Study investigates higher education mergers

A recent study conducted by a PhD graduate and staff member of the North-West University (NWU) Business School, Dr Lungile Ntsizwane, looked at integrating administrative systems and processes in mergers within South African higher education institutions.

She says higher education institutions go through a complex change management…

Accountability and training are the keys to better financial management in municipalities

Local municipalities in North West have not achieved clean audit reports due to the mismanagement of financial resources. This is according to a research study conducted by Dr Auchalie Mothupi in his PhD studies at the North-West University (NWU).

The title of Dr Mothupi’s thesis was “Developing an accountability framework to enhance…

This is how the CHM is saving lives

The early diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases not only helps to prevent patients from having a lifetime of suffering, it also saves lives.

Metabolic diseases have a variety of life-threatening consequences, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The symptoms of some of these diseases are well-known and do not need intense…

Bridging the digital divide one school at a time

The benefits from widespread and equitable access to information and communications technologies (ICTs) in South Africa are touted as having the potential to change the course and trajectory of this country for the better.

Researchers at the North-West University (NWU) share this view and are adamant that schools can serve as a base…

Extent of increase in borrowing costs is surprising

Contrary to the consensus view expressed by many economists that the repo rate would be raised by only 25 basis points (bsp) on 30 March, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decided by a 3:2 vote to raise interest rates again by 50 bsp.

In commenting on the decision to increase the repo rate,…

Prof Bismark Tyobeka: “It is our responsibility” (SASUF 2023)

On the surface there is little commonality between the two. One is a predominantly homogenous first-world country with a population of 10,5 million people where you are more likely to see the northern lights than a lanky giraffe. It occupies an area of 447,425 km2 . The other is almost thrice as large. Its contours encapsulates 1,221,037 km2…

Dr Shernice Soobramoney: “This is where researchers meet” (SASUF 2023)

It is a crisp Thursday morning and the University of the Western Cape is still without the hustle and bustle that is soon to follow. Dr Shernice Soobramoney, director of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Global Engagement Office comes rushing up the steps of the Jakes Gerwel Hall with smile beaming across her face.

It is the fourth…

Antimicrobial resistance threatens Africa’s future (SASUF 2023)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a huge threat to Africa’s and, by extension, the world’s health care systems and should be addressed with haste. This according to Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout, director of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Microbiology (METSI) at the North-West University’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural…

South African Medical Research Council Scientific honours NWU researchers

Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane and Prof Lusilda Schutte of the North-West University (NWU) were recently recognised by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) when they each received a bronze award during the SAMRC’s 9th Scientific Merit Awards gala dinner held in Cape Town on 9 March.

The bronze medals are awarded to scientists…

Benito Trollip’s PhD is ‘a very long love letter to Afrikaans’

"Doing my PhD was an almost indescribable journey with many ups and downs that all contributed to making it an overall enriching experience. There is no denying all the (many) times giving up was the only thought in my mind, just as there’s no denying the affirming moments I felt like I am exactly the right person for this study. I feel…