Dear colleagues,

 

This year has not been easy. While we’ve been busy with the time-consuming process of developing and implementing a new structure for the NWU, we’ve been faced with student unrest, a burning building and a shrinking budget.

 

And, of course, our usual responsibilities have not disappeared – our academics still have to prepare for classes, mark examination papers and write study guides, while the support staff have to manage the finances, administer student matters and ensure we comply with regulatory obligations.

 

Some of us may be very vocal about the extra challenges piled on our plates, but in the end, even the grumpy ones among us have put their shoulders to the wheel to keep the NWU moving forward.

 

What is the secret behind people pushing onward even under adversity? In my opinion, it has a lot to do with an inner resilience. We have this amazing life-saving tendency to bounce back, even under the most difficult circumstances.

 

This edition of Eish! is packed with examples of our people moving forward, no matter what.  You can read how MBA students excel and entrepreneurs learn to commercialise their ideas, while others launch a studio for producing high-quality educational videos. Not to mention strong man Willem Erasmus literally tackling and overcoming huge hurdles in his way.

 

People – and in particular the people of the NWU – never cease to amaze me. Indeed, we can be very proud of being part of such a resilient group of people.

 

Happy reading.