What do you get when you merge two higher-education entities, each on a mission of excellence? The result is a world-class university that continues to excel not only among the cream of the crop of tertiary-education institutions – as is evident in the local and international rankings – but also in its achievements in all spheres of academia and student life.

Rugby World Cup-winning coach and former Director of Rugby of SA Rugby, Johan “Rassie” Erasmus, is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the North-West University (NWU). The NWU Council approved the decision during their ordinary meeting on Thursday, 16 November 2023. The request for the awarding of the degree Philosophiae Doctor (Honoris Causa), in the discipline Coaching Science, was made by the NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

The overarching message from the principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, was one of optimism, gratitude and determination during the official opening of the 2024 academic year on Friday, 23 February.

The official ceremony took place at the Potchefstroom Campus, with a live broadcast to the Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses.

On Friday, 16 February 2024, the North-West University (NWU) went live with the first phase of the Student Information System (SIS) project as it launched the NWU Student Client Relations Management (Nexus CRM) module, ushering in a new chapter in the history of the university.

“We are on a journey.” Duncan Raftesath’s elbows are resting on the desk in front of him, his hands clasped together, and as he speaks, his smile widens. “We are on a very exciting journey,” the project manager of NWU Enterprises reaffirms with contagious energy.

If all goes according to plan, the expedition that Duncan Raftesath is referring to will pending Council approval – lead to the establishment of NWU Enterprises (Pty) Ltd within a year.

The North-West University (NWU) officially welcomed its first-year students to its three campuses on 10 February 2024.

The event was marked by a live-streamed address by the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka. The address, delivered from the newly constructed Tsebonokeng hall at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, set the tone for the upcoming academic year.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including members of the NWU Council, senior management and student leadership.

There is still much “unfinished business” on the national agenda, including a more coherent overall economic plan for much higher job-rich inclusive growth.

In commenting on the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, points out that, as expected, prior to the 2024 elections the SONA was inevitably largely a party-political statement and also took stock of the government’s achievements over the decades.

Research into radiation technology is crucial for advancing industrial applications, enhancing safety, improving efficiency and enabling new technological innovations and solutions, especially in a country such as South Africa.

• It is peak export season for the fruit industry and there is still a backlog of exports.
• The impact of the logistics crises caused by Transnet and the ports are having far-reaching negative consequences.
• Export industries are pleading for a chance to help, but government is unwilling to get out of the way.

Administrative chaos and shipping queues that last for days.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), has been invited by the international journal, Progress in Nuclear Energy, to be part of the journal’s editorial board.

Established in 1977, Progress in Nuclear Energy is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all aspects of nuclear science and engineering.