What might the future of South Africa look like beyond 2025? Where will the consumers of the future be located? How will smart cities evolve? Can inequality be overcome? And, how will technology alter commerce and development?

The Optentia research focus area on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark recently hosted a conference entitled “Developing Support for the learning needs of ALL learners”.

“No job, no food, please help.” These words on makeshift cardboard signs can be seen at every street corner on any given day in South Africa. With an unemployment rate of 26,7% in the first quarter of 2018, it comes as no surprise that South Africa is one of 20 nations with the highest unemployment figures in the world.

The most important asset for any company is not something palpable. It is not equipment, infrastructure, data or even intellectual property. No. The most valuable asset of any business is the people (human capital).

 “Social scientists hold the key to imagining and realising an alternative future, not only for South Africa but for the world. Through social sciences we are offered the opportunity to open up debate, to collaborate and ultimately shape our collective future.”

When it comes to entrepreneurial training and development the North-West University (NWU) is blazing a trail within the South African higher education sector. This year, no less than 10 Enactus teams will represent the university at the intra-university round of the Universities Business Challenge (UBC) 2018.

The second annual Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Lekgotla recently took place in Cape Town. The three-day event saw two entrepreneurship experts from the North-West University (NWU), Natanya Meyer and Johann Landsberg, in attendance.

Several staff members of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark recently received long-service awards for uninterrupted and loyal service to the university.

The Alumni Office of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark recently welcomed more than a 100 professional teachers – all alumni of the university – on the banks of the Vaal River for an interactive workshop and networking session.

The bodybuilding team of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark made their presence known at the recent University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament in Secunda. For the second year running, the team from NWU Vanderbijlpark finished their USSA campaign with a national second place ranking.