Faculty intervention successfully reduces first-year panic
It is true: to be a first-year student at university can be one of the most exciting, but also the most stressful times in a young adult’s life. It is therefore natural that you might feel overwhelmed by your new surroundings, the responsibilities associated with personal freedom and the pressure that goes with it. In light of this, the North-…
NWU leads the way in transport economics and logistics management
With Transport Month almost at an end, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Karen Visser, a lecturer in transport economics, explains why this is such an important field and how the university is building the workforce of South Africa. How it all started The NWU’s subject group Transport Economics and Logistics Management was established in…
NWU confers Africa’s first PhD in IKS focussing on African indigenous astronomy
For centuries people in Africa have measured time, seasons and direction by the stars, and now the North-West University (NWU) has conferred the continent’s first PhD in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) focussing on African indigenous astronomy on Dr Motheo Koitsiwe. He received his degree on 17 October at the campus in Mahikeng. In his…
School of Philosophy hosts colloquium and essay competition
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Philosophy recently hosted an Undergraduate Colloquium and an essay competition. Any student currently enrolled in a 2019 undergraduate philosophy class was eligible to submit an essay. Participants had to write a 2 000 to 3 000 words essay on any topic, and had to include a thesis statement and…
NWU’s humanities recognised in world rankings
The North-West University (NWU) has always prided itself on its performance in international and national rankings. These rankings are good benchmarks for comparing the quality of education at the university with that of other universities, locally and abroad. The newest ranking results by Times Higher Education World University Rankings are…
Latest medium-term budget policy statement confirms grim nature of SA’s fiscal challenge
“Given the domestic and global headwinds facing the South African economy, the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) strongly shifts the narrative towards recognising the grim nature of the fiscal crisis that has to be addressed in the country.” This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and academic from the…
NWU celebrates equity in open knowledge
In recognition of Open Access Week, the Library and Information Systems Directorate at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted several discussion sessions on the theme: “Open for Whom? Equity in Open Knowledge”. Open Access Week was celebrated across the three campuses and various topics were discussed. These ranged from the different…
Prioritising physical activity on a global level
During the second congress of the BRICS Council of Exercise and Sports Science (BRICSCESS) recently held in Cape Town, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof Hans de Ridder was named as the new president of this global organisation. The purpose of BRICSCESS is to promote communication, interaction and cooperation among all academies,…
Finalejaarpiekniek: alles was die moeite werd!
Meer as 200 finalejaarstudente van die Noordwes-Universiteit (NWU) se kampus in Vanderbijlpark het onlangs op die lowergroen walle van die Vaalrivier saamgetrek om saam met vriende te kuier en hulle laaste paar weke op die kampus te geniet voordat hulle gradueer. Die finalejaarpiekniek is ’n jaarlikse gebeurtenis wat aan senior studente die…
Final-year picnic: the tassel was worth the hassle!
More than 200 final-year students at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark recently took to the lush green banks of the Vaal River to catch up with friends and enjoy their last few weeks on the campus before graduation. The final-year picnic is an annual event that offers senior students an opportunity to come together…
Rugbyklub sluit sportjaar op hoë noot af
Wanneer jy 75 persent van jou driejaar-regrukplan se doelwitte in een jaar behaal, het daar een van twee dinge gebeur: óf jou mikpunte was te lag, óf jy het ‘n uitsonderlike seisoen beleef. In die geval van die Noordwes-Universiteit (NWU) Vaal Rugbyklub is die tweede scenario van toepassing. Dié klub het onlangs sy jaarlikse…
Rugby club ends year on a high note
When you achieve 75 per cent of the objectives of your three-year turnaround plan in one year, one of two things happened: either your goals were set too low, or you had an exceptional season. In the case of the North-West University (NWU) Vaal Rugby Club the second scenario applies. This club recently held its prize-giving function at which…
Moody’s: SA must get its house in order to avoid universal junk status
“Moody's decision to reduce the outlook for its credit rating of the South African government from 'stable' to 'negative' is not unexpected in the light of the country’s weak economy and deteriorating public finances.” This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and academic from the North-West University (NWU)…
NWU alumnus’ African Hut Mushroom Dome soon to be a reality
Sydwell Sihlangu, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU), recently received the 2019 Grassroots Innovation Programme (GIP) award. This support package to the value of R200 000 will provide funding and support for his African Hut Mushroom Dome innovation at a Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). Mushrooms to strengthen food security…
The current situation of the DA and the power of coalitions – an expert opinion
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, has undergone some major changes and developments over the past few weeks. The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof André Duvenhage, a political analyst, recently had an in-depth discussion with the NWU Business School’s Theo Venter about the DA’s current situation. During…
Former switchboard operator attains PhD
Thoredi Elizabeth Choabi, a former switchboard operator at the North-West University (NWU), recently obtained a PhD in pastoral studies during the graduation ceremony on 17 October 2019 at the campus in Mahikeng. Thoredi joined the campus in Mahikeng in 1984 as switchboard operator, and is currently working in the Department Facilities and…
Presidential Award for NWU’s Dr Molepo
It is almost that time of the year again for the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Dr John Molepo and a number of graduates to hit the streets of Potchefstroom, Pretoria and Polokwane draped in their graduation regalia. This year will be more sentimental as they walk between hundreds of cars, asking motorists for donations for the #…
NWU consistently among top SA universities in rankings
The North-West University (NWU) has proven to be a consistent force of quality higher education. This is clear in the newest rankings that were released by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in November. The university has continuously been placed among the top universities in South Africa. It has excelled in various…
Condolences from the NWU: Passing of Prof Elda de Waal
It is with great sadness that the North-West University (NWU) community learnt about the passing of Prof Elda de Waal at the age of 63. She started her career at the NWU in 2001. Prof Elda’s passion for education was evident from the start and this, coupled with a work-ethic par none led to numerous national and international honours. Until…