Greetings everyone

It is once again an honour and privilege to update you about the NWU Council's second meeting of the 2024 academic year. We had a successful Council meeting on the Mahikeng Campus, once again in a hybrid format, but with most of the Council members attending in person.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, was again congratulated on being awarded the prestigious National Order of Merit, also known as the l'Ordre National du Mérite by the President of France on 24 May.

Council noted that Dr Anna Mokgokong, chancellor of the NWU, featured as a distinguished keynote speaker at the prestigious Cambridge Africa Business Conference hosted by the University of Cambridge Judge Business School in May 2024.

These are very important acknowledgements that confirm the reputable leadership of the NWU.

We are continuing with our 20-year celebrations, and a highlight was our first Gauteng Open Day on 1 June in Centurion. Learners from schools across the province were in attendance to get their first taste of what the NWU has to offer. The Open Day was followed by a very successful alumni and donors gala dinner where some pledges and donations were made and received. You may read more about the event and view some of the proceedings here. Our celebrations will continue across our campuses with many more highlights to happen throughout the year.

We are extremely excited to announce that the NWU will host the 2024 Varsity Netball on our Mahikeng Campus during September.

Find my video message and an outline of the issues that our ordinary meeting of Thursday, 13 June 2024, dealt with below.

Management, under the leadership of the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, presented a report to Council focusing on the annual performance as reflected in the Integrated Annual Report. The report focused on a range of issues including: Goal 1: Promote excellent learning and teaching and reposition the NWU to attain the size and shape required by the market direction decisions Goal 2: Intensify research and innovation Goal 4: Develop a clearly differentiated student value proposition Rankings Donations/Fundraising 2024 Open Days 2024 International student recruitment; and NWU headlines The principal and vice-chancellor also updated Council regarding progress of reorganising the top structure of the university as part of the implementation of the university's strategy: Taking the NWU forward - 2024 and beyond. Consultations with various stakeholders have already taken place and stakeholders still have an opportunity to submit inputs by 20 June 2024 via strategyoffice@nwu.ac.za. Management will present the final version of the proposed top structure during the September Council meeting for approval. The process to review the other layers of the structure would commence after Council's approval of the top management structure. We anticipate that this will be discussed and decided on during the November 2024 Council meeting. Implementation of the reorganised structure is planned for 1 June 2025. Council is satisfied with the process followed by management and is looking forward to receiving the final proposals. Council noted the good work and progress made and congratulated the vice-chancellor and management. Click here to view the presentation.

Council approved the appointment of the Vanderbijlpark Campus Student Campus Council (SCC). This follows the dissolution of the SCC after its members were found guilty of misconduct on 4 April 2024.

The following policies were approved, and will shortly be available here: Policy on Continuing Education Ethics Policy; and Graduate Employability Framework

Musical Arts in SA: Resources and Applications (MASARA) is the only research entity in South Africa that specialises in Music and Wellbeing. Regarding the entity's national standing, it is worth noting that it regularly cooperates with the University of the Free State's Odeion School of Music to co-present postgraduate students' mini conferences. A research entity on Music and Wellbeing in South Africa can be understood as having a profound impact in a national context by contributing to cultural preservation, community wellbeing, education, and social cohesion. In an international context, it can position itself as a leader in the field, fostering global collaborations and influencing policies that recognise the significance of music in enhancing the quality of life worldwide. Council approved MASARA to be upgraded to a focus area.

The National Framework for Enhancing Academics as University Teachers has at its core the improvement of the quality of university teaching. The primary purpose of the framework is therefore to serve as a guide for the higher education system in developing and implementing strategies to improve academics as university teachers. The NWU Management and Senate are of the view that the faculty, in partnership with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), can fulfil a key role in promoting teaching excellence and curricular engagement within the faculty. Council approved the proposed Centre for Teaching Excellence and Curriculum Engagement in the Faculty of Humanities.

The Regulations for Reporting by Public Higher Education Institutions (GG37726, 9 June 2014) determine that the Annual Integrated Report must be recommended by the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee to Council for approval. Council approved the 2023 Annual Integrated Report, as recommended, for submission to the DHET by 30 June 2024. We appreciate the determination and dedication of all involved in the compilation of the report. The stakeholder version of the report will be made available on the university's website as soon as it has been finalised.

Council approved the 2023 financial overview as well as the audited financial statements for 2023. Council further approved specific projects as well as revised budgets for infrastructure projects which have already been approved. Council expressed its appreciation that the university will, once again, receive an unqualified audit. Council also thanks management and staff who made this possible and continue to prioritise the prudent financial management of the university.

Once again, I wish all members of the university community only the best for the remainder of the 2024 academic year.

Council is satisfied that based on what was presented by management, exciting developments are on the horison. We express our appreciation to each staff member for their commitment and continued professional service.

Thank you

Bert Sorgdrager
Chairperson: NWU Council