The North-West University (NWU) reaffirmed its commitment to internationalisation on 23 March 2026 by engaging in high-level discussions with the National University of Science and Technology MISIS in Moscow, aiming to expand its global academic and research footprint.
The engagement brought together senior academic and strategic leadership from both institutions, as well as representatives from the Department of Higher Education and Training, to explore areas of mutual interest. Discussions focused strongly on mining, materials science, engineering and emerging technologies.
Representatives from MISIS delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the university’s academic programmes and research strengths, including Mining Geology, Advanced Metallic and Materials Engineering, and Science and Materials of Solar Energy. The highlighted priority research areas included mining, metallurgy, materials science, biomedicine, and quantum technologies.
Dr Masamba Kah emphasised the institution’s commitment to high-impact research and noted its established collaborations with universities in South Africa. He expressed a clear interest in extending this network through formal collaboration with NWU.
NWU provided an institutional overview led by Ntsikie Kote-Nkomo, executive director for strategy and strategic projects (NWU), who outlined the university’s strategic priorities, research focus areas and its role in advancing socio-economic development.
Further academic engagement included a presentation by Dr Sihe Nhleko, director: Centre for Sustainable Mining, Faculty of Engineering (NWU), who detailed the work of NWU’s mining within the Faculty of Engineering, highlighting research outputs, training programmes and potential areas for collaboration, particularly in mining innovation and skills development.
The meeting was also attended by Professor Liezl van Dyk, executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering (NWU), and Professor Carlos Bezuidenhout, director of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (NWU), who contributed to discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration. Prof. Bezuidenhout emphasised the importance of including agriculture in the partnership, citing its relevance to both research and socio-economic development.
Discussions also explored opportunities in nuclear science, an area aligned with the expertise of Professor Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor (NWU). Nuclear science was identified as a potential area for advanced research collaboration and capacity development.
The proposed collaboration signals a forward-looking approach by the NWU to deepen its international partnerships in fields critical to economic development and technological advancement.
Exploring international partnerships that matter
