Greetings everyone

The third NWU Council meeting for 2024 was held on the Potchefstroom Campus on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.

The meeting extended congratulations to two NWU students, Jo-Ané van Dyk (javelin) and Bradley Nkoana (4x100m relay), for their spectacular achievements in winning silver medals at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. We also congratulated the other athletes from the NWU community who participated at the Olympic Games.

Our soccer team, NWU Eagles, is through to the Varsity Football finals and we are all cheering them on as they prepare for their home game against the University of the Western Cape on 26 September 2024.

Find my video message and an outline of the issues that our ordinary meeting of Wednesday, 18 September 2024, dealt with below.

Management, under the leadership of the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, presented a report to Council focusing on feedback on the mid-term evaluation of the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and progress made towards the achievement of the 2024 targets. The report focused on a range of issues including: Goals 1 to 6 of the APP Strategic projects advancing impact - aligned with priorities Strategic projects advancing growth Establishment of the NWU Medical School Establishment of the NWU School for Mines and Mining Engineering Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) project Training Facility Other projects Strategic projects advancing operational excellence: Digital Business Strategy Strategic projects advancing internationalisation: Collaboration with other institutions on research and innovation and teaching and learning Strategic projects advancing diversity: Multi-general strategy Strategic projects advancing partnerships: Increasing the capacity of municipal and provincial government Council noted progress made in terms of the Annual Performance Plan 2024. We are confident that management will achieve the objectives and targets for the year. View the presentation here.

The NWU top structure process has been finalised. Various stakeholders' suggestions and recommendations received during the consultation process were taken into account. This consultative and inclusive process yielded positive outcomes that ensures the new structure is aligned with the university's strategy: Taking the NWU forward - 2024 and beyond. Council approved the structure. View the presentation here. The next phase of the structure alignment (Phase 3B) has commenced and encompasses the realignment of both faculties and support services. We anticipate management to present proposals of the cascading structures in the Council meetings of November 2024 and March 2025, for approval. The approval will result in full implementation of the entire realigned structure by June 2025. We are confident that the realigned structure will enable the university to optimise its efficiencies and operate effectively in an increasingly demanding and competitive higher education environment.

Council approved the framework for the 2025 academic year. This will be published on the university's website soon.

The term of office of the NWU chancellor is five years. Dr Anna Mokgokong's first term as chancellor of the NWU will end on 20 November 2024 due to the effluxion of time. Dr Mokgokong is eligible for re-election for one further consecutive term. The process to fill the imminent vacancy as prescribed in terms of the Statue of the NWU is currently underway.

As previously communicated, Prof Robert Balfour was appointed as vice-chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, and his illustrious journey at the NWU ends on 30 September 2024. Prof Linda du Plessis will be acting in this position until it is filled.

The following policy was approved, and will shortly be available here: Library and Information Services Policy

Council noted the status and progress of various NWU facilities including: Digital technologies/system dashboards Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability projects Infrastructure delivery - capital projects Notable capital projects Sustainability projects Strategic projects in planning phase View the presentation here.

Council approved the establishment of the NWU Postgraduate Support Centre within the current Research Support directorate and to rename the reorganised directorate to Research and Postgraduate Support. The upgraded Research and Postgraduate Support will comprise the following: Postgraduate support Research quality Research ethics and integrity Grants management; and Research development

Council approved the establishment of a task team on the proposed NWU School of Mines and Mining Engineering. This Council-led task team will guide and assist the University Management Committee towards the establishment of the school in the Faculty of Engineering. Council also approved the task team's terms of reference. As the only university in the North West province, the NWU needs to invest and take advantage of the province's mineral resources. We have the necessary skills and expertise to develop and enhance this sector to benefit society. Therefore, the School of Mines and Mining Engineering is a strategic project that requires Council's involvement and guidance.

Based on management's presentations and updates, Council is satisfied that the university remains poised for yet another successful year. We express our appreciation to all stakeholders for their commitment and continued dedication.

I wish all members of the university community the best for the last stretch of the 2024 academic year.

Thank you

Bert Sorgdrager
Chairperson: NWU Council