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 off to winning start for Varsity Cup

The Eagles have landed! The NWU got their Varsity Cup campaign off to a winning start by beating the Madibaz from NMMU by 47–28 in Pretoria on Monday, 5 April.

As the score suggests, it was a hard-fought encounter with plenty of tries being poached on both sides. Coach André…

Prof Petra Engelbrecht – a legend in South African science

She really is the stuff legends are made of.

Prof Petra Engelbrecht, extraordinary professor at the Faculty of Education at the North-West University (NWU), is one of 62 researchers profiled in Legends of South African Science II, a publication by the Academy of Science of South…

Leader of the pack

Lincoln Daniels picks up his phone and he is a bit hesitant. Cordial to a fault, he tries not to let anything show. What I do not know, is that it is his birthday.

Physically, the newly appointed captain of the NWU’s Varsity Cup side bears little resemblance to some of his…

NWU presents a “Potchpourri” of great music

The North-West University’s annual Potchpourri concert series promises to be a delightful showcase of the many talents of the staff at the NWU’s School of Music and other South African musicians that will thrill enthusiasts of classical music.

The 2021 concert series starts on…

Mother and son doing first year at university together

With a 25-year age gap between them, mother and son Susan and Janu Fouche have both been accepted to do their first year at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU).

Forty-three-year-old Susan is studying towards a social work qualification, while her 18-year-old son is pursuing a degree in computer and…

Unchanged interest rates are in line with expectations

“The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to again leave interest rates unchanged was widely anticipated and in line with market expectations.” Prof Raymond Parsons from the North-West University (NWU) Business School says that whereas, in the past few months, the MPC voted 3 to 2 in favour…

Tokyo and 60 m are Jo-Ané’s targets

Jo-Ané van Dyk has just completed and hour-long physio session, but – like always – her personality is bubbling like champagne. “No,” says the 23-year-old javelin champion of the North-West University (NWU), there are no injuries: “Just maintenance work!”

She could have rested on her…

Whisper’s PhD research could help South African industry embrace digital transformation

Just as offices, shops, classrooms and lecture halls are embracing digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, so must the manufacturing industry. Known as Industry 4.0 or I4.0, the transformation is essential for the sustainability of local manufacturing. This prompted a PhD Engineering student at the North-West University (…

NWU-WTO Chairs Programme explores Africa’s trade potential

Ever since the World Trade Organisation Chairs Programme (WCP) was launched at the North-West University (NWU) some years ago within the TRADE research focus area, Africa has remained a key focus area for the WCP’s research and outreach activities. Although Africa is known to have the potential to become an economic powerhouse and trading hub…

NWU researcher collaborates in international fungi study

The fungus that spoils bread does not work alone. It has guests hidden deep within its cells – bacteria – with whom it has a mutually beneficial relationship that can be positive or negative for humans. Understanding and modifying this relationship can have a profound impact on the food, medical and agricultural industries. This is the focus…