In a country where quality healthcare and innovation are vital to social progress, health research stands as one of South Africa’s most powerful tools for change. Recognising this, the North-West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Health Sciences partnered with the Sedibeng District Health Services to co-host this year’s Research Day on 24 October 2025 at Tsebonokeng Hall, Vanderbijlpark Campus; an event the district has successfully organised on its own for the past 13 years.
The event brought together academics, postgraduate students, healthcare professionals, and representatives from the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) to exchange ideas and share groundbreaking studies that hold the potential to transform the nation’s healthcare landscape.
Extending a warm welcome, Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, NWU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, set an inspiring tone for the day as he outlined the purpose of the event and highlighted the vital role of health research in driving innovation and improving lives.
Prof Welma Lubbe from the North-West University, School of Nursing Science delivered an engaging plenary address on “Research in Clinical Settings”, discussing how research can be practically embedded into healthcare environments to improve outcomes for patients and professionals alike. Her session was followed by Dr Sanele Nene, a renowned expert in AI in healthcare leadership and management, and an internationally recognised speaker. Dr Nene, a lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing at the University of Johannesburg, has presented numerous papers on both local and international scientific platforms. He explored the thought-provoking topic “Use of Artificial Intelligence for Improved Healthcare: Do We Have the Wherewithal?”, sparking reflection on the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into South Africa’s healthcare systems.
The event’s programme was rich with academic engagement and collaboration. Participants later broke into four themed tracks covering:
· Communicable Diseases
· Non-Communicable Diseases
· Health Systems
· Child and Adolescent Health
Each track featured insightful presentations led by NWU researchers and postgraduate students, highlighting cutting-edge studies such as the experiences of COVID-19
survivors, mental health care in disadvantaged communities, nurse leadership frameworks, and neurodevelopmental support for newborns.
Complementing these sessions were poster presentations showcasing diverse topics from innovative teaching in nursing colleges and neonatal infection control, to barriers to exclusive breastfeeding and holistic care for sexual and gender minorities. The posters reflected the depth and breadth of health research, underscoring a shared commitment to solving real-world health challenges.
The afternoon workshops brought research to life through hands-on learning and practical engagement. Participants explored ways to strengthen healthcare delivery and community well-being through a diverse range of sessions. These included Strengthening Healthcare through the DREAM Guideline: Advancing Teamwork and Inclusion, which focused on building collaboration and presence in care; Turning Points as Catalysts for Escaping Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), which unpacked how critical moments can inspire change; and Brief Behavioural Interviewing and Counselling, exploring the 5Rs approach to motivating individuals who may not yet be ready to change. Other sessions, such as Integrated Community-Based Care and The STARFISH Project, highlighted collaborative models aimed at improving neonatal, infant, and under-5 health outcomes.
The event concluded with a prize-giving and certificate ceremony, honouring outstanding research contributions and acknowledging facilitators, assessors, and participants. The 2025 Research Day stood as more than a showcase of academic excellence, it was a celebration of knowledge in action and a powerful reminder that research can shape policy, strengthen clinical practice, and transform lives. It reflected how the NWU community and Sedibeng district health services continue to lead with purpose, curiosity, and care in advancing South Africa’s health research agenda.
Prof Welma Lubbe
The Presence Team that presented the DREAM guidelines workshop
Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele
