Each step is more exciting than the previous one as the destination comes more clearly into view. On Wednesday, 8 May, a delegation from North-West University (NWU) met with general practitioners and specialists in the private sector in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District to provide an overview of the university’s journey to implement the NWU Medical School.

The event, held at the C’est La Belle venue in Klerksdorp, also aimed to brief the practitioners on the modules that the Medical School will offer and to extend an invitation to participate in these modules on a voluntary basis.

The North-West University (NWU) continues its impressive showing in international rankings. The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject rank three of the NWU’s subject groups in the top 700 globally, with one of these in the top 400. These include agriculture and forestry, physics and astronomy, and medicine.

Although the NWU does not have a medical school, it offers subjects that fall within the medicine category. These subjects will form a strong foundation for the NWU Medical School, which is envisaged to enrol students from 2028.

To unearth potential, you need to dig deep. To break new ground, knowledge is needed. The North-West University (NWU) brought these two themes together on Wednesday, 3 April, when the NWU held its first mining indaba at the Capitol on Park Hotel in Sandton.

A continued downward trajectory is the only possible forecast for South Africa’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) if political appointments in SOEs continue to take precedence over expertise.

This is according to Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU). Prof Tyobeka says this is not only an inescapable truth, but a gross dereliction of duty by those in key positions, which serves to hamper economic growth to the detriment of the country’s struggling citizens.

It was an event for the books as dignitaries and guests joined the North-West University (NWU) in celebrating two decades of greatness. The university not only reflected on the many milestones and achievements since its establishment, but also gave guests a glimpse of its plans for the future.

“The resolute leadership demonstrated by all NWU leaders over the years ensured our successful navigation through periods of uncertainty and turbulence, particularly during the early years of the NWU,” said Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor.

“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.

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.

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.

In 2024, as we celebrate the North-West University's (NWU’s) 20th anniversary, our festivities will spread joyous purple cheer and leave a distinct purple footprint wherever we touch down – for we are going to dance, leap and soar.

In 2004, the NWU came into existence through the merger of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (its branch in Vanderbijlpark included), the University of North-West (formerly the University of Bophuthatswana) and the Sebokeng Campus of the Vista University.

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.