The Directorate of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation, and Commercialisation (DCEEIIC) at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) hosted an appreciation ceremony on 20 January 2025 at 2Ten Hotel to honour panel members and to evaluate community engagement projects. Under the theme “Celebrating Excellence in Community Engagement,” the event recognised efforts contributing to the university’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
As part of this 2021-2025 UNIVEN Strategic Plan, six community projects are being evaluated for societal impact—three completed in 2024 and three scheduled for 2025.
Mr Botwe Kraziya during the welcome address
UNIVEN’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Botwe Kraziya, highlighted the importance of integrating community engagement and service learning into curricula, with students contributing to proj-ects aligned with their academic programmes. He praised the involvement of academics, re-tired professors, community members, and student volunteers for their impactful contributions.
Ms Mulalo Maumela, a Societal Impact Researcher, presenting the feedback from panel members.
Societal Impact Researcher, Ms Mulalo Maumela, presented insights from panel feed-back on the 2024 project evaluations. While the initiatives demonstrated strong com-munity impact, challenges such as insufficient training and delays due to limit-ed planning were identified. Recommendations included enhanced training, better stakeholder engagement, and standardised processes to improve future evaluations.
Prof Netshandama emphasised the importance of participatory evaluation, empowering communi-ties to co-create solutions and fostering stronger partnerships between the university and society.
Prof Vhonani Netshandama, Mr Maluleke (a panel member), Mr Koketso Lekoane, and Ms.Nakisani Nemadodzi during the handing over of certificates and tokens of appreciation
In his closing remarks, Dr. Mutshinyalo Ratombo, Director of Strategy Management and Risk, thanked attendees and encouraged panel members to support the upcom-ing 2025 evaluations. The event demonstrated UNIVEN’s commitment to enhanc-ing societal impact and setting a benchmark for community engagement in academia.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
