Promoting Inclusive Trade Research, Teaching and Outreach
The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) is a flagship global initiative of the World Trade Organization aimed at strengthening the knowledge base, policy relevance, and teaching capacity in trade-related topics in developing and least-developed countries. The programme supports selected universities and research institutions by awarding a prestigious WTO Chair, alongside technical and financial assistance and access to a global network of experts and institutions.
Learn more: https://wtochairs.org
NWU’s WTO Chair – A Recognised Centre of Excellence
In 2014, Professor Wilma Viviers, then Director of the TRADE (Trade and Development) research focus area at North-West University, was awarded a WTO Chair—one of only seven institutions globally to receive this honour that year. Since Prof Viviers retired, Dr Adelia Jansen van Rensburg was awarded the Chair in 2025, continuing NWU’s tradition of excellence in international trade research and policy engagement. Dr. Jansen van Rensburg holds a PhD in International Trade and is a trade economist by profession, specialising in international trade, trade policy and trade policy development.
This recognition marked the beginning of a multi-year international partnership structured around three core pillars.
Learn more: https://wtochairs.org/south-africa
The Three Pillars of the WTO Chairs Programme at NWU include:
Curriculum Development
The WCP supports the design and delivery of high-quality academic courses that address trade policy and WTO-related topics. At NWU, this is implemented through the School of Economics, which offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in International Trade and Economics.
More info: https://commerce.nwu.ac.za/economic-sciences
Postgraduate students (Master’s and PhDs) benefit from individualised academic supervision, specialised research training, and opportunities to produce dissertations and theses that directly inform trade policy debates.
Research
TRADE promotes high-level research on topics aligned with the WTO’s global development goals, focusing on:
- Trade policy reform
- Trade facilitation in developing economies
- Inclusive and sustainable trade strategies
Key initiatives include:
- Realigning TRADE’s research agenda to address WTO-related priorities
- Expanding access to NWU and WTO-funded bursaries for postgraduate students
- Organising conferences, roundtables, and seminars featuring local and global trade experts
- Building capacity and strengthening the TRADE resource library
Recent Publications:
Africa’s Digital Future: From Theory to Action and Digital Developments and Employment: Understanding Trends in Africa – two new publications by TRADE researchers exploring the digital economy’s role in trade development across the continent and its prospects for employment.
Outreach
The outreach pillar seeks to disseminate research insights and promote dialogue across academic, government, and business sectors. TRADE actively shares knowledge through:
- Specially convened seminars, symposia, and roundtables
- Participation in local and international conferences
- Continuous updates via the TRADE website and social media platforms
The official launch of the WTO Chairs Programme at NWU in September 2014 was a milestone event, attended by distinguished local and international guests. It laid the foundation for strategic partnerships and reinforced NWU’s position as a thought leader in trade and development.