By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
30 August 2025- The North West University (NWU) said it is pleased with the overwhelming response to the announcement by its principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, regarding the financial support for qualifying postgraduate students (honours, master’s, and doctoral).
The university said this intervention is crucial in ensuring that it plays its part towards the country’s research and development agenda and contributes towards the achievement of the objectives of the national development plan.
Tyobeka said: “Postgraduate studies, and research and innovation, especially in critical areas of the economy are key ingredients of innovation that leads to economic development and growth, as well as the creation and broadening of entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
“We are determined to enhance our support for qualifying postgraduate students who have the potential to contribute meaningfully to the national system of innovation.”
He further said they do this because they acknowledge that postgraduate students and researchers are their hope and promise for a better South Africa and a progressive and industrialised economic region whose knowledge and expertise benefit key economic instruments such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA.)
Tyobeka added that their resolve to remain a traditional university requires that they increase and maintain a higher percentage of postgraduate students.
“We are grateful to our partners in both the public and private sectors for their continued support that makes interventions like this possible.
“The application criteria and guidelines are going through the necessary approval processes and will be shared with all relevant stakeholders very soon,” he said.
Tyobeka said in the meantime, prospective postgraduate students are encouraged to apply before 31 October 2025, at https://applynow.nwu.ac.za/OnlineApplication/. Please click here https://studies.nwu.ac.za/postgraduate-studies for more information regarding our postgraduate studies. He said enquiries regarding the application process can be sent to WhatsApp: +27 (0) 60 070 2606, SMS: 31750 or studies@nwu.ac.za for assistance.
The Guardian 