Unveiling of world-class laboratory to boost South Africa's pharmaceutical manufacturing capability

South Africa is set to save billions of rands it currently spends on importing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with the launch of the API Technology Innovation Cluster.

APIs are the biologically active components used to make finished pharmaceutical products such as tablets and capsules, and South Africa's heavy reliance on API…

NWU appoints new deputy vice-chancellor for campus in Mahikeng

The North-West University (NWU) Council appointed Prof Sonia Swanepoel as the new deputy vice-chancellor for Community Engagement and Mahikeng Campus Operations during its meeting on 18 November. She will serve a three-year term.

As an industrial psychologist, Prof Swanepoel has extensive knowledge and experience in various areas of…

NWU awards honorary doctorate to Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi

The North-West University (NWU) saluted Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi with an honorary doctorate on 19 November 2021 for her exceptional contributions to the South African political landscape and society.

Dr Fraser-Moleketi served as the Minister of Public Service and Administration from 1999 to 2008. She…

Faculty of Engineering’s ingenuity key to PhD successes

Ingenuity built the world, resourcefulness sustains it and our imaginations will take it forward. This is evident from some of the interesting and important PhDs that the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering has delivered in 2021.

In the field of chemical engineering, Innocentia Erdogan received her PhD for her thesis…

WaterNet team open to watershed experiences at NWU

From January 2022, the secretariat of the regional water research network known as WaterNet will be based at Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) as part of a five-year agreement.

We caught up with the WaterNet executive management head, associate professor Jean-Marie Kileshye Onema, to obtain a better understanding of the…

Researcher investigates private label brands in South Africa

Private label brands have gained momentum in the grocery retail sector over the past few years. They are no longer just alternatives to the big-name brands, but are fast becoming brands of choice – provided attention is paid to perceptions about quality.

This is according to Gift Ndlovu, a researcher from the Faculty of Economic and…

Growing successful emerging farmers through partnerships

What does it take for emerging farmers to be successful? This is the question North-West University (NWU) academic Dr Faan Pelser and Prof Theuns Pelser from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School for Business and Leadership set out to answer in their recent research paper.

The paper is titled “The factors that contribute to…

Sounding out the stars

Space is not as silent as it may seem, and asteroseismologists know this. Asteroseismology is a booming field full of opportunity for students and young researchers and has an impact on many other fields of astronomical research.

But what is asteroseismology all about? Prof Don Kurtz, an A1-rated professor now based at the North-West…

International fame may await NWU’s national FameLab® winner

North-West University (NWU) master’s student Letago Kgomoeswana has been announced as the winner of the 2021 national FameLab® competition, one of the biggest science communication competitions in the world.

This competition promotes science and technology by creating a platform for young scientists to find…

Informal reclaimers make a huge contribution to recycling in South Africa

Informal waste reclaimers in South Africa play a key but often unrecognised role in the recycling value chain. Ways should be found to enable them to participate in decisions around waste management practices and community recycling programmes, says Prof Derick Blaauw from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Economics.

For the…