Niks kunsmatig aan hulle kundigheid nie
’n Klein navorsingsgroepie aan die Noordwes-Universiteit (NWU) is besig om werklike belangstelling in hulle werk oor kunsmatige intelligensie (KI) te ontlok. “Die mate van belangstelling was ietwat van ’n verrassing,” sê prof Marelie Davel, wat onlangs saam met PhD-student Tian Theunissen na New York, VSA, gereis het om hulle jongste bevindings…
Nothing artificial about their expertise
A small research group at the North-West University (NWU) is starting to attract real interest for their work on artificial intelligence (AI). “The amount of interest has come as something of a surprise,” says Prof Marelie Davel, who – with PhD student Tian Theunissen – recently travelled to New York, USA, to present their latest findings at the…
NWU students make huge donation during Covid-19 crisis
Covid-19 is tightening its grip and those with the least financial means are feeling its stranglehold the most. Their plight is being heard. Students from the North-West University (NWU) again showed that – even in the face of a global pandemic – their commitment to helping the community is unwavering. This is evident by the R50 000 donation…
Social media now a field for serious research
While some people might think the social media field is purely for popular consumption, it has become a separate field of study for research in its own right. Prof Wian Erlank of the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU) says much has been written about the sociological and even psychological aspects of social media, including the…
The relationship between gender-based violence and HIV/Aids
The link between gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV/Aids is usually rooted in the power imbalance between men and women. This was one of the findings of research conducted by Goitseone Leburu, whose master’s and doctoral studies, both from the North-West University (NWU), revolved around different aspects of GBV. Her master’s study,…
How to help your anxious children during lockdown
The Covid-19 lockdown brings with it a number of emotional challenges, not only for adults but also for children. With schools being closed, and children not being able to spend time with their friends and extended family members, it can increase their anxiety and make it harder for them to cope during these uncertain times. The Institute of…
Kom bymekaar om ’n groeirevolusie in Afrika te laat ontvlam
“Waarom wil ’n mens die wiel van vooraf uitvind wanneer ander soortgelyke uitdagings ervaar, en almal saam daarin kan slaag om ’n groeirevolusie te laat ontvlam?” Dit is wat die span navorsers van die Noordwes-Universiteit (NWU) se Optentia-navorsingsfokusarea gedink het toe hulle Namibië besoek het om ’n verhouding met die regering, besighede…
Connecting to ignite a growth revolution in Africa
Why try to reinvent the wheel when others are facing similar challenges and together you could succeed in “connecting to ignite a growth revolution”? This was the thinking of the team of researchers from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Optentia research focus area who visited Namibia to foster relationships with government, business, labour…
New NWU voice for popular radio programme
The North-West University has for years been an informative and entertaining presence on the very popular weekly environmental radio programme, Omgewingspraatjies. This tradition continues with a new expert following in the footsteps of his NWU colleagues. Ruhann Steyn, a researcher and lecturer who is currently also busy with his PhD, is…
Helping parents to help their children
During the last five weeks parents had to quickly familiarise themselves with teaching techniques and start homeschooling their children. Although the South African lockdown may be relaxed in the next coming weeks, parents need to continue playing the role of a teacher, because there still no confirmed date as to when schools will reopen. The…
NWU se Leopard’s Lair-kompetisie: aandag alle jong entrepreneurs
Het jy wat nodig is om die luiperd in sy lêplek aan te durf en jou man (of vrou) as jong entrepreneur te staan? Het jy ’n sake-idee wat baie vernuwend is? Beskou jy jouself as ’n innoveerder? Indien wel, is die Noordwes-Universiteit (NWU) se gewilde Leopards Lair-kompetisie net die ding vir jou! Die kompetisie word hierdie jaar die vierde keer…
NWU’s Leopards Lair Competition: calling all young entrepreneurs
Do you have what it takes to enter the proverbial leopard’s lair and stand your ground as a young entrepreneur? Do you have an out-of-the-box business idea? Do you see yourself as an innovator? If you do, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) popular Leopards Lair Competition is just for you! This year marks the fourth rendition of the…
NWU’s Katlego enjoys acclaim as young space researcher
Remember the name Katlego Moloto, because you will be hearing a lot more of this young North-West University (NWU) scientist in the years to come. Katlego, who is a member of the NWU’s Centre for Space Research and a lecturer in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, was recently awarded the Outstanding Paper Award for Young Scientists…
NWU mourns passing of renowned Setswana writer
Staff and students of the North-West University (NWU) are mourning the passing of alumnus and prolific Setswana writer Dr Joseph Matlhasedi Mtsime. Dr Ntsime, a highly acclaimed and respected Setswana author, received an honorary doctorate from the NWU in April 2008 for his contribution to the development and preservation of Setswana. He…
Restriction strategy allows SA valuable time to prepare – NWU virologist
As South Africa prepares to ease restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19, a North-West University (NWU) virologist, Prof Albie van Dijk, shares her views on the country’s fight against the pandemic. Prof Van Dijk is a lecturer and researcher in the Biochemistry subject group at the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, and her…
Spotlight on service delivering during lockdown
Countries the world over are faced with overcoming a united threat in the form of the global Covid-19 pandemic. More often than not, the most vulnerable are the communities in developing countries, especially those relying on government to meet their service delivery needs. North-West University (NWU) researcher and lecturer in development…
NWU teams set assistance to NW Health in motion
Epidemiological and technical assistance against COVID-19 is the latest contribution in the collaboration between the North-West University and the North West Department of Health (NWDoH). This entails the NWU drafting scenarios and assisting with an online inventory management system for personal protective equipment and a campaign to find…
NWU neonatal expert paves the way forward
When it comes to midwifery, neonatal care and nursing research, the name of North-West University’s Prof Welma Lubbe is the first that comes to mind. As a dedicated researcher and founder of Little Steps – a research-based parenting website – Prof Lubbe was recently appointed for a third term (of five years each) as the South African…
Prof runs 1 100 laps to help alleviate hunger
On the morning of 24 April, Prof Dewald van Niekerk, laced up his running shoes and started running around his house in Potchefstroom. The time was 10:30. When he finally stopped to unlace his shoes, twenty-four hours and ten minutes later, he’d circled his house 1 100 times to clock a distance of 110km. Dewald, together with hundreds of…