Deputy Vice-Chancellor

The division of the deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) includes the Centre for Teaching and Learning, which is responsible for staff academic development, student support and development, e-learning and curriculum development.

The Unit for Distance Learning (T-L) provides that much needed accessibility to students to study a tertiary qualification from anywhere in South Africa and beyond, internationally, through the use computer and internet access.  The UDL is thus instrumental in breaking down learning barriers to access to learning as not only does it provide flexibility for our students, but also enables students to study beyond the geographic limitations concerning access to metropolitan centres. Distance learning is also potentially to better enabler in terms of making possible self-paced learning (in terms of self-direction), all of which empowers students to reach their academic aspirations.

Teaching and learning as well as support services to our students feature highly on our priority list. Our dedicated lecturers from our faculties and support staff are therefore well-equipped to provide learning, support and guidance to our students.  Our technological solutions have made it possible for teaching and learning to continue, uninterrupted, despite the challenges associated with power outages or Covid-19 as examples. 

The UDL-TL aims to eventually expand its footprint into Africa and to achieve this, we will continue to invest in our students. Our promise is to provide opportunities for our students to accelerate their careers by obtaining their undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications thus improving their effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace, as well as contributing to their personal self-development. Let’s move forward together!

The Language Directorate of the NWU is a support services division that renders a variety of language services to the University: language planning (policy and implementation), translation, interpreting, language editing, language advice and a language ombudsperson function. Additionally, the Directorate also carries out research where this may be relevant to any of its language activities.

The Qualification and Academic Programme Planning Unit assists Faculties primarily with the processes concerning the internal approvals and recommendation consultative structures (such as the Senate Committee for Academic Standards), and external approval and accreditation processes relating to the CHE, SAQA, HEQC and DHET and other statutory bodies to ensure that the University's PQM remains updated, aligned to the University Strategy and responsive to changes in the regulatory and market environments.
 
The Academic Grants Manager is also located within the DVC's division and oversees and reports on the earmarked grant activities (for teaching and learning as well as research, in collaboration with the DVC’s Research and Innovation Office) for which reporting to government and other agencies is required. Finally, the DVC’s office supports the Registrars Committee for Agreements with the NWU,  which ratifies all agreements with the NWU that have a teaching and learning focus (whether for post-, undergraduate, or continuing education programmes) for signature. Finally, the Executive Adviser to the DVC provides specialist support for dedicated initiatives and projects relating to the University's programmes and strategic prerogatives in the DVC’s office.

The DVC's Leadership Team

• Prof Willie van Vollenhoven - CTL
• Ms Sharon Paulse - Q&APP
• Dr Joany Fransman
• Dr Kea Seshoka, Director for the Language Directorate (LD)
• Ms Edwina Fransman, Manager for the Academic Grants Administration (AGA)

Support Specialists

Centre for Teaching and Learning

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is responsible for staff academic development, student support, e-learning and curriculum development.

Unit for Distance Learning (T-L)

The Unit for Distance Learning (T-L) provides that much needed accessibility to students to study a tertiary qualification from anywhere in South Africa and beyond, internationally, through the use computer and internet access.  The UODL is thus instrumental in breaking down learning barriers to access to learning as not only does it provide flexibility for our students, but also enables students to study beyond the geographic limitations concerning access to metropolitan centres. Distance learning is also potentially to better enabler in terms of making possible self-paced learning (in terms of self-direction), all of which empowers students to reach their academic aspirations.

Language Directorate

The Qualification and Academic Programme Planning Unit

Academic Grants Administration