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

NWU coach appointed as provincial swimming coach

Swimming is very much a sport of observation and to be a swimming coach you have to be a great observer. You should also be a great motivator, know all about the latest swimming techniques and development, and most importantly, have passion.

These are just some of the qualities that Marike Van Oort, head swimming coach of the North-…

NWU is a pioneer in Africa

The North-West University (NWU) is one of the pioneers in nutrition research in Africa. The leading role the NWU’s Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN) plays in the collaboration with the University of Ghana (UG) and the Nutricia Research Foundation (NRF), can attest to that.

The second phase of this collaboration to establish…

NWU Annual Career fair a huge success

The North West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom recently hosted its Annual Career Fair. The Accounting Fair took place on 8 May, the General Fair on 9 May and the Law Fair on 10 May 2018.

Career fairs benefit students by giving them the opportunity to get first-hand information and have face-to-face interaction with…

Avoiding junk status: Next assessment from Moody’s holds the key

According to renowned economist Prof Raymond Parsons from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Business School, it is Moody’s next assessment of South Africa and not Standard and Poor’s (S&P’s) rating which holds the key to South Africa’s continued avoidance of universal junk status.

He says the decision by ratings agency S&P…

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,”…