Research News

Having grit goes a long way

It is the year 2000. The share price of a multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 company peaks at $90. Their recruitment strategy reads: Hire the best, fire the rest. At the time it seemed to work, only it didn’t. That company was Enron.

“Grit” is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual’s perseverance - combined with a passion for a…

NWU parasitologist awarded for research excellence

Edward Netherlands is an inspiring researcher who is continuously challenging the boundaries of existing scientific knowledge. His most recent accolade vests him as one of the country’s most productive and innovative young male researchers.

During the annual National Research Foundation (NRF) Excellence Awards, Edward was awarded with the…

Cannabis judgment paves way for research development

The global discourse around cannabis prohibition has gained significant momentum over the course of the last 15 years. This is largely due to a growing realisation of the need for reform.

The historically dominant model of legislated prohibition is gradually being challenged by overwhelming evidence of its inefficacy.

On…

Varsity Netball: Must-win for NWU

The North-West University’s Varsity Netball team is looking to end the group stages of this years’ tournament on the same high as how they started. Coach Elsunet du Plessis’ team beat UJ 77-27 in their opening match and have since won four out of their six fixtures.

They currently occupy the fifth position on the overall log with…

The impact of a second chance

A second chance in life is not destined for everyone, and when it comes across your way, you have to grab it with both hands and make the best of it. This is exactly what 33 young people at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering did when they enrolled in  the Xcel programme at the beginning of the year.

They…

International centre will fight neuromuscular diseases

The North-West University (NWU) will play a prominent role in establishing a new International Centre for Genomic Research in Neuromuscular Disease, and South Africa’s participation in this virtual centre. The centre will bring scientists, academics and clinicians from six nations in four continents together in the fight against…

International expert: R is the present and future of statistical programming

“The programming language R is the present and future of statistical programming.” Dr Emir Efendić, postdoctoral researcher from Eindhoven University in the Netherlands, will attempt to convince his audience of this statement during a workshop hosted by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Optentia research focus area in Vanderbijlpark on 19…

Finnish academic to review school-wide positive behaviour support and interventions

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Optentia research focus area in Vanderbijlpark will be hosting Prof Hannu Savolainen from the Department of Education at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. During his visit, he will deliver a lecture on School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Interventions (SWPBIS) on 12 September 2018.

ProSchool…

Multimodal learning and multilingualism is his passion

Prof Jako Olivier’s passion and research focus are multimodal learning and multilingualism, and this was also the topic of his recent inaugural address.

Prof Olivier is currently a professor in multimodal learning in the School of Professional Studies in Education at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Education.

Research explores preferences of game meat eaters

Earlier this year, Statistics SA stated that over six million South Africans are currently unemployed. With the country’s current economic climate resulting in shrinking opportunities for formal employment, more and more South Africans are turning to entrepreneurship.

North-West University (NWU) Tourism Research in Economic Environs…