Local energy solutions are best for Africa

Local solutions to the energy crisis are needed in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, says Dr Pamelah Cheuka, an economics specialist whose PhD thesis has shed light on the energy challenges of the region.

Dr Cheuka’s recent study on the impact of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation on…

Study finds freshwater species at risk from threats linked to human activities

From climate change and associated extreme weather events to pollutants, over-utilisation and invasive species, human activities are the main threats to freshwater species in South Africa’s largest floodplain ecosystem.

This is according to the Water Research Group (WRG) of the North-West University (NWU), which for the past 10 years…

The cannabis conundrum: legal lines need to be drawn between home and workplace

In 2018, the Constitutional Court of South Africa legalised the cultivation and use of cannabis, provided that it is for private use by an adult person in a private place.

In her master’s-degree research carried out at the North-West University (NWU), Advocate Dineo Mongwaketsi looked at the legal implications of the legalisation of…

We lead through research at the NWU

At the North-West University (NWU), research not only plays a pivotal role in the daily functioning, but it is also where the university helps to change the world.

Beyond the NWU’s multitude of research centres of excellence, chairs, units, focus areas and niche areas, its hosted research entities and commercial research entities, the…

Hard at work advancing the world of language technology

Prof Febe De Wet, an associate professor in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at the North-West University (NWU), has more than three decades of experience in her field, and her passion is the driving force in making a meaningful contribution to her industry.

She is working on several projects that deal with…

Don’t miss the summer school and conference on digital humanities

Everyone interested in digital humanities is in for a double treat.

The Digital Humanities Association of Southern Africa (DHASA) will be hosting a summer school from 31 October to 3 November 2022, followed by the inaugural digital humanities conference organised by the North-West University's (NWU's) Faculty of Humanities from 2 to 4…

Varsity Football: a good platform for nurturing talent

Varsity Football continues to play a prominent role in nurturing talent for role players involved with the game – from players, technical staff, masters of ceremonies, photographers, and sports writers – to name but a few.

Dimpho Khumalo, master of ceremonies (MC) for the North-West University (NWU) during the 2022 Varsity Football…

Prof Miriam Moagi strives to alleviate the burden of student alcohol abuse

Mental health expert Prof Miriam Mmamphamo Moagi is a research professor at the School of Nursing Science (Mahikeng Campus) of the North-West University (NWU). In contrast to typical nursing-related interests, her research interests include mental health, substance use and abuse, programme development, student/adolescent health and well-being,…

Prof Mels working towards the prevention of future cardiovascular disease

Following the completion of Prof Carina Mels’s postgraduate studies in biochemistry, she was offered the opportunity to start a lab at the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), which she accepted, knowing that she had plenty of lab experience from biochemistry to draw upon. Her mentor at the time…

Prof Ramorola, aiming to optimise technology use in classrooms

As an expert in computer-integrated education and digital learning, Prof Mmankoko Ziphorah Ramorola firmly believes that, since learners in the 21st century are technology-savvy, they absolutely cannot be taught in the same way as learners before them. Whereas the children of today are – so to speak – born with digital competence, the same…