On 11 April 2019, University of Venda (UNIVEN) renewed its existing MoU with Hochschule for Angewandte Wissenschaft Und Kust (HAWK), University of Applied Science and Arts in Holzimenden, Germany. The renewal of the MoU took place during a week-long international exchange programme full of activities in the Department of Social Work under the School of Human and Social Sciences. A number of activities successfully took place as captured in the previous MoU. Some of these activities include joint workshops, joint book projects, joint paper presentations during international conferences and annual student and staff exchange programme. UNIVEN staff and students started visiting Germany in 2013 and staff and students from HAWK have visited in the same manner till date.
Dr Bernard Nthambeleni, Univen Vice-Chancellor and Principal (seated second from left) and Professor Dr Maike Schmieta (seated far right) signing the MoU coordinated by the Director Legal Services, Adv Edward Lambani
The recent visit was from 6-13 April 2019 when UNIVEN hosted 14 students and 2 staff members from HAWK. During his presentation at the ceremony, Prof Mokgale Makgopa, Dean School of Human and Social Sciences enumerated the gains in terms of academic knowledge generation, cultural and international exposures
to both staff and students who participated in the programme in the last 5 years. He declared that the partnership has grown to the level of a flagship during the past years. There was a very good working relations that has been established among partners, the passion of individuals and groups participating in the activities and the mutuality of partnership were commendable.
Dr Bernard Nthambeleni, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Univen in handshake with Mrs Caroline Maas, Advisor, Office of the President of HAWK University of Applied Sciences, Germany
The parties agreed that the old MoU should be renewed, and they stressed the need for expansion and quality going forward. Mrs Caroline Maas was instrumental to the establishment of the MoU after her visit to the University around 2011. She confirmed making friends among staff and students in the programme since its inception. The School of Environmental Sciences played a strong role in initiating the establishment of the MoU but most of the activities took place in the Department of Social Work hence the need to expand the activities to other schools and units at the University.
Some of the participants took a group picture during the signing ceremony
The signing ceremony which took place at the Council Chambers was coordinated by the Director Legal Services, Adv Edward Lambani. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni signed on behalf of UNIVEN while Prof Dr.
Maike Schmieta and Mrs Caroline Maas signed on behalf of HAWK. Also present to witness the occasion were Prof Jan Crafford, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Mokgale Makgopa, Dr Lobelo D Mogorosi, HoD, Social Work and other staff members from the school: Ms Mmaphuti Mamaleka lecturer in the Social Work Department and Mrs Patricia Manganyi who is fieldwork coordinator and student’s placement for the implementation of Work Integrated Learning in the Social Work Department. The programme was organized by the Directorate of International Relations led by Dr. Segun Obadire, Acting Director International Relations. Next year 10 students and 3 staff members from UNIVEN will be visiting HAWK for the annual exchange programme around May.
Standing: Dr Lobelo Mogorosi with Mrs Patricia Mannganyi and Mrs Mmaphuti Mamaleka from the Social Work Department with(seated) Mrs Caroline Maas and Professsor Dr Maike Schmieta from HAWK and Dr Segun Obadire in the middle Acting Director of the International Relations during the renewal of the MoU between HAWK and UNIVEN
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 29 April 2019
