Potchefstroom Campus News

Researchers demonstrate that conservation and development can go hand in hand

While cities in Africa expand rapidly and the pressure for economic growth is increasing, the protected areas on the continent face a complex challenge: how to conserve nature and empower people.

At the North-West University (NWU) the Protected Areas Research Group, led by Prof. Reece Alberts, Prof. François Retief, Prof. Claudine Roos and Prof. Dirk Cilliers, is working to find exactly that balance.

“Conservation areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation,” says Prof. Alberts. “They are essential to prevent the loss in biodiversity. Yet, we have to admit that… Read more

Prioritising physical activity on a global level

During the second congress of the BRICS Council of Exercise and Sports Science (BRICSCESS) recently held in Cape Town, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof Hans de Ridder was named as the new president of this global organisation. 

The purpose of BRICSCESS is to promote communication, interaction and cooperation among all…

Latest medium-term budget policy statement confirms grim nature of SA’s fiscal challenge

“Given the domestic and global headwinds facing the South African economy, the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) strongly shifts the narrative towards recognising the grim nature of the fiscal crisis that has to be addressed in the country.”

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

With Brexit extension UK can avoid “crashing out”

“The European Union’s (EU’s) decision to again extend the UK-EU Brexit deadline from 31 October to 31 January 2020 was not unexpected in current circumstances.”

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

“Although regionally South…

Pierrefect pitch

It can be a warzone. Imagine 22 elite athletes able to hit a granite hard field hockey ball to speeds in excess of 100 km/h. Imagine having to fend off the opposing team’s hockey sticks, while chasing after and protecting that precious ball. Broken bones and shattered noses are common.

It sounds like a warzone, but for 21-year old…

NWU is the proud host of this year’s Child Health Priorities Conference

The late President Nelson Mandela said: “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people.” There can be no truer words than…

Confirmed incident of bacterial meningitis at NWU Potch

On Monday, 21 October 2019 a fourth-year student on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom was admitted to a local hospital after which a case of bacterial meningitis was confirmed on Tuesday morning, 22 October 2019.

The student is not involved with a residence and all indications are that it is an isolated…

Even engineering students sometimes wear superhero capes!

One of Albert Einstein’s most famous quotes is: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

This is certainly the mind-set of second-year students at the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) who recently had their first taste of the engineering world when they had…

Jo-Ané and Chederick claim top sport awards

It feels like she has been on the international sporting scene much longer than her 22 years of age, and yet the accolades keep rolling in for Jo-Ané van Dyk.

On Wednesday 16 October this superlative javelin thrower was named the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom’s Sportswoman of the Year. Her stellar year…

MSMEs and services trade: A pathway to more inclusive growth?

MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) are known to play a critical role in countries’ economies, both as sources of employment and as suppliers of diverse goods and services. Yet they receive little attention at policy level, with many failing to achieve their economic potential.

This is particularly evident in…

Brexit agreement is a major step towards avoiding widespread disruption

“The fact that the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement on Brexit after complex negotiations will be generally welcomed in view of the wider implications of 'hard' Brexit for key components of the world trading system.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and…