Purpose and objectives of the awards
- Enhance and promote the NWU’s reputation
- Recognise and reward staff and students’ efforts that aim to promote the NWU among stakeholders and the public via a range of platforms including the media
- Reinforce brand ambassadorship among stakeholders
Scope and areas of recognition
The awards aim to focus on individuals who have been quoted in the traditional and digital/social media as well as individuals and teams that have consistently promoted and demonstrated the values of the NWU’s brand. The activities that support a move towards the achievement of the university’s strategy statement as well as a clear demonstration of the values of the NWU would form the basis on which individuals and teams are awarded.
The Annual NWU Media and Brand Ambassadors Awards comprise the following categories:
Digital/Social Media:
Staff and students
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a registered student at the NWU or a temporary or permanent staff member of the NWU.
- Evidence of consistent commentary on specific topic(s) that gained traction on various digital/social media platforms during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Comment must have been well crafted and responsible.
- Comment must have been accurate, balanced, and fair.
- Total audience reached.
- Demographics of audience.
- Interaction/engagement levels from followers.
- Fosters meaningful conversations.
- Social media profile should consistently be irreproachable.
- Extent to which it supports the university’s strategy and values.
Traditional Media
Staff
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a temporary or permanent staff member of the NWU
- Promotion of projects/initiatives and the NWU in general, nationally, and internationally via a range of traditional media platforms during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Comment must have been well crafted, and facts based.
- Comment must have been accurate, balanced, and fair.
- Evidence of articles carried in print, broadcast, and online media.
- Total audience reached.
- Demographics of audience.
- Media profile should consistently be irreproachable.
- Extent to which it supports the university’s strategy and values.
Media Soar/Upsurge
Staff and students
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a registered student at the NWU or a temporary or permanent staff member of the NWU.
- A clear demonstration that the NWU received a sudden increase of media coverage due to the research breakthrough or impact of the project/initiative/opinion piece during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Evidence of articles carried in print, broadcast and online media as well as social media.
- Media profile should consistently be irreproachable.
- Extent to which it supports the university’s strategy and values.
Sport, Arts and Culture
Staff and students
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a registered student at the NWU or a temporary or permanent staff member of the NWU.
- Nationally and/or internationally recognised achievement(s) by any individual or group that generated the media and public’s interest during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Evidence of articles carried in print, broadcast, and online media as well as social media.
NWU Student Ambassador of the Year
Students
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a registered student at the NWU.
- Established track record of being an influencer on social media or other platforms and frequently showcases the NWU and its achievements during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Evidence supporting the achievements.
- Extent to which it supports the university’s strategy and values.
NWU Staff Ambassador of the Year
Staff
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a temporary or permanent staff member of the NWU.
- Demonstration of a commitment to consistently deliver quality service that upholds the image of the NWU during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Evidence of commitment to diversity and transformation.
- Inspiring others and acting as change agent towards the achievement of the NWU’s objectives and goals.
- Promotion of the specific initiative(s) within the NWU to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Proof of testimonials demonstrating specific acts/incidents of excellence.
- Extent to which it supports the university’s strategy and values.
NWU Team of the Year
Staff and students
Eligibility and criteria:
- Must be a registered student at the NWU or a temporary or permanent staff member of the NWU.
- Demonstration that a team/centre/school/faculty/department has made great strides in promoting the NWU brand during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Proof of awards/accolades bestowed during the period under review.
- Extent to which it supports the university’s strategy and values.
Friends of the NWU
Alumni, donors, private and public institutions, members of the media and community leaders.
Eligibility and criteria:
- Evidence that the individual or organisation proactively promotes the NWU in their sector during the period 1 January to 31 December 2020.
- Establishing leads for partnerships and collaborations between the NWU and other parties.
- Promotion of the NWU to prospective students.
- Support and mentorship of current students and graduates.
Nomination and adjudication:
Staff and students can participate through entering and nominating by means of the electronic form below. An inclusive adjudication panel comprising campus representatives (staff and students), academic, and support departments will be constituted. The University Management Committee will approve the winners in the respective categories.
Prizes and trophies:
Prize money as well as trophies will be allocated to each of the different categories and will be budgeted for by Corporate Relations and Marketing. Prize money will not be given to the individual(s) but will be donated to fund special projects aimed at building capacity within the faculty, department, school, residence, etc. Should the individual not be directly involved in any project, he or she can nominate any cause within the university to be the recipient.
Conclusion:
The annual Media and Brand Ambassador Awards will not only recognise the valuable contributions made by academics and researchers to improve the media profile of our great institution but will also pay homage to a host of other key influencers that are indeed living the NWU brand. The awards are given at the discretion of the North-West University, which reserves the right to cancel or withhold the awards for certain categories.
For any further enquiries, kindly contact louis.jacobs@nwu.ac.za
Closing date for nominations: 22 October 2021