The acting vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Venda, Dr Jim Leatt, says his institution is ready for future educational challenges of the global world.

He was speaking during the official opening of the 2007 academic year programme held at the university auditorium on Monday. Leatt says the university’s extremely ambitious recovery plan, aimed at refurbishing infrastructure on the campus, is a true reflection that they are prepared to meet the standards of the levels required for a public institution of higher learning in South Africa. He said the recovery plan, which began in September last year, is scheduled to be completed early in 2008.

Leatt added that Univen’s future depends fundamentally on whether it uses its scare resources wisely and well. "Failure to do so will result in what is known as a tragedy of the commons. A tragedy of commons can only be solved by a change of behaviour and requires moral and political solution."

He said the university is doing its best about the problem of overpopulation. "Univen was built for 5 500 students, but it has been allowed to grow to accommodate 10 500. However, fixing the infrastructure without adding to the carrying capacity and introducing strict access controls, such as student enrolment planning for admission, both to the university and its hostels, will simply prolong Univen’s tragedy of commons."

Leatt further encouraged students, lecturers and support staff to work hard in the 2007 academic year. "Success can only be achieved through cooperation and we need to work together to produce the desired results. Students must know that they are primarily here to study and they must take their studies seriously because knowledge acquisition is the only vehicle for a bright future."