The University of Mpumalanga and University of Venda (UNIVEN) have sealed their working relationship with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This will see the two institutions collaborate in areas of Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer, Student Governance, and Agriculture.
Before the signing, University of Mpumalanga Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso said the two institutions will benefit from the collaboration and that UMP has identified partnerships as drivers and enablers in achieving the institution’s vision.
“We have to empower one another, enhance the image of each other. We have to elevate the sights of each other to be visionary and strategic,” she said adding that new technology has opened many opportunities for students.
"Institutions of higher learning have the responsibility to develop leaders of digital technology and spark creativity and innovation. We have to prepare our institutions to provide education throughout the life cycle of students. These maturing and growing students will need education on demand, with access to highly skilled academic staff and curricular that will help them adapt to an ever-changing workforce,” added Professor Mayekiso.
“Institutions need to complete the shift from learning that is driven by the expertise of academic staff to learning that is tailored to complex students’ needs as well as the world of work. The question is: how can higher education institutions introduce new academic programmes enough to ensure that there is a match between the graduates we are producing and demands from employers?”
In his address the University of Venda Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernand Nthambeleni said UNIVEN has identified a few important fronts that will guide strategic planning. These include investing in preparing undergraduate students.
“We want to make sure that our students become competent in whatever they do. We need to make ourselves an entrepreneurial university. Those days where we trained students to apply for jobs are gone. The economy is not doing well. It is time for our students to apply their minds to create jobs. That does not only speak to the students it also speaks to us. How can make sure that the resources entrusted upon us are being used efficiently,” said Dr Nthambeleni adding that there are some things you don’t have to do alone but have to do with like-minded partners.
“We want to make sure that in this collaboration we maximise and use this to our benefit and make sure that the two universities are able to collaborate. There are certain best practices that I believe we should share. I don’t believe I have to struggle in dealing with issues if my colleagues have a model that works. We must take our collaboration to the highest level where we are able to share expertise here and there and make sure that our researchers and staff are able to collaborate.”
Senior Professor and Director: Research and Innovation at UNIVEN, Georges-Ivo Ekosse shared the strides the university has made in relations to research, saying that the institution runs international research conferences.
He further mentioned that UNIVEN has developed good partnerships such as the one with Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in South Africa and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kenya to ensure the UNIVEN is part of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Professor Mayekiso concluded by saying that institutions need to develop leaders at every level of the institution. Leaders that have a high tolerance of ambiguity and the willingness to take creative risks and learn from failures along the way.
“We are particularly excited that the strapline for the University of Venda is creating future leaders, because leadership is really in the centre of what we do as UMP. Therefore, as the University of Mpumalanga we are looking forward to a long-term productive relationship with the University of Venda.
After the signing of the MoU delegates from UNIVEN were taken on a campus tour. They were shown around UMP’s iconic buildings, student residences and the newly launched Library and Information Services.