Vice-chancellors from all over South Africa and neighbouring countries were present to witness the inauguration of Prof Peter Amunga Mbati as the 4th vice-chancellor of the University of Venda last Friday.

Prof Mbati, who joined the University in February last year, had so far worked hard to transform the university into a better learning institution. “Over the next few years, the University of Venda (Univen) will restructure itself to become an important catalyst in the growth and development of Limpopo,” said Prof Mbati. He indicated that Univen is converting itself into a comprehensive university, which involves the re-engineering of its core business. This includes developing a new qualifications structure and programme profile to enable it to be at the centre of tertiary education for rural and regional development in Southern Africa.

Mbati expressed his commitment into making Univen a better university. “Universities across the world are considered as a key strategic asset for growth and development and Univen is no exception. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to serve as an engine that drives the growth of our province. A successful university model is one in which the academic programmes and research activities are in harmony with the development of the community,” he said. Mbati also acknowledged the support that Univen continues to receive from the national Department of Education (DoE). “The money that we have received has allowed us to address serious backlog maintenance problems and to refurbish a number of buildings, including the student residences,” he said.

Prof Mbati announced that the physical construction of important infrastructure projects, supported by the DoE, to the value of R211 million, will begin next month. These are a new lecture theatre block, a new Life and Chemical Sciences building, extensions to the Environmental Sciences building, the library and the conversion and renewal of buildings to provide new space for mathematical and physical sciences and for student services.

The Azasco-led SRC welcomed Prof Mbati with gratitude. Speaking during the function, SRA president Motadi Sylvester said “We congratulate Prof Mbati for the visionary leadership that he has demonstrated so far in forming unique partnerships with the SRA. We can already see this bearing fruits in the areas of research output. We as the revolutionary representatives of the students have no doubt in our minds that the future of the university looks rosy. On behalf of students I say we are not enemies, we are friends. Let’s all work together to realise the Univen vision of providing quality-driven, financially sustainable, rural-based comprehensive university education,” he said.

Good wishes for the vice-chancellor also came from the office of the Minister for Higher Education, Mr Blade Nzimande. The deputy director of Higher Education, Dr Qhobela Molapo, spoke on his behalf. “I trust that with the team you have and those that you will still recruit and with the support of staff and students, you will be able to take this institution forward and make it a quality university, not only in terms of teaching and learning, but also in terms of social responsiveness. As an institution located in the rural part of our country, I believe that the University of Venda is strategically positioned to respond to the challenges confronting rural communities. This is particularly important, given the government’s intention to prioritise rural development in this next phase of our democracy,” said Dr Molapo.

Dr Molapo also gave a short report on how much money has been used by Government for higher education institutions to improve their standards. “Over the past few years, the Department of Education has made a significant investment in higher education. The higher education budget has grown from R9,8 billion in 2004 to R14,923 billion in 2008, which represents an increase of 52% since 2004. This will further rise to R18,8 billion by 2010. Included is the increased support to the NSFAS to respond to the pressing needs of poor students. The department is hopeful that its strengths will be enhanced by collective leadership. Under your collective leadership, chancellor, Justice Mokgoro and Dr Mbati, this university can count on the support of the Department of Education in its efforts to locate itself at the heart of educational transformation and renewal, both nationally and in the province,” he said.