Natural and Agricultural Sciences News

Master’s research on oyster mushrooms makes student cream of the crop

North-West University (NWU) PhD student, Sidwell Sihlangu, has been awarded a prize worth R20 000 for the best-researched journal in scientific innovation at the Provincial Youth in Agriculture Awards for his master’s research on cultivating oyster mushrooms in the arid climate of Mahikeng.

The awards ceremony was hosted by the North…

Four NWU researchers in running for Science Oscars

Four scientists of the North-West University (NWU) are finalists in the National Science and Technology’s (NSTF) prestigious science awards, also known as the “Science Oscars” of South Africa.

Prof Louis du Preez (zoology), Prof Alta Schutte (cardiovascular physiology), Prof Melville Saayman (tourism) and Prof Linda Godfrey (waste…

TELIT-SA: the future of technology-enhanced learning

A dedicated focus on the practice of technology-enhanced learning: this is what the newly established TELIT-SA research focus area is all about. TELIT-SA stands for Technology Enhanced Learning and Innovative Education and Training in South Africa, and looks at the theory and practice of learning technologies across and array of disciplines in…

Passion propels young researcher from C1 to B1

Passion is not bound by gravity. It makes you excel where others merely succeed, and passion is what propelled Prof Stefan Ferreira of the North-West University's (NWU's) Centre for Space Research from a C1 to a B1 NRF rating.

This new rating places him among researchers who enjoy considerable international recognition by their peers…

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,…