“I’m nervous, but I am prepared.” These are the words of a second-year social work student, ready to face a real attorney in the children’s court.

“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 September 2018.

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.

On 18 September 2018, Dr George Leeson, director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, will act as guest lecturer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Optentia research focus area in Vanderbijlpark.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark boasts a newly elected group of student leaders.

The North-West University (NWU) recently inaugurated more than 110 newly elected student leaders at its campus in Vanderbijlpark. These leaders represent both the House Committee structures as well as the Campus Student Council (SCC).

Excitement was the order of the day during the 2018 rendition of the Eureka School’s Special Sports Day. The event saw more than 400 participants – some from as far as Bloemfontein and Secunda – taking part in the annual event for mentally and physically challenged youngsters. This year also saw the North-West University (NWU) joining in the activities on 31 August 2018.

Opportunity should be without bias. There is a dearth of female entrepreneurs in the country and the North-West University (NWU) is addressing this problem through the Enterprising Women Programme (EWP).

South African policy makers and researchers are in agreement: a thriving small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sector is the key to job creation, economic sustainability and ultimately positive growth. With the National Development Plan (NDP) predicting that by 2030 SMMEs will generate 90% of the 11 million new jobs targeted, the future could be very bright.

The Optentia Research Focus Area on the North-West University’s campus in Vanderbijlpark, is currently planning a research day on 26 September, themed “Cultivating humanity: Generating and sharing evidence”.