Academic News
Academic recognised globally for blockchain research
A North-West University (NWU) academic has earned international recognition for research examining how ready South Africa’s public sector is to adopt blockchain technology.
Dr Beatah Sibanda received the 2024 Best Abstract Award from the British Blockchain Association for her study on blockchain adoption in government systems.
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Pope’s visit to Africa positions religion at centre of peace and diplomacy
Thabang Motswaledi
The ongoing African tour by Pope Leo XIV has drawn global attention, positioning the continent as a key player in international relationships and peacebuilding efforts at a time when several regions continue to face conflict, governance pressures and social divisions.
The Pope…
NWU master’s student champions responsible AI governance in Africa
While many developing countries are still in the early stages of establishing governance frameworks for Artificial Intelligence (AI), NWU master’s student Lebogang Marago is advocating for its responsible and secure use.
Born in a rural community in the Ventersdorp region, where young people face high unemployment and limited prospects…
Special moment for dean as daughter graduates in programme she championed
Twelve years ago, Prof. Liezl van Dyk, executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering, came to the North-West University (NWU) on a mission: to play a central role in developing industrial engineering as an impactful discipline at the university. Her daughter, Karla, was 10 years old at the time. Now, on 31 March this year, Prof. van Dyk…
Is a university degree still worth it in South Africa’s changing job market?
Few questions worry prospective students and their parents more today than whether a university degree is still worth it.
In a country facing crippling unemployment, the rise of artificial intelligence and mounting financial pressures, prospective students and their parents are re-evaluating whether the once-…
Real heroes wear calculators
In the 2016 Hollywood actioner The Accountant, Ben Affleck plays a forensic accountant who also happens to be a mercenary, devastatingly effective with every manner of weapon in hand.
It sounds like an exaggerated cure for our country’s financial woes.
…NWU academic publishes book on mathematical modelling
North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Patrick Tchepmo Djomegni, Associate Professor in Applied Mathematics has added an important scholarly contribution to the field of applied mathematics with the completion of his new book on mathematical modelling techniques, a project that reflects both academic excellence and deep personal meaning.…
Why are we going back to the Moon?
Roughly 384 400 km from the pale blue dot we call Earth hangs an orb that has fascinated humanity for millennia. The Moon is our planet’s only natural satellite and is about a quarter of Earth’s size. Only 12 people set foot on it between 1969 and 1972, but more than 50 years later the Artemis programme aims to add to that number.
In…
Minister leads oversight visit to assess NWU’s readiness for 2026
Ahead of the opening of the 2026 academic year, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela led a high-level oversight visit to the North-West University. Joined by Waseem Carrim, the acting chief executive of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and senior Department of Higher Education officials, the minister assessed…
NWU advances in Computer Science in the latest subject rankings of the THE
The North-West University (NWU) begins 2026 on a positive trajectory, recording a notable improvement in the Computer Science subject group of the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings by Subject. This latest ranking underscores the continued commitment of the university to academic excellence and global relevance.
In the most recent…