Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

Students shine in global FameLab science communication competition

The North-West University (NWU) continues to celebrate academic excellence and innovation, as students from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) distinguished themselves in the globally recognised FameLab competition.

Former NWU Soccer Institute player earns PhD, follows path set by institute manager

What started on the football field nearly two decades ago has now produced another doctoral graduate for the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute. Former player and current team manager Dr Lawrence Koagile Mosala has obtained his PhD in computer and information sciences with information systems.

Farm manager highlights cross-border cooperation in fight against FMD

As foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to threaten livestock production across Southern Africa, vaccination efforts along the South Africa-Botswana border are emerging as one of the region’s frontline defences against the spread of the virus.

In communities near border towns…

Harnessed energy offers a new path for smallholder poultry farmers

Smallholder poultry farmers who adopt harnessed energy systems such as solar and wind power could improve production efficiency and reduce long-term operational costs, according to research conducted by Ella Mogashoa during her master’s study at the North-West University (NWU).

The…

Floods expose shortcomings in North West disaster response systems

Heavy floods that cut off roads, bridges and communities across the North West Province have exposed gaps in disaster preparedness, emergency response capacity and long-term planning, according to Prof. Christo Coetzee.

While the province has disaster management plans in place across most district and local municipalities, many of…

GIS outreach initiative turns classrooms into real-world mapping labs

An annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) outreach programme is transforming how Grade 12 learners understand geography, shifting it from a textbook subject to a hands-on, technology-driven discipline with real-world relevance.

Led by senior lecturer Dr Nisa Ayob, the…

30 graduates launch community animal health enterprises

A group of 30 animal health graduates is moving into business thanks to a joint programme between the North-West University (NWU) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The initiative aims to equip the graduates to establish primary animal health care (PAHC) enterprises and deliver services in underserved communities. It…

Scientific progress must be beyond reproach legally, says chemistry PhD graduate

When the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, Dr Andrew Rabontsi Motsilanyane saw how global and local health systems reacted under pressure and where they failed.

This experience prompted him as a chemistry PhD graduate, former lecturer in the Faculty of Educations and recently completed an LLB from North-West University (NWU) to shift his…

Prof. Louis du Preez to receive prestigious Havenga Prize

His name is synonymous with groundbreaking research and innovation, with many honours over the years acknowledging the impact of his work. Now, another prestigious honour will soon be awarded to Prof. Louis du Preez, amphibian conservationist and amphibian parasite diversity expert of the School of Biological Sciences…

Fiction is where researchers can find facts

Civilisations rising and crumbling over eons and across galaxies. Interplanetary conflicts, alien races and worlds as vivid in description as they are difficult to conceive. For a young Prof. Henk Bouwman, now professor in Zoology at the North-West University (NWU) in South Africa, specialising in ecotoxicology…