Ienjoy talking to students on all three of our campuses.

 

Recently I had the opportunity to encounter students preparing rag floats on the Potchefstroom Campus. I was impressed by the organisation, the committed work of students and their enthusiasm for serving the community through this voluntary work.

 

Likewise, on the Mafikeng Campus, where I have been more than once this year, I have had the opportunity to meet with first years, their parents and student leaders. At the Vaal Triangle Campus, I have had the pleasure of meeting staff and students, including first years.

 

A series of informal engagements will be introduced this year where I will do walkabouts on all campuses, meeting staff in their working environments. This will replace the breakfast meetings which we hosted in the past.

 

The purpose is not only to meet colleagues personally, but also see what they are doing and thus experience first-hand how the NWU is changing, working and growing.

 

As you will understand, it is not possible to meet personally with everyone, but I will engage systematically with the assistance of Warren Makgowe, director of stakeholder relations, and his team in order to reach as many colleagues as possible over a period of time.

 

You are always welcome to email or text me if you need to contact me. I also have an open-door policy, which is only restricted by time. Phone my office at 018 285 3002. At the same time I want to encourage you to take up issues with your line managers. Without feedback, managers are not always aware of challenging issues.

 

Meanwhile, we are planning another major engagement exercise in the months to come. More about that later.