Academic

NWU symposium addresses water and climate challenges

EVASHNI JANSEN — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:56:56 +0000

NWU symposium addresses water and climate challenges

EVASHNI JANSEN Fri, 12/13/2024 - 18:56

Nature-based solutions such as rainwater harvesting and infrastructure designed to withstand floods and other climate impacts were among the practical ideas raised at a recent two-day symposium on water management and climate change in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province.

Held at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus on 4 and 5 December, the event brought together community leaders, researchers, policymakers and industry experts to discuss local challenges and identify innovative strategies.

It was organised by NWU’s Nano Environment Incubation Programme and the office of the deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC) and WaterNet.

Dr Naledi Seheri from the chemistry subject group, who helped organise the event, emphasised its collaborative nature. “This symposium was about bringing people together to find practical, community-driven solutions.”

Leave no one behind

On 3 December, the WRC led a stakeholder engagement session to set the stage for discussions. On 4 December Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo delivered the keynote address which emphasised the urgent need for innovative approaches to address South Africa’s water challenges.

“No community should be left behind in water, sanitation and development,” he said, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance and collaboration, as well as the potential to integrate technology, governance and climate-sensitive infrastructure into water management.

Deputy minister Mahlobo shared a success story of a school that received clean water through a system using solar energy, rainwater harvesting tanks and efficient sanitation solutions. “This project not only provided water for students but also supported the surrounding community.”

He urged stakeholders to explore nature-based solutions and to design infrastructure that could withstand floods and other climate impacts. The deputy minister also stressed the need for circular water systems and the separation of stormwater from wastewater to enhance sustainability.

Technology was another key focus of his address. He pointed to the potential of artificial intelligence and real-time data systems to improve water monitoring and disaster management. “With more cell phones than people in the country, these devices can be used as tools for empowering communities.”

Collaboration in action

The symposium featured interactive panels that tackled water resource management, climate adaptation, water conservation technologies and the role of governance in strengthening water resilience. Discussions included input from representatives of the NWU, WaterNet, the WRC, the Magalies Water Board, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.

It concluded with recommendations for improving water security in the region by fostering partnerships, leveraging science and technology and keeping in mind the interconnectedness of water, energy, food and climate resilience.

The symposium also resulted in the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the NWU and the WRC to address regional water challenges.

Dignitaries at the NWU’s Water and Climate Changes symposium.

Fraud awareness campaign promotes ethical behaviour

EVASHNI JANSEN — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:19:37 +0000

Fraud awareness campaign promotes ethical behaviour

by Steve Maphakathe

EVASHNI JANSEN Fri, 12/13/2024 - 12:19

To shine a spotlight on the widespread issues of fraud, the North-West University (NWU) Internal Audit Department hosted a robust awareness campaign in accordance with the celebration of International Fraud Awareness Week.

Esteemed speakers from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) – Klerksdorp (the Hawks) and Nexus Forensic delivered insights into fraud prevention and investigation to the NWU community – emphasising the need for ethical behaviour.

The director of Nexus Forensic, Adv Francois Labuschagne, spoke about the fraud triangle that is frequently cited as an illustration of the explanations why individuals commit fraud. He urged institutions to move to a culture where they approach internal audit with a view to detecting, responding to and preventing reputational crises that may arise.

“Institutions cannot simply be compliance-driven and wait for allegations to surface. They must be aware that fraud can hide in every dark corner of every transaction,” he said.

Adv Labuschagne further declared that institutions should enhance their risk assessment methodology, and called for management decisions to be questioned and not overlooked.

“Internal Audit needs to enhance their methodology for risk assessment to follow steps to ensure effective control of the identification of possible risks and must implement effective preventative detection controls. People should not just believe, because of the seniority the staff involved, that transactions are done the right way. What you see is not always what you get.”

Capt Kgaile Mpholo, in his capacity as a certified fraud examiner and commercial forensic practitioner, discussed the functions of the DPCI, emphasising the unit’s aim to address crime that requires specialised skills.

Capt Mpholo gave a summary of the nine fraudulent cases documented at the NWU for 2024 that are currently being investigated by the directorate. He stated that some of the schemes had been detected during audits.

“The Internal Audit activity at the NWU has been instrumental in exposing some their fraudulent activities and they also support ongoing investigations once they have lodged a criminal complaint with the DPCI.

Understanding the motivations behind criminal activities would aid in implementing measures to reduce the incidence of fraud, according to Capt Mpholo.

“Based on the modus operandi identified, we found segregation of duties, training of employees and fraud awareness campaigns to be useful to prevent fraud in institutions.” He concluded: “Prevention is very important because the consequences of fraud, once it has occurred, are bigger than we could think.”

Advocate Francois Labuschagne

Captain Kgaile Mpholo

WRC and NWU partner to address water and sanitation challenges

EVASHNI JANSEN — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 07:17:54 +0000

WRC and NWU partner to address water and sanitation challenges EVASHNI JANSEN Fri, 12/13/2024 - 09:17

By Gofaone Motsamai

The Water Research Commission (WRC) hosted a stakeholder engagement session on 3 December at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus to tackle South Africa’s water and sanitation challenges.

The event brought together representatives from municipalities, water boards, academia and other stakeholder groupings to refine and implement the WRC’s new strategy.

Virginia Molose, head of stakeholder engagement at the WRC, explained the shift in the commission’s approach.

“Our previous engagements focused primarily on researchers and academics. While valuable, this approach had limitations. We are now moving toward a province-specific strategy that directly engages municipalities, water boards and communities to address their challenges,” she said.

The programme covered key topics such as water governance, the impact of extreme weather events, groundwater management and solutions for non-point source pollution.

Non-point source pollution is a contamination of our ground water, waterways and ocean that results from everyday activities such as fertilising the lawn, walking pets, changing motor oil and littering. The issue of non-point source pollution was a recurring theme, with participants emphasising the need for innovative strategies to address its diffuse and challenging nature.

A central focus of the engagement was fostering partnerships. The WRC is in discussions with the NWU to formalise a partnership agreement aimed at leveraging the university’s resources to address provincial water challenges.

“The NWU has the capacity to serve as a catalyst in this province. By working together, we can address local water and sanitation issues more effectively,” said Virginia. “There’s no need for municipalities and departments to struggle with these challenges while they have a university nearby that can provide research and innovative solutions.”

Stakeholders included representatives from Magalies Water, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, and the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa. They emphasised the importance of collaborative governance and proactive measures.

Virginia concluded by stressing the WRC’s commitment to practical solutions. “We presented knowledge products, research reports and tools to equip stakeholders with actionable insights. The goal is not just to identify problems but also to collaboratively engage with solutions,” she said.

Various stakeholders from municipalities, water boards, academia, chieftaincy and others at the stakeholder engagement session.

Ranking agencies sing NWU’s praises

BELINDA BANTHAM — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:36:46 +0000

Ranking agencies sing NWU’s praises

by Willie du Plessis

BELINDA BANTHAM Wed, 12/11/2024 - 07:36

Three rankings confirm that the North-West University (NWU) is an institution that shines not only locally but also internationally, and can stand tall among some of the world’s greatest universities.

Students can be assured that when they decide on the NWU as their preferred choice for higher education, they also choose a university that is not only known for excellence but is making an impact in addressing pressing issues in Africa.

This is evident in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) University Rankings for 2024 by Times Higher Education (THE). According to this ranking, the NWU is sixth in South Africa and 17th in Africa out of 129 universities from 22 countries. These rankings specifically assess the impact of universities in addressing some of the toughest challenges faced in the region. It considers, among other things, the impact a university has in Africa, as well as the factors such as student engagement, access and fairness, and ethical leadership.

It explores themes that include university education, teaching quality, financial strength and addressing inequality. According to the SSA, the rankings not only assess current performance, but also help universities to identify key areas where they can improve. This was the first year the NWU participated in the SSA rankings. For more information about the SSA, visit https://www.timeshighereducation.com/sub-saharan-africa-university-rank….

Leading the way in social and environmental sustainability

The NWU is among the leading higher-education institutions locally and in Africa in responding to crucial environmental, social and governance issues. This is according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for Sustainability 2025. QS published their results on 10 December.

This ranking places the NWU among the top seven out of 13 universities in South Africa, top eight in Africa out of 70 institutions on the continent, and overall 505th out of the 1 751 institutions that qualified for the ranking internationally.

The three performance lenses applied in each of the three categories are environmental impact, social impact and governance. Each performance lens is made up of separate indicators that are used to calculate a score.

The NWU was 176th for Governance, 524th for Social Impact, and 637th for Environmental Impact.

According to QS World University Rankings for Sustainability in 2025, universities must be eligible for the QS World University Rankings and the QS Rankings by Region or the QS Rankings by Subject to qualify for the Sustainability ranking.

For more information about the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2025, visit https://www.topuniversities.com/sustainability-rankings.

NWU excelling through research and innovation in Africa

The 2024 SCImago Institutions Rankings highlight African universities that have excelled in research output, societal impact and innovation. This ranking placed the NWU in the top 10 of its rankings – a significant achievement, as 283 universities were considered in the rankings.

The ranking placed the NWU 25th overall in their universities category.

SCImago’s three different sets of indicators (20 in total) are divided into three groups intended to reflect scientific, economic and social characteristics of institutions measured by their web visibility. For more information about this ranking, visit https://www.scimagoir.com/rankings.php?country=Africa.

Tswala! project bridges the digital divide in South African schools

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:03:04 +0000

Tswala! project bridges the digital divide in South African schools BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 12/10/2024 - 13:03

By:Optentia research unit

A groundbreaking initiative aimed at closing the digital divide in schools across Africa is making significant strides. The project, named Tswala! – a Setswana word meaning "closing" – seeks to bridge the gap between students, teachers and the world by integrating digital tools into classrooms. Its goal is to transform education by providing students and teachers with the technology needed to engage in modern, interactive learning.

In 2023, the International Health Awareness Network (IHAN), in partnership with the Optentia research unit, donated R200 000 worth of Galaxy tablets to Eloff Primary School near Delmas.

This donation was part of a larger effort to support the digital transformation of education and was co-created with input from the school’s teachers. The aim of this donation is to help the school better equip its learners to engage with educational content, to interact with one another, and to connect with the wider world.

Building on the success of this pilot project, IHAN plans to expand the initiative to 100 schools across Africa. Many schools in the region still face significant challenges in accessing digital technology, with traditional teaching methods often being the norm. This project seeks to overcome those barriers by providing students and educators with essential digital tools.

In 2024, the initiative saw further collaboration as academics from the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Education joined forces with IHAN’s founder, Dr Sorosh Roshan, and secretary Leila Farshchian. The team revisited Eloff Primary School to assess the impact of the tablets and expanded the programme to other schools.

Among the new beneficiaries was Kamagugu Primary School in Mbombela, which specialises in educating children with significant disabilities. The school received tablets to enhance learning for its students.

Additionally, Ntolo High School, located near Garankuwa, also benefited from the donation of tablets. Destinata School in Meyerton, which caters to children with learning barriers, was provided with laptops to support specialised software for students with hearing difficulties.

Ntolo High School’s principal, Mr SJ Phillips, expressed his gratitude. “I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of tablets to our school. Your contribution has not only equipped our classrooms with valuable technology, but has also opened new doors of opportunity for our students,” he said.

“These tablets will transform the way our learners engage with education. With access to digital tools and resources, our students are now better equipped to explore

interactive learning, enhance their skills, and stay connected in an increasingly digital world.”

The future of the Tswala! project looks promising, with plans to distribute more technology to as many schools as possible across the country and continent. The initiative also aims to intensify support for the four schools that have already received gadgets.

This project represents a vital step forward in ensuring that all students, regardless of location or background, have access to the digital tools needed to succeed in the modern world.

Join in the journey the Tswala! project team took to Destinata School:

Children at Eloff Primary School are using the tablets donated by the International Health Awareness Network.

Dr Khido Ramadie helps learners tackle mental health during exams

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:24:08 +0000

Dr Khido Ramadie helps learners tackle mental health during exams BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 12/10/2024 - 09:24

By Oscar Mosiane and Tiyiselani Precious Miyambu

Dr Khido Ramadie, a wellness counsellor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, has dedicated her life to promoting education and wellness.

Born in Lichtenburg in the North West Province, she started her journey as a teacher after obtaining a diploma in teaching in 1994. Fuelled by her love for education, she obtained a BA in psychology while employed, ultimately leading to her position in wellness counselling.

Her path to the NWU was well-planned. She began instructing part-time research courses at the university and became a full-time lecturer and wellness counsellor in 2019.

Dr Ramadie currently focuses her efforts on academic guidance and promoting mental health awareness. She takes pleasure in interacting with students and aiding in their personal development. Beyond her job, she delights in participating in church events, preparing meals, swimming, and enjoying books.

Supporting students through mental health advocacy

As a wellness counsellor Dr Ramadie tackles topics related to anxiety and stress, particularly in students and young adults. Her efforts reach beyond the classroom.

Collaborating with the North West Department of Education, she goes to schools to help students manage examination-related stress. "Students frequently experience fear and uncertainty during examinations, especially those in matric. They require steady assistance," she explains.

Dr Ramadie suggests that parents and teachers provide reassurance to students in difficult situations. Her method focuses on setting a routine at home, encouraging physical movement, and instructing methods such as deep breathing for stress management.

Her dedication to mental health is also clear in the guidance she provides to colleagues. "I urge employees to promote understanding and a supportive environment. It’s essential for both personal and career growth.”

The impact of anxiety on behaviour

Anxiety affects behaviour and personality, dictating how people respond to various circumstances, says Dr Ramadie. “Some individuals might retreat socially, steering clear of interactions or challenges because of fear of criticism, leading to feelings of isolation. Anxiety frequently leads to overthinking, resulting in indecisiveness and constant self-doubt. Some manage by focusing on others' needs, turning into people-pleasers who find it hard to establish boundaries.”

In more extreme instances, anxiety may present as isolation, sadness or frustration, causing individuals to become aggressive or experience a sense of being overwhelmed. “Anxiety typically influences individuals' actions or reactions, yet these are adaptive responses to feelings of uncertainty,” she adds, highlighting the importance of comprehending and addressing these behaviours with compassion.

Building resilience

Dr Ramadie’s efforts are rooted in a commitment to uplift individuals confronting challenges. She aims to offer tools and resources that help students tackle challenges, whether academic or personal.

Her guidance for parents during exam time is straightforward: foster a tranquil, supportive atmosphere, track progress subtly without stress, and promote honest communication. "A regular routine can lead to a notable change," she says.

Dr Khido Ramadie

Water symposium leads to collaboration agreement between NWU and WRC

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:18:50 +0000

Water symposium leads to collaboration agreement between NWU and WRC

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 12/10/2024 - 09:18

The North-West University (NWU), in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC) and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, hosted a Water Symposium at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus on 4 to 5 December 2024.

The symposium resulted in the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the NWU and the WRC to address regional water challenges. The agreement is for five years.

The agreement establishes a formal collaboration between the NWU and the WRC that is aimed at advancing water research, innovation and capacity building in the North West Province. The partnership will focus on addressing water-related challenges through research and stakeholder engagement.

Dr Mamohloding Tlhagale, head of partnerships and business development at the WRC, explained the significance of the agreement. “The MoA is a foundation for knowledge sharing, innovation and coordinated efforts to address the water issues affecting our communities. It ensures that our actions are aligned with provincial needs.”

The symposium identified several focus areas, including improving water governance, reducing pollution and addressing climate-related water challenges. Key initiatives under the MoA include implementing water research, development and innovation projects and providing training programmes to strengthen capacity in municipalities and communities.

The agreement also positions the NWU as a key partner in generating science-based solutions for water and sanitation issues in the region. Plans include joint research initiatives, the development of water-related education programmes and hosting public seminars and conferences.

Speaking about the university’s role, Dr Tlhagale said, “This partnership leverages the NWU’s expertise to develop practical solutions for municipalities and water boards. Collaboration like this is essential for addressing water management challenges effectively.”

Prof David Modise, executive dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, expressed satisfaction with the formalisation of the partnership. “The MoA highlights our commitment to working with the WRC to address water challenges. Through clear frameworks, this collaboration has the potential to create meaningful benefits for communities.”

From left are Dr Mamohloding Tlhagale, Prof David Modise, Prof Sylvester Mpadeli and Prof Thebe Medupe during the signing of the MoA.

Prof Raubenheimer is advancing quantitative risk analysis

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 08:06:11 +0000

Prof Raubenheimer is advancing quantitative risk analysis

by Steve Maphakathe

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 12/06/2024 - 10:06

Prof Helgard Raubenheimer, director of the Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), delivered a presentation demonstrating his expertise to the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Science (NITheCS) community.

The title of his presentation was “Extremes in risk management – a non-parametric approach to the estimation of the quantiles of compound distributions”. In his opening remarks, Prof Helgard gave an overview of operational risk, which is defined as the risk of loss resulting from inadequate internal processes or external events. He highlighted how operational risk differs from other types of financial risks, emphasising that it has no upside potential and is primarily concerned with losses.

In the same vein, Prof Helgard examined the limitations of traditional parametric methods such as the single-loss and perturbative approximations, which depend on predicting more extreme quantiles of an underlying severity distribution. He argued that inaccurate evaluations of these quantiles may result from faulty parametric distributional assumptions.

To get around this issue, Prof Helgard presented a new non-parametric multiplier technique that is based on the single-loss and perturbative approximations as well as the extreme value theory. This novel approach estimates a less extreme lower quantile of the severity distribution and seeks to increase accuracy without making significant parametric assumptions.

The Monte Carlo simulation, by which the novel approach was assessed, validates Prof Helgard’s innovative non-parametric technique as a reliable alternative for extreme quantile estimation – especially in cases where there is little data available.

Further, Prof Raubenheimer emphasised the need for accurate extreme quantile estimation, stating that incorrect assumptions about parametric distributions can lead to inaccuracies in quantile estimation, ultimately impacting financial stability.

His presentation featured a discussion of the practical implications of using the proposed methods in operational risk management in financial institutions.

Prof Helgard concluded by highlighting the importance of not just historical data, but also expert judgement and scenario analysis in improving risk assessments.

About Prof Helgard Raubenheimer

Prof Helgard holds a PhD in Risk Analysis, which he obtained at the NWU in 2010, and his primary research interest is quantitative risk management. From 2016 to 2021 Prof Raubenheimer served as the head of the Scientific Analytical Services (SAS) laboratory. His responsibilities included organising industry training initiatives and promoting interactions with the SAS Global Academic Programme, both domestically and abroad.

Prof Raubenheimer co-authored a number of peer-reviewed publications that Risk.net, the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA), and the South African Statical Association (SASA) have praised both domestically and internationally.

Prof Helgard Raubenheimer

Academic completes international training in nuclear forensic methodologies

BELINDA BANTHAM — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 07:13:34 +0000

Academic completes international training in nuclear forensic methodologies

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Thu, 12/05/2024 - 09:13

Amid plans to establish a nuclear forensic and crime scene management laboratory at the North-West University (NWU), a senior member of the Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology (CARST) in Mahikeng has undergone specialist training in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Dr Tebogo Gilbert Kupi, who leads the university’s nuclear forensics initiatives, took part in the International Training Course on Nuclear Forensic Methodologies from 14 to 25 October 2024.

The course was hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. It aimed to enhance knowledge in nuclear forensic science through presentations and hands-on exercises.

Nuclear forensics entails examining nuclear and other radioactive materials to determine their origins and history. Investigators can then respond to the unauthorised use of such materials and assist states to make informed decisions about their nuclear security practices.

Dealing with radiological crime scenes

Participants on the international programme received training on managing radiological crime scenes, handling nuclear and conventional forensic evidence, and preventing contamination during forensic processes. The programme also covered the development of analytical plans, techniques for radionuclide identification, gamma spectrometry and legal considerations in nuclear forensics.

Dr Kupi says the training aligns with the university’s plans to establish a nuclear forensic and crime scene management laboratory at CARST. The knowledge gained would strengthen the NWU’s capacity in nuclear security and radiological crime scene management.

“This training forms part of the partnership between the NWU and the IAEA to train students in nuclear forensic science, with the goal of linking radiological crime scenes to the nuclear forensics laboratory,” says Dr Kupi.

The proposed facility will support research, training and investigations in nuclear forensics.

This initiative reflects the NWU’s commitment to advancing research and fostering collaborations to address critical global issues.

Dr Tebogo Gilbert Kupi took part in the International Training Course on Nuclear Forensic Methodologies from 14 to 25 October 2024

Prof Elsa continues her lifelong journey to promote self-directed learning

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:01:07 +0000

Prof Elsa continues her lifelong journey to promote self-directed learning

by Willie du Plessis

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 12/03/2024 - 10:01

Self-directed learning can make the process of learning more enjoyable and allow students to personalise the learning experience, which is empowering and motivating.

Prof Elsa Mentz, director of the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning from the North-West University (NWU), is a true advocate for self-directed learning in higher and school education. She firmly believes that it not only enables students to take responsibility for their own learning, but also equips them with the necessary skills for both the 21st century and 4th Industrial Revolution.

Her dedication and expertise earned her the Lifelong Contribution in Promoting Self-Directed Learning in Praxis, Theory and Research Award* during the 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference on 7 November.

The citation accompanying the award reads that under her visionary leadership, the NWU’s Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning has become a leading entity in the field, setting standards for excellence in research.

This is not her first accolade for her impactful work. Prof Elsa previously received the prestigious Malcolm Knowles Award and has been notified that she will receive the Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Medal of Honour in January 2025 for her contributions in the field of self-directed learning.

Support from fellow travellers

Prof Elsa is honoured by the award bestowed upon her in November but also mentioned that she would not have been able to do it alone. “Colleagues from the NWU as well as from other institutions held my hand and kept me focused. I would like to pay tribute to every key role player and colleague who crossed my path, travelled with me and shaped me as a researcher. There are too many to name; they were my mentors who became friends and carried me when the road was full of potholes and unexpected challenges. They believed in me and shared my passion.”

She says on a personal note, her husband, Kobus, and her three children always supported her. “

Lastly Soli deo Gloria – to God all glory!”

“Her dedication to fostering self-directed learning, coupled with her commitment to the professional growth of postgraduate students and academic staff, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award,” says her colleague, Prof Josef de Beer.

Self-directed learning enhances learning experiences

“When learners have control over their learning, they must identify their own learning needs, set their own learning goals, make their own decisions on how to achieve the goals and evaluate their progress,” says Prof Elsa. “As a result, it builds confidence and strengthens critical thinking skills, and learners become more motivated and creative, making the learning experience more meaningful and often resulting in innovative problem solving.”

Prof Elsa says this is why she has dedicated her career to promoting self-directed learning. “It was a struggle since 2010 in our faculty to establish a focus for our research. This changed in 2014 when the NWU approved the Research Focus Area Self-Directed Learning.” The Faculty of Education also approved self-directed learning as a strategic priority for teaching and learning, and in 2017 NWU included self-directed learning in the formal Teaching and Learning Plan as a strategic priority.

“This was one of the milestones on my SDL journey! In 2020 we were upgraded to a research unit and grew from eight researchers in 2013 to 70 researchers today. What we realised then, and it is still the case today – if you want to contribute to excellence in teaching and learning research, your research will also need to contribute to self-directed learning, which forms an integral part of teaching and learning in the 21st century,” she concludes.

*More about the award

Prof Elsa is only the second recipient to receive the Lifelong Contribution in Promoting Self-Directed Learning in Praxis, Theory and Research Award. The first recipient was radio presenter Johan van Lill of Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) in 2021.

The award, which was instituted by the NWU’s Research Unit Self-Directed Learning, was initially earmarked only for external recipients so as to motivate the promotion of self-directed learning beyond the NWU. The Self-Directed Learning executive committee decided to overrule the initial decision and include staff who are committed to the self-directed learning cause.

Prof Elsa Mentz, director of the NWU’s Research Unit Self-Directed Learning, receives the award for her lifelong commitment to promoting self-directed learning, with her is Dr Sukie van Zyl.