A view of a large number of first entering students and staff members who attended the Official opening of 2018 Orientation
The University of Venda (Univen) has officially opened its orientation of first entering students. The 2018 Orientation official opening programme took place on Monday, 22 January 2018 at the University Auditorium. The aim of the Orientation was to acclimatise first entering students with tertiary environment. The first entering students were introduced to the functioning of all existing University Schools and Directorates.
Univen SRC President, Mr Lindokuhle Lukhele has advised students to finish their degrees within stipulated time because this will open spaces for other qualifying students. Lukhele further advised the first entering students to invest most of their time in their studies. He discouraged student assistants from taking money from anyone in exchange of anything. “Even if it is a token of appreciation, do not take it because it might cause problems in future.” He further told the first entering students to never pay a bribe to anyone in exchange for a favour or a service. Lukhele welcomed them to Univen and told them to report anyone who demands something from them in exchange of being assisted. “It is our duty to assist you free of charge because we are here to serve you,” he concluded.
In his Official Opening Address, DVC Academic, Prof Jan Crafford, spoke about eight values of Univen. He said “We want you to help us to achieve all our institutional values.” Prof Crafford further told the first entering students to assist Univen to produce valuable and quality graduates. “We strive to produce quality leaders.”
Mr Benji Ngobeni, Head of Financial Aid and Reporting highlighted the importance of the existence of his office. He told the first entering students to make use of the Financial Aid Office because this office exists to serve them.
The Director Community Engagement, Prof Vhonani Netshandama encouraged the first entering students to participate in community engagement activities because this will help boost their Curriculum Vitaes and improve their personal profiles. She further told them that participating in community engagement might even increase their chances of getting scholarships.
Dr Segun Obadire, Acting Director International Relations encouraged the students to engage with international students and to make them feel at home. He told the first entering students to contact his office for more information regarding exchange programmes and international scholarships.
Mr Lufuno Tshikhudo, Acting Director Student Affairs encouraged the first entering students to attend all orientation programmes prepared to assist them. He said that Student Affairs exists to assist them and told them to make use of the available student structures and facilities such as Campus clinic, student residences, and sporting facilities.
Prof Nancy Mutshaeni, the Director Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning (CHETL) wished the first entering students a very successful period of study at Univen. She told them that CHETL has various services that are aimed at assisting students to achieve their intended goals. She added that, Univen has three units that are meant to calm them from their anxiety as they enter higher education environment. “We have the Academic Development Unit, the Student Counselling and the Career Development Unit and the Disability Unit,” she told first entering students.
Advocate Edward Lambani, Director Legal Services told the first entering students to guard the reputation of the University. He told them to behave because failure to do so will make them to be suspended.
In her welcoming message, Dean of the School of Law, Annette Lansink welcomed the 2018 students and advised them to cherish the opportunity granted to them. “The students sitting here today are in a privileged position as for every successful application there were ten unsuccessful applicants,” she said. She urged male and female students to make good use of their new student life and newly found freedom on the basis of gender equality.
The University Registrar, Prof Edward Nesamvuni proposed a vote of thanks and told the first entering students that their academic work starts on the day that they were registered.
The other side of the hall: First entering students, members of the SRC and staff members during the official opening of the 2018 Orientation programme
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 25 January 2018
