In a series of site visits, the Department of Science Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) Industry and Environment Directorate visited four universities forming part of the Consortium of the Centre of Competence in Environmental Biotechnology (CoCEB). As part of monitoring and evaluation, the DSTI visited the University of Venda (UNIVEN) to inspect the research work that they have been supporting under the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The CoCEB Consortium was initiated by Professor Tonderayi Matambo from the University of South Africa who collaborated with the University of Fort Hare, the University of Zululand, and the University of Venda.
Dr Siyavuya Bulani and Dr Rofhiwa Mulaudzi from the Department of Science Technology and Innovation who are from the Directorate of Industry and Environment’s purpose for the visit was to discuss the monitoring of the finances managed at TIA and the budget revisions. . The issues around the monitoring and evaluation of the project were discussed and additionally, the DSTI team was keen to support the students with their studies and laboratory equipment. There was deliberation on the extension of the project by one academic year as there was a delay in the start of the project.
Dr Vhutshilo Nekhubvi and Professor David Tinarwo from UNIVEN’s Department of Physics and Science Foundation, respectively contributed to the discussion on the de-velopment of research in biogas and maintenance of biodigesters. . During the dis-cussions, it was clear that there is still a lot of research work that needs to be done on waste-to-energy in the areas of physics, biochemistry, and microbiology, including the production of clean gas and other materials for use in the biogas digesters. As part of the DSTI team monitoring and evaluation, the team also visited the biogas digest-ers at the University Farm to understand gas production through the biogas digesters.
Professor Eric Maluta further emphasised the importance of supporting students in ru-ral universities financially so that they do not leave to other institutions that have bet-ter funding opportunities. The DSTI team agreed that indeed students need to be trained at rural universities so that they can conduct research that is communi-ty-based and provide solutions to the livelihoods of the communities. They also men-tioned that both staff and students should perform their tasks toward the same goal.
Dr Lutendo Mathomu from Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology gave a break-down of the UNIVEN student cohort progress and the financial reporting regarding the project. He mentioned that the project has already graduated four honours stu-dents, and two master’s students have submitted their dissertation for May 2025 Grad-uation. Dr Mathomu further expressed that he aims to increase the number of grad-uates from honors, masters, and a PhD by 2026. He mentioned that the team hopes that there will be several research papers and prototypes will come out of the research.
Dr Mlungiseleli Ganto from the UNIVEN Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) of-fered words of support to both the funder DSTI, students, and the researchers. He encouraged the researchers to work on research that responds to the communi-ty needs and that is also industrially applicable so that the University could gen-erate a third income stream. He further indicated that the OTT doors are open to researchers who need assistance with intellectual property related matters.
The CoCEB UNIVEN team appreciates the support from the Office of Tech-nology Transfer, under the Directorate of Community Engagement, Entre-preneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation (CEEIIC), the Facul-ty of Science Engineering and Agriculture. Prof Eric Maluta mentioned that UNIVEN’s strength on this project is driven by students, Ms Takalani Nethavhanani, and Ms Lucia Tsotetsi who have enrolled for PhD and MSc in this project, respectively.
A group photo of UNIVEN staff and students posing with Dr Siyavuya Bulani and Dr Rofhiwa Bridget Mulaudzi from the DSTI
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
