POLOKWANE – The University of Venda (UNIVEN) has distanced itself from fake news which states they are in the process of introducing a Degree in Witchcraft.
The story, posted by Ihlaya News, suggests students who are studying other courses are chosen to take the course through a non-disclosure invite. It also suggests that all classes are to be attended at night and some of the classes will require students to be completely naked.
At the bottom of the article, however, it does state that the article is total fiction. Despite this, UNIVEN has strongly condemned it.
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In a statement released, Director Communications and Marketing, Dr Takalani Dzaga says the university offers programmes that are accredited by Council on Higher Education (CHE) and approved by DHET; including those that are professional degrees. “UNIVEN offers programmes that are funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training and registered with South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), it is factually incorrect to allege that we are in the process of introducing such a programme.”
He added that as an institution of higher learning, UNIVEN has mechanisms in place to ensure that the programmes offered are of high standard and contribute towards the development of the country and region, as expressed in their vision.
“The University strongly condemns such misleading allegations.” The University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni went on to add that their Senate considers all suggested programmes to be included in their offering and states that the “Witchcraft Degree” has never been presented for consideration. “We are driven by our mandate as a leading university in engaged scholarship, guided by a number of ethical considerations and one wonders the basis for such a claim,” Nthambeleni added.
“As a rural-based university, it pains us to realise that there are people who still degrade our universities and fail to understand our role in the Higher Education spectrum. Rural based Universities like UNIVEN, have made a great contribution in producing leaders in a variety of significant areas of scarce skills, and can today boast global scholars that emerged from these rural villages. Such poorly thought perceptions should be discouraged in our society,” Dzaga added.
He reiterated the university’s disappointment and expressed serious concern to those spreading fake news.
Dzaga concluded his statement by urging the public or prospective students to visit the university’s website to see programmes on offer.
