Students from the University of Venda (UNIVEN) recently took part in a transformative workshop facilitated by UNIVEN in collaboration with Higher Health officials. The workshop at the ICT 2 Lab focused on Digital Literacy, Soft Skills Training, and Civic Education. It forms part of a Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)-accredited programme, aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5. Designed as a co-curricular initiative, the programme aims to equip students with essential life and soft skills, foster values of responsible citizenship, and enhance graduate competencies—ultimately boosting employability and preparing them for the job market
Students were engaged with various health-related modules through an online platform, covering topics such as: Civic engagement; Gender diversity and equality (this one covered critical topics on LGBTQI + identity, inclusion and rights); Mental health; Disability; Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); Alcohol dependence and Substance abuse, equipping students with knowledge and skills to promote equality, challenge discrimination, and create safer, more inclusive campuses. One of the biggest lessons from the first module was understanding that, race is a social construct based on skin colour, while racism is a concept historically used to justify oppression. A total of 145 students successfully completed their Final Integrated Summative Assess-ments (FISA) in the Civic and Soft Skills hybrid learning programme. These students were awarded vouchers as proud graduates of the NQF Level 5 qualification accredited by QCTO.
The workshop was a significant step in preparing students for future challenges, both in their professional careers and as active, informed citizens. The comprehensive training ensured that students were workplace-ready and competent leaders in society.
Students who attended the three-day training workshop with the facilitators
Ms Maggie Hlungwani (third from left) with Officials from Higher Health
During the recent First Things First awareness and TB campaign hosted by UNIVEN Campus Health, a variety of health services were provided. HIV testing, STI screening, and TB services were conducted by Campus Health and Wellness, in collabora-tion with Biokinetics, the Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS), and other UNIVEN partners. The Department of Health, along with partners such as Poverty Alleviation and Sup-port for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PAPSWA) and the Anova Health Institute, also par-ticipated by offering support services, particularly to the LGBTI community on campus
A total of 916 staff members and 404 students received counselling and test-ing. Additionally, 5,255 Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed. The campaign also saw the distribution of 18,000 male condoms and 500 female condoms to promote safe sexual practices..
Students in the queue to receive various health services during the campaign
DKMS is an organisation that works in the areas of blood cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. For many patients, their only chance of survival is to find a match-ing bone marrow or blood stem cell donor as quickly as possible. The mission for DKMS is to find matching donors for every patient. They raised awareness of the need for do-nors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which is essential for treating people with blood cancers. The programme also gave the opportunity to our student peer educators to learn other skills like collecting of oral swabbing specimen. A total of 599 was reached.
Students and Staff in the queue for DKMS Services
DKMS Official (second left) with Students Peer Educators
Biokinetics students who rendered wellness services
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
