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AI library assistant robot enhances student experience

BELINDA BANTHAM — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:55:23 +0000

AI library assistant robot enhances student experience BELINDA BANTHAM Thu, 04/03/2025 - 08:55

By Gofaone Motsamai

A robot powered by artificial intelligence (AI) has made its debut as the newest library assistant at the North-West University (NWU).

The AI-powered assistant, currently in its testing phase at the Ferdinand Postma Library at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus, is designed to help students navigate the library, making it easier and quicker for them to find what they need. This is a major step forward in modernising the NWU’s campus libraries and enhancing student experience.

According to Cecil Gasa, manager for library systems, the AI assistant provides real-time navigation assistance, guiding students to specific sections, answering basic queries and offering details about library resources and operating hours.

People-friendly machine

"One of the main advantages is its ability to attract bystanders more effectively than a human assistant. Students tend to interact more comfortably with the robot, which allows our staff to focus on higher-value activities," Cecil explains.

Beyond navigation assistance, the robot contributes to the library's marketing efforts by engaging with visitors and promoting available services.

The introduction of the AI assistant has also helped alleviate the workload of library staff. "While still in the testing phase, we anticipate that the robot will free up time for staff members to handle more complex inquiries and provide personalised assistance where needed," Cecil notes.

As the robot was only introduced in mid-March, the library has yet to receive substantial feedback from students. However, library staff are monitoring student interactions closely to refine the robot’s functionality based on user needs.

What’s in store for the other campuses?

Looking ahead, the NWU is exploring the possibility of introducing similar AI assistants at the Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses. "Once the Potchefstroom testing phase is complete and refined, we will consider expanding the initiative. However, there is no concrete timeline for implementation at other campuses yet," says Cecil.

The university is taking an iterative approach - by introducing improvements based on library users’ feedback - to developing the AI assistant, employing a methodology commonly used in agile development and product management. Future enhancements may include integrating the robot with academic systems to assist students with research-related queries.

"Our goal is to ensure that the robot evolves in a manner that meets user needs while minimising risks and maximising efficiency,” says Cecil. “By incorporating user feedback, we can continuously improve its capabilities over time."

The AI assistant library robot at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus.

Workshop: discovery and alignment of software acquisitions

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:31:59 +0000

Workshop: discovery and alignment of software acquisitions

by Belinda Bantham

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 04/01/2025 - 11:31

The North-West University (NWU) took a consultative and agile approach to enhance its software acquisition processes. A dedicated breakaway workshop served as the starting point for this initiative, bringing together stakeholders to address missing or misaligned processes and governance structures.

This workshop aimed to define the problem statement from multiple perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of software acquisition's current and desired states. The workshop also highlighted potential policy gaps by identifying significant decision points and their contextual relevance. The goal was to develop the first corrective artefacts to streamline processes and improve governance.

Given the cross-domain nature of software acquisition, stakeholders from different perspectives contributed to shaping an inclusive and effective governance framework. The intended outcomes included clear guidelines, well-defined roles and responsibilities, structured governance sub-systems, and streamlined decision-making processes. Specifically, the objectives were to:

· Ensure decision-making aligned with established guidelines, business strategies, university objectives, and the value streams of both the NWU and its business domains.

· Reduce IT-related risks within the NWU’s acceptable tolerance levels while ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and contractual obligations.

· Align the NWU’s software assets with its business objectives to enhance operational efficiency.

· Optimise software asset utilisation through cost-effective measures, including cost recovery strategies.

Andiswa Msi, director for IT academic and office solutions, highlighted the workshop's achievements.

"The workshop was a resounding success, with collaboration at its peak. We tackled key challenges and forged innovative solutions for software acquisition, paving the way for transformative improvements. Next up: streamlined guidelines, campus-wide education, and information sharing—ensuring easy, timely, and fully NWU-compliant processes. I’m proud to be part of this exciting journey!"

NWU Career Services engages lecturers on graduate employability

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:59:19 +0000

NWU Career Services engages lecturers on graduate employability

by Belinda Bantham

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 04/01/2025 - 09:59

"The NWU Career Services continues to take centre stage in driving efforts concerning employability, and to be a convenor of engagements related to employability for NWU graduates," said Thoriso Maseng, senior manager for Career Services and Alumni Relations, during a breakfast engagement session hosted by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Career Services.

The event provided an opportunity for academic staff to engage with the Career Services team and explore ways to better equip students for the job market.

Nombulelo Malunga, campus liaison officer on the Potchefstroom Campus, welcomed attendees and set the tone for the discussions. This was followed by an insightful presentation by Thoriso, titled “NWU Employability Framework”. His presentation addressed the role of teaching and learning in enhancing students’ career prospects and highlighted the responsibility of universities in ensuring graduates are prepared for the workforce.

During his presentation, Thoriso emphasised that individuals are most employable when they possess broad-based education and training, high-level skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, information and communications technology (ICT), and communication and language skills.

He also highlighted how higher education leaders recognise the opportunities presented by advanced technology and are prepared to integrate them strategically in curriculum design, teaching and learning delivery, and assessments.

Furthermore, he outlined the impact of the NWU’s digital business strategy, which influences various aspects of the university, including classroom environments, student academic support, and collaborations. He also explained the “T” model teaching and learning approach adopted by the NWU, which equips students with expert skills in their chosen fields while providing them with additional competencies that can be applied in other areas, including entrepreneurship.

The session sparked meaningful discussions among lecturers, who provided valuable feedback. One key suggestion was the need for a government-focused career fair in addition to the existing events that mainly feature private sector employers. Another lecturer emphasised the importance of equipping students with basic computer skills, such as proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, to enhance their employability.

Additionally, lecturers raised concerns that many students were unsure of the career options available to them and often enrolled in qualifications simply because they had no other alternatives. This is a challenge in ensuring students make informed career choices that align with their interests and strengths.

Thoriso responded to the feedback effectively, engaging with lecturers constructively. Hloni Putsoane, employer engagement specialist, also addressed several questions from the audience, ensuring that concerns and suggestions were acknowledged.

In his closing remarks, Thoriso said: "The future requires us to work together in synergy to improve our value as an academic institution and to have a greater impact among students and in our surrounding communities. At the same time, as much is being done across the NWU, more needs to be done in working together and sharing expertise for the common cause of enhancing employability."

He also noted the broader economic challenges affecting employability. "We are certainly living in a time of interesting challenges. Every citizen of this country, in one way or another, experiences the impact of poverty, unemployment and the overall poor economy. These challenges demand a new perspective in driving efforts of employability to ensure that our NWU students can add value to society during and beyond their academic years."

The event highlighted the critical role of the NWU Career Services in preparing students for the job market. By facilitating dialogue between academic staff and career services, the centre continues to enhance graduate readiness and bridge the gap between education and employment. The session was a success, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in shaping students’ career prospects.

Hloni Putsoane, Nombulelo Malunga, Avis Erens and Thoriso Maseng

The session sparked meaningful discussions among lecturers

During his presentation, Thoriso emphasised that individuals are most employable when they possess specific skills.

TTIS starts 2025 with a strong focus on innovation

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:03:16 +0000

TTIS starts 2025 with a strong focus on innovation

by Vukosi Mathale

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 03/18/2025 - 12:03

The Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office has begun 2025 with a renewed commitment to helping researchers turn their ideas into real-world solutions. TTIS has played a key role in two major events: the Research and Innovation (R&I) Induction Session and the Research and Innovation Colloquium.

New researchers were exposed to the various support systems through the R&I Induction Session, which was organised by the NWU's Research and Innovation portfolio. TTIS provided information on patents, licensing and commercialisation tactics, while highlighting the significance of intellectual property (IP) protection.

At the Research and Innovation Colloquium, which took place at the Sun City Convention Centre, the final session was devoted to the topic of “Innovations for shaping a sustainable tomorrow: aligning research to market needs”, with an esteemed panel of experts:

· Ms Nontombi Maseko, director of Innovation and Technology Policy and Strategy at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC)

· Ms Jetane Charsley, chief director (head) of National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)

· Dr Andrew Bailey, RTTP, acting director of Research Contracts and Innovation, University of Cape Town (UCT)

· Mr Duncan Raftesath, NWU Enterprises CEO

Building on this momentum, TTIS has lined up several key initiatives for the year:

· IP awareness sessions: Teaching researchers how to safeguard and market their inventions.

· Meet and greet sessions: Introducing TTIS services and collaboration opportunities to new academic staff members.

· World IP Day: Highlighting the crucial role of intellectual property in innovation and research.

Visit Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS)

Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa

Dr Andrew Bailey RTTP, Ms Jetane Charsley,Ms Nontombi Maseko, Mr Duncan Raftesath and Dr Janine Chantson

Social work students collaborate internationally

BELINDA BANTHAM — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 07:04:36 +0000

Social work students collaborate internationally

by Zenoyise John

BELINDA BANTHAM Thu, 02/13/2025 - 09:04

In an era where global collaboration is becoming increasingly essential, the North-West University (NWU) is taking commendable steps to broaden its international footprint. First-year social work students are already reaping the benefits of participating in a transformative Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project, which focuses on addressing sexually transgressive behaviour.

The project came to life over the recent festive season, a time typically reserved for relaxation and leisure for many students. However, for those ready to seize the opportunity, the experience proved to be enlightening and impactful.

Dr Luce Pretorius, a social work lecturer and deputy subject group leader at the Faculty of Health Sciences, says the COIL project aligns with the NWU's strategic goals aimed at internationalisation.

"This project emerged from ongoing collaborations fostered through a visit to Inholland University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, which forms part of the NWU’s broader initiative for interdisciplinary education," she explains.

The project successfully united second-year social work and social education students from Norway, the Netherlands and South Africa. Under the guidance of facilitators Carolien Wierda and Stella Wielaart from Inholland, students worked in international groups alongside Dr Pretorius to investigate critical issues surrounding sexually transgressive behaviour in social work and education. Conducted from 20 to 24 January 2025, the project coincided with the holiday break for the South African participants.

"The learning experience did not just involve exploring the complexities of sexually transgressive behaviour; it also aimed to cultivate essential intercultural competencies and professional skills among participants. They delved into topics such as definitions and preventative measures, the role of professionals in combatting such behaviour, and practical challenges encountered in the field," says Dr Pretorious.

One notable aspect of the programme was its engagement with leading experts, including Prof Dr José Ignacio Pichardo Galán from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, who provided invaluable insights on the subject matter. In addition, the use of innovative teaching tools, such as Dialogue Trainer and 360-degree video technology, equipped students with enhanced problem-solving skills and improved cross-cultural communication abilities.

The culmination of the week was marked by group presentations where students showcased their learned findings, accompanied by individual reflection reports. Positive feedback poured in, with participants expressing the value of collaborating with international peers. “I learned a lot, especially from hearing different perspectives and approaches. The collaboration helped me see the challenges of our profession in a broader context,” one student remarked.

Dr Pretorious notes that the COIL initiative demonstrates the NWU's commitment to preparing students for the global arena, promoting intercultural dialogue, and addressing real-world issues.

"The goal of this initiative is to strengthen partnerships with international institutions and create opportunities for students to engage in meaningful projects that enhance both their academic skills and their sense of global citizenship," she adds.

Trump’s pause on foreign aid upsets global health programmes

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 09:11:46 +0000

Trump’s pause on foreign aid upsets global health programmes

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 02/07/2025 - 11:11

United States President Donald Trump’s pause in his country’s foreign aid is being felt on the campuses of the North-West University (NWU).

The Health Care Centre and HIV/Aids Office on the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus have received notification from Shout-it-Now, the non-governmental organisation providing youth-centred sexual reproductive health services and support, of the suspension of all their services, posing a challenge for students and employees alike.

President Trump’s executive order reevaluating and realigning US foreign aid has led to a 90-day pause in foreign assistance which is affecting health programmes globally.

This halt has impacted initiatives such as the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), which provides HIV/Aids support in over 55 countries. While PEPFAR has received a limited waiver, uncertainty remains over the future of US global health commitments.

The executive order is impacting South Africa, with the largest HIV epidemic in the world, at community level.

HIV/Aids office coordinator, Pan Mabile, highlights the consequences of the decision. “It’s deeply concerning to hear about the suspension of services due to the cessation of PEPFAR funding. Shout-it-Now has played a critical role in providing youth-focused health services and HIV support in collaboration with the Department of Health.”

He emphasises the effect on vulnerable groups. “With these services halted, local communities and the NWU are facing serious challenges. Essential services such as HIV testing and the provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis are disrupted, increasing the risk of new infections and undermining trust in the healthcare system.”

Order threatens gains made

NWU academic and senior lecturer in Political Studies and International Relations, Dr Benjamin Rapanyane, has expressed strong views on the issue.

“The importance of the United States to the global HIV response cannot be overstated. Since its inception in 2003, PEPFAR has saved close to 30 million lives by investing in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programmes. Now, in the 21st century, why should we entertain Trump when his actions threaten to reverse these gains?”

Dr Rapanyane questioned the implications of the decision, as this move undermines global efforts to end Aids.

As the situation unfolds, there is growing concern over the long-term impact of the US foreign aid freeze on public health and humanitarian efforts worldwide.

NWU is first in South Africa to implement this world-leading residence management system

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:09:11 +0000

NWU is first in South Africa to implement this world-leading residence management system

by Willie du Plessis

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 01/20/2025 - 11:09

The NWU is implementing a new residence management system that will significantly improve efficiency within the university’s residences. The StarRez system is specifically designed for student housing and has numerous applications for residence management, placements, student interactions and reporting, among others.

“This is a trusted student residence system which is used worldwide and the NWU will be the first university in South Africa to implement the StarRez’s cloud-based system,” says Herman Steyn, the NWU’s director for special projects, business enterprise and development.

One of the greatest advantages of StarRez is the capability to manage beds across all three campuses – from the application process for residence spaces to allocation of beds according to the NWU criteria and the placement of students in their preferred residences. It will keep track of the movement of students between residences and finally provide proper control over the occupancies in the residence environment, which currently has more than 13 000 beds.

StarRez fills management gaps

StarRez addresses several residence management gaps identified during the planning phase of the Student Information System (SIS), as well as those previously identified through the VSS student administrative system.

The gaps included limited capability to keep track of the different statuses of a single bed at any given time, as well as constrained reporting capabilities.

Filling these gaps is in line with the strategy of the NWU to create a high-quality residence environment that supports academic and personal success.

“The development of the new residence management system also provides management with an ideal opportunity to optimise and align the residence processes on the campuses,” Hermans says. “Full IT integration between StarRez and all relevant current NWU systems will be possible.”

Tailored to the needs of the NWU

The new system will be customised to meet the needs of the NWU’s residence operations, ensuring a good technical and culture fit.

This will be based on the insights and recommendations that the university and the StarRez team have been gathering over the months. The StarRez team, under the lead of its business development manager Mark Stewart, has been working with the NWU residence management project team and the NWU Information Technology( IT) team under the leadership of Mari Prinsloo.

The process has developed to the point where the NWU Council approved the appointment of StarRez during its meeting on 13 November 2024.

According to Erin Greeff, specialist for record management systems (RMS) and SIS support, the project will be carried out in phases, with the first focusing on residence applications. The other phases comprise registration, room allocations and student communications.

The project team leading its implementation includes the NWU’s IT, residences, finance and student life departments. The sponsor is Prof Daryl Balia in his role as deputy vice-chancellor for operations and digital artificial intelligence systems.

“Although the dates are not fixed as yet, we are hopeful that the project will be completed by the end of 2025,” says Erin.

“We are truly excited about StarRez; its implementation will definitely usher in a new era in how the NWU manages our residences,” concludes Herman.

A happy occasion: present during the signing of the contract are Herman Steyn, William Quarta (StarRez), Elmarie de Beer and Mark Stewart (StarRez). In the second row are Annamarie Motsie, Erin Greeff, Wilma Lotriet, Leanne Dootson (StarRez) and Marinda Riekert. At the back are Leroux Malan, Greg Roberts, Erik Marx, Tiisetso Motshabi, Kobus Joubert and Caro Bamberger. Colleagues from the implementation team who could not attend the ceremony include Pola Mmapulana, Freedom Gwele, Goitse Makhoba, Lungile Masango, Tumi Mmabo, Karin Venter, Mmabatho Raphuse, Anna-Marie Bell, Jim Molautsi, Chris Williams, Corrie Rheeder and Celeste Rossouw.

NWU’s corporate publications shine in national competitions

BELINDA BANTHAM — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 07:02:34 +0000

NWU’s corporate publications shine in national competitions

by Willie du Plessis

BELINDA BANTHAM Wed, 12/04/2024 - 09:02

The corporate publications of the North-West University (NWU) have excelled in this year’s South African Publication Forum and Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) competitions.

It is a proud achievement for the university in its pursuit of excellence.

Twelve awards from the South African Publication Forum

In addition to receiving two certificates of excellence, two wins, a runner-up position and two special mentions, the corporate publications also produced five finalists in four categories.

In this contest the NWU competed against big corporate institutions such as Sanlam, Standard Bank and the City of Cape Town. The results of this competition were shared online on 20 November 2024.

The NWU was ranked in first place in the Best Cover Design category with the December 2023 edition of its staff newsletter, Life@NWU, and the September 2023 and May 2024 editions of the alumni magazine, NWU&U, tied as winners in the Interactive Digital Publications category. The July 2023 and April 2024 editions of the life@NWU were both third in the Interactive Digital Publications category.

The Life@NWU December 2023 edition and the NWU&U May 2024 edition earned the university certificates of excellence in the Excellence in Design and Excellence in Communication categories respectively.

The NWU&U May 2024 edition, the Research@NWU June 2024 and July 2024 editions, the NWU Integrated Annual Report for 2022 (web-based version), and the NWU Integrated Annual Report 2022 (digital version) were finalists in their categories. Only publications that achieve an average rating of more than 75% and above receive recognition as finalists.

The Life@NWU December 2023 edition received two special mentions for Most Improved Publication and Most Improved Publication in Design respectively.

NWU shines at MACE with 15 awards

It is not only in the SA Publication Forum competition that the NWU’s corporate publications excelled. They also shone in the 2024 Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Awards that were presented at the Eureka Estate in Durbanville on 28 November.

During this event the NWU received 15 awards that included one platinum, nine silver and five bronze awards. Nelia Engelbrecht, editor of various of the NWU’s publications that include the Life@NWU, Corporate Profile and NWU&U, among other publications, was honoured with special recognition for her contributions and excellence in the field of corporate publications.

At the 2024 MACE awards the NWU received a platinum award as category winner in recognition for outstanding performance among practitioners in the higher-education sector for the Life@NWU April 2024 edition. This was awarded in the Writing for Features,

Documentaries, and Brochures category. Only three platinum awards were given during the event.

The NWU received silver awards of excellence for the following entries: Life@NWU July 2023 edition (Writing for Features, Documentaries, and Brochures category and also in the Design for Digital Channels category); the PDF version of the NWU Integrated Report 2022 (in the Design for Digital Channels category, and also in the Writing for Features, Documentaries, and Brochures category); NWU&U May 2024 edition (Writing for Features, Documentaries, and Brochures category and also in the Design for Digital Channels category); and the NWU&U September 2023 edition (Design for Digital Channels category and also in the Writing for Features, Documentaries, and Brochures category).

The NWU’s Rassie Erasmus Honorary Doctorate coverage also received a silver award of excellence in the media division’s Single and Multi-day Events category.

The university raked in five bronze awards of excellence for respectively the Life@NWU July 2023 edition (Design for Digital Channels category); the NWU Integrated Report 2022 web-based version (Design for Digital Channels category and in the Writing for Features, Documentaries, and Brochures category), and the Research@NWU (Design for Digital Channels category and the Writing for Features, Documentaries, and Brochures category).

SWiP project brings isiNdebele to Wikipedia’s main platform

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 08:29:01 +0000

SWiP project brings isiNdebele to Wikipedia’s main platform BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 11/29/2024 - 10:29

The SADiLaR-Wikipedia-PanSALB (SWiP) project is an important collaborative project that has seen key partners coming together to drive the digital ascent of isiNdebele, one of the low-resource languages in the country.

This collaborative initiative by the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU), Wikimedia South Africa (Wikimedia ZA), and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) aims to strengthen the presence of official South African languages by building language communities equipped to create, edit and manage content on Wikipedia.

Through a series of practical workshops across the country, SWiP has successfully trained participants from universities across South Africa in digital authorship skills, thereby boosting the digital footprint of official South African languages and content online.

Since its launch in September 2023, the SWiP project has greatly advanced the presence of isiNdebele, which was absent from Wikipedia due to a lack of contributors. Previously confined to the Wikipedia Incubator* due to a lack of content, isiNdebele now occupies a position on Wikipedia’s main platform, a significant milestone achieved within just 12 months. This accomplishment has expanded access to information in isiNdebele on the world’s largest free online encyclopaedia, providing a digital platform for language visibility and accessibility.

Thanks to the SWiP project, there has been a notable increase in the number of active isiNdebele editors on Wikipedia – from only five to 30 editors. Today, there are more than 140 isiNdebele articles available on Wikipedia, reflecting the growth and sustainability of this digital language initiative.

SWiP on the go

During SWiP’s first phase, from September 2023 to October 2024, two-day Wikipedia authorship workshops were conducted at 11 universities. SWiP also ran a writing competition from July to August 2024, encouraging consistent contributions to the development of South African languages on Wikipedia. This initiative motivated participants to actively create and improve content, thereby strengthening the presence and accessibility of these languages on the platform.

Phase two of the project is set to run from November 2024 to October 2027. This phase extends its focus to Train-The-Trainer sessions, dedicated edit-a-thons and language support initiatives to further the project’s impact by building a sustainable and community-driven foundation.

To address each language’s unique needs, SWiP will provide tailored language support, offering resources and guidance on content creation on Wikipedia.

Significant impact on language representation

The SWiP project has also made substantial contributions to official South African languages content.

The project has trained 318 participants across participating universities, who in turn have created 638 new articles and edited 2 730 existing articles, resulting in the addition of more than 291 000 words, 1 830 references and 122 photos uploaded on Wikipedia. These efforts have generated approximately 22,9 million article views in 12 months.

"The SWiP project fosters language growth by helping underrepresented languages gain visibility and credibility online, " commented Mr Bobby Shabangu, President of Wikimedia ZA (the South African chapter of Wikimedia movement).

“PanSALB commends the significant achievement of incorporating isiNdebele into the main Wikipedia platform in just 12 months,” said PanSALB’s CEO Lance Schultz.

“We believe that the development of a language is closely tied to its active usage, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the speakers of isiNdebele who have shown initiative and commitment by participating in the SWiP project. Their contributions are essential for the continued development and preservation of the isiNdebele language. Our continuous support for initiatives like SWiP reflects our commitment to promoting linguistic diversity and fostering a more inclusive nation where all languages commonly used by communities in South Africa enjoy parity of esteem.” Learn more about SWiP here.

Learn more about SADiLaR here.

*The Wikipedia Incubator is a platform designed to help develop new language projects before they are launched as independent, fully-fledged Wikipedia languages.

NWU celebrates digitally empowered staff across campuses

MARELIZE SANTANA — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 09:38:17 +0000

NWU celebrates digitally empowered staff across campuses

by Mafumane Tlhapi

MARELIZE SANTANA Fri, 11/08/2024 - 11:38

In a series of ceremonies held across all three North-West University (NWU) campuses, the People and Culture Department recently celebrated colleagues who completed the 12-month End-User Computing learnership. Marking an important milestone in professional growth, these events showcased NWU's commitment to digital empowerment and continuous learning.

Held on 10 October in Mahikeng, 17 October in Potchefstroom, and 24 October in Vanderbijlpark, the ceremonies united graduates, line managers and representatives from various departments, highlighting the dedication and resilience of the participants.

The learnership was run with the support of the Sci-Bono partnership and a discretionary grant from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education Training Authority (ETDP SETA). It equipped employees with essential digital competencies to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven workplace.

Digital literacy is a key skill

Ronewa Rokho, acting senior specialist in Learning and Development, applauded the graduates for their dedication, emphasising that digital literacy has become a vital skill in today’s professional world. Ronewa shared that the graduates are now positioned to excel in a technology-driven environment, adding that these skills would enable them to adapt, solve complex problems and enhance productivity.

Zelda Fynn, Sci-Bono manager, encouraged graduates to pursue continuous learning, emphasising that the certification lays a strong foundation for their future growth. Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, urged the graduates to see learning as a lifelong journey and make a positive impact wherever they go.

At the Potchefstroom’s ceremony, Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor for information technology and Potchefstroom Campus operations, reminded attendees that the certification is a key component of the NWU’s vision to become a digital university of the future. He commended the graduates for advancing their skills and encouraged all staff to equip themselves for a digitalised world.

Similarly, People and Culture manager Mzo Biyela emphasised NWU’s dedication to digital empowerment, reinforcing that the university’s investment in employee development aligns with its strategic goals for an inclusive, technologically adept workforce.

In Vanderbijlpark, Prof Linda du Plessis, vice-principal and acting deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, praised the graduates' commitment to lifelong learning. “In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, these newly acquired skills will not only benefit your professional lives but also enrich your journeys,” she affirmed.

Graduate representative Tebane Khoza expressed gratitude on behalf of his peers, thanking their managers and the university for the opportunity to grow. "To my colleagues, congratulations. It wasn’t easy, but we supported each other, and I am proud of what we’ve achieved together,” Tebane shared.

The ceremonies highlighted the NWU’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous development and digital empowerment, preparing its employees to face the future with confidence and skill.

Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, urged the graduates to see learning as a lifelong journey.

Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor for information technology and Potchefstroom Campus operations, congratulated the staff members who received their End-User Computing certificates.

In Vanderbijlpark, Prof Linda du Plessis, vice-principal and acting deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, praised the graduates' commitment to lifelong learning.