The mission of the Optentia Research Unit is to develop and organise knowledge for the optimal expression of individual, social and institutional potential, with a specific interest in the African context. The research unit utilises the inputs from multiple disciplines: Economics, Educational Sciences, Employment Relations, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Philosophy, Psychology (Work and Organisational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling Psychology, and Clinical Psychology), Risk Management, Social Anthropology, Social Work, and Sociology. We study the optimisation of the potential of people and institutions by focusing on pathways from precarity to capability and optimal functioning. Optentia's research is organised into six programmes.
The symposium aims to chart a course for the future of capability development that is ethically grounded, human-centric, and socially responsible, fostering a dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from diverse fields to collaborate towards a more equitable and humane technological future.
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Prof Llewellyn van Zyl, extraordinary professor at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Optentia research unit, recently delivered a public lecture titled "Embracing the technological revolution". Prof Van Zyl, ...Read article
On 4 April 2024 (10:00-12:30), Optentia will host a symposium with the following title: "Technology, Humanity and the Ethical Compass: Charting the Course of Capability Development. International experts from Taiwan, Korea, N...Read article
A team of students from the North-West University (NWU), under the guidance of computer scientist and lecturer Dr Japie Greeff, recently participated in the BRICS Skills competition in China in the Data Analysis and Visualisation ...Read article
Prof. Roland Blonk, professor at Tilburg University and extraordinary professor at North-West University, South Africa, recently visited the Optentia Research Unit, sharing insights on behaviours of individuals, professionals, and...Read article
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MarchOptentia Scientific Committee
08:00 - PhD proposal: L. Dennis; 09:00 - Master’s proposal: H.M. H...
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MarchNWU-HREC Meeting
Agenda Closes: 23 February 2024
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March19
March27
MarchVisit to Optentia
Prof. Sufen Chen, Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of Empower Voca...