The North-West University (NWU) and the North West provincial government (NWP) are joining forces to address problems in the province. They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 29 April that will enable cooperation on a host of pressing challenges.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka, NWU principal and vice-chancellor, and Premier Lazarus Mokgosi signed the MoU covering diverse areas of mutual interest and providing a framework for mutual cooperation. This arrangement is valid for a period of five years and will be reviewed after three years to determine its success and to address any implementation challenges.

“Issues of infrastructure, energy, and information and communication technology have taken centre stage in the development of a people,” Prof Tyobeka said at the signing ceremony. “It is rare that one attends a gathering where topics such as artificial intelligence and just energy transition do not feature in one way or another.” He said these are some of the areas where cooperation is essential.

The power of common purpose

Prof Tyobeka referred to the establishment of the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine as a shining example of what is possible when two parties share a common purpose.

“I said during my inauguration as vice-chancellor that one of my key objectives was to ensure a close working relationship between the university, the provincial government and municipalities. We have a singular duty to start charity at home, and although we have carried out our purpose of being a university for the North West in many ways, it is now time for tangible delivery.”

The university has many projects and initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to working with the provincial government and a few exciting new projects are on the horizon, he said. In the pipeline are the School of Mines and Mining Engineering planned in Rustenburg and the School of Veterinary Sciences for Mahikeng.

Premier Mokgosi pointed out that after more than 30 years of democratic freedom and despite efforts by the government, a new wave of challenges has come about to which the academia can make positive and important contributions.

“This university has a central role to play in how we envision the socio-economic prospects of our province. Without the high level of scientific, technical and broad intellectual expertise that the NWU has to offer, we will not be able to achieve the objectives and goals set out in what is called our medium-term development plan, particularly in creating sustainable communities.”

He pointed to challenges such as the very high levels of poverty and unemployment, climate-change-related flooding that has damaged the infrastructure and agriculture of the province, and trade wars that negatively affect mining companies’ spending on their social and labour plans and corporate social investment initiatives.

“Given the enormity of these challenges, research and innovation are critical, particularly in the formulation of policy,” the premier said. “I am confident that collaboration in areas such as agricultural development, water and sanitation, health, artificial intelligence and sport can unlock our full potential in the growth and development of our province.”

The NWU and the NWP have agreed on the following as areas of cooperation:

o Research, science, development and innovation

o Teaching, learning and training development opportunities

o Poverty alleviation projects

o Agricultural development

o Mining and energy

o Water and sanitation

o Tourism

o Financial services

o Logistics

o Artificial intelligence

o Creative industries

o Human security (including energy and food security)

o Engineering

o Health

o Sport

o Job creation and economic development

o Organisational and institutional capacity building

o Indigenous knowledge systems

o Defence

o Science and technology

o Any other areas that the parties may identify and agree upon from time to time

According to the MoU, the NWP will identify priority projects for implementation and provide a favourable environment for cooperation with the university. For its part, the NWU will provide the relevant expertise and cooperate with the NWP to implement the projects. The offices of the vice-chancellor and the premier will be the respective coordinating agents.

The parties will establish a joint project management office with joint responsibilities. Opportunities for collaboration will be mutually agreed upon on a project-by-project basis.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, and Premier Lazarus Mokgosi during the signing of the MoU.