Academic News

NWU ascends to top 4,4% of global universities

The continued climb of the North-West University (NWU) in global rankings has taken it to the top 4,4% of global universities. This is according to the 2023 edition of the Global 2000 list of rankings published by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). It is an improvement from being in the top 4,5% for 2022/2023 and in the top 4,7%…

Recognition of Sign Language a progress step for inclusivity

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Moses Phooko has lauded the National Assembly’s approval of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language on 2 May 2023.

The South African Constitution previously provided for 11 official languages, which include Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans,…

PhD student embarks on exchange programme to Belgium

Ryan du Toit, a PhD student in psychology from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences, will soon leave for Belgium, after he has been selected for an international priority country exchange programme.

The exchange programme comprises a fully paid scholarship, starting in September 2023 until the end of January…

Optentia to host top international scientist

The North-West University’s (NWU's) Optentia research unit will host a top international scientist, Prof Alexandre JS Morin, on its Vanderbijlpark Campus on 29 May 2023.

Prof Morin will present a hybrid workshop on structural equation modelling, targeted at academics and master’s and PhD students who use quantitative data-analysis…

Exploring indigenous knowledge to combat cattle diseases

For centuries small-scale livestock farmers have been relying on plants to ensure the health of their animals, knowledge which could benefit veterinary science.

“Cattle farming is a traditional agricultural system that contributes to the rural economic, social and cultural values of communities. Cattle, and other livestock are affected…

BAQONDE aims to open the world of higher education

Promoting indigenous African languages as a medium of instruction is imperative if we want to preserve our cultural heritage, improve learning outcomes and reduce language barriers. This was again evident during the 2023 BAQONDE congress, which was held at the North-West University (NWU) from 1 to 5 May.

BAQONDE is a collaborative…

René believes that miracles still happen

Giving up has never been an option for 23-year-old René Engelbrecht, who recently graduated with her BEd Foundation Phase degree at the North-West University (NWU). She obtained her degree with cum laude.

She was born without a corpus callosum, which is a band of nerve fibres…

Academics look at science and faith

Two North-West University (NWU) academics, Prof Frikkie van Niekerk and Prof Nico Vorster, are the proud editors of the transdisciplinary book  titled Science and Faith in Dialogue. It is published in open access format by AOSIS Scholarly Books. 

Prof van Niekerk was the main editor and also contributed a book chapter, and…

GIFT students and staff off to Hungary in May

Several lecturers from the Global, Innovative, Forefront, Talent (GIFT) Management research niche area in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS) will soon depart for Hungary, courtesy of funding received from the European Union’s Erasmus funding programme.

According to Prof Anna-Marie…

Support and guidance from the NWU community eased rating journey

The subject group Information Systems at the North-West University (NWU) has its first National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2-rated researcher in Prof Joshua Chukwuere.

He is an NWU-grown scholar in information systems, specifically emerging and digital technologies. Prof Chukwuere is an associate professor in the research focus area…