2014 Annual Report

The North-West University celebrated its 10th year of existence in 2014. During these ten years, it has pursued the vision to become a pre-eminent university in Africa, driven by the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. The mission according to which all goals and objectives were developed over the years by means of three-year rolling planning cycles was to become a balanced teaching-learning and research university that implements its expertise in innovative ways. This mission was furthermore pursued while the institution lived its values, strived for sound management, and in ongoing pursuit of transformation.

In support of this mission, the strategy has been to increase the quality and quantity of research through focus by means of campus niches, appropriate incentives, as well as capacity building and development. In addition, the strengthening the quality of teaching and learning was continuously done by improved client focus, e-learning, innovation and diversity.

The following five mission elements provided the backdrop for the goals and objectives stated in the Institutional Plan for 2014 (please refer to enclosed CD):
i. To drive transformation as an integrated, urgent, fair and well-managed process of fundamental and sustainable change to address institutional inequalities while accounting for the needs of the country and all its people. The NWU does this by empowering people through quality education, world-class research and the meaningful implementation of its expertise;
ii. To develop, educate and empower through innovative and high quality teaching-learning, well-rounded graduates who are able to think laterally and critically in their service to the country and its people, the continents and the world;
iii. To develop and maintain high-quality, relevant and focused research, aligned with national priorities, supplying innovative solutions to challenges faced by the scholarly community, the country, the continent and the world.
iv. To Implement its expertise in teaching-learning and research, both commercially and community-directed, for the benefit of the province, the country, the Southern African region, the continent and ultimately the world.
v. To position the NWU in the sector as an accountable, effective, well-managed, financially viable and innovative
institution, with a strong client focus to enhance the quality of the core business and to ensure sustainability.