Social media now a field for serious research

While some people might think the social media field is purely for popular consumption, it has become a separate field of study for research in its own right.

Prof Wian Erlank of the Faculty of Law at the North-West University (NWU) says much has been written about the sociological and even psychological aspects of social media,…

Nothing artificial about their expertise

A small research group at the North-West University (NWU) is starting to attract real interest for their work on artificial intelligence (AI).

“The amount of interest has come as something of a surprise,” says Prof Marelie Davel, who – with PhD student Tian Theunissen – recently travelled to New York, USA, to present their latest findings at…

Four NWU researchers nominated for Science Oscars

Four researchers from the North-West University (NWU) have been nominated for this year’s Science Oscars.

The nominees for the NSTF-South32 Awards are Prof Rose Hayeshi, director of and associate professor at the DSI/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Prof Frikkie van Niekerk from Nuclear Engineering and the Unit for Energy…

Life goes on, death happens: loss and grief in a time of Covid-19

Across the world the Covid-19 pandemic has changed our assumptive worlds drastically, yet life continues to happen. Babies are born, people develop health conditions that are not related to Covid-19, others reach milestone birthdays, while others die.

Dr Nelia Drenth and Prof Alida Herbst of the NWU’s School of Psychosocial Health…

Further cut in interest rates is a welcome pre-emptive step

“The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) surprise decision to cut interest rates by another 100 basis points is a welcome move. This will help to support the South African economy as it grapples with a rapidly deteriorating situation as a result of the extended Covid-19 lockdown.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a…

NWU assists provincial Health in curbing COVID-19

The North-West University (NWU) and the North West Department of Health (NWDoH) are joining hands in the fight against the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, known as COVID-19.

The department’s deputy director-general, Mr Polaki Mokatsane, approached the NWU to assist with strategic information, guidance and…

Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic: We are on a knife-edge

* A realistic, optimistic plan of action is needed

“The coronavirus pandemic is a health war that has led to an economic war, so South Africa requires a multidimensional plan to survive.”

Prof Danie Meyer, a development economist and director of the TRADE research focus area of the North-West University (NWU), believes…

NWU to validate new Covid-19 test

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc locally and internationally, NWU’s experts have been roped in to assist with the validation of a new test in the fight against it.

The new test is being developed by a wholly owned South African pharmaceutical company, Austell Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd. It is anticipated that this…

Serving ourselves and humanity during the Covid-19 pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as a global pandemic. Subsequently many people are overwhelmed by feelings of worry and anxiousness, especially by the constantly changing alerts, media coverage and national lock down regarding the Corona virus.

Two experts from…

Lockdown: Yabelana connects communities with essential services

Relying on other people within the community for information is a reality faced by many South Africans.With the country currently being on lockdown for the next few weeks, getting accurate information regarding social services could be a nightmare.

Fortunately, the North-West University (NWU) has come to the rescue with Yabelana, a ground…