Prof Dan Kgwadi

Message from

the vice-chancellor

Dear alumnus,

 

Here at the end of the year, I take pleasure in sharing a few highlights with you about the North-West University, your alma mater.

 

The new unitary structure was embedded satisfactorily in 2018 although it remains an ongoing project to optimise our structure and operating model. Despite challenges in this regard, we were able to keep our eye on the ball as reflected in our achievements in various fields.

 

Some 15 000 students received first degrees or diplomas during 2018 while 255 candidates received doctorates. This remains the heart of our activities.

Our student life continues to become more unitary in many ways, not least in the way our NWU sporting teams have represented us proudly in new purple gear.

 

Talking of students: they did us proud by focusing on their studies. We did not lose a single academic day due to protests.

 

I am also happy to note that 15 000 students received NSFAS support, a marked increase from 6 200, two years ago. However, increased state support required increased inputs from our support staff, and they rose to the challenge admirably.

 

Our financial status is stable. We kept a sharp eye on the balance sheet and managed to increase our reserve funds. We remain one of the most affordable universities in the country.

 

At an individual level, a number of our researchers received accolades of which we are very proud. These achievements should be seen in the context of our four-star rating, as awarded by the international rating agency QS. This benchmarking exercise once again brought our students’ employability to light.

 

Our new language policy has multilingualism at its core, which underpins our graduates’ ability to function in more than one language. In this respect we are forward-looking and contribute to social cohesion.

 

All in all, I believe your alma mater did you proud. I hope you share this sentiment and continue to support the NWU in any way possible.

 

I wish you a blessed festive season and a prosperous 2019.

 

 

​

Prof Dan Kgwadi

Vice-Chancellor