The University of Venda (UNIVEN), in partnership with the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, hosted a highly successful graduation ceremony on 08 October 2024, celebrating the completion of the Management Development Programme (MDP) by Heads of Departments (HoDs) from the University of Venda. The ceremony, which took place at the Student Parliament, also marked the culmination of the Action Learning Project, a key component of the training.
The MDP, designed to foster personal and professional growth, was facilitated by Dr. Rutendo Hwindingwi from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and began in June 2024 with a series of block sessions. These sessions focused on developing leadership skills and strategic thinking, ultimately leading to the Action Learning Project presentations where participants showcased their research to a distinguished panel of judges.
The panel included Deputy Vice-Chancellor Corporate Services, Dr Robert Martin; Director of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialisation, Prof Vhonani Netshandama; Director of International Relations and Partnerships, Dr Segun Obadire; and Director Human Resources, Mrs Uanda Ndou. Together, they provided valuable feedback and encouragement to the participants, highlighting the significance of their accomplishments.
In his keynote address, Dr Martin urged the graduates to embrace their leadership potential with confidence and courage. He emphasised the importance of not diminishing oneself to make others feel comfortable, inspiring the graduates to move forward in their leadership journeys without fear or hesitation. His words deeply resonated with the participants, any of whom reflected on howthe programme had empowered them both personally and professionally.
The graduates also shared the profound impact of the “River of Life” model, introduced during the early stages of the programme. They underscored how the model, which emphasised team-work, effective communication, and collaboration, played a pivotal role in their collective success throughout the course.
Mrs Uanda Ndou, Director Human Resources, expressed her pride in the participants’ achieve-ments, commending them for the dedication and hard work they demonstrated during the pro-gramme. She highlighted the value of the skills they had acquired and their potential to positively impact the broader university community.
Dr Obadire provided insightful feedback on the participants’ presentations, offering constructive critiques that enhanced the graduates’ understanding of their research topics. His observations were met with appreciation, as the graduates acknowledged the practical applications of the knowl-edge gained throughout the programme.
Mr Matamela Matibe, representing UNIVEN’s Organisational Development and Training Unit, also extended his gratitude to the graduates. He acknowledged their enthusiasm and commitment, thanking everyone involved in making the programme a success. He encouraged the graduates to share their newfound knowledge with the institution to support continued growth and develop-ment.
In her closing remarks, Prof Netshandama expressed her gratitude to UCT and its Graduate School of Business for their collaboration, which was instrumental in delivering the MDP. She stressed the importance of sustaining the partnership between the two institutions, with the hope that it would continue to strengthen UNIVEN’s leadership development initiatives in the future.
The ceremony concluded with a sense of accomplishment and optimism, marking not only the graduates’ successful completion of the MDP but also the beginning of a new chapter in their lead-ership careers. The skills and insights gained from the programme have undoubtedly prepared them to lead their respective departments with renewed vision and vigour, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on UNIVEN’s academic and administrative future.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication.
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
