“It is a new decade and with it comes the opportunity to define ourselves as agents of excellence and impact.”

This is what Prof Dan Kgwadi, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) principal and vice-chancellor, said during the university’s recent official academic opening ceremony

He emphasized the NWU’s bold dream to be an internationally recognized university in Africa which is distinguished for engaged scholarship, social responsiveness and an ethic of care.

“This dream resonates through all our activities, and I am happy to say that as a university we have made great progress in recent years; progress upon which we should further build on in 2020,” he added.

He also said that after a year of consolidation in 2019, the NWU’s focus in 2020 will be on expanding its culture of inclusivity to enable the university to truly be a unitary institution of superior academic excellence, with a commitment to social justice.

Prof Robert Balfour, the deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, addressed staff and students and spoke about “gaining momentum as a unitary institution in 2020.”

“All our efforts as a university are geared to supporting student success and the extent to which we develop our academic and administrative staff to ensure future success of the NWU, proportional to our awareness that our students are the future of our beloved country,” said Prof Balfour.

He also urged leadership to welcome, support and assist new members of staff to become part of the NWU Way and urged all staff to welcome and support students.

“Consistent, frequent and good quality communication initiated by leadership assists not only to create a feeling of belonging, but also an openness to new and better ideas about how to better stimulate research and teaching-learning, and to support an excellent student experience.

“How administrators and academic staff treat students, is our reputation. Please cherish this reputation, help each other to build it rather than damage it, and always value the dignity of the person either calling, writing of standing in front of you,” he added.

“This commitment to caring leadership cannot be underestimated or trivialised. Leadership needs to be caring, but staff members also need to be mutually supportive, taking care of each other and our students.”

Read Prof Balfour’s address here.

Prof Robert Balfour,delivers the academic address during the official opening.

Prof Dan Kgwadi addressing staff and students during the official opening.