old Dr Ndanganeni Phyllis Netshivhuyu of Makwarela, outside Thohoyandou received her PhD in Educational Management. Furthermore, the Former Minister of Communications and the National Assembly Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Faith Muthambi graduated a Master of Public Management.
Dr Nthambeleni in his welcome address, highlighted that “this graduation ceremony is a great moment for the University of Venda as we are celebrating forty years of the University’s existence this year”.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal – Dr Bernard Nthambeleni
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal said “the University of Venda is one of the fastest growing universities in Southern Africa in terms of the depth of its academic staff, students’ output, throughput, and the quality of research output. He further alluded that “We are making good progress with growing our own timber of Rated Researchers and we currently have 34 National Research Foundation (NRF) Rated Researchers. These Rated Researchers contribute significantly to the research publications output of the University. Our University staff with doctoral qualifications has increased to 41% which is above the national average in the sector”.
Dr Nthambeleni indicated that the University of Venda contribute enormously to the socio-economic development not only of this region and Province, but to the entire country by producing well rounded graduates. “Many of our graduates have moved on to occupy strategic leadership positions in both private and public sectors in the country’’, added Dr Nthambeleni. He continued to say, “As per our motto “Creating future leaders” there is no sector in this country where you would not encounter a University of Venda graduate”.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal told the graduates that “The knowledge you have acquired in your chosen fields and disciplines is key to providing pathways for your future, but the many more hills you will have to climb in your life’s journey will require you to be perseverant, appreciate and celebrate diversity, embrace teamwork, dispute resolution skills, negotiating skills, communication skills, critical and creative thinking skills, emotional intelligence and managing oneself. As you leave this University, remain ethical in your conduct, and abhor bribery and corruption”.
He informed the graduates that the University will continue to engage with them as the alumni of this great University. “We will remain interested in your journey as our ambassadors”, said Dr Nthambeleni.
Chancellor of the University of Venda – Adv Mojanku Gumbi
In her congratulatory message, the Chancellor of the University of Venda, Adv Mojanku Gumbi gave credit to the graduates for their hard-earned qualifications. She thanked parents, sponsors, and guardians for their unwavering support to their students. Adv Gumbi also thanked academic and support staff for shaping the young minds whose dreams finally came true. She urged the graduates to effectively use the wealth of knowledge and skills they have acquired in solving real life problems that the country is confronted with. “The country needs scientists who can explain what they do in language that is understandable to the public. The decisions taken by our government on matters pertaining to health, agriculture, and other disciplines, should be based on scientific information provided by graduates. The results of the
research that you have conducted must be relevant and comprehensible to society” concluded Adv Gumbi.
Below: Some of the pictures taken during graduation ceremony
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 / 8710
Date: 20 July 2022
