Researcher brings African populations into previously Eurocentric cell research

Why did some people experience more severe coronavirus symptoms than others during the Covid-19 pandemic? International researchers believe part of the answer may lie deep within human cells, specifically in the small circular chromosome inside each cell, called the mitochondrial DNA.

Genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA are…

UNESCO chair continues on its journey of opening doors to education

A key United Nations agency has shown its confidence in the North-West University (NWU) by relaunching the Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources for a second term of four years.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has approved the NWU’s submission for a renewal of the chair…

Study explores the use of medicinal plants to treat childhood diseases

Dr Tshepiso Ndhlovu, a PhD graduate from the North-West University (NWU), has completed promising research on the use of medicinal plants to treat children’s diseases.

Childhood illnesses make a major contribution to infant mortality rates worldwide, and the high cost of conventional treatment exacerbates the problem by putting a…

Solar telescope expands research horizons into solar physics

Located on the roof of building G5 at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus, the solar telescope of the Centre for Space Research has garnered attention from organisations such as the BBC and the Royal Astronomical Society.

Dr Ruhann Steyn, senior lecturer and principal scientist involved in the project, recently…

Using technology to prepare language teachers for the future

While debates about the quality of teacher education intensify, the North-West University (NWU) is exploring solutions, including mixed reality, that will ensure that well-prepared and effective teachers enter the country’s classrooms.

The recent findings of the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), indicating…

Spotlight falls on the role of parents in disciplining learners

Many studies have found a strong correlation between learners’ discipline levels and academic performance, with the latter improving as discipline levels improve. However, what is the role that parents play in disciplining their children?

Dr Nicholus Mollo, senior lecturer and subarea leader of Legal Perspectives, Governance and…

Discourse explores equal and quality education in rural areas

The research unit for Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight) recently organised a significant discourse in collaboration with the Legal Perspectives, Governance and Democracy research subarea and the Education Law subject group at the North-West University (NWU).

The discourse aimed to shed light on the various factors…

Research unit strengthens partnership with University of Crete

By Menziwa Msibi

Representatives from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight) research unit, recently embarked on a visit to the University of Crete in Greece to strengthen the two institutions’ longstanding research partnership.

Prof Charl Wolhuter, Prof…

Visit leads to nutrition collaboration in Lesotho

The African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the North-West University (NWU) is continuing its aim to build tailored leadership capacity on the African continent. Representatives of the ANLP engaged with the Lesotho Nutrition-Sensitive Platform (LSNP) in Maseru on 15 and 16 June. This follows a leadership capacity building visit to…

NRF boosts funding for coal research at NWU

The quest for more sustainable and greener coal energy is receiving a boost through the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) renewal of the Chair for Coal Research at the North-West University (NWU).

The chair has secured funding of R4,15 million per year for the next five years as part of the NRF’s South African Research Chairs…