Welcome

The mission of the Optentia Research Focus Area is to develop and organise knowledge for the optimal expression of individual, social and institutional potential, with specific interest in the African context. The research programme utilises the inputs from various disciplines in the social sciences, including Psychology, Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Educational Psychology, Sociology, Educational Sciences, Employment Relations, and Social Work.

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Recent news

Research day: Calls for caring connections

Caring connections can make a huge difference. This is especially true when it comes to helping young people who face extreme difficulties. This truth was highlighted on 26 September, when the campus in Vanderbijlpark hosted the O...Read article

Social adaptation in post-apartheid SA

Life in post-apartheid South Africa remains to be learned. This provocation as well as the strategic intent of the North-West University (NWU) to champion social justice, challenges society towards the need for a deeper understand...Read article

UARM welcomes new extraordinary professor

The Centre for Applied Risk Management (UARM) is welcoming Dutch research pioneer, Prof Gert Jan Hofstede, in its midst as an extraordinary professor. Prof Hofstede will deliver his prestige lecture on 19 November 2018 at the Nort...Read article

Study helps postgrads cope

Global research has shown that only half of enrolled master’s and PhD students actually finish their studies. Around 40% of the same group battle with mental illness such as depression and anxiety. Coincidence? Laura Weiss t...Read article

Newsletter, July 2018