The North-West University (NWU) continues to celebrate academic excellence and innovation, as students from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) distinguished themselves in the globally recognised FameLab competition.

FameLab is an international contest focused on science communication, inviting young scientists, engineers and mathematicians to present complex scientific concepts in ways that are clear, engaging and accessible to a general audience. The competition aims to strengthen the communication skills of emerging scientists while fostering a greater appreciation for science in everyday life.

The NWU-hosted online round of the competition took place on 23 April 2026, showcasing the remarkable talent and creativity of the university’s postgraduate and honours students.

Celebrating the NWU’s top performers

The NWU congratulates the following students who excelled in the competition:

First place:
Rebecca Mantso (FNAS)
BScHons Agricultural Sciences with Agronomy and Soil Science

Rebecca’s outstanding performance has earned her the opportunity to represent the NWU at the national level of the FameLab competition.

Second place:
Lobone Dire (FNAS)
MSc Physics

Joint third place:
Tsholofelo Moloi (FNAS)
MSc Biochemistry

Jacob Jiyane (FNAS)
MSc Microbiology

Anelda Visagie (FHS)
BScHons Biokinetics

Advancing science communication

Through platforms such as FameLab, the NWU continues to promote not only academic excellence, but also the ability of its students to translate complex scientific ideas into meaningful knowledge for society. The competition aligns with the university’s commitment to community engagement, innovation and the advancement of science communication.

By participating in global platforms like FameLab, NWU students are empowered to become ambassadors of science, bridging the gap between research and the public, and contributing to a society that values scientific knowledge.

The NWU wishes Rebecca well as she advances to represent the university at the national stage and potentially on the international platform, where she will compete with top young science communicators from around the world.

Rebecca Mantso

Lobone Dire