Teachers without Borders inspire a new generation of scientists

The year 2020 will probably be remembered in history books for the Coronavirus and the Covid-19 pandemic that brought the entire world to a standstill. Suddenly many people learned about viruses, and how they differ from bacteria.

The unseen world of microbiology became part of our daily routines, with social distancing and sanitising…

NWU Engineering reaches out to Itsoseng Women’s Project

The Faculty of Engineering, in partnership with Dr Melinda du Toit from the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), reached out to the Itsoseng Women’s Project in Drieziek extension, Orange Farm township to collaborate with members and leaders of the community to address challenges identified by…

Early childhood development rises from the (tr)ash

It is a fact that many children find themselves in barren school classes and playgrounds because their parents, educators and caregivers are often unaware of the importance of providing opportunities for purposeful play in the early years.

Fortunately, researchers from the North-West University (NWU) are joining forces with…

Putting edible insects on the menu

While many people cringe at the thought of consuming bugs, entomophagy – the term for eating insects – has been practised for hundreds of years in South Africa.

In the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, flying ants, grasshoppers, mopane worms, African metallic wood-boring beetles and edible stinkbugs are delicacies.

However…

NWU’s Itumeleng Dinku wrestles with the call for meaningful research

Societies depend heavily on women for health care, yet women's own health needs are frequently neglected, their contributions to health development undervalued, and their working conditions ignored.

This is the opinion of Itumeleng Dinku, a master’s student in population studies and sustainable development in the Faculty of…

The plastic problem: NWU researchers highlight major data gaps

Our oceans are choking on plastic debris. In fact, marine plastic debris is one of the most pressing environmental concerns facing the world today, with devastating effects for both humans and the environment.

But just how big a culprit is South Africa?

Prof Henk Bouwman, from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of…

The cut in interest rates is good, but more would have been better

The further 25 basis-point cut in interest rates is positive, but 50 basis points would have been better. This is the view of Prof Raymond Parsons, well-known economist and academic from the NWU Business School.

“The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to cut interest rates by another 25 basis points is broadly in line…

Poster award at the 29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

The DST/NRF Research Chair in Biofuels received a poster award for a particularly valuable contribution to the hydrothermal liquefaction topic session at the 29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (e-EUBCE 2020).

The event was supposed to have been held in Marseille, France, but was held virtually due to the restrictions on…

Faculty plays host to Feodor Lynen research fellow

Through its purpose to excel in innovating teaching and learning, and by conducting cutting-edge research, the North-West University (NWU) is a prime academic destination for international scholars.

Most recently, the NWU’s Faculty of Humanities proudly announced that Prof Erhabor Idemudia, a research professor in Clinical…

A long road ahead, but possible if crucial decisions are made

The Business School of the North-West University (NWU) has embarked on a brand-new online initiative in which current affairs in the South African sphere will be discussed via Zoom by a panel of experts during Covid-19, returning to round-table discussions when allowed. Journalists from various media will be invited to join the online panel…