The North-West University (NWU) has once again reaffirmed its strong commitment to academic excellence and impactful research development through the successful hosting of the Optentia USIBA 2026.
Convened at the Khaya iBhubesi Conference Centre in Parys, the intensive writing retreat brought together emerging scholars, postgraduate researchers and senior academics for a collaborative and intellectually stimulating experience designed to strengthen research capacity and scholarly output.
Organised by the Optentia research unit, the programme provided a structured academic environment aimed at advancing participants’ dissertations, theses and research articles while strengthening key methodological, analytical and writing skills. Through expert-led sessions, interactive engagements and practical workshops, USIBA 2026 created an immersive learning space that linked theory, practice and innovation in research.
The retreat opened with remarks by the director of Optentia, Prof. Blessed Ngwenya. This was followed by a keynote address from Prof. Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, community engagement, postgraduate studies with the assigned function of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, who highlighted the importance of strengthening research excellence at the NWU and the role of postgraduate studies in advancing knowledge and societal impact. A scholars’ conversation session further encouraged dialogue and peer exchange among participants.
Practical research development was foregrounded through a series of focused sessions, including guidance on research proposal development and ethics applications led by Prof. Ian Rothmann, a research professor with Optentia. This was complemented by an interactive “Ask the Experts” segment, which allowed participants to engage directly with experienced academics on methodological and supervisory challenges.
Dr Neil Barnard, Optentia programme leader and senior lecturer, contributed further by guiding participants on research planning, with the emphasis on goal setting, structured milestones and effective project management in postgraduate research.
A key highlight of the programme was its engagement with emerging technologies in research. Prof. Llewellyn van Zyl, professor and behavioural scientist, delivered an insightful session on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in research, exploring how AI agents are reshaping knowledge production, academic inquiry and discovery
processes. This forward-looking perspective was complemented by a series of afternoon sessions focused on core research competencies.
Dr Lynelle Coxen addressed the structuring of literature reviews, while Lezelle Snyman, academic librarian, introduced participants to key library resources and research support systems. Dr Bruno Coimbra, research psychologist at the Federal University of São Paulo and at the University of Amsterdam, further enriched the programme through a demonstration of systematic review techniques using ASReview.
The first day concluded with the Grassland Gathering Dinner, which provided an informal yet meaningful space for networking, collaboration and interdisciplinary dialogue among participants and facilitators.
The subsequent days of the retreat built on this foundation through thematic and skill-based sessions. The River of Ideas Breakfast included contributions from Prof. Dumi Moyo, executive dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and Andiswa Msi, campus chief director of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, who reflected on research priorities and academic development.
Methodological training was strengthened by Prof. Vera Roos and Prof. Ian Rothmann, who focused on research design and rigour, while Prof. Jaco Hoffman enhanced academic writing skills, with the emphasis on scholarly argumentation and publication readiness.
The Riverbank Reflections sessions explored artificial intelligence and contemporary research challenges, with Prof. Japie Greeff, Prof. Ewie Erasmus, Prof. Irma Eloff, Dr Lance Bunt and Prof. Liandi van den Berg highlighting the need for responsible, ethical and context-aware use of AI in research.
A key feature of USIBA 2026 was specialised training in ATLAS.ti, led by Dr Sarah Bulloch from Surrey University in the United Kingdom, supported by hands-on exposure to tools such as Mplus and Jamovi, which strengthened both qualitative and quantitative research skills. The “write-as-you-learn” approach of the programme further enabled participants to develop their research outputs in real time while receiving expert feedback, ensuring meaningful progress in their academic work.
Reflecting on the overall success of the programme, Anjonet Jordaan, research project manager at Optentia, noted that USIBA 2026 delivered both academic and personal transformation for participants:
“USIBA 2026 has been an incredible success, not only in terms of academic output but in the confidence and clarity participants have gained. This retreat creates a focused space where scholars can meaningfully engage with their research, access expert guidance and leave with tangible progress. It is about building capable researchers who can contribute solutions to real-world challenges.”
