It was another first for the North-West University (NWU) and a day that will live long in the memory of all those who attended it. On Saturday, 1 June, the NWU held its inaugural Gauteng open day at Supersport Park in Centurion.
Learners from schools from across the province were in attendance to get their first taste of what the NWU has to offer. More than 30% of the NWU’s students hail from Gauteng, and the province plays a critical role in the makeup of the NWU, which is one of the biggest universities in the country.
With each step like this open day, the NWU becomes stronger, more relevant and better positioned than ever before. The event also formed part of the university’s celebrations of its 20th year of existence since its establishment in 2004.
All eight of the NWU’s faculties were represented at the event, as were residences from all three the NWU’s campuses, its support structures and more. Supersport Park was also transformed with the distinctive colours of the university, and everyone who attended had a great time.
The Gauteng open day was followed by an alumni event at the same venue on Saturday night, which also saw a spectacular laser show about the NWU on the famous grounds.
Dr Anna Mokgokong, chancellor of the NWU, underlined the significance of the open day at the alumni function, saying: “Today the North-West University spread its wings and soared to a new destination: our first ever Gauteng open day. We made history, as we so often do, because that is what the NWU does. Today, we brought our ethic of care, our expertise and the promise of a better future to a whole new audience. We showed our commitment to reaching out to corners unexplored, to walking on paths untrodden and to making opportunities accessible for all.”
The principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, said that although many goals have been achieved, these will be surpassed in the years to come:
“Central to our strategy is our vision, which is to discover new frontiers and opportunities that benefit society, advancing our relevance and impact. We aim to achieve this vision by providing knowledge and excelling in innovative teaching, cutting-edge research and focused engagement with the community.”
He concluded: “As we look ahead, we are filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement. The future holds immense possibilities, and we are ready to embrace them. We will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, drive innovation, and make a meaningful impact on society. Our commitment to academic excellence, social justice and community engagement will remain the cornerstone of our efforts. Here’s to the next 20 years and beyond, when we will continue to discover new frontiers, disrupt for the better, and make an indelible impact on society.”
Cheers!
