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
Practical project helps communities
With the prevention of the spreading of the Covid-19 virus on everyone’s lips, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) subject group Textile Sciences came up with an innovative idea for their practical work.
These students are all making masks from different materials at home to distribute them to workers in their vicinity who are…
How to resolve coronavirus food shortages
It is no secret that millions of South Africans currently suffer under the impact of the lockdown regulations introduced because of the coronavirus pandemic. The poor access to food is probably the biggest tragedy, because millions of citizens do not know where their next meal is coming from.
A Potchefstroom engineering company,…
Prof runs 1 100 laps to help alleviate hunger
On the morning of 24 April, Prof Dewald van Niekerk, laced up his running shoes and started running around his house in Potchefstroom. The time was 10:30. When he finally stopped to unlace his shoes, twenty-four hours and ten minutes later, he’d circled his house 1 100 times to clock a distance of 110km.
Dewald, together with…
NWU neonatal expert paves the way forward
When it comes to midwifery, neonatal care and nursing research, the name of North-West University’s Prof Welma Lubbe is the first that comes to mind.
As a dedicated researcher and founder of Little Steps – a research-based parenting website – Prof Lubbe was recently appointed for a third term (of five years each) as the South African…
Restriction strategy allows SA valuable time to prepare – NWU virologist
As South Africa prepares to ease restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19, a North-West University (NWU) virologist, Prof Albie van Dijk, shares her views on the country’s fight against the pandemic.
Prof Van Dijk is a lecturer and researcher in the Biochemistry subject group at the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, and…
New NWU voice for popular radio programme
The North-West University has for years been an informative and entertaining presence on the very popular weekly environmental radio programme, Omgewingspraatjies. This tradition continues with a new expert following in the footsteps of his NWU colleagues.
Ruhann Steyn, a researcher and lecturer who is currently also busy with his…
Social media now a field for serious research
While some people might think the social media field is purely for popular consumption, it has become a separate field of study for research in its own right.
Prof Wian Erlank of the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU) says much has been written about the sociological and even psychological aspects of social media,…
NWU students make huge donation during Covid-19 crisis
Covid-19 is tightening its grip and those with the least financial means are feeling its stranglehold the most. Their plight is being heard. Students from the North-West University (NWU) again showed that – even in the face of a global pandemic – their commitment to helping the community is unwavering.
This is evident by the R50 000…
NWU helps staff to cope during lockdown
The North-West University (NWU) is calling on all staff members who are overwhelmed and worried about their loved ones during the current lockdown to participate in their online mental health workshop.
Since the country has been on lockdown the NWU has hosted two webinars for staff members to help them cope with the loss of everyday…
Ramaphosa’s additional anti-Covid-19 economic package is a substantial raft
‘President Cyril Ramaphosa’s additional economic support package to address the fallout on the economy from Covid-19 represents a highly substantial raft of measures designed to assist distressed businesses, households and individuals, adding up to about 10% of South Africa’s GDP.”
This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-…