“The core business of the university is teaching, learning and research, and it is our collective responsibility to make Univen the engine for the development of Africa in the 21st century. The university is determined to disseminate valuable knowledge to the public for regional, national and international development. Through high-quality education and community service, the university will become the heart of community development in our society…”

Dr Jim Leatt, the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Univen, said this during the official opening of the 2006 academic year at the university auditorium on Monday. Dr Leatt further welcomed the first-year entering students and encouraged them to work hard to achieve their educational goals. He acknowledged the cooperation of different stakeholders on the campus, which had made the previous year a successful one.

“You are here to learn and we are here to make sure that your learning is possible. We are faced with a challenge of making fruitful learning with scarce resources, but we need to turn things around and use the opportunity to stretch the muscles of our minds for fruitful educational development. I will never forget to compliment the student leadership for their contribution to the development of the university’s curriculum activities in the past year. I hope that we will again work together to make sure that learning is going smoothly in the current academic year…”

Leatt further revealed that the university resources are meant to cater for 5 000, but they were forced to admit 10 000 students last year. At the time of going to press, the number of registered students stood at 7 915, of which 2 597 are first-entering students.

The student representative assembly at the University of Venda (Univen) has invested more than R1 million in the university. “R150 000 went into security, R250 000 into a water booster pump and R650 000 for computers,” says Leatt. He added that the company Dell has also donated 200 computers to enhance the information technology facilities of staff and students.

“All of this assists handsomely in the turnaround strategy that the university embarked upon last year. Univen was, for example, built for 5 000 students but at times, 10 600 were registered. The infrastructure, already low on maintenance, was no longer able to support the load and academic activities. The Minister of Education therefore called for a situational analysis and a recovery plan.

“A detailed analysis of the finances, human resources, information communications technology and higher education management information system operations has already been completed. Two additional audits are also being undertaken. A condition audit is analysing all buildings and the technical services that support the physical infrastructure to develop a capital asset management plan. An academic viability audit of faculties, departments and courses will enable informed institutional planning. The Department of Education is paying for both audits - surely a concrete expression of the support the Minister promised last year,” said Leatt.

“The university has also begun a budgeting process for 2006 to instill financial discipline and has instituted a basic student enrolment plan for 2006 to ensure that no more than 2 600 first-time entering undergraduate students are admitted, to remain within the department’s target number of subsidy-generating students.”

The President of the Student Representative Assembly (SRA), Rudzani Ludere, said although learning is going smoothly at the university, there are still more student problems that need to be addressed. He cited problems like overcrowding in hostels and classes, lack of educational resources and poverty experienced by the majority of the students.

“Students must be properly and adequately housed to make learning an enjoyable experience. The SRA would object to any action which deprives the students of receiving quality education. We will not rest until students’ problems are resolved to make our learning more condu-cive and fruitful”

Ludere revealed that this year, the SRA is aiming to raise R650 000 to assist needy students who need financial assistance. He further said the SRA driving school project is at an advanced stage, while the SRA is also engaged in several fundraising activities to generate income for students’ benefit.

*Meanwhile, registration at the University has been extended until today (10 Feb) and those who register after the said date will be penalized with a late registration fee.