Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

Book about faculty’s successful 100-year legacy launched

A prestigious publication with the inspiring story of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the North-West University (NWU) over the past more than a hundred years was recently published.

This book, “ʼn Bekroonde nalatenskap: Die Fakulteit Natuurwetenskappe van die NWU oor 100 jaar”, was compiled by Dr Elize van Eeden, an experienced…

NWU unveils new nursing building

Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), led the celebrations on the Mahikeng Campus, on 30 March 2017 during the unveiling of its new nursing building.

Unveiling the new nursing building plaque are Prof Sevid Mashego, Prof Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele, campus rector, and Prof Dan Kgwadi,…

Maintaining the balance between protection and use of SA’s most diverse floodplain ecosystem

Thousands of people rely on the floodplain of the Lower Phongolo River in KwaZulu-Natal, as do millions of fish, frogs, birds, insects and other aquatic animals. But how can they all co-exist sustainably and what is needed to maintain the delicate balance of South Africa's biggest, richest and most diverse floodplain ecosystem?

Metals in bird eggs a source of concern in Orange River catchment area

The heron that laid the golden egg? Scientists from the North-West University (NWU) have found several metals and metalloids in bird eggs in the catchment area of the Orange River which could pose a potential health risk to humans.

Prof Henk Bouwman from the Faculty of Natural Sciences says this study was part of a larger project to…

Social sciences the Rubik’s Cube of humanity – Prof Herman van der Merwe

Did you know that it took the Hungarian inventor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik one month to master his own mechanical puzzle, the Rubik’s Cube? With 42 Quintillion possibilities but only a few correct solutions, the Rubik’s Cube is the epitome of human society: with each block representing a social science topic.

This is…

Alumna scoops Denel’s Top Young Achiever Award

“The answer is in front of you, you just need to look for it and see it!”

This is Chanelle Vermaak’s mantra. Not only did it help to keep her motivated during her undergraduate and later postgraduate studies in Information and Computer Science (BSc), but it is also what carries her trough every challenge that life may pose.

For…

9 000 inquisitive minds explore Science Centre

Few would say no to a journey of discovery that is not only education but also a great stress reliever. It should come as no surprise then, that the North-West University's (NWU's) Science Centre on the Potchefstroom Campus has seen a spike in visitors in the past year.

School visits where learners are taken on a journey of discovery…

US officials visit NWU School of Agriculture

Officials from the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America (USDA) visited the School of Agriculture on the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) on 16 March 2017.

The delegation from the USDA’s Borlaug office in Washington, led by Mr James “Jim” Remcheck, visited the campus to give an overview of their…

NWU academic appointed to Mental Health Review Board

Dr Leepile Alfred Sehularo, psychiatry and mental health nursing lecturer in the Nursing Department on the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has been appointed to the North West Provincial Mental Health Review Board by the MEC for Health, Dr Magome Masike.

This appointment was made in terms of the Mental Health Care…

Technology-enhanced learning to benefit both student and institution: TELIT-SA

Researchers within the new research focus area of the North-West University (NWU), TELIT-SA, is hard at work to not only vest the entity but also to expand its reach and impact. TELIT-SA focuses on the theory and practice of learning technologies across an array of disciplines in higher education. In short: a dedicated focus on the practice of…