The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is thrilled to announce that our esteemed Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG) by the Universities South Africa (USAf) Board for the 2025–2027 term. This significant appointment is a testament to his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing research and innovation within South African higher education.
As Chairperson of the RISG, Professor Nthambeleni will lead efforts to shape the future of research and innovation, focusing on key priority areas for 2025, including Innovation, Research and Innovation Impact, Cooperation and Collaboration, and Internationalisation.
The University of Venda is incredibly proud of Professor Nthambeleni’s new role and sees this as an exciting opportunity to further contribute to national and global academic excellence. We are confident that under his leadership, the RISG will continue to foster collaboration and inspire innovation across the higher education sector.
This appointment not only underscores the University of Venda’s growing influence in the South African academic landscape but also reflects our ongoing commitment to producing high-impact research that makes a difference. We look forward to the remarkable strides Professor Ntham-beleni will lead in the years to come.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Vice-Chancellor and look forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the growth and development of higher education in our country.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
