The North-West University (NWU) gave recognition to its outstanding staff during the annual NWU Excellence Awards ceremony, which took place in Potchefstroom on 23 November.
Staff were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to teaching and learning, community engagement, and research and innovation.
“Considering our location, and the background and circumstances of many of our students, we must do everything possible to encourage our staff in all areas to ensure that they remain focused on the delivery and achievement of sustainable and quality research and innovation, teaching and learning, as well as impactful community engagement.”
Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, says as the NWU continues to grow its own talent, the university must implement measures to support and recognise the good work that the NWU’s staff are doing.
He says the NWU Excellence Awards seek to recognise the continued outstanding contribution of academics in research and innovation, teaching and learning, and community engagement.
“Through these awards, we demonstrate our commitment to investing and supporting staff who play a key role in the implementation of our core pillars, in other words our impact, growth, diversity, partnerships, internationalisation and operational excellence.”
NWU celebrates the cream of the crop in teaching and learning
The university celebrated leading lecturers from across the faculties in six categories for their work in taking teaching and learning to continued levels of excellence.
This year’s recipients of the University Teaching Excellence Award (UTEA) were Prof Mignon van Vreden of the Faculty of Humanities and Dr Viné Petzer from the Faculty of Education.
Dr Henriëtte Hammill (Faculty of Health Sciences), Prof Carinda Williams (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) and Dr Alwiena Blignaut (Faculty of Health Sciences) each received an Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award. The Online Teaching Award went to Dr Monray Williams from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Recipients of the Novice Teacher Award included Dr Marelize Vergottini (Faculty of Health Sciences), Dr Gaotswake Patience Kovane (Faculty of Health Sciences), Fotiene Avrakottos-King (Faculty of Education), Kurt Naicker (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Amore Jansen van Vuuren (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Jeanette Visagie (Faculty of Law) and Dr Lucé Pretorius (Faculty of Health Sciences).
The Team Teaching Award was presented to Prof Elmien Truter, Alicia le Grange, Mianda Erasmus and Dr Elzahne Simeon-de Jager, all from the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Staff honoured for their community engagement
Ten champions of community engagement received their due in four categories. Prof Sithandiwe Mazibuko-Mbeje from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences was the recipient of the Sharing of Expertise Award for established academic staff.
Prof Elma Marais and Prof Carolina Botha, both from the Faculty of Education, received the Engaged Teaching and Learning Award for established academic staff, and Dr Lerato E Mdaka from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences received the same award for novice academic staff.
Dr Vicki Koen and her outreach team from the Faculty of Health Sciences were honoured with the Outreach Award for established academic staff. The outreach team included Prof Johan Potgieter, Mianda Erasmus and Dr Christiaan Bekker.
Dr Christi Niesing and her team from the Faculty of Health Sciences, including Prof Petra Bester, received the Scholarship of Engagement Award.
Prof Ruan Kruger from the Faculty of Health Sciences was the NWU’s Most Productive Senior Researcher, with Prof Peet van der Merwe (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) and Prof Neels Kilian (Faculty of Law) being the first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.
The Most Productive Emerging Researcher was Prof Marko van Deventer from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, with Prof Yolandi Breet from the Faculty of Health Sciences as first runner-up.
Prof Francois van der Westhuizen (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences) and Prof Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences) received the National and International Recognition and Membership Award.
The top inventors were Prof Dmitri Bessarabov and Prof Faan du Preez, both from the Faculty of Engineering, and Prof Petro Erasmus from the Faculty of Health Sciences received the Innovation Impact Award.
This year’s Creative Output Award went to Lesego Motlhankane of the Faculty of Education.
The Faculty Teaching Award winners were also announced during the event.
For a full list of all the winners visit: https://www.nwu.ac.za/sites/www.nwu.ac.za/files/files/i-news/electronic_newsletters/From-VC/2023/VCExcellence-awards-2023.html
To watch the awards ceremony, please follow this link: https://www.nwuexcellenceawards.co.za/
Watch the highlights of the NWU Excellence Awards.
