A year of review, reflection, and new frontiers is an appropriate theme for 2023. This is according to Prof Robert Balfour, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning during the Official Academic Opening of the North-West University (NWU).

The opening ceremonies took place across the NWU’s three campuses on 24 February 2023.

Prof Balfour said that the university’s senior management considered a range of initiatives to enable staff to make a greater impact nationally.

On Friday, 20 February 2023, the North-West University (NWU) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with the Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

This is to ensure that Gauteng investors and industry players in high technology sectors are supported in the development of new technologies, applied research and innovation and technical skills sets.

On 27 January 2023 the North-West University (NWU) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), representing the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture and the Taung Agricultural College, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the NWU's Potchefstroom Campus.

A new chief director has joined the Business School of the North-West University (NWU). Dr Joseph Sekhampu, an executive in private higher education, will take the reins on 17 January 2023.

Dr Sekhampu boasts managerial expertise that includes being executive head of commerce and management (from August 2022), chief operating officer (2019 to 2022) and dean of the School of Commerce (2014 to 2019) at Milpark Education, a South African private education institution in business education.

On 18 November Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), hosted Morné du Toit, chief executive officer, and Jethro Hill, IT operations manager of the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP), for a strategic discussion and a special tour of the Potchefstroom Campus.

The North-West University (NWU) celebrated its torchbearers of excellence ― one of the university’s core values ― during the university’s Excellence Awards for 2021/2022.

The prestigious awards ceremony took place on 24 November at Snowflake in Potchefstroom.

During the event, the NWU honoured the best-of-the-best academics across the three legs of the university’s core business: teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement.

The North-West University (NWU), the North-West Provincial Government (NWPG) and the Moses Mauane Kotane Foundation co-hosted the inaugural annual Moses Kotane lecture on 18 November.

This year’s event with the theme: Resetting South Africa’s journey towards recovery and rebuilding, saw expert speakers, highly respected dignitaries* (including the premier of North West) and members of the community converge on the Potchefstroom Campus.

On Wednesday, 16 November, the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) launched the WAITRO Africa Special Interest Group (SIG) during its biennial summit to herald a new era of global participation to address issues unique to the continent.

The summit was jointly hosted by the North-West University (NWU) and Stellenbosch University (SU) and took place at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. The NWU is WAITRO’s regional focal point for Africa.

The National Press Club (NPC) held its post-Covid-19 relaunch on Thursday, 03 November at the iconic Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. Members of the NPC include news journalists, academics, entrepreneurs and members of society. It also comprises decision-makers and intellectuals who advance the South African discourse.

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Dr Bismark Tyobeka, has called on graduates to be good ambassadors of the university and to brace up for the new challenges that may likely come their way. This was said during a recent graduation ceremony held at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Talking to a congregation that included graduates in various disciplines, their families and academic staff, Dr Bismark congratulated all graduates with their success and wished them well as they move on to a new chapter in their lives.