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

Game, set, match: NWU and TSA are ready to serve

The North-West University (NWU) and Tennis South Africa (TSA) will be the centre of attention when they host the Potchefstroom Open, an Association for Tennis Players (ATP) Challenger 50 event.

This tournament will take place from 9 to 15 March at the Fanie du Toit sports grounds in Potchefstroom. With close to 200 players from…

Budget speech: Difficult policy choices still lie ahead for SA

“The budget confirms the extent to which the South African economy still finds itself in a bad space, requiring a strong emphasis on measures to boost job-rich growth.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and academic from the North-West University (NWU) Business School.

“Finance Minister Tito…

Dire need for research to improve child literacy

It is no secret that language development is a critical part of a child’s overall development. Sadly, the lack of this development and the terrible effects this may have on one’s life are often overlooked.

Prof Leenta Grobler, leader of the Medical Device Development group at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of…

Passion and knowledge = innovation

You will find innovation for new ideas, projects and devices in abundance at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering – and the same applies when it comes to three students in Computer and Electronic Engineering.

Izak Adendorff, Gerno Visser and Duhan Janse van Rensburg were merely looking for something to do…

Latest inflation data confirms stagflation in SA: NWU economists hit the target with prediction

The latest inflation statistics for January 2020 released by Stats SA on 19 February 2020 indicate that the annual (year-to-year) inflation increased by 0,5% to a rate of 4,5%.

In an earlier article [N1] at the beginning of February, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof Danie Meyer and Roan Neethling, a…

NWU downs old foe Shimlas

The old foe has fallen. On Monday 17 February the North-West University (NWU) claimed its first scalp in the 2020 Varsity Cup season when the boys in purple beat Shimlas 27-19 in Potchefstroom.

A packed Fanie du Toit sports field saw the host score three tries through Eugene Harem, Danny du Plooy and Akhona Nela.

Flyhalf…

2020 SONA: From promises to hope

Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU), and Roan Neethling, a doctoral student, discuss the main themes from president Cyril Ramaphosa’s fourth state of the nation address (SONA) that was delivered on 13 February 2020.

1. Collaboration and social compacts: The president…

SONA: Positive impact of policy framework will depend on successful implementation and collaboration with private sector

“The wide-ranging state of the nation address (SONA) delivered by president Cyril Ramaphosa to Parliament recognised the grave socio-economic challenges currently faced by South Africa, especially its low growth and high unemployment.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and academic from the North-West…

NWU student receives international award as best achiever

Although the BHSc degree in occupational hygiene is relatively new to South Africa and Africa, the North-West University (NWU) recently raised its hand and received excellent praise and accolades in the global arena in this discipline.

The International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) has generously sponsored the Bachelor of…

South African economy in crisis! No electricity capacity, no economic growth and development

The latest publication by Statistics SA on the electricity generated in the country was released on 6 February 2020 and indicated that electricity generation decreased by 4,0% year-on-year from December 2018 to December 2019.

Prof Danie Meyer, director of the TRADE research focus area of the North-West University (NWU), says the…