What do you get when you merge two higher-education entities, each on a mission of excellence? The result is a world-class university that continues to excel not only among the cream of the crop of tertiary-education institutions – as is evident in the local and international rankings – but also in its achievements in all spheres of academia and student life.
On 14 March, the North-West University (NWU) is launching its year-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of the merger between the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (including its campus in Vanderbijlpark), the University of North West (formerly the University of Bophuthatswana) and the Sebokeng Campus of the Vista University.
The launch promises to be a joyous celebration, with esteemed stakeholders converging to reflect on some of the NWU’s greatest milestones since it came into existence in 2004. The guestlist reads like a who’s who of two decades of NWU flagbearers. These include prominent alumni, respected current and former Council chairs and vice-chairpersons, revered former student leaders, and valued community representatives such as the mayors of the Mahikeng, JB Marks and Emfuleni local municipalities.
It will be an evening decked in the NWU’s distinctive purple hue as guests fill the beautiful venue.
The NWU’s journey since the merger has been exciting and eventful as it charted its course in the South African higher-education landscape. Transitioning from a federal to a unitary model, the NWU continued its success story of academic excellence, world-class research and innovation, superior teaching and learning, and a determined commitment to sustainable, impactful community engagement.
An important message accompanies the celebrations: the NWU will continue to create a great future for all its stakeholders and make a difference in the lives of people – like it did during the past two decades.
The launch event is part of broader festivities that will continue for the whole of 2024.
Herewith the link to the NWU 20-year celebrations launch event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VivXQLgrBI
