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

Taxing answers to carbon emissions

Studies have shown South Africa is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters. Dr Michelle Barnard, a senior lecturer from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law, has pledged to try and change this.

Dr Barnard recently published an award-winning article on this topic. The article focused on greenhouse gases, climate…

Stable interest rates necessary for South Africa's economic recovery

According to renowned economist Prof Raymond Parsons from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Business School, stable interest rates are necessary for as long as possible to avoid choking off South Africa’s incipient economic recovery.

“As widely expected, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) unanimously…

"Green coal": fuel of the future

Coal in its traditional form might soon be a relic of the past, but ground-breaking research by the North-West University (NWU) is showing how a face-lift to this fossil fuel has numerous safe, green possibilities. A revolutionary process to manufacture “green” coal that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% is…

Faculty of Engineering brings industrial innovation to Delmas

Innovation is heading to Delmas and the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) is at the helm.

The German-based conglomerate Siemens, in conjunction with Eskom, approached Hasan Darwish, an industrial engineer at the Faculty of Engineering, early in 2018 to assist with a project that will introduce industrial…

Faculty of Engineering: Towards an integrated energy approach

Energy needs across the globe are rising while fossil fuels are being depleted. Since fossil fuels result in various detrimental emissions, new and renewable energy sources can alleviate the drain on our natural resources and help in the mitigation of the harmful emissions.

Viewed in isolation, neither of these energy sources…

Faculty of Engineering designing a better future

There is a shortage of special skills in the country and engineering is no exception. The Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) is not only addressing this need, but is also ensuring that the seeds are planted for future growth in this all-important field.

“Our faculty is involved in the community in many ways,”…

Faculty of Engineering is bridging the gender gap

Innovation is blind to gender and special skills does not allow for prejudice. Nowhere was this more evident than at the third iteration of the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Femmegineering workshop.

Participants from North West, Gauteng and Free State was shown why a career in engineering might just…

Sunny academic skies for Roelof Burger

Dr Roelof Burger from the School of Geo and Spatial Sciences at Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences of the North-West University (NWU) has been awarded the Weather Modification Field Meteorologist Distinguished Service Award by the Weather Modification Association.

The award was given to Dr Burger in the United States of…

New challenge for Prof Christa Rautenbach

Prof Christa Rautenbach from the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU) has been appointed by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv Michael Masutha, as an advisory committee member in the South African Law Reform Commission: Project 144. The project is titled “Single Marriage Statute Including Measures against…

Gauteng Biotech Fundi award goes to NWU researcher

Expert, past master, authority, professional, specialist and genius… these are all synonyms for the uniquely South African word “fundi”, which aptly describes the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Prof Anne Grobler, recipient of a 2018 Biotech Fundi Award from The Innovation Hub Management Company.

Prof Anne, director for the DST/NWU…