Academic News

First-of-its-kind colloquium focuses on health sciences and sustainable community partnerships

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences hosted its first Community Engagement Colloquium on the Vanderbijlpark Campus on 2 and 3 October.

The purpose of this colloquium - titled "Health sciences and partnerships for sustainable communities" - was to bring together academics, practitioners, and community members to…

Fortunate’s passion for herpetology takes him to Brazil

Postdoctoral researcher Fortunate Mafeta Phaka recently represented the North-West University (NWU) at the 10th Brazilian Herpetology Congress that took place in Porto Seguro.

This is the largest herpetology event in Brazil, bringing together researchers, students and professionals in the field to discuss the latest discoveries and…

Exploring active learning: New book paves the way for self-directed learning in the 4IR

As the world undergoes rapid technological and societal transformations, educational institutions face the urgent need to reimagine their teaching and learning methodologies.

In the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), an online open-access book titled Problem-based Learning and Pedagogies of Play: Active Approaches Towards…

Academic chosen for International Visiting Scholar programme

Dr Ankit Katrodia, a senior lecturer in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, has been selected for the 2023 International Visiting Scholar Programme at the Shanghai Open University (SOU).

The programme is designed to facilitate collaborative research in the domains of economic and social…

Nigeria is facing an impending implosion

Contrary to the general belief that Nigeria is the giant of Africa, incessant violence and armed conflicts have drastically reduced the influence of Nigeria on the continent. Despite its huge resources, the country still suffers from poverty, inequality, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, high fuel and commodity prices, and other political and…

NWU improves its teaching in rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) has ranked the North-West University (NWU) among the top seven local universities in their latest World University Rankings.

The ranking agency released the rankings for their 2023 cycle on 27 September. It places the NWU in the 601 to 800 category - the same as in last year’s ranking.

Compared to…

Prof Piketh honoured for his lifetime contribution to air quality

Prof Stuart Piketh from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management in the School of Geo and Spatial Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) was recently honoured with the prestigious National Association for Clean Air (NACA) Golden Award during the annual NACA conference.

The NACA Golden Award serves as recognition not only…

Exotic pollen attacks are on the rise, causing serious allergies

As winter ended and spring entered with sunny pleasantness, thousands of “attackers” sprang into action to plague the part of the population that suffers from allergies and hay fever.

According to Prof Frank Neumann, subject chair for geology and soil sciences at the North-West University’s (NWU's) School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences,…

Prof Beiter puts academic freedom violations under the spotlight

by  Menziwa Msibi

North-West University (NWU) academic from the Faculty of Law, Prof Klaus Beiter recently presented a talk at the Annual Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI) Network Conference in Bilbao, Spain.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Human rights defenders under siege”.

Community engagement is his passion

Prof Aaron Tshidzumba, deputy dean for community engagement, business development and stakeholder relations in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Humanities, has made substantial contributions to his field of expertise and the growth of the university.

As an associate professor, he teaches broadcasting, journalism, and…