A university should be a transformative environment in which students can explore their passions and grow as individuals. While this experience shapes future professionals and responsible citizens, ensuring student safety is equally important.
Academic institutions repeatedly grapple with safety concerns that extend beyond the lecture halls. These concerns range from on-campus incidents to assaults and harassment, as well as the risks students face when travelling to and from their off-campus residences. These challenges highlight the urgent need for proactive safety awareness initiatives.
In response, the North-West University (NWU) Protection Services and the IT Academic Systems and Communications team organised an Awareness Day event on Tuesday, 21 October. Held at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, the event saw students gather at the Big Lapa to receive advice on staying alert, learn about safety best practices and familiarise themselves with reporting procedures, all under the campaign theme of ‘Stay Safe and Be Aware’.
The Director of Protection Services, Mr Des Ayob, opened the event by reaffirming NWU’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all members of the university community, both on and off campus.
“Protection Services cannot maintain safety on their own; they need to partner with the NWU community and join forces to mitigate crime,” he stated, emphasising the importance of coming together as an institution.
The campaign’s programme featured an educational presentation by the Senior Manager of Protection Services, Mr Joseph Ntlati, who outlined the practical steps that students can take to protect themselves. Ms Thembikile Nkabinde then explained the official reporting procedures and shared essential emergency contacts.
Students were then engaged in a lively question-and-answer session, after which they received branded T-shirts, water bottles, and chocolates from the Protection Services team.
The keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele. He stressed that safety is an “immensely important activity” and that it is the responsibility of not only Protection Services, but also the wider NWU community.”
The event successfully educated students on how to handle threatening situations by reporting every incident. To stay safe and alert, the broader NWU community is encouraged to contact Protection Services on their new WhatsApp number: 066 624 1016.
The NWU Protection Services Department delivered a successful awareness campaign.
The NWU Protection Services Department delivered a successful awareness campaign.
Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele delivering his keynote address.
