Taking the 2017 bull(s)

by the horns

Dear alumni

In this edition of the NWU & U, one of the articles is about the NWU’s Mafikeng Campus helping stock farmers in the Mahikeng area to “take the bull by the horns” to improve animal welfare.

Here at the NWU we are taking a few proverbial bulls by the horns during 2017. First of all, as vice-chancellor Prof Dan Kgwadi mentions in his message on the previous page, we have to implement the new NWU structure that was approved by Council last year.

Although this will result in various changes to faculties and reporting lines (among others), the commitment and excellence evident in the many ongoing activities at the NWU are a sure sign that the institution will pass this “test” with flying colours.

Another proverbial bull is the mountain of challenges the higher education sector faces, for instance helping deserving students who need funding. Despite these challenges, the NWU is confident that – with the support of all our stakeholders and especially our alumni – the 2017 academic year will be just as successful as 2016 was.

Indeed: we are determined to reach our strategic objective, namely to excel in our teaching-learning and research activities, thereby benefiting society by sharing knowledge.

When paging through this edition of the NWU & U, it is clear from many of the articles that our alumni also find fulfilment in sharing the knowledge they acquired at the NWU to profit their communities and South Africa as a whole.

When looking at what they – and many other alumni – do, it’s clear that all NWU alumni who are making sterling contributions in society should be acknowledged for their dedication. Should you know any deserving alumni, grab the opportunity to nominate them for the NWU’s annual Alumni Awards of Excellence. Read more about this in the article: “Step up and nominate alumni for awards.”

We would like to wish all our alumni the very best for this year – may the “bulls” that you have to take by the horns be tame and timid, or at least manageable.

Happy reading,

Nelia and the

The NWU & U team