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

Prof LJ Grobler: An engineer with purpose

Prof LJ Grobler, a professor in mechanical engineering at the North-West University (NWU), is a man with determination. His CV and numerous engineering accomplishments reveal his dynamism.

He has come a long way – from growing up in the beautiful farmlands of Ermelo in Mpumalanga – to sitting in international boardrooms and sharing his…

Scarce skill puts NWU taxonomist at forefront of describing parasites

“What is in a name?” William Shakespeare wanted to know.  A young researcher from the North-West University (NWU) knows exactly how important a name is. She is currently believed to be the youngest gnathiid taxonomist in the world, at the forefront of describing these parasites and identifying their names – or the lack thereof.

Dr…

Inaugural lecture delves into export diversification in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Lerato Tshweu

Prof Ireen Choga from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences delivered her inaugural lecture on 24 August 2023.

Her lecture was titled “Exports and export Diversification: key drivers and trends in Sub-Saharan Africa”.

Home-grown vaccine demonstrates 100% protection against tuberculosis

In an intriguing joint announcement, the Walter Sisulu and North-West universities unveiled the astounding results of their preclinical trials for a groundbreaking combination vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and Covid-19. The universities reported an unprecedented 100% protection in vaccinated animals – a significant step forwards in the…

Why the need to develop scarce accounting skills is abundantly clear

Without quality oversight, output suffers. Without transparency, deception thrives. Misinformation and misinterpretation are propagated to become the norm as fiction becomes indistinguishable from fact. In a developing country such as South Africa that faces a multitude of challenges, this cannot be allowed.

An example of this is an…

Headline inflation shows welcome decline

Good economic news is that the consumer price index (CPI) (headline inflation) for July has again shown a welcome declining tendency, reaching 4,7% from 5,4% in June.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU), says this is not only a two-year low for the CPI but is also much better than market expectations.…

Colombian ambassador visits NWU to talk about the role of gender in society

There are too many misconceptions about the role that gender plays in society. This is the opinion expressed by the Honourable Ambassador Maria Del Rosario Mina Rojas of Colombia during her visit to the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) on 18 August.

In an interactive session the Honourable Ambassador Mina Rojas…

Professor Charlene du Toit-Brits is shifting the paradigm

An inaugural lecture is regarded as a significant milestone in the life and career of an academic. It is a chance for new professorial colleagues to directly showcase their innovative research.

Professor Charlene du Toit-Brits delivered her inaugural lecture titled Are we there yet? A sense of ownership: Empowering Self-Directed…

You go, our NWU netball Eagles

The North-West University (NWU) would like to wish our NWU Eagles the best of luck during the Varsity Netball tournament. You have shown time and again what remarkable people and exceptional players you are. Your commitment, hard work and ethic of care has made us proud, and we know that you will give nothing but your best on the court.

Workshop on ensuring board effectiveness empowers

By Vukosi Mathale

In today's rapidly evolving university landscape where commercial enterprises and technology start-ups abound, the role of a board of directors has never been more critical. To empower university employees in this field, the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office at the North-…