NWU Opens Doors for Future Engineers

North-West University’s Faculty of Engineering is preparing to host a series of interactive events in 2026, aimed at high school learners who might be wondering if they have what it takes to build the future. From one-day workshops to week-long immersions, the university is offering several paths for students in Grades 8 to 12 to swap their textbooks for hands-on experience.

A Quick Taste: Engineering Fun Day

For those who want to dip their toes into the water without committing to a full week, the Engineering Fun Day takes place on 14 March 2026. Open to learners from Grade 8 through to matric, this day is designed to showcase different engineering disciplines through practical activities and sessions with actual engineers.

At R750 per student, the package is fairly comprehensive. It includes lunch, snacks, and a gift bag, which might be more exciting than the average school packed lunch. Students can expect to tour the campus and get a realistic look at student life before the serious business of university begins.

The Full Experience: Engineering Fun Week

Older students in Grades 10 to 12 can opt for the more intensive Engineering Fun Week, running from 30 June to 3 July 2026. This programme moves beyond the classroom with industry visits, giving learners a chance to see engineering in the wild.

The cost is R2 650 per student, covering accommodation, all meals, and transport for the various site visits. It is a solid opportunity for those who are leaning towards an engineering career but want to see how the gears actually turn in a professional environment.

Getting Exam Ready: Engineering Winter School

Running concurrently with the Fun Week from 30 June to 3 July, the Engineering Winter School focuses on the academic hurdles. This programme is specifically for Grade 12 students who are currently sitting with scores between 60% and 70% in Mathematics or Physical Sciences and need a bit of a "boost" before the preliminary exams.

The sessions are led by Gustav Potgieter for Maths and Corneels Schabort for Physical Sciences. To keep things from getting too claustrophobic, group sizes are capped at 24 students. The university has also modernised the experience by including a 24/7 AI tutor bot for exam practice and online tutorials later in the year.

Winter School Pricing:

• Mathematics only: R2 100 (2 days, 1 night)

• Physical Sciences only: R2 100 (2 days, 1 night)

• Both subjects: R3 750 (4 days, 3 nights)

Logistics and Registration

All events are held at the faculty premises located at 18 Calderbank Ave, Potchefstroom. Because the university is dealing with lab equipment and specific accommodation capacities, spaces are limited. Interested parents and learners can register via the official website or by scanning the QR codes on the faculty’s promotional materials.

With the first event kicking off in March, the faculty encourages early registration to ensure a spot in the lab rather than on the waiting list.