From meeting the King to back in Bradford for Vee
A girls’ education activist returned to the University of Bradford just days after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Vee Kativhu, who has rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most influential people, including Michelle Obama, Prince Harry and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, gave a guest lecture on digital identity to University of Bradford students for a module titled Digital and Social Media Marketing.
Vee, 26, was named a Doctor of the University of Bradford in July 2024 in recognition of her work to help under-privileged groups enter higher education.
She was back on campus days after meeting King Charles at a water and climate reception inside Buckingham Palace, saying it was an honour to discuss topics including girls’ education and the global water crisis with him.
Vee said: “For me to come in and give a guest lecture to other students is a full circle moment. It challenged me as it was out of my comfort zone. Being given an honorary degree from Bradford last year was the most special thing. I have not stopped talking about it ever since.
“The University of Bradford has a close place in my heart. Being back in Bradford is such a joy. In the future, I want to do what I am doing on a bigger scale.”
Who is Vee Kativhu?
Vee [short for Varaidzo] was born in Zimbabwe and migrated to the UK when she was six.
She is a graduate of Oxford (BA in classical archaeology and ancient history) and Harvard (Master’s in international education policy) and will complete her PhD in educational leadership at Claremont Graduate University, California, in July 2026.
In 2017, frustrated by a lack of diversity at Oxford, she started making YouTube videos. Since then her profile has raised including the chance to address the United Nations, named a UN Young Leader for Sustainable Delivery Goals and set up her own charity, Empowered by Vee.
Vee’s other honours include the UK Prime Minister’s Point of Lights Award, one of BBC’s 100 Women 2023, and she is a Diana Legacy Award holder (she also co-presented the 2023 awards alongside Prince Harry).
Inspiration to others
One of the students who attended the guest lecture says Vee is an inspiration to her.
Hawa Kandeh, a second year BSc (Hons) Business and Management student, said: “Meeting Vee was amazing. I follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. Everything that she does is related to helping others. It does not matter if you have a doctorate or with the King, she is true in what she wants to be and do.”
Rachel Sammut, Associate Dean - Global, Business and Community Engagement at the University of Bradford, said: “Vee’s expertise in digital storytelling and brand building offered a fantastic opportunity for students to gain first-hand knowledge of the industry and a deeper understanding of how to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from leading voices and look forward to continuing to collaborate with Vee and other industry experts to deliver enriching experiences that prepare our students for success in the digital world.”
Vee is the latest person to return to give a guest lecture at the University of Bradford following Nikhil Rane, nicknamed the ‘bug bounty hunter’, speaking to Cyber Security students about his work.
Different is what we do
UNACHIEVABLE - We celebrate barrier breakers
We celebrate those who help remove barriers to education for underrepresented groups, like Varaidzo ‘Vee’ Kativhu, who received an Honorary Doctorate in 2024.
From support and scholarships for students considering University, to boosting graduates’ prospects on the job market we do more than any other University in England to improve students’ life chances.
Other ways we help achieve the unachievable include in November 2024, the University of Bradford was ranked #1 on the Higher Education Policy Institute’s Social Mobility Index for the fourth year in a row. The SMI began in 2021 as a new way of ranking universities based on the difference they make to students’ lives. Measures include things like career progression, attainment rates and salaries. Find out more on our website