Witrand Hospital and NWU signs memorandum of agreement

The School of Psychosocial Behavioural Sciences on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently signed a formal memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Witrand Hospital in Potchefstroom for the placement of clinical psychology students to enhance their learning experience.

According to Ms Naledi Mocwaledi-Senyane, Witrand’s Chief Executive Officer, the signing of the MOA will also open up a new dimension of cooperation for the postgraduate professional programmes in Clinical Psychology offered by the school.

In order to comply with the applicable statutory provisions referred to in the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974), students who are enrolled for psychology studies at a psychology department or accredited site, are required to undergo clinical training over a stipulated period of time in a clinical facility accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

“This agreement is going to strengthen and empower both parties,” says Dr Doret Kirsten, Programme Manager for the master’s degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology. According to Dr Doret, the assigned clinical psychology students will benefit from the vast knowledge and case studies, while the hospital will be strengthened with a much needed service to the community. “The agreement insures that our students are going to get more hands-on and in-depth experience than ever before.”

The agreement was signed by Ms Naledi Mocwaledi-Senyane, Chief Executive Officer, Witrand, Dr Theuns Oosthuizen, clinical manager, Witrand; Dr Coert Mommsen, principal psychologist, Witrand; Prof Marlene Viljoen, Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences, NWU; Prof Michael Temane, Director: School for Psychosocial Behavioural Sciences, NWU and Dr Alida Nienaber, the chairperson for Psychology, NWU. 

The memorandum of agreement between the Witrand Hospital and the NWU will ensure that clinical psychology students get more in-depth experience.
In the back from left to right are:  Dr Tumi Khumalo (Acting Head of the Institute of Psychotherapy and Counselling, NWU), Dr Coert Mommsen (principal psychologist, Witrand), Ms Annetjie de Bruin (Nurse Manager, Witrand), Ms Portia Tlou (Deputy Director:  Corporate Services, Witrand), Mr Gibson Motlhabane (communication intern), Dr Doret Kirsten (Programme Manager: Master’s degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology),  Ms Refiloe Mokwepa (personal assistant to CEO, Witrand), Dr Alida Nienaber (Chairperson: Psychology, NWU).

In the front from left to right are: Ms Naledi Mocwaledi-Senyane (Chief Executive Officer, Witrand), Dr Theuns Oosthuizen (clinical manager, Witrand), Prof Marlene Viljoen (Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences, NWU) and Prof Michael Temane (Director: School for Psychosocial Behavioural Sciences, NWU).