Potchefstroom Campus News

NWU School of Mines and Mining Engineering set for future success

The North West province of South Africa sits on a bedrock of riches. From platinum to chrome, vanadium to gold, the region is among the most mineral-endowed in the world. Yet its communities remain scarred by poverty and unemployment, relics of a resource economy too often divorced from local benefit. For a province where mines dominate both the landscape and livelihoods, the need to convert mineral wealth into long-term skills, jobs and technological leadership is a necessity. The North-West University (NWU) believes it has found part of the answer: a new… Read more

This is why Cape Town is ruling the tourism roost

Ensuring tourists feel safe – and are safe – plays an integral role in ensuring Cape Town and the Western Cape’s success as a tourist destination. Other cities and regions would be wise to follow Cape Town and the Western Cape’s tourism blueprint. Local governments and tourism authorities should work with the private sector as a thriving…

A generous gesture - clothing donation drive benefits Potchefstroom communities

The Community and Stakeholder Engagement Office of the Student Campus Council (SCC) on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted its annual Barefoot Day.

The purpose of this event is to donate clothing and shoes to various projects, schools, children’s homes and non-profit and non-governmental…

Engineers on track to take local innovations to Cybathlon in Switzerland

Zürich 2024, here we come, complete with a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg and wheelchair.

Headed by the formidable North-West University (NWU) team of Prof André Grobler and Ian Thomson from the Faculty of Engineering and Dr Mark Kramer from Health Sciences, the innovators are preparing to take the fruits of their research and designs…

NWU supports a day of fun and exercise for all ages

Members of the Ikageng community and representatives of the North-West University (NWU) took part in the Ikageng fun run on the overcast Saturday morning of 23 September.

The primary goal of the event was to bring together diverse communities, including people of all races, genders and those who have special needs, to create a welcoming…

Piet Koornhof’s album receives glowing reviews

By Menziwa Msibi

North-West University (NWU) violinist Prof Piet Koornhof’s album with Albie van Schalkwyk on piano – Violin Plus One – recently received a glowing review on MusicWeb International.

Recorded by Delos Productions, the album features various arrangements by Prof Koornhof and Albie for…

Shaping future drug development with ethical approaches

In the realm of pharmaceutical research Prof Chrisna Gouws, a professor at the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™) of the North-West University (NWU), is leading a significant charge towards transforming drug development.

Her work in animal-free testing methods revolutionises how pharmaceuticals are researched…

Using the law to advance justice and sustainability

It is easy to see how a lack of the proper application of the law, particularly in the South African context, may ultimately lead to anarchy because of those determined to sidestep it.

Fortunately, efforts such as those by the Research Unit for Law, Justice and Sustainability at the North-West University (NWU) are at the forefront of…

Exploring social justice in labour law, and how can it be measured

Social justice in labour law is not abstract and intangible, but measurable. Setting out to prove this, labour relations researcher Prof Paul Smit is investigating whether it is possible to develop a social justice scorecard, similar to an employment equity or broad-based black economic empowerment scorecard.

“What is social justice and…

Ensemble concert celebrates school director and students

On 14 September the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Music proudly hosted its Music Ensemble Concert, presenting and celebrating its student groups’ remarkable talent.

During the event, students, staff and partners of the school also celebrated school director Dr Yvonne-Marie Brand whose directorship of six years had come to an…

AI symposium sparks innovation and collaboration in higher education

By Menziwa Msibi

The North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service and the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering recently hosted the 3rd IFLA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Potchefstroom.

They did this in collaboration with the International Federation of…