Potchefstroom Campus News

Researchers demonstrate that conservation and development can go hand in hand

While cities in Africa expand rapidly and the pressure for economic growth is increasing, the protected areas on the continent face a complex challenge: how to conserve nature and empower people.

At the North-West University (NWU) the Protected Areas Research Group, led by Prof. Reece Alberts, Prof. François Retief, Prof. Claudine Roos and Prof. Dirk Cilliers, is working to find exactly that balance.

“Conservation areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation,” says Prof. Alberts. “They are essential to prevent the loss in biodiversity. Yet, we have to admit that… Read more

Meet our researchers

Researchers across the faculties at the NWU continue to produce exciting work in their fields of expertise.

We introduce the work of two researchers - Prof Anja Franken and Dr Suranie Horn, both from the Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI).

Self-driving cars, super-fast communication and smart cities need advanced wireless networks to run

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed communication systems in today’s modern world. The integration of AI into various communication systems will likely lead to more advanced capabilities and the invention of new applications. Autonomous vehicles, exceptionally fast communications speeds and smart cities come to mind.…

SADiLaR showcases research during the winter conference season

The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU) had a significant presence during South Africa’s winter conference season.

Its digital humanities researchers and operational teams presented…

Prof Wannie Carstens awarded prestigious prize for contributions to Afrikaans

Prof Wannie Carstens, the former director of the School of Languages at the North-West University (NWU), has been awarded the prestigious Jan H Marais Prize for his exceptional contributions to Afrikaans as a scientific language by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts). This is in…

Potchefstroom staff teams celebrate team spirit and dedication at UJ Sports Day

The staff soccer and netball teams of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus demonstrated their athletic prowess and team spirit during a friendly tournament held at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) this past weekend. The event also featured teams from the University of Pretoria (UP) and Metropolitan Life, offering a…

Animal health is a science of care at the North-West University

The relationship started 10 000 years ago and continues to shape our world to this very day. As human societies transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled farming communities, they recognised the benefits of taming and breeding animals for a variety of needs. Not only did this domestication revolutionise agriculture by…

Another academic announced as a M&G 200 Young South African

The North-West University (NWU) boasts another winner of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for 2024.  Dr Pieter Odendaal, a senior lecturer in the subject group Creative Writing, was announced a winner in the Arts and Entertainment category.

He joins Dr Monray Williams, a senior lecturer in the subject group…

Paint, debate and worship create a memorable event

Sip-and-paint events are more than just a trendy activity – they are a delightful combination of creativity, relaxation and social interaction, offering a space where people can express themselves artistically, connect with others and unwind.

The North-West University's (NWU’s) Faculty of Theology and the King of Glory Youth Ministries…

Beer and cheese take centre stage

The annual #BeerAndCheese initiative, organised by the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering at the North-West University (NWU), sparks creativity and entrepreneurial skills among students.

The project, which had been put on hold since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, made a historic return this year. School director…

Academic a finalist in M&G 200 Young South Africans

Dr Monray Williams, a senior lecturer in the subject group Biochemistry at the North-West University (NWU), has been announced a finalist in the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for 2024 in the Science, Technology, and Innovation category.

This annual feature by the Mail & Guardian newspaper celebrates 200 young South…