A GWANDA State University delegation led by Professor DZ Moyo visited the University of Venda (RSA) on a look and learn 3-day programme.
The visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Venda and Gwanda State University on the 1st of August 2024 at Epoch Mine Campus.
The programme entailed presentations by various University of Venda’s departments, tour of projects underway on campus and an array of community engagement programmes under implementation in the communities.
Welcoming the GSU delegates, the Univern Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ndanduleni Bernard Nthambeleni highlighted that the visit was crucial for sister institutions in the region to collaborate and work together on a number of areas that are deemed important for the two institutions.
“We are also driven by the fact that we need to be pushing for the South-South cooperations wherein we must be having partnerships in the Southern Region of Africa”, Prof Nthambeleni said.
He indicated that the international bilateral agreements with western countries were good but there was need for talks about changes that need to be witnessed in the SADC region.
He highlighted that the University of Venda was the closest to Zimbabwe interms of proximity hence there was need to strengthen bilateral agreements with institutions not only in Zimbabwe but Mozambique and Lesotho.
He added that they learnt about entrepreneurship and that there was need for the University of Venda to adopt the model among others. He added that these bilateral relations between the two institutions would change the landscape of the livelihoods in the communities as expected.
“One of the things that we learnt from our initial visit to Gwanda State University a year ago, was that they were quite good in their Agriculture and it’s something that we need to learn from them”, acknowledged Professor Nthambeleni.
The Gwanda State University Vice-Chancellor Professor DZ Moyo highlighted that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Gwanda State University and the University of Venda was a milestone achievement.
“This MOU is important to us because it will enable us to collaborate in various areas such as offering joint programmes, research activities, collaborative research, application for research grants, coming up with programmes of mutual interest, joint conferences for public lectures and seminars, sharing of research infrastructure and expertise, staff development initiatives, joint publications as well as supervision of students”, Prof Moyo said.
She added that there was need to do away with the silo mentality as it affects development, hence the need to leverage on collaborations and partnerships.
Under community engagement initiatives undertaken by Univen, the two institutions visited Matangari Village under the Chief Vha Musanda Vho Mutula Gole Nyamande.
Addressing the villagers, the Vice-Chancellor Prof DZ Moyo highlighted that community engagement was very important. She added that as Universities were there for the good of the people to proffer solutions that will alleviate societal problems.
She appreciated the involvement of the Chief in the community engagement exercise.
“This is an opportunity for us to come and see the challenges you are facing, share technologies we have for the betterment of your lives”, the Vice-Chancellor added.
Professor DZ Moyo also had an opportunity to talk to Grade 12 students from Mphalaleni Secondary School and pupils from Matangari Primary School encouraging them to excel in their studies and to desist from drug and substance abuse.
Chief Nyamande warmly welcomed the Gwanda State University delegates citing that this was the beginning of a promising partnership between the University of Venda and Gwanda State University will benefit Matangari Village.
He added that the people from Matangari were geared to learn and work alongside with the two institutions.
“Amongst others, having followed you in your recommendable progress in aquaculture development in Zimbabwe, we are inspired by your achievement,” alluded the Chief.
“Today we formally invite the two Universities to consider partnering on commercial aquaculture pilot project in Matangari Village”, the Chief added.
He added that the partnership between the two Universities will not only benefit Matangari but will also impact meaningful development across communities in the SADC regions. He added that they were looking ahead for working hand in hand towards the betterment of the people.
The collaboration between Gwanda State University and the University of Venda is a testament to the implementation of Trans Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative(TLDSI). Academic institutions in Matabeleland region are part of the TLDSI which is meant to support business between the Government of Limpopo, South Africa and the three provinces (Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo Metropolitan). Under this initiative, academic institutions are encouraged to form strategic partnerships with their counter parts.
