Dear NWU stakeholder

In the past few years, the NWU has embarked upon an intensive infrastructure development programme to ensure an efficient and conducive environment for teaching and learning, research and innovation, as well as a dynamic and vibrant student life across the three campuses.

Consequently, there are new buildings and spaces that are increasingly becoming landmarks and centres of delivery of our programmes and services. Therefore, the NWU Council and the University Management Committee (UMC) have resolved to initiate a process for the honorary naming, naming and renaming of new unnamed buildings and spaces. For example, some of these buildings are currently named and known as Building A, G3, etc.

This Council-approved process is governed by the Policy for the Honorary Naming, Naming and Renaming of NWU Entities (approved by Council in 2023).

According to the policy, "entities" include:

• a physical entity such as a building, residence, lecture hall, laboratory, or a library;
• an external space such as a courtyard, walkway, or a garden;
• an organisational unit such as a centre, institute, or a unit;
• an academic position such as a research unit or research chair;
• an award such as a scholarship;
• an event or activity such as a concert or public lecture, and
• any other item that the Honorary Awards Committee deems worthy of recommendation for honorary naming or naming.

Honorary naming, naming and renaming can be considered where a person, organisation or company has made a significant contribution or rendered an exceptional service of enduring value to the NWU, the community or the country.

To facilitate this process, the UMC has constituted the Naming of Entities Committee (NEC) as a standing sub-committee. The Campus Management Committees will also constitute campus-specific NECs that will receive and consider proposals from staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders, and facilitate community consultation on such proposals where applicable. It must be clear that the NWU remains the custodian of the process and retains absolute decision-making powers as outlined in the applicable policy.

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit well-motivated nominations to the various campus-specific NECs. The campus chief directors will communicate applicable processes and timelines within which their campuses will adopt and implement. From the campus NECs, recommended proposals will follow the approval route through the UMC, the Honorary Awards Committee, and Council.

Enquiries regarding the submissions of nominations at specific campuses can be directed as follows:

Mahikeng Campus: Jim Molautsi: Mariki.Strauss@nwu.ac.za

Potchefstroom Campus: Dr Corrie Rheeder: Angie.Lethuli@nwu.ac.za

Vanderbijlpark Campus: Andiswa Msi: Andiswa.Msi@nwu.ac.za

I urge all NWU stakeholders to participate in this process as we celebrate our institutional history and our unified identity.

Kind regards

Prof. Hennie Goede
Registrar