THOHOYANDOU - The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi visited the University of Venda for Science and Technology (Univen) on Wednesday, 20 November 2002, to sign a memorandum of understanding.

The relationship between Univen and the Department of Environmental Affairs comes against the background that Univen's School of Environmental Sciences was named by the Department in 2000 as a Centre for Excellence.

The school started in 1995 and has already produced graduates who are well placed in the private and public sector. It is one of the fastest growing schools in the University. In the year 2001, close to 800 students were registered in the school, which boasts the largest Environmental programme in the country.

It has also attracted students beyond the borders of the Republic of South Africa. Its reputation has earned the university friends not only in South Africa but also in the USA and in Germany such as Ohio State University in West Virginia, and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and universities in Germany among others.

After the signing of the memorandum, the minister proceeded to Siloam in Nzhelele to visit the mud pool project, which is led by the university. After this brief visit, she proceeded to Lake Funduzi where a Bed and Breakfast Lodge was launched. The University has also been involved in research work on and about Lake Fundudzi, which has become a major tourist destination.