Greetings everyone

The NWU Council held an extraordinary meeting on 15 April 2025, to consider the university management's final structure realignment proposal. In September 2024, we informed stakeholders that the NWU top structure that management presented was approved, and that the next phase, Phase 3B-1, had commenced.

Phase 3B-1 involved a review of the management levels within the divisions and faculties and was approved on 11 December 2024.

Project 3B-2, that kicked off in February 2025, marked the final phase of the NWU's organisational structure realignment. This phase focused on middle management and lower levels.

• Campus Chief Director (this is a crucial position that is envisioned to be responsible for efficient and effective operations on our campuses)
• DVC: Research and Innovation, Community Engagement and Postgraduate Studies (Vanderbijlpark Campus-based position)
• Registrar
• Corporate Relations and Marketing (CRM)
• DVC: Student Life, Transformation and People and Culture (Mahikeng Campus-based position)
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• DVC: Operations, Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems (Potchefstroom Campus-based position); and
• Office of the Vice-Chancellor

It is important to reemphasise that the realignment project aimed to support the efficient and effective implementation of the NWU strategy - Taking the NWU Forward: 2024 and beyond. As indicated in the vice-chancellor's communiques regarding the project since 2024, the realignment aims at shaping a fit-for-purpose structure that aligns with the strategic direction of the university. The realignment focuses on maintaining the NWU's unitary model while devolving/returning authority on certain key operational matters to campus level and enhancing accountability and clarity in our leadership framework.

Council is satisfied that there shall be no job losses but a repurposing and reassignment exercise focusing on affected positions and staff will be undertaken. The ever-changing landscape of the higher education sector in South Africa and beyond dictates that we position the NWU to be more efficient, agile, and responsive to the needs of stakeholders while we ensure long-term sustainability.

This concludes the approval process of the realigned structure.

We thank the university management and all role players for their diligence and ensuring a participatory process. We urge all staff and partners to embrace the new structure(s) to ensure the successful implementation of the entire realignment project.

The university management will communicate details regarding the next steps on implementation soon.

All the best for the remainder of the first semester.

Bert Sorgdrager
Chairperson: NWU Council