The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, welcomed a delegation from the National Research Fund (NRF), led by the chief executive officer, Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, during a meeting held on Monday, 8 July.

The aim of the meeting was to foster collaboration, share strategic insights, and to explore opportunities for joint initiatives between the NRF and the NWU.

Among the attendees at the meeting were Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, who took the lead in directing the proceedings.

Prof Mphahlele unpacked the recently launched institutional strategy of the NWU for 2024, which focuses on key priorities such as impact, growth, partnerships and internationalisation. Speaking on the research and innovation landscape of the university, Mphahlele said the demand for competent researchers is rising.

“The university hopes to strike a balance between quality and quantity by generating postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows who will compete both nationally and internationally. The way you train your students determines who will be the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to provide the best training possible for NWU researchers,” he said.

Prof Nelwamondo expressed his gratitude for the meeting and said the NRF will actively identify areas where it  can support the NWU.

In advancing the global ranking of the university, Prof Mphahlele urged that the quality of the publications that are published with international collaborators must improve.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the parties’ joint interest of strategic collaboration to advance the performance of science systems, even beyond the NWU. Throughout the meeting, the focus remained on building a collaborative relationship to support increased research outputs and the generation of knowledge at the NWU and in the country.

“I want to thank you for this opportunity. As the NWU we hope to have this engagement on an annual basis as it is beneficial to come back and reflect on how discussions of this nature have improved our research and innovation,” said Prof Tyobeka in his closing remarks. He added that the information presented by the NRF will aid the NWU in its future strategies.

The engagement concluded with a visit - led by Prof Mphahlele - to the NWU’s research facilities at the faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka with Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the NRF.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele leading the meeting.

The visit included a stop at the Faculty of Engineering’s coal stove facilities.

The distinguished guests were welcomed at the Preclinical Drug Development Platform.