Humanities News

How technology and community involvement can bridge the gap between communities and legal aid

When seeking legal assistance, community members often face significant barriers owing to inadequate financial resources. One way to connect members of the public with legal services is to use online channels.

This is one of the possible solutions outlined in the research work of Prof Lusanda Beauty Juta, acting deputy director of the…

Another academic announced as a M&G 200 Young South African

The North-West University (NWU) boasts another winner of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for 2024.  Dr Pieter Odendaal, a senior lecturer in the subject group Creative Writing, was announced a winner in the Arts and Entertainment category.

He joins Dr Monray Williams, a senior lecturer in the subject group Biochemistry…

The Faculty of Humanities: fostering engagement and social change

The Faculty of Humanities (FHUM) at the North-West University (NWU) has an approach to education that goes beyond textbooks and lectures. Here, students and staff embark on a journey that not only sharpens their minds but also nurtures their hearts, fostering a sense of responsibility towards creating a better world. Through engaged research,…

A wish list for Dr Pieter Groenewald, the new Minister of Correctional Services

Dr Casper Lötter, a conflict criminologist affiliated with the North-West University’s (NWU) School of Philosophy, gives his wish list for what the new Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, can do to improve the country’s correctional services system.

“It is indeed a wonderful time to be in criminology when the…

SADiLaR celebrates PhD aimed at improving Sesotho learners' reading skills

A former high school teacher's quest to improve the poor reading ability of learners in low-resource languages has resulted in a groundbreaking PhD. Centered on the development of a means to measure text readability while developing digital language resources for Sesotho, this research is the first of its kind and will also serve as a model for…

First-of-a-kind study measures children’s utterances

A study published by the Child Language Development Node of the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU) is the first of its kind to measure children’s utterances in isiXhosa, Sesotho, Setswana and Xitsonga.

The research team, led by node manager and principal investigator Prof…

Subject group History hosts insightful pre-conference presentations

The subject group History at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently hosted a series of insightful postgraduate history presentations, serving as a rehearsal for the upcoming South African Hydrological Society (SAHS) Conference set to take place from 26 to 28 June at the University of Johannesburg.

The event…

SADiLaR director elected as Zimbabwean fellow

The executive director of the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU), Prof Langa Khumalo, has been elected as fellow of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS).

Founded in 2003, the ZAS recognises and promotes outstanding science through election to membership, and this process…

School of Social Sciences sows the seeds for long-term collaboration

The School of Social Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a delegation from the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz. The visit proved to be an enriching experience, with insightful presentations and meaningful discussions.

During their visit, Dr Regina Schäfer, Prof Dr Jörg Rogge and Dr Verena von Wiczlinski…

Tech Showcase and Hackathon ignite innovation in the Faculty of Humanities

Advancements in technology have revolutionised teaching by creating more dynamic, interactive and personalized learning experiences.

This has made lessons more engaging and accessible, allowing for real-time feedback and collaboration. Furthermore, technology has facilitated the development of online learning platforms and virtual…