The academic world can easily be infiltrated by dishonesty and plagiarism, especially in trying times such as the past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Good academic practice is essential for lecturers and students. 

Prof Anné Verhoef, director of the School of Philosophy at the North-West University (NWU), is an avid campaigner for academic integrity and has centred his research on establishing a Community of Practice for Academic Integrity (CoPAI).

When it comes to seeking innovative solutions to the social and environmental challenges faced by South Africa, the Research Unit for Law, Justice and Sustainability from the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront.

Together they are known as the water mavericks: Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout and Prof Henk Bouwman from the North-West University (NWU) have a wealth of experience between them and have amassed acclaimed recognition for their water-related research in their respective fields.

Meelan Roopa, a lecturer in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering, received the award for Best Industrial Engineering Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering’s (SAIIE’s) 2022 awards ceremony.

Meelan received this prestigious award in recognition of his teaching prowess in business engineering, a capstone module for final-year industrial engineering students.

The talent and creativity of students and graduates of the Graphic Design subject group at the North-West University (NWU) have earned them recognition at the recent international Loerie Awards and national Pendoring Awards events.

The NWU’s students and graduates have always shone in these competitions and this year is no exception. Their distinctive creativity and skills have impressed judges and secured them two silver Pendoring awards, a Pendoring craft gold certificate, three Pendoring craft certificates and a bronze Loerie award.

In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks the age-old question: ‘What’s in a name?’ In the case of North-West University researcher Prof Nico Smit, the answer is clear ― his name is synonymous with expert contributions in the field of zoology.

This celebrated academic and parasitologist taxonomist follows in the footsteps of revered people such as biologist and author Sir David Attenborough and former President of the United States Barack Obama. Just like them, Prof Smit can also boast that living species have been named after him.

His name is synonymous with hard defence, smooth skills and an indestructible engine without a reverse gear. Andre Fouché is steel moulded in the forge of the NWU Rugby Institute, and this year his play is the talk of the town.

“We must create a future in which our children and healthy and physically active.” This, says Professor Dané Coetzee, child kinetics specialist at the School of Human Movement Sciences of the North-West University (NWU), must remain a priority. That is why, in this increasingly digital world, we must look a what worked in the past.

By Sandile Mahlangu

The NWU Symphony Orchestra recently held a Christmas Comes Early concert at the NWU Sanlam Auditorium at the Potchefstroom Campus.

The orchestra was preparing the North West community for the Christmas season with Christmas carols and a Christmas playlist.

André Oosthuizen, the orchestra conductor, said “the concert was to showcase the work that the group has been doing. Playing Christmas music is great and fun for everyone involved, and we just wanted to present a nice, uplifting concert.”

Workers in the public sector are furious with government, accusing it of negotiating “in bad faith” after wage negotiations collapsed following the employer’s 3% wage offer.

Only one of the unions represented, the South African Democratic Teachers Union, has accepted the offer.

Thousands of workers were expected to picket countrywide to demonstrate their unhappiness with the offer on Monday, 31 October. Read more here.