Students in the department of agriculture at the University of Venda and surrounding local communities stand to benefit after a deal that will see the university acquire an additional 30 hectares of land was signed at Luaname Mukumbani between the university and the Tshivhase Royal House.

The agreement was signed during a function at the Tshivhase royal palace last week.

The vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Venda, Prof Peter Mbati, led a delegation comprised of senior management and members of Council that visited the Tshivhase Royal Residence at Mukumbani. The primary purpose of the visit was to enhance and sustain the cordial relationship that exists between the university and the Tshivhase Royal Council.

The visit was also aimed at providing an opportunity to explore further areas of cooperation between the university and the Tshivhase Royal Council for the benefit of the broader community.

Thovhele Vho-Tshivhase confirmed his passion for education and development by making available a 30-hectare piece of arable land to the University of Venda for agricultural experiential training. The farm will also be utilised for the purpose of teaching and learning and for agricultural research, development and innovation. Projects to enhance entrepreneurial skills and access to communal markets, particularly for emerging farmers, will be conducted on this land, in partnership with the community, the Department of Agriculture and other collaborating institutions.

Prof Mbati commended Vho-Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase for his passion for education and the role that the Tshivhase Royal Council played in the growth and development of the University of Venda. Mbati indicated that the university is undergoing massive transformation to ensure that it repositions itself as a quality–driven, financially viable rural-based comprehensive institution, offering both traditional and career-focused programmes relevant to the community and regional needs. “With a new senior management structure, recent massive capital injection for the upgrades and refurbishment and new infrastructure to be built as from early 2009, the quality of life of both our students and staff is geared for improvement,” said Prof Mbati. He further indicated that the university has also substantially invested in the expansion of the disabled students unit. Another important initiative in improving research outputs will be to aggressively pursue funding for research chairs.