The dream of the North-West University (NWU) to be an internationally recognised university was recently given a boost by the appointment of its principal and vice-chancellor as adjunct professor at one of the top universities in the United States of America.

The College of Engineering at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) has appointed Dr Bismark Tyobeka as adjunct professor in Nuclear Engineering for a period of three years effective 1 November 2022. Adjunct professors in the United States’ system of higher education occupy non-remunerative positions. This appointment will enhance Dr Tyobeka’s work as principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU and enable him and the NWU to build engagement opportunities between the two institutions. The Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranks the North Carolina State University among the top 1% globally. In 2021, the US News & World Report released their rankings and the NCSU Nuclear Engineering Graduate Programme was ranked #3, and among public universities, the NCSU Nuclear Engineering programme ranks #2.

Dr Tyobeka, a leading global nuclear power expert who has worked with many universities abroad, is continuing to make an impact on the international stage, and in doing so, he is raising the global profile of the NWU. In his capacity as adjunct professor, Dr Tyobeka’s responsibilities will include the development of joint research and education collaboration opportunities between the College of Engineering of the NCSU and the NWU. He will also be responsible for coordinating faculty and student exchange visits and stays, supervising and co-advising graduate students’ research, and working with graduate students to develop dissertation research.

Mr Bert Sorgdrager, the chairperson of the NWU Council, says, “We are very happy that our vice-chancellor’s knowledge and skills are recognised by internationally reputable organisations. We are confident that, in addition to giving our staff and students research opportunities, this recognition will strengthen our resolve to invest in our internationalisation programme and establish more partnerships.”

According to Dr Tyobeka, this is one of the ways to enhance our journey towards the realisation of the NWU’s dream to be internationally recognised for excellence, not only in Africa but across the globe. “Internationalisation is key to building the NWU’s international reputation and to widen and solidify our footprint,” he says.

Dr Tyobeka believes there are two ways to take the NWU to the world. Firstly, by introducing lecturers and researchers into international partnerships, and secondly, by building friendships on a global scale.

“The United States is home to some of the biggest and most respected universities. If we are doing our part in internationalisation, we need to form and nurture good bonds there. I will continue to engage with my networks from many years ago when I worked abroad to build mutually beneficial relationships and open new doors and great opportunities for the NWU’s students, lecturers, and researchers,” says Dr Tyobeka.

The Dean of the College of Engineering at the NCSU, Dr Louis A Martin-Vega, says he and his colleagues are looking forward to collaborating with Dr Tyobeka.
More information about the NCSU’s College of Engineering can be found here.  

The College of Engineering at the North Carolina State University has appointed NWU principal and vice-chancellor Dr Bismark Tyobeka as adjunct professor in Nuclear Engineering.