Welcome

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. 

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Recent news

New intake for the academic mentor and mentee programs at the NWU

Optentia and the Faculty of Humanities recently visited the Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark Campuses of the North-West University to initiate the second intake of participants for the Short Course for Academic Mentors a...Read article

Discovery Delight: Socialising the Scientific Way

Recently, the NWU Optentia hosted one of its bi-annual Research Community Days at the Vanderbijlpark campus, themed "Discovery Delight: Socialising the Scientific Way."

This event was a vibrant celebration aim...Read article

Surprising ways different cultures want to be appreciated

Many companies showing appreciation to their diverse employees remains a challenge because what constitutes "feeling valued" can vary widely based on an individual's cultural background. Click Read article

Shaping the future together: A symposium on technology and humanity

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

Newsletter, March 2024