On Tuesday, 2 April 2024, the North-West University (NWU) Student Information System (SIS) project, SIS Eagle, officially launched the Student Client Relations Management (CRM Nexus) module to drive the university’s application cycle for 2025. The CRM Nexus module is designed to streamline the entire value chain from recruitment to application and selections.
Several delegates, including the NWU’s principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, gathered at the Potchefstroom Campus on Thursday, 4 April to celebrate this tangible milestone in the university’s implementation journey. Colleagues from Anthology, the service provider, and other NWU staff participated in the celebration virtually.
As the NWU applications for the 2025 academic year commenced on Tuesday, 2 April, a total of 44 000 applications were received on 2 and 3 April. The university is positive about and encouraged by the number of applicants, who are increasing impressively by the minute.
Jason Beukes, a senior marketer and project manager for Postgraduate and Distance Learning Recruitment at the NWU, welcomed all the esteemed guests.
“As we gather with colleagues from around the world, the NWU can pride itself that the vice-chancellor leads from the top,” said prof Marlene Verhoef, NWU registrar and project sponsor. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Anthology. “Without Anthology it would not have been possible to broaden the university’s competitive advantage across the country.”
Mr Clement Manoko, executive director for Corporate Relations and Marketing, told the attendees at the launch: “The team should be proud of the progress to date, and must prepare for the journey until the second phase of this project commences. Our role is to prioritise the university’s value chain by ensuring that the system functions and can be navigated by our stakeholders.”
Ashish Mathur, vice-president at Anthology, congratulated the team on their remarkable intervention project and praised the university for being an institution that ensures efficiency in implementation. He further said it was crucial to look at this launch from a spirit of partnership, and the NWU should expect the same level of commitment from Anthology.
“I wish to point out how important everybody’s contributions are,” said Prof Bismark Tyobeka. He further outlined how critical it was for the team to remain resolute in their efforts to leverage the system to reinforce the NWU’s competitive edge. “Your role extends beyond merely adapting to the emergence of new technological roles. It involves revolutionising our business model and actualising our quest for automation and self-service through technology.”
“Know that the entire NWU community eagerly awaits the outcomes of your hard work. Your responsibility in positioning our university to discover new frontiers and seize opportunities in an ever-evolving higher-education landscape cannot be overstated,” Prof Tyobeka concluded.
Critical improvements
The CRM Nexus module has prioritised the immediacy of communication and feedback to enhance applicant experience as follows:
1. Upon an applicant’s initial contact through the system, an immediate email notification is dispatched to the applicant containing a temporary password. Automated communication will be implemented for password reset requests.
2. Following the submission of an application, ongoing acknowledgment emails will be sent to the respective applicants. These emails will confirm the application number, provide the application portal link for status tracking, and provide a link for inquiries to the client-facing team.
Another milestone achieved during the NWU’s twenty years of excellence … a hearty thank you to the persistent team who contributed to making this a commendable achievement.
Heading towards a new future.
