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

Rare Diseases Day 2020: NWU’s CHM at the forefront of preventative healthcare

Did you know that in South Africa, there are approximately three million people living with a rare disease? This means that one in every 16 people are directly affected by a rare disease.

 The Centre of Human Metabolomics (CHM) at the North-West University (NWU) is well known for its expertise and many years of experience in…

Yes, we are in another recession: NWU economists say the red lights are on

South Africa is in a technical recession – what now? Two economists from the North-West University (NWU) discuss the implications of this for the economy.

They say urgent structural change and clear economic policy are now of the utmost importance.

Prof Danie Meyer and Roan Neethling, a doctoral student, say the country has…

Worse than expected GDP data highlights SA’s economic damage

“The worse than expected GDP data for the fourth quarter of 2019 confirms that not only did the South African economy experience a ‘technical recession’ in the second half of 2019, but that growth in 2019 as a whole was also only 0,2%.”

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

RAG SRCS gives R2,2 million to community

It is a unique North-West University (NWU) tradition that you will find in few other places. This tradition encapsulates the spirit of the NWU’s students: a commitment to their community and the determination to ensure a better life for those the university serve.

It is the annual RAG Student RAG Community Service (SRCS) pay-out…

Huge hockey feather for NWU’s cap

The International Federation of Hockey (FIH) announced that the North-West University (NWU) will host the 2021 Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup in Potchefstroom.

Although no dates have been confirmed it is a massive coup for both the NWU and the city as the ninth iteration of the tournament – which started in 1989 – will draw players…

NWU alumna appointed as Amplats CEO

North-West University (NWU) alumna Natascha Viljoen is not only breaking boundaries, but is also flying the university flag high. She was recently appointed as the new chief executive officer for Anglo Platinum (Amplats).

Natascha, who will take up her new role on 16 April,  is the first woman to head the world's largest primary…

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…