North-West University (NWU) in South Africa has launched a student chapter of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), strengthening professional development opportunities for students pursuing careers in human resource management and industrial psychology. The establishment creates a direct link between students and the professional body that regulates and promotes ethical HR practices in South Africa.

NWU reported that the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management marked the milestone on 6th March 2026.

The newly established SABPP student chapter enables students to formally engage with the professional body for HR practitioners. Students pay a once-off membership fee of R200 (€10), which covers all academic years whilst studying at the university.

Kholiswa Mogoeng, a lecturer in the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management and organiser of the launch event, said: "It was not an easy journey recruiting students to join the SABPP, but the encouragement and inspiration from my former colleague, Ms Doreen Morukhu, currently a lecturer at the University of Venda, motivated me not to give up until the vision became a reality."

The launch event was attended by SABPP representatives including Musengeli Ravele and Sellina Tswaba, with Morukhu joining virtually as a guest lecturer to deliver words of encouragement to students. Their participation highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between universities and professional bodies to ensure students are prepared for the professional world.

An inaugural student chapter committee was elected across five portfolios: chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, marketing officer, and treasurer. Students who had affiliated with the SABPP voted through a poll conducted on the university's eFundi system.

Explore how the SABPP student chapter is connecting students with professional HR practice standards in South Africa.