Greetings to everyone

It is once again an honour and privilege to update you about the NWU Council's second ordinary meeting of the 2025 academic year on Thursday, 19 June.

We were all cheering when Comrades Marathon superstar Tete Dijana went supernova on Sunday 8 June when he won his third Comrades Marathon, following back-to-back victories in 2022 and 2023. Dijana, an employee of Mi7, an external security service provider to the university on the Mahikeng Campus, has become a beloved member of the NWU family.

Council observed the final phase of the Organisational Structure Realignment project and is looking forward to the full implementation of this process.

This will allow the university to finally align its structures with our strategy: Taking the NWU Forward 2024 and beyond.

Council also took note of the achievements of various of our staff, students and alumni. You are the ones that are ensuring that the NWU is continuing to make headlines and stay top of mind of all our stakeholders. We are however still experiencing some difficulties in the implementation of the new Student Information System but have been assured that all possible measures are put in place to ensure a smooth transition. We appreciate that the implementation of a new student system is a mammoth task but will closely monitor the finalisation of this process.

The application process for our 2026 intake is well underway, and as in the past, all indications are that we will reach our target again.

Find my video message and an outline of the issues that our ordinary meeting of Thursday, 19 June 2025, dealt with below.

My term as chairperson of Council would have ended on 22 June 2025. I am honoured to Council for re-electing me unanimously as chairperson until my term as Council member will end on 27 July 2026. I want to give you the assurance that I will continue to serve the NWU to the best of my ability in this position and thank Council for the confidence displayed in me regarding this important governance role.

Council noted the success of the informational town hall meetings across the three campuses conducted by the principal and vice-chancellor, as well as the decentralised sessions conducted by all Senior Management Committee members with staff within faculties and divisions. We are nearing the finalisation of the process, and the new structure will become operational on 1 July 2025. All the faculty structures including that of the Business School were also approved. The following high-level appointments were approved by Council as part of the realignment project: Prof. Linda du Plessis – senior deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning Prof. Jeffrey Mphahlele – deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, community engagement, postgraduate studies with assigned functions of the Vanderbijlpark Campus Elmarie de Beer – chief financial officer Clement Manoko – executive director for corporate relations and marketing Ntsiki Kote-Nkomo – executive director for strategy and strategic projects Prof. Daryl Balia – deputy vice-chancellor for operations, digital and AI systems with assigned functions of the Potchefstroom Campus Prof. Sonia Swanepoel – deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture with assigned functions of the Mahikeng Campus Due to the retirement of Profs Daryl Balia and Sonia Swanepoel at the end of 2025, the process to fill these positions will commence in due course. As was previously communicated, Council appointed Prof. Hennie Goede as registrar designate during an extraordinary Council meeting on 22 May 2025. He will take up this position from 1 July 2025, allowing for a smooth handover from Prof. Marlene Verhoef when she retires on 31 December 2025. Council wants to express its appreciation to Prof. Sibusiso Chalufu whose term as executive director for student life will expire 31 July, after which he will leave the employ of the NWU.

Management, under the leadership of the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, presented a report to Council focusing on the performance as reflected in the Annual Performance Plan which includes: 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: Conduct research and innovation with a strategic focus on global impact. Goal 3: Integrate and align community engagement with teaching-learning and research to develop a culture of active citizenship. Goal 4: Develop a clearly differentiated student value proposition with a focus on creating an inclusive environment aimed at developing students holistically through structured and unstructured co-curricular programmes which are relevant, desirable and meet students' needs. Goal 5: Retain excellent staff by creating an environment that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Council noted with appreciation the forward-thinking approach and progress already made in various areas and congratulated the vice-chancellor and his team. View the presentation here.

Council approved the 2024 financial overview as well as the audited financial statements for 2024. Council further approved the proposed revised 2025 - 2027 three-year infrastructure plan with the additional infrastructure projects. Council also noted the quarterly residence management accounts. Council expressed its appreciation for the work done in this regard, and all expectations are that we will, once again, receive an unqualified audit. Council wants to thank management and staff who made this possible and continue to prioritise the prudent financial management of the university.

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 2024 Annual Integrated Report, as recommended, for submission to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) by 30 June 2025. 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 Enrolment Plan for the period 2026 to 2030. The plan will now be submitted to the DHET.

The following policies and rules were approved, and will shortly be available here: Rules for the nomination, election, designation and appointment of    Council members Infrastructure Management Policy Institutional Rules for Student Governance

The Unit for Data Science and Computing (UCSC) focuses on artificial intelligence related topics, machine learning and computer science. The research focus is relevant because it addresses current fundamental issues that are impactful in the field of computing and innovation, and UDSC has the potential to be a leading voice in the international arena, navigating this nascent research field. Council is satisfied that the entity fulfilled the criteria of a research unit and approved that the UDSC continues as a research unit.

The Unit for Energy and Technology Systems (UETS) focuses on addressing existing and future problems and challenges of society and industry through the systemic and systematic integration of resources and technology. The UETS seeks to be an incubation place for new and upcoming researchers and furthermore strives to support research relevant to society, the environment, and the country. Council is satisfied that the entity fulfilled the criteria of a research unit and approved that the UETS continues as a research unit.

Council took note of the progress of the respective workstreams of the Medical School Task Team. The task team had completed its mandate, with only the construction of the building and finalisation of the curriculum remaining. Based on this, Council approved the dissolution of the task team. The latest developments include: On 22 April 2025, it was revealed that the Medical School will be known as the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine. On 3 June, Prof Bismark Tyobeka turned the first sod at the Potchefstroom Campus construction site of the preclinical facility of the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine. On 24 June, a bilateral agreement between the NWU and the North West Department of Health will be signed.

The DHET held a formal meeting with the university, during which the project for establishing the School of Mining Engineering was officially designated as a ministerial project. As a result, the DHET requested that the university submit a Phase 1 feasibility study by December 2025. A pre-feasibility study was previously compiled in 2023. Since then, the Engineering Council of South Africa introduced the professional master's degree, presenting new academic alignment opportunities for the university.

Once again, I wish all members of the university community only the best for the remainder of 2025. We look forward to seeing the many projects, especially the strategic projects coming to fruition.

Thank you

Bert Sorgdrager
Chairperson: NWU Council