Our Vision
To establish a forward-thinking and integrated records and archives management department that supports the NWU's mission to discover new frontiers and opportunities that benefit the NWU as a whole and the society. We are committed to ensuring the preservation and accessibility of both current and historical organisational records. By leveraging innovative technologies and fostering a culture of accountability, we aim to safeguard the integrity and authenticity of information.be the foremost guardian of institutional memory, fostering a culture of preservation, accessibility, and innovation.
Our Mission
Aligned with the NWU’s mission, our mission is to help the university achieve its goals by caring for and providing access to important records, archives, and museum collections.
Historical Overview of the North-West University (NWU)
NWU traces its origins back to 1869 when it was founded as a theological seminary for the Reformed Church in Burgersdorp, in the north-eastern Cape. Following the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), the institution relocated to Potchefstroom and later became the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.
In 2004, the Potchefstroom University merged with the University of the North-West, based in Mahikeng (formerly known as the University of Bophuthatswana (Unibo), to form North-West University. Today, NWU operates across three campuses—Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vanderbijlpark—offering a diverse range of academic programs. The university has also built a strong Research and Development programme, leading to numerous patents, spin-off companies, and commercialisation initiatives that drive innovation.
Preserving NWU’s Heritage
The RAM department plays a vital role in safeguarding the institution's history, ensuring effective records management, preservation and innovation, and ensuring that the NWU’s legacy is documented, protected, and accessible for future generations.
The RAM department became an independent entity In July 2017, after previously operating within the Records and Administration department. It is responsible for the classification, retention, disposal, accessibility, security, confidentiality, training, and quality management of records.
The University Archives was established in September 1993, and preserves records and materials related to NWU’s history. Since the university’s formation in 2004, the Archives has managed the Potchefstroom campus’s archival records while also supporting staff at the Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses. In 2017, all three campuses’ archives were consolidated into one department.
The NWU Museum is located on the Potchefstroom Campus and showcases exhibits that highlight the University’s history from 1869 to the present, providing insight into its rich academic and cultural heritage.
Jacoline Jansen van Vuuren
Head: Records, Archives and Museum
Based in Potchefstroom Campus, Building E7.
Alleta Tshukudu
Senior Records Officer
Based in Potchefstroom Campus, Building E7.
The purpose of RAM
The purpose of the Records, Archives, and Museum department is to preserve the institutional memory, facilitate research and scholarship, promote cultural awareness, support administrative functions, and enhance public engagement.
Our department is dedicated to preserving its historical, cultural, and institutional records, facilitating research and scholarship, promoting cultural awareness through exhibitions and events, managing administrative functions, and enhancing public engagement through outreach and digital initiatives. It also supports academic research, manages administrative records, and fosters partnerships to enhance the university's reputation as a learning center.