Prof Dan Kgwadi

Message from

the vice-chancellor

Dear alumnus,

This is a crucial year for the North-West University. We are implementing a new structure for the university while continuing our normal business of quality teaching, research and community engagement.

In this issue, you learn more about the new Statute and the newly elected Council chairperson, some brilliant achievements and a number of very practical activities, all of which prove that we are indeed a university on the move.

While our journey continues on many fronts, I particularly enjoy reading about the NWU’s commitment to social justice.

This manifests itself in various ways, as reported in this publication.For some the concept “social justice” may be unfamiliar or even alien, but it is at the heart of our new strategy. We want to be a university where social justice defines who we are and what we do.

Many dimensions of this concept can be identified and elucidated, but let us focus on what it means within a university context. More so, what it means for the NWU.

Of importance is that our commitment to social justice includes all staff, students and external stakeholders. It means that all opinions and contributions matter and people will be treated with respect.

A good starting point is to note that we are committed to acting ethically in everything we do.

What does this mean in practice? Here are a few examples:

• We have to be accessible to all who qualify academically. The opportunity to study has to be earned through academic achievement, but we must recognise our duty to widen access to those unable to study at the university due to past inequity.

• Financially, we support students through bursaries and loans as far as practically achievable.

• Academically, we are committed to providing the students whom we admit to our university with the support systems that will allow them to succeed.

• We have to be inclusive, in the sense that we embrace diversity. Each student from whatever race, language, religion or sexual orientation should feel welcome and safe on each of our campuses.

Each student must feel free to participate fully in all activities in lecture halls, on campus and in student residences.

This implies that the prevailing vibrant culture must never exclude, but actively include newcomers and those who do not have role models to follow.

In lecture rooms, lecturers must actively include minority students (whose profile will differ from campus to campus) in the conversation. Lecturers from minority groups (which will also differ from campus to campus) must actively be brought into the mainstream of faculty life, discussions and decision-making.

They must experience that the NWU affords them a welcoming and conducive environment, in which they feel valued.

I believe this is the sort of university you want us to be and will continue supporting.

Kind regards,

​

Prof Dan Kgwadi

Vice-Chancellor