The Research and Postgraduate Support (RPS) directorate at the North-West University (NWU) celebrated the university’s successful attainment of the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Platinum Tier certification during an event held in Mahikeng on 22 April.
By Oscar Mosiane and Koach Ndlovu
The celebration, attended by Dr Joe Molete, the deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture with the assigned function of the Mahikeng Campus, marked the successful conclusion of a rigorous certification process that found the NWU fully compliant with internationally recognised good financial grant practices.
According to Prof. Nnenesi Kgabi, chief director of Research and Postgraduate Support, the certification forms part of broader strategic efforts by the RPS to position the university competitively in the global research landscape. Prof. Kgabi congratulated the RPS staff and colleagues from all support departments that contributed to success of the certification.
“The certification is part of the efforts by the RPS to strategically position the institution to secure large research grants and improve the overall research income,” said Prof. Kgabi.
She explained that the GFGP is a globally recognised standard and tool designed to develop and demonstrate institutional financial and grant-management capacity. The certification assures funders that applicants and grantees meet internationally respected standards of accountability, transparency and effective grant management.
Prof. Kgabi further highlighted that achieving the Platinum Tier certification strengthens the credibility and competitiveness of the NWU when applying for major international and local research funding opportunities.
She also expressed appreciation to Dr Molete for his commitment to ensuring that research and postgraduate support opportunities and services are accessible to researchers and postgraduate students on the Mahikeng Campus.
Dr Molete emphasised the importance of the equitable provision of support services across all campuses to enhance research excellence and productivity.
“We must ensure that researchers and postgraduate students across all campuses, including Mahikeng, are motivated to continue producing researchers that provide solutions to the challenges in the country and opportunities necessary for them to excel,” he said.
He added that the achievement reflects the ongoing commitment of the NWU to strengthening governance, accountability and excellence in research administration, while creating an enabling environment for innovation and academic growth.
The GFGP Platinum Tier certification is expected to enhance the ability of the NWU to attract high-value research grants, strengthen partnerships with funding agencies and further advance the research and postgraduate study agenda of the university.
