Sharpeville 2020: action research inspires change for the better

More than 55 years after the Sharpeville massacre, the township is still bleeding, and the youth are suffering the consequences. This is according to Prof Danie Meyer, associate professor in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the North-West University’s (NWU's) campus in Vanderbijlpark. 

Danie is spearheading the Sharpeville…

Capacitating small-scale farmers is cattle project’s purpose

A 10-year-old partnership between the North-West University (NWU), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is going strong, continuing to produce good results for small-scale farmers. Launched in 2007, the North West Nguni Cattle Development Project is the province’s contribution to…

Optentia research starts with the community

The 1990s concept of “giving psychology away” has come to life at Optentia in 2017 where research is being done with the purpose of “giving science away”. For the Optentia research focus area, the community is the starting point for any research project.  “At Optentia, we do research together with the community,” says its director, Prof Ian…

Polish expert in supply chain management visits NWU

Sebastian Kot regards South Africa as not only one of the most beautiful countries he has visited thus far, but also as a valued destination for collaborative research.

During a recent visit to sunny South Africa it was not only the scenic environment, the local cuisine or the friendly people that left Sebastian Kot in awe, but also the…

NWU awards honorary doctorate for work in Afrikaans

The North-West University (NWU) has awarded an honorary doctorate to a seasoned and experienced academic who has made an outstanding contribution towards promoting Afrikaans in the Low Countries (the Netherlands and Belgium).

Prof Ena Jansen, who has lived permanently in Amsterdam since 2002, was honoured for her enormous…

NWU researchers honoured by ASSAf

Two researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) were honoured for their outstanding research by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).

Prof Alta Schutte and Prof Marius Smuts were recently elected as members of ASSAf. New members are elected annually in recognition of their academic…

AUTHeR: Community-based research with a difference

The research activities of the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom are focused on bio-psychosocial health and specifically on preventing illness, maintaining and promoting health and facilitating quality health systems.

AUTHeR supports the World…

NWU at the forefront of community research

Community research is undergoing a major shift in South Africa, and the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront of the changes. Where previously the emphasis was on working on philanthropic projects in communities, community research now uses scientifically based methods to tackle critical community challenges.

“We are…

Teachers are real-life heroes – NWU Alumni

“If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes.” With these words by American author Guy Kawasaki in mind, the Alumni Office of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark hosted its first get-together for educators earlier in the year.

According to Zanele Ngobese, the campus’s alumni…

Protea star appointed NWU coach

Former Protea star and North-West University (NWU) stalwart, Elsunet du Plessis, has been appointed as the new NWU netball coach starting on 1 January 2018. Elsunet takes over the Potchefstroom-based team’s reins from Dorette Badenhorst.

“After an extensive consultation process Elsunet proved to be the best possible candidate to…