To be compelled to pursue research and to be grateful. These sentiments are what Prof Susan Coetzee-Van Rooy, research professor at the North-West University (NWU), values when she reflects on receiving her B2 National Research Foundation (NRF) rating in 2022.

Prof Coetzee-Van Rooy is an NWU-grown B-rated scholar in languages – specifically multilingualism. Her track record proves that with the right support and guidance, humanities and social sciences scholars at our institution can obtain, maintain and systematically improve their ratings.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) research niche area Visual Narratives and Creative Outputs (ViNCO) presented a group exhibition, CLOUD MATTERS, from 2 to 4 November 2022.

Stemming from the Faculty of Humanities’ international Digital Humanities in Precarious Times conference, the exhibition showcased the impact of cloud computing and servers on the environment.

Prof Blessed Nhlanganiso Ngwenya is the latest expert to join the renowned Optentia research unit of the North-West University (NWU).

Upon graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand with a BA with honours and an MA, he went on to study at the famed University of Oxford in England, where he earned a DPhil in socio-legal studies and a master's degree in legal research.

The passionate academic and researcher is the father of three children; daughter Bulelwa and sons Wandi and Lwandle, who still live in the United Kingdom.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Accounting Sciences, in partnership with Showmax and PKF Octagon, recently hosted the Showmax sensation “Steinheist” documentary series screening, featuring the full story behind the Steinhoff crash.

More than 400 second- and third-year accounting students attended the screening at the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) History subject group recently hosted Prof Jill Kelly, assistant professor of History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, USA as part of its history seminar series.

The seminar, held in hybrid format and hosted by the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus, attracted students and staff members across the NWU and external scholars.

Prof Kelly presented a paper titled “A woman doctor and activist: Healing, politics, and policing in the life of Dr Margaret Chuene Mncadi”.

South African teachers are battling acute stress as a result of their work environment. This is according to a recent Teaching and Learning International Survey (Talis) report.

The Talis survey gathers responses from teachers and school leaders to help countries address a variety of challenges. The report was released by the Department of Basic Education following a survey conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The survey revealed more than a quarter of teachers in the country have no desire to remain in the field.

Walking across the stage to receive his PhD in operational research was surreal for Piet Ntema.

The North-West University (NWU) statistics lecturer received his degree at a recent graduation ceremony on the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Piet and his five siblings were raised in poverty by a widowed mother who was a domestic worker. However, they persevered and today all but one of them are graduates, with his older brother Lejone Ntema being a university professor. “The hardships I experienced while growing up gave me the resilience to earn a PhD eventually,” says Piet.

Miracle workers who have to dig deep to find magical solutions to solve problems – this is how Prof Elmien Truter describes the social work students the North-West University (NWU) send into the communities.

Prof Truter, an associate professor in Social Work and a researcher at the research focus area Community Psychosocial Research (Compres) on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, said this after witnessing the second-year students declaring that they will adhere to the ethics and standards of their profession.

Second-year social work students from the North-West University (NWU) are annually gaining much needed practical experience by participating in mock trials.

This year second-year students from the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus participated in a mock trial practical on 26 and 31 October 2022 at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate Children’s Court.

Prof Elmien Truter, an associate professor from Social Work and researcher at the research focus area Community Psychosocial Research (Compres), says the idea to expose social work students to mock trials started around 2014.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Management Sciences, in partnership with ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), recently hosted a guest lecture for undergraduate BCom safety management students and lecturers at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Mr Dieter Sauer, AMSA senior manager for health and safety, together with Lesley Ramela, AMSA GMR 2.1 certificated engineer, presented the lecture titled “Safety Management and Legal Compliance within AMSA”.