The North-West University (NWU) is delighted to announce that the Minister of Health, Dr M.J. Phaahla, MP, has officially supported the university’s plan to establish the NWU Medical School. “I am pleased to inform you that the NDOH was happy with your university’s initiative of setting up a medical training programme that has unique features of integrating primary health care early into the training of medical doctors. I am therefore pleased to provide your institution with my support in principle.

The North-West University (NWU) again distinguished itself as one of the country’s premier accountancy institutions when the NWU’s School of Accountancy and its Management Accountancy programme claimed three prestigious Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Professional Africa Awards. The awards are powered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

The most important aspect in addressing environmental, social and governance issues is taking action to find sustainable solutions. The North-West University (NWU) is among the leading higher education institutions in Africa in responding to crucial environmental, social and governance issues.

He is renowned for his wealth of expertise and numerous research outputs. Now, Prof Ian Rothman, director of the Optentia Research Unit at the North-West University (NWU), again finds himself in distinguished company on his election as a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).

ASSAf was formed in 1996 and represents South Africa in the international community of science academies.

Prof Rothman responded with delight to his election to ASSAf from Taiwan, where he was giving a keynote lecture.

The North-West University (NWU) gave recognition to its outstanding staff during the annual NWU Excellence Awards ceremony, which took place in Potchefstroom on 23 November.

Staff were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to teaching and learning, community engagement, and research and innovation.

The North West Sports Awards took place on 18 November, and the North-West University (NWU) scored two top spots.

Onalenna Tsae, alumnus and former coach of the NWU boxing team, clinched the title of Sports Administrator of the Year.

NWU student and a netballer of note, Elmeré van der Berg, walked away with the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Onalenna's accolade recognises her contributions, in particular her pivotal role in the women's commission of the North West Provincial Sport Confederation.

On 13 November, the North-West University (NWU), in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Higher Health (HH) and the Vuselela Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, hosted a gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide assembly.

The event took place at the Sanlam Auditorium on the Potchefstroom Campus, and it was aimed at raising awareness of the fight against GBV and encouraging collaboration to eliminate violence on the campuses of higher-education institutions.

A researcher of the North-West University (NWU) has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the South African Heart Association (SA Heart®). He will also work in its executive and stakeholder committees.

Prof Ruan Kruger from the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) will serve on the board for a period of three years. “It is a great honour. The SA Heart® board comprises the best cardiologists in South Africa, and for me as a physiologist to be selected is a wonderful milestone.”

“When good governance is sacrificed on the altar of corruption, service delivery falters. Where corruption thrives, as we have seen in many of our municipalities, an increase in poverty becomes inevitable.”

This is according to Prof Kedibone Phago, director of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School for Government Studies, who explains that corruption is killing the country’s future.