Greetings everyone

It is once again an honour and privilege to update you about the NWU Council's first ordinary meeting of the 2026 academic year. The meeting took place on Wednesday, 12 March, on our Potchefstroom Campus.

Council noted that the 2026 academic year is well underway and progressing smoothly. We also noted the successful welcome events and the Orientation Programme that took place in February for the 2026 first-year students.

We are pleased that we are on track to reach our 2026 enrolment targets despite some difficulties with the new Student Information System.

The Council meeting was preceded by a networking dinner where we bid farewell to Prof. Sonia Swanepoel, the outgoing deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation and people and culture, with the assigned function of Mahikeng Campus. She is retiring after close to 16 years of exceptional leadership, institutional stewardship, and unwavering commitment to the NWU's academic and administrative excellence. Prof. Sonia has served the NWU as executive dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and subsequently as deputy vice-chancellor.

Prior to the networking dinner, Council members conducted a short visit and tour of the NWU Pienaarskamp Agricultural facility which is a dedicated training facility for BSc Agriculture students. The facility serves as a platform for structured, hands-on practical training throughout the course of their studies and bridges theory and practice, ensuring graduates are industry-ready and equipped with real-world agricultural skills.

In addition, Pienaarskamp is home to the NWU Living Lab for Sustainable Agriculture, a research hub serving both the university and the broader North West Province's agriculture community. With a strong focus on crop production, the Living Lab supports applied research, innovation and sustainable farming practices that respond to regional and national agricultural needs.

This Council meeting noted the overall commendable performance of the NWU management and staff. The university's growth and performance remain on the upward trajectory and poised to achieve even more during the 2026 academic year.

Find my video message and an outline of the issues that our ordinary meeting dealt with below.

It is customary for the NWU Council to host a workshop prior to its first meeting of the year. The workshop focuses on some of the crucial issues or topics that affect the higher education sector globally and seeks to enlighten Council members and management about strategic risks, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our workshop on 11 March was extremely productive and focused on the following topics: Imagining the future of higher education: First session presented by Prof. Stand du Plessis and second session presented by Prof. Thandi Lewin Institutional funding: Presented by Elmarie de Beer AI in higher education: Presented by Anné Verhoef

Management, under the leadership of the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, presented a report to Council focusing on the following issues: 2026 Enrolment First-year research 2026 First-year reception and orientation Young Eagles programme Vice-chancellor engagement with staff National Government engagement - Ministry of Higher Education (minister and deputy minister) 2026 official academic opening NWU Leadership Academy NWU AI courses globally recognised Strategic culture interventions Strategic international engagement Strategic partnerships with municipalities National industry and strategic energy engagements Agricultural partnership and innovation Research output Global recognition and academic reputation Council noted, with appreciation, the progress made regarding these issues and congratulated management on ensuring that strategic matters are receiving priority attention. View the presentation here.

The current contract of Prof. Jeffrey Mphahlele comes to an end on 30 June 2026 due to the effluxion of time. Following the necessary statutory processes, Council approved that Prof. Mphahlele be reappointed for a further term. Council wishes him well on his next term, which includes overseeing the operations of the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

The contract of Clement Manoko will expire on 31 August 2026 due to the effluxion of time. Council approved the reappointment of Clement for a further term. Council appreciates the work done within the Corporate Relations and Marketing environment and looks forward to even better performance of the division which now include NWU competitive and high-performance sport.

Council approved the appointment of the new director for Internal Audit. The name of the new director will be communicated to NWU stakeholders once all the internal processes have been completed.

A few years ago, the NWU embarked upon a thorough process to procure a new Student Information System to respond to the ever-changing environment in the student lifecycle. Since the deployment of the system in January 2025, the university has invested significant resources and effort into implementing all components of the new system to ensure a smooth operation of the student lifecycle management ecosystem. Despite these sustained technical and operational interventions which were headed by a dedicated project team, recurring disruptions continue to negatively affect administrative processes, academic workflows, and ultimately institutional performance and the student experience. Management presented proposals to address the various challenges identified. Council instructed management to work with the Technology and Information Governance Committee, a sub-committee of Council, to address the matter with the urgency it deserves. Management will communicate specific short-to-long-term interventions to stakeholders very soon.

The following policies, many of them only being a revision, were approved, and will shortly be available here: Smoking Policy Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Council approved the establishment of the School of Applied Business Analytics and Decision Making (SABADM) within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, as a policy-compliant and quality-assured interdisciplinary hub that advances the NWU's priorities in digital transformation, business analytics capability, market-responsive credentialing, and postgraduate growth. This new school, which is based on the Mahikeng Campus, is envisaged to enhance the NWU's academic offerings and present a strong quantitative footprint. The school will offer a comprehensive range of modules across undergraduate levels, with high-impact foundational offerings forming the backbone of statistical training, alongside a set of business information systems modules that support digital and systems competencies.

Council noted that management will follow the necessary policies and rules and make recommendations to Council via the Honorary Awards Committee for approval. Council emphasised the need for stakeholders such as staff and students' involvement in the process. It must be clear that this process will only apply to currently unnamed and new buildings and facilities. This would be an ongoing process.

During the application cycle for the 2026 academic year, the NWU received more than 428 000 applications for first year students' admission. The university received approximately 180 000 and 390 000 applications for the 2024 and 2025 respectively. Many of the applications remain incomplete and some of the accepted applicants never register at the NWU; thus, making it difficult for the university to accept other qualifying applicants who seriously consider the NWU as their university of choice. There are only 12 000 spaces for first-year students at the NWU and staff, including temporary staff employed specifically to process applications, need to attend to all applications including ghost applicants - applicants who are not contactable, but their data seem valid. Council noted that the exponential increase in applications over the past few years has resulted in increased administrative burden, client frustration, and staff burnout. After extensive discussion and careful consideration of management's motivation including the results of a comprehensive benchmarking exercise, Council approved the implementation of the following: An administration fee of R 150.00 for prospective students (South African citizens) Continuation of R 600.00 administration fee for international applicants Implementation of the above for the 2027 application cycle; and The fees of applicants who are not admitted and/or do not register with the NWU to be prioritised for students-related initiatives such as clearance of outstanding debt, and meal-a-day programme.

Council noted that consultations with the Engineering Council of South Africa took place regarding the process for endorsing professional master's degrees. It was noted that the endorsement process will begin with existing degrees for which facilities are already available. In addition, Council noted that engagements with industry stakeholders are underway to co-create relevant short courses and learning programmes. Council will monitor the developments in this regard and provide the necessary guidance and leadership.

Council noted the progress report provided by the Task Team and, once again, emphasised its strong view on this matter. On the Mahikeng Campus, a dedicated premises has been allocated as a permanent Safe Haven facility. The facility requires minor refurbishment and maintenance. These include ablution facilities upgrades and security measures (fencing and burglar alarms). On the Potchefstroom Campus, temporary accommodation has been secured, and it is undergoing some renovation. Plans to secure a permanent Safe Haven facility are underway. Regarding the Vanderbijlpark Campus, an interim Safe Haven facility has been secured. Plans to secure a permanent facility are underway. Council will continue to monitor progress in this regard to ensure a safe and respectful environment, where survivors of GBV and relate crimes can be accommodated.

Once again, I wish all members of the university community only the best for 2026. We look forward to yet another successful academic year and to witness the NWU continuing its upward trajectory. We remain appreciative of the way in which management and every staff member and student of the NWU are playing their part to ensure that the university stays on track in its continuous pursuit of excellence.

Bert Sorgdrager
Chairperson: NWU Council