Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

Mahikeng Campus studentpreneurs shine with three wins at NWU Leopard’s Lair pitching finals

North-West University (NWU) studentpreneurs from the Mahikeng Campus have made their mark at the Leopard’s Lair pitching finals, themed “Battle of the faculties”, securing three top positions across the knowledge-based and side-hustle categories of the competition.

The achievement…

PhD candidate takes indigenous food systems research to global health events in Berlin

North-West University (NWU) PhD candidate Modjadji Mandy Rasehlomi took her research on indigenous food systems to an international audience in Berlin, Germany, where she participated in four major events focused on global health, research and healthcare collaboration.

Modjadji, a…

Grapefruit waste shown to help purify polluted water

What if the peel from a grapefruit could help clean polluted water? Research by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Dr Murendeni Ravele shows that this common fruit waste could offer a cheaper, greener alternative to conventional methods for removing harmful substances from wastewater.

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Academic strengthens her role in global science through ISC recognition

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof. Olubukola Oluranti Babalola has strengthened her position in international science following the announcement by the International Science Council (ISC) of its 2026 Fellowship cohort.

The announcement, made on 16 October 2026, recognises…

NWU and GRAIN SA strengthen ties to advance agricultural research and graduate readiness

By Ashleigh Kootzen

The School of Agricultural Sciences in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) of the North-West University (NWU) and Grain SA brought together representatives from more than 30 organisations at Pienaarskamp on Friday, 16 October 2026, to explore how…

NWU researcher discovers three ancient insects from a 90-million-year-old deposit

Three tiny insects that lived about 90 million years ago have helped a North-West University (NWU) researcher uncover new clues about life on Earth during the age of the dinosaurs. The discovery also sheds light on how insects fed on plants and how some became the crop pests farmers face today.

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When AI reviews the reviewers: Who is judging our research?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help researchers write, analyse data and search vast amounts of information. But when the same technology begins to influence whether research deserves publication, a more difficult question emerges: who is actually making the scientific judgement?

Prof…

NWU and Sernick explore partnership to strengthen livestock training and farmer development

A potential partnership between the North-West University (NWU) and the Sernick group could create new opportunities for student training, livestock research and emerging farmer development.

The two organisations have started discussions on collaborations in beef production, research,…

Scientist turns research and motherhood into an award-winning STEM legacy

A desire to help her own children understand science has grown into an award-winning journey of research, innovation and entrepreneurship for the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Dr Moleboheng Mokhele.

That journey has now been recognised on a national stage. Dr Mokhele is a senior…

Could South Africa’s 5.2 GW nuclear build offer more than electricity?

By Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU).

I remember Friday evenings in Pennsylvania. I was a young South African studying nuclear engineering at Penn State. My wife and I would go to Red Lobster, and I would sit across from her thinking…