Incentives for hardworking Univen students

Twenty-six students at the University of Venda who performed extremely well were on cloud nine when they received cash prizes totalling a whopping R230 000 from the university’s principal, Prof Peter Mbati.

This was during the official opening of the 2013 academic year on Thursday. The opening also coincided with the first-ever Vice-Chancellor’s Student Academic Excellence Awards. The function was held at the university’s auditorium.

The awards are an initiative of the 2011 Univen Student Senate and Senate Teaching and Learning Committee, which proposed to Senate that annual academic excellence awards should be instituted for undergraduate students at all levels.

It is intended to promote a culture of teaching and learning in the schools through competition for the awards. Twenty percent of the award is in cash, with the remainder in tuition fees, book vouchers and accommodation, depending on the student’s choice.

During the event, Mbati outlined the programme of action for 2013, particularly highlighting the infrastructure upgrading programme. He also highlighted some developments and improvements with regard to academic projects.

Mbati said the awards would instil a sense of competitiveness amongst students from all levels. “We have awards during graduation ceremonies, but not all have the opportunity to attend them. We would like to see junior students attend similar ceremonies. This will also go a long way in improving the quality of graduandi we produce and will also promote excellence amongst students and members of staff,” added Mbati.

One of the recipients, 21-year-old Jubilant Sibanda, a second-year BCom Business Economics student, who was the overall best student in the second level, hailed the award as a boost. “We are highly motivated to perform well in the future,” she said.

News - Date: 06 February 2013

Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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