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

Young female innovators shine during Modiragatsi Youth Innovation Competition

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) and its partners understand that it is necessary to equip the youth with skills that will benefit them in the long run.

In 2019 the…

Elsunet du Plessis: From Heidelberg to the highest level

It was darn close. Too close. On Sunday afternoon, the NWU Eagles were stopped in their tracks in a heart-breaking way in the Varsity Netball campaign against the eventual winners, Kovsies, with a score of 66–65. In the final seconds of the game. The very last seconds. We will be lamenting about this for a long time…

NWU superhero packs a punch for hypertension awareness

Is it Superman? Batman? Spiderman? No, it’s Captain Heart! He is a North-West University (NWU) Superhero on an important mission – to raise awareness about the dangers of hypertension and to inspire young children to pursue healthy eating habits.

This new superhero is the initiative…

Bianca Blomerus: on track for success

North-West University (NWU) alumna and IT boffin Bianca Blomerus’ balanced approach to work, relaxation, and the ability to seize opportunities, has put her on the fast track to success as an engineer at South Africa’s state-owned freight rail operator, Transnet.

Through her hard work and tenacity at school, Bianca was awarded a…

Unemployment is now the “cruellest tax” on a vulnerable population

A new record high (34,4%) in the South African unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2021 confirms the destructive impact that the Delta variant of the coronavirus and the accompanying lockdown restrictions have had on the economy and the labour market.

Prof Raymond Parsons…

Liezl Gouws is ready to make her Paralympic mark

She has proven her resolve more than anyone of her age should have, and Liezl Gouws is ready to prove it again. This fourth-year pharmacy student from the North-West University (NWU), who has cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke as a five-year-old, will represent South Africa at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Liezl will compete…

NWU student shares his Global Enterprise Experience

North-West University (NWU) student, Martin Nkgodi Maupa, is beaming with pride. Martin, who is a team president of the Young Entrepreneurs Business Organisation, now represents the NWU as Community of Practice (CoP) member in the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, after recently competing in the 2021 Global…

Prof Lubbe’s pioneering work is being recognised internationally

In the light of Women’s Month, we are proud of one of our own frontierswomen who is being recognised internationally for her groundbreaking work in the rainbow nation. Prof Welma Lubbe, professor in the School of Nursing Science at the North-West University (NWU), was recently approached by the Developmental Observer, the official newsletter of…

The price of bullying

Some children can easily process the impact of bullying behaviour, while others struggle with the aftereffects of these traumatic events for years. Tebello Mabusela, a counselling psychologist and psychology lecturer at the North-West University (NWU), discusses some of the consequences and the real price of bullying for some victims. She…

When you think of engineering, think of Africa

When you think of engineering, German engineering in particular comes to mind, while it is extremely uncommon to think of Africa. This is the opinion of Mia Mangaroo-Pillay, an industrial engineer and lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Engineering. Through her PhD thesis titled “A Lean implementation framework…