At a meeting that was held in Polokwane on 06 February 2017 between the University of Venda and Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), UNIVEN delegation were full of appreciation when CETA committed an additional amount of R 10.5 million towards assisting 365 Univen students and unemployed youth around Vhembe District Municipality on a number of programmes which include internships, bursaries, candidacy, learnerships, apprenticeships and short skills programmes.
Mr. Raymond Cele Chairperson of CETA Board
Mr. Raymond Cele Chairperson of CETA Board emphasized the commitment of his Board in supporting learners and students especially those who are academically deserving and from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, to be supported through CETA programmes. “The CETA – UNIVEN collaboration is an outstanding project that can be replicated anywhere in this country”, he added.
Chief Executive Officer of CETA, Ms. Sonja Pilusa
The Chief Executive Officer of CETA, Ms. Sonja Pilusa commended the University for managing its CETA projects efficiently and thus creating trust for continued collaboration. She said “let us make sure that we empower the new generation and shape this country to be the way our forefathers wanted it to be”.
Mr. Webster Mfebe, CETA board member
Mr. Webster Mfebe, one of CETA board members said, “we have prioritised and awarded Univen not by favour but because of the quality of its proposals”. He noted that Univen, a rural-based historically disadvantaged University was rapidly growing and, that this collaboration would add impetus to its strategic growth.
University of Venda’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati
The University of Venda’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Peter Mbati thanked CETA for trusting Univen to facilitate and carry out these programmes. He indicated that the success of UNIVEN’s transformative agenda was largely dependent on partnerships such as the one with CETA. UNIVEN enrols many bright students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who require the support of the public and private sector to flourish in their chosen professional fields. “This round of funding will greatly impact on the lives of many of my students and deserving members from our rural communities in the Limpopo province” added Prof. Mbati.
He said that this will give Univen’s employees and students even more energy to do better. “For the past 10 years, Univen has done well because of partnerships like this.” He said Univen was one of the few Universities that were not disrupted as a result of the 2016 fees must fall national protests. “This was mainly because of the partnerships like the one from CETA which helps alleviate the pressure of admission criteria with regard to financial commitments that students must make. You are making a huge difference in the lives of children who couldn’t afford tertiary fees and this is commendable”, said Professor Mbati.
CETA has previously committed R22million towards the development of a degree programme in construction technology in the School of Environmental Sciences at UNIVEN. As part of this previous funding, a CETA Community Skills Development Centre was constructed while the construction of an engineering laboratory is in the pipeline.
Issued by: Department of Communications and Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: 015 962 8525
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