Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

NWU dean delivers public lecture on chemistry

Professor Helen Drummond, the executive dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng, recently delivered a public lecture titled “Competence in Chemistry: Component Steps to Skills and Strategies”.

Prof Drummond, a recipient of the South African Chemical…

Unique instruments and equipment made right here at the NWU

Instrument Manufacturing on the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom often manufactures equipment that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Every day is different at this workshop, which is constantly planning and carrying out new ideas and designs, according to the head of Instrument Manufacturing, Pieter Erasmus.

After…

Regard’s perfect score leads to graduation bliss

You could hear a pin drop when Ms Daleen Gerber, director of the School of Information Technology on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark, shared the impressive academic record of alumnus Regard du Toit.

Regard, who obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics  degree with distinction during the recent…

Young NWU scientist rub shoulders with Nobel Prize winners

Few scientific events are more prestigious than those where Nobel Prize winners share their knowledge. Retha Peach, a doctoral student from the North-West University (NWU), is being given the rare opportunity to attend a gathering where 31 Nobel laureates will be present.

Retha is one of five scientists whom the Academy of Science of…

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…