How we engage with our stakeholders

Our response

Using in-person and virtual communication channels, we reach diverse target audiences in inclusive and interactive ways that are convenient and meaningful for them.

These are some of the responses received from our prospective students/their parents/schools during our engagements with these stakeholders:

“Today my daughter is at school, and you took time in every step when we were confused. I will call and you will pick up your phone and email where there was a need to. She is the first one to go to varsity and we did not know anything, but here we are at peace.” (Gauteng Top Performer Bursary Function Student)

“I just want to thank you for all your help with Marli and Dian's big move to Potchefstroom. Thank you very much for being willing to go out of your way to make them feel at home with you and for being there yourself to receive them upon arrival in Potchefstroom. Paarl is not close and as parents we leave our children in NWU's hands with peace of mind.” (Paarl Gimnasium, parents of prospective students)

“I am an NWU student and proud Laureus resident. I just want to say thank you very much…I would not be here without your help. I appreciate it very much.” (Walvis Bay, international prospective student)

“Lebo let me know that she had been awarded funds for her PhD. And just in case you don’t hear it often enough, this literally changes a whole family’s life. She will be the first person in her family ever to pursue a PhD. Thanks again!” (NWU Vanderbijlpark, lecturer)

“Wow! Thank you so much for your visit today. Your presentation was exciting and gained a lot of attention from my students. I hope we can maintain and grow this relationship.” (Livingstone Kolobeng College, teacher)

“…our sincere gratitude to the North-West University for its unwavering support and valuable contributions…in enabling Athletics South Africa to bring the love and passion for sports to numerous schools, learners and aspiring sport stars.” (Athletics SA, Acting CEO)

“Once again, we express our gratitude for your support and willingness to accommodate Prestige Secondary School at the Open Day. We eagerly look forward to this valuable opportunity for our learners to engage with the university's offerings and explore the possibilities it holds for their future education.” (Prestige School, teacher)

Our response

During 2023, we communicated regularly with students about financial assistance, NSFAS payments and bursaries.

We also kept our students informed about psycho-social and well-being services and shared information about student elections, load-shedding, assessment periods, and more.

Our students made good use of eFundi for teaching-learning purposes and to access general information on NWU-related issues.

Career Centre – Improving graduate employability

The Career Centre’s work readiness services are intended to produce well-rounded, resourceful and work-ready graduates.

In 2023, the Career Centre hosted three face-to-face career fairs on each campus, and one virtual career fair. Some 6 406 students attended these fairs and 130 companies participated.

Our entrepreneurship and work-readiness training sessions reached 12 576 students. The services included CV and interview training, group training and work-readiness webinars.

Career-related support for our students

The Career Centre accelerated the drive to automate career services, facilitate interaction between employers and students and use online platforms to host virtual career fairs and conduct entrepreneurship and work-readiness training.

In 2023, there was a 48% increase in the number of students attending the entrepreneurship and work-readiness training sessions.

The Career Zone platform recorded 19 452 logins. Its Facebook pages had 20 791 followers and received 19 220 likes.

The work-readiness short learning programme was launched in June 2023, with a student uptake of 485, against a target of 200.

The 2023 Universum survey, which assists companies to attract and retain graduate and professional talent, had 10 209 student respondents, as well as 3 472 graduate respondents from the NWU.

Our response

We had ongoing engagement with industry partners, especially enterprises that employ our graduates. The aim was to understand their skills needs and obtain feedback on how our graduates are performing in the market. Our faculties use this feedback to update their academic programmes.

Other engagements were held with the business community close to our campuses to inform them about NWU procurement processes and how they can respond to calls for tenders and access business opportunities.

Our response

The vice-chancellor interacted with staff, noting their concerns about remuneration, empowerment and the working environment, and informing them that measures would be put in place to address their concerns.

Corporate Communication sent out more than 1 000 messages about important matters impacting staff members in 2023.

We shared information about the 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), a once-off salary enhancement payment, training opportunities and webinars on mental health and well‑being.

Information was also shared on the NWU values and the development of the NWU new strategy.

In consulting staff about the new strategy, we conducted a survey, held individual and group interviews and presented information sessions and walkabouts on the campuses.

Here is one of the responses we received from employees regarding a message on the preliminary CHE Institutional Review Report:

We also received suggestions from staff members about the NWU’s reduce-the-use campaign. Here are two of them:

“Sensors in bathroom showers would be a great idea.”

“I would suggest that all lighting in university buildings be motion sensored.”

Our response

A total of 364 alumni signed up to become members of the NWU Convocation and 80 alumni volunteered their time and expertise in 2023.

The eighth Alumni Excellence Awards took place.

Three campus committees were established, operating in collaboration with the NWU Alumni Association.

An overall 80% satisfaction feedback rate from alumni was received after all events in 2023.

The Alumni Relations Office conducted mentorship programmes for students and young alumni and hosted workshops on job-seeking skills for unemployed graduates and postgraduate students.

Five editions of the alumni magazine, NWU&U, were distributed online to alumni. Communication to alumni is regulated to avoid over-communication and ensure compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Keeping in touch with alumni all over the world, we engaged in various events in Botswana, Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. One roadshow was held in the Free State and various regional events in Gauteng.

Here are some of the responses we received from alumni:

Our response

Donors play an important role in enabling the NWU to implement its core mandate.

The Development and Fundraising office raised R48 116 384 in 2023, which represented growth of 12,6% from 2022.

The vice-chancellor hosted a donors’ luncheon to thank donors for their support.

Here is one of the responses we have received from members of the donor community:

Our response

We shared our performance information through prescribed progress reports to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and sectoral regulatory bodies.

Complying with legislation such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Higher Education Act will always be a priority.