Potchefstroom Campus News

Special moment for dean as daughter graduates in programme she championed

Twelve years ago, Prof. Liezl van Dyk, executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering, came to the North-West University (NWU) on a mission: to play a central role in developing industrial engineering as an impactful discipline at the university. Her daughter, Karla, was 10 years old at the time. Now, on 31 March this year, Prof. van Dyk experienced the fruits of her labour first-hand when Karla graduated as an industrial engineer.

“It is a full-circle moment that highlights the impact of academic leadership and the inspiration it offers to future generations of women in engineering… Read more

NWU School of Music launches book on musicing and spirituality

On 3 December 2021, authors and members of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Musical Arts in South Africa: Resources and Applications (MASARA) research niche area hosted a hybrid launch of the book titled Ritualised belonging: Musicing and spirituality in the South African context.

Extraordinary professor June Boyce-Tillman, Prof…

Renovation of Education Library

The extension and renovation of the Education Library (C6c) on the Potchefstroom campus will start in January 2022. Site handover will take place on 11 January and the estimated time of completion is July 2022.

The spaces of the current Education library will be renovated and a double storey extension will be added to the front of…

Professor Phil van Schalkwyk delivers inaugural lecture

Professor Phil van Schalkwyk delivered his inaugural lecture, titled: Die lewende verlede van die letterkunde (Literature’s living past).

His lecture focused on carrying out an exploration of the human relationship with the past, specifically in a literary-artistic context. In the…

Worse growth figures confirm damage to economy

“The worse-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures for the third quarter of 2021, if taken together with the recent record unemployment numbers, confirm in particular the serious damage that the civil unrest earlier this year and the persistent load shedding have done to the South African economy.”

NWU School of Music does it D-I-Y style 

The School of Music at the North-West University (NWU) started with face-to-face classes very early in the pandemic due to the personal nature of its curriculum. This year they decided to face the challenges they encountered as a result of the pandemic head on.

To ensure that…

NWU academic aims to boost environmental sustainability through industrial engineering

Meelan Roopa, a lecturer in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Engineering, is currently conducting research on new ideas and strategic ways of achieving environmental sustainability for developing countries through industrial engineering.

His research explores the synergies, divergencies and needs of ensuring…

Prof Lesley inducted into ACES and ASSAF

Prof Lesley Wood, a research professor at the North West University (NWU), was recently nominated as a member of the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship (ACES).

She came to South Africa in 1981 and studied Social Work at Unisa and worked as a social worker before entering the…

Arguments for raising repo rate are not persuasive

The arguments offered by the majority of the members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for raising the repo rate by 25 basis points at this stage are not persuasive.

This is the view of Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU…

NWU designers still on a winning streak in top competitions

Students and graduates of the Graphic Design subject group at the North-West University (NWU) have again shone at the recent international Loerie Awards and national Pendoring Awards.

Their distinctive creativity…

NWU Business School and the North West House of Traditional Leaders conclude important Memorandum of Understanding

On Tuesday, 16 November 2021, delegates from the NWU Business School and the North West House of Traditional Leaders concluded an important Memorandum of Understanding during a function held in Potchefstroom. This is intended to pave the way for co-operation that will enable the University to provide support to the House of Traditional…