Multilingualism shapes online communication

Languages clash, blend and connect users across the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus Updates Facebook Group, revealing how multilingualism drives communication in a digital student space.

Ontiretse Motingwa, an NWU graduate, led a study that examined how language choice, ethnicity and power relationships influence…

Smart mushroom biotechnology can enhance feedstuffs for broiler production

Feed costs are exceptionally high in the broiler chicken industry, prompting farmers and researchers alike to find ways to reduce the cost of feed without compromising bird health. Dr Makiwa Simeon Mthana, a North-West University (NWU) animal science graduate, has come up with a potential solution that uses mushroom biotechnology to enhance the…

Reimagining higher education through cross-faculty collaboration

Higher education, that sprawling landscape of lecture halls, research labs and late-night study sessions, is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. The Covid-19 pandemic shattered the status quo, pushing universities to rethink the way they engage with students and each other.

Now, a group of researchers from the North-West…

International expert launches tissue bioprinting laboratory at NWU

Tissue bioprinting and regenerative medicine are critical new frontiers in advancing human health. In partnership with a top Spanish researcher, the NWU has dramatically expanded its bioprinting research and innovation capabilities in its quest to find alternatives to animal testing and enhance personalised medicine.

Prof Daniel Nieto,…

To the stars with Prof Abebe

Prof Amare Abebe, research director at the Centre for Space Research, was recently appointed as the new president of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS). AfAS is the continent's primary professional body promoting astronomy research, education and outreach. It also plays a key role in positioning Africa as a global hub for astronomical…

The allure of stardom: How celebrity casting is shaping musical theatre

Musical theatre, a vibrant blend of song, dance and drama, has long been a playground for the audacious and the talented. Star and celebrity have always been a staple for glittering marquees of Broadway to the neon-lit stages of the West End, however this has in recent decades become a contentious issue as celebrity as a concept has undergone…

The soil sleuths of the Highveld: Why local knowledge still matters

Soil – humble, overlooked and often taken for granted – is one of the most vital resources on Earth. Yet, understanding its complex chemistry remains a scientific challenge, particularly in the vast, varied landscapes of South Africa.

A recent study by Anru-Louis Kock, Prudence Dimakatso Ramphisa-Nghondzweni and George Van Zijl from the…

Two tracks, one path, as NWU alumna navigates cybersecurity and songwriting

Information Technology Security and music composition are not as far removed from each other as they might seem. Ask Bonolo Phiri, North-West University alumna.

Bonolo studied Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus, and completed her degree in 2017. She begins her mornings reviewing security…

Prof Ankit Katrodia champions NWU’s global footprint in Europe

Prof Ankit Katrodia, associate professor in the WorkWell research unit at the School of Management Sciences of the North-West University (NWU), recently undertook an enriching academic tour across Poland and Romania.

His participation in this European engagement was made possible through some of the external funding from the Bucharest…

Study questions the political inclusion of Malawi’s disabled on airwaves

Persons with disabilities in Malawi may be tuning in to community radio, but their political voices are not adequately covered.

A recent study led by Dr Muyanga Ziba has raised questions about the role of community radio in promoting the political participation of persons with disabilities in Malawi. Using Mzimba Community Radio Station…