Dr Sean McCallaghan, recently appointed director for student life on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, says his vision for Student Life is to continue creating a differentiating and inclusive environment for students.

Dr McCallaghan, who holds a PhD in business administration and management from the NWU, will assume his role on 1 March 2023, succeeding the late Jacob Simango who passed away in June last year.

Admired for his readiness to mentor and support students, his appointment has been widely welcomed by the university community.

On Friday, 20 February 2023, the North-West University (NWU) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with the Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

This is to ensure that Gauteng investors and industry players in high technology sectors are supported in the development of new technologies, applied research and innovation and technical skills sets.

North-West University (NWU) staff members have demonstrated a tremendous ethic of care, kindness and support for a colleague who suffered losses due to the recent floods that wreaked havoc in many parts of the Vaal area.

On 27 January 2023 the Netherlands' education and science attaché in South Africa paid a visit to the Optentia research unit of the North-West University (NWU).

Berto Bosscha met with senior management to share information on the newly created position of education and research attaché at the Netherlands Embassy in South Africa.

According to Prof Ian Rothmann, director of Optentia, Berto also took the opportunity to learn more about education and research at the NWU.

Over the past five years, the Optentia research unit of the North-West University (NWU) has conducted various research projects about sustainable employment, specifically using the Capability Model of Work.

Prof Jac van der Klink, an extraordinary professor at Optentia, recently delivered a prestigious lecture in support of this research. In his lecture titled “The Sound of Justice”, he examined social justice from the perspective of contributive justice - in contrast to distributive justice.

North-West University (NWU) senior IT technician Nico Kroucamp is brimming with pride as his sailing team, Albatross, won three regattas in the last three months.

The three regattas the four-member team won, were the SA Sailing 75th Anniversary Regatta, the King of the Vaal Regatta and the L26 Class 2023 Free State provincials. The team is now awaiting an invitation to compete for national honours in KwaZulu-Natal.

Research should not only be an academic activity but should also have a positive impact on society.

This view was shared by Prof Darelle van Greunen, an extraordinary professor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Optentia research unit during a recent prestige lecture at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Although a lot is known about how older people in developed countries use and benefit from information and communication technology (ICT), the subject has not been fully explored in developing countries.

Globally, it is expected that the care needs of older-growing populations will surpass available resources. Sub-Saharan Africa lacks long-term care systems, and technology that could play a crucial role in supporting families, communities, and government with care management.

Management of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus was recently led by Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, on a walkabout to see how the construction of the campus’ highly anticipated multi-purpose hall is progressing.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus once again celebrates being recognised for excellence in higher education by the Professional Management Review Africa (PMR.africa).

The NWU received a Diamond Arrow award for the 12th consecutive year at a recent award ceremony held at Ingwe Lodge in Vanderbijlpark.