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

Rely on engineers for your baby's health

Those who have the privilege of bringing a child into this life want to ensure that their baby receives the best possible healthcare and that abnormal health issues are diagnosed and addressed as soon as possible if this occurs.

To measure a newborn baby's weight, height and outer limits of the head over a period of at least two…

Prof’s passion takes her to new heights

“This award means so much to me. It is an extra compliment and honour for the work that I am doing.”

This is according to Prof Elda de Waal, currently the acting director of research at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Education and Human Rights in Diversity research entity (Edu-HRight). She was recently named as one of the most…

Graduates work together to help prospective students

While most people will be at home relaxing this festive season, a number of graduates from the Youth Empowerment Organisation (YEO) will be doing their bit to help the less fortunate.

From 1 December until the end of January 2019, graduates in their graduation gowns will stand at various intersections in Potchefstroom, Pretoria and…

Stats SA Council to benefit from skills of top NWU researcher

All the facts and figures around public health add up neatly for Prof Andries Monyeki. He has been appointed to the council of the official keepers of statistics in the country, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

Prof Monyeki, an academic and researcher from the North-West University, says he is delighted and honoured by his…

The earlier, the better for Africa’s children

Imagine looking at a page and not being able to read or fully understand the words because you never developed the skills to do so. This is the reality for many children in Africa. It is also a big obstacle to the development of the continent’s people as early literacy is essential for children’s reading abilities and future success in their…

Christian scholars ponder their place in higher education

Christian scholars from across Africa have come together at a conference in Potchefstroom to consider the role of Christian scholarship in higher education.

The International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education (IAPCHE) recently held its first-ever All-Africa Conference, giving Christian scholars food for…

Research must have an impact in communities

It is important for the North-West University (NWU) to focus on critical community challenges in research – this makes research more relevant and useful to the community.

The emphasis has shifted increasingly from research of academic interest to research that communities can use. It is not about the number of research outputs – such…

NWU makes a clean sweep at annual clean air conference

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management recently demonstrated why it is the leading national institution in the field of air quality. They did this during the annual National Association for Clean Air (NACA) conference that took place in Vanderbijlpark from 30 October to 2 November 2018.

Of…

Before and now: the contrast in miners’ living conditions

Crammed into tiny rooms in same-sex hostels, away from their partners or families and without proper access to water, electricity or sanitation, South African miners used to live in appalling conditions. Today, the situation of miners at Impala Platinum in Rustenburg has improved markedly, although there are still challenges, as a North-West…

Make sure cosmetics are safe to use

A large number of cosmetic products that are produced by micro and small businesses in Africa have not been cosmetically tested. This increases the chances of using a cosmetic product that has the potential to do more harm than good.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) / North-West University (NWU) Preclinical Drug…