The UNIVEN, situated in Thohoyandou in the scenic Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province of South Africa was established in 1982. The university has ever experienced tremendous growth and change. From its early years, staff members were drawn from various backgrounds in South Africa but by 1994 staff members were increasingly recruited from other African countries and over seas.
The presence on campus of staff from diverse backgrounds created a unique atmosphere and a fertile environment for new ideas and a capacity for change.
During this time the institution remained a traditional university that offered a full-range of courses straddling the humanities, social sciences, natural and applied sciences.
With the advent of democracy in 1994 and a new leadership at the helm, Univen embarked on a process of accelerated transformation. From 1995 the university shifted its focus to science and technology, resulting in the introduction of new programmes with an increase in student enrolment in the natural and applied sciences.
In 2002, the Department of Education mandated the institution to transform into a comprehensive university that offers career-focused programmes. Prior to its new mandate, Univen had already taken a step to establish some career-focused programmes with emphasis on science and technology.
During each stage of transformation the university aligned its vision and mission to the needs of the community at local, regional, national, continental and international levels. This process of transformation created significant changes in administrative governance and in the size and shape of the curriculum. It also attracted better qualified staff and resulted in improved student profile.
To date the university has established itself as a national asset through its niche on problem oriented, project based curriculum with a strength in nurturing under prepared students into nationally competitive graduates. The university has therefore become and important player in the South African higher education landscape, contributing significantly to the human resources and development needs of the country and region.
University of Venda Mission and Vision
Vision
The University of Venda aspires to be at the centre of tertiary education for rural and regional development in Southern Africa.
Mission
The University of Venda, anchored on the pillars of excellence in teaching, learning, research and community engagement, produces graduates imbued with knowledge, skills and qualifications which are locally relevant and globally competitive.
Values
QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE
Strive for the highest standards as benchmarked with and evaluated by peers.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Commitment to good and responsible use of human, fiscal and physical resources entrusted to us to deliver on and be answerable to our mandate.
TRANSPARENCY
Openness to public scrutiny of our actions, processes and use of our resources.
INTEGRITY
Consistently espousing and practising honesty, truth and freedom in all we do.
RESPECT
Treating all stakeholders with civility and dignity.
DIVERSITY
Recognising that diversity and excellence are mutually inclusive and using this to enhance our teaching, scholarship and community engagement.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Contributing to the best extent possible, to the intellectual, social and economic well-being of the communities we serve.
UBUNTU
Fostering a caring, mutually supporting environment and treating individuals
with respect and dignity in the spirit of Ubuntu.
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