Some of the attendees of the public lecture at Research Conference Centre
On Wednesday, 22 February 2023, the Department of English Media Studies and Linguistics under the Faculty of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (FHSSE) hosted a public lecture that was delivered by Prof Augustine Dzathor who is a full professor of Business (Management) at Grambling State University in Louisiana in the United States of America (USA). This was a hybrid event with physical attendance held at University of Venda Research Conference Centre.
DVC Research and Postgraduate Studies – Prof Nosisi Feza
When giving the purpose of the Lecture, DVC Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Nosisi Feza said the University has pronounced itself as an entrepreneurial university, therefore we need to work towards achieving entrepreneurial goals. Prof Feza indicated that this public lecture was aligned with what the University of Venda intends to achieve. She anticipated that this public lecture would also assist the University staff members and students to convert ideas into practice and start making money for themselves and for the University.
Prof Dzathor
Prof Dzathor, amongst other things, spoke about universities at financial crossroads; most effective entrepreneurial traits; evolution of Entrepreneurship; various entrepreneurship paradigms; as well as three stages of Entrepreneurship. He further discussed several entrepreneurship paradigms where he spoke about how to infuse entrepreneurial culture in a university and mentioned strategic planning as the main starting focus. Prof Dzathor said there is a need for universities to review the organisational missions and vision statements to measure or align it with the new strategic plan. “New academic programme and curriculum need to be introduced to meet the need of future employers. The curriculum must be relevant to the needs of the community in which that university is situated.”
Prof Dzathor said all programmes need to be revised, they need to be quality assured and to be accredited before these programmes could be offered to the public. “Policies must be put in place to make sure that these programmes are marketed well, they need to be engaged by both universities and the communities where these universities exist,” he concluded. Augustine Dzathor is a full professor of Business (Management) at Grambling State University in Louisiana, USA. Augustine has 18 years of university teaching experience and a research focus on entrepreneurship. He has successively led his current institution through two Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation reviews and reaffirmations in the past eight years. AACSB International accreditation is the premier business school accreditation body in the world. He also has expertise in curriculum review and assessment.
Prof Dzathor has a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Management)from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi AACSB International Accredited 2010; Master of Business Administration (Distinction) Valedictorian Africa University, Zimbabwe 1997; Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) 1994; Bachelor of Commerce- Accounting (Honours) Degree and Diploma in Education University of Cape-Coast, Ghana 1990.
DVC Corporate Services – Dr Robert Martin.
This public lecture was virtually opened by DVC Corporate Services, Dr Robert Martin.
HoD for the Department of English, Media Studies and Linguistics – Dr Matodzi Lambani
HoD for the Department of English, Media Studies and Linguistics, Dr Matodzi Lambani introduced the speaker, Prof Augustine Dzathor.
Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Prof Takalani Mashau gave concluding remarks and a vote of thanks.
Prof Mashudu Mashige
The programme was directed by Prof Mashudu Mashige
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 05 March 2023
