Institutional News

NWU brings music and learning together for World IP Day

On 9 May 2025, the North-West University (NWU) held a lively event celebrating World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD). This year’s theme was “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”. The event showed how intellectual property (IP) helps to protect music and supports the people who create it. The celebration was organised by Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) at the NWU with the aim of informing students and staff why IP is important, especially for creative works like music.

Submitted on Fri, 05/23/2025 - 07:56

NWU celebrates excellence and values in action

Living out core values is not just encouraged at the North-West University (NWU) – it is celebrated. On 22 May, the university hosted a recognition and rewards ceremony to acknowledge staff and students who embody the spirit and excellence of the NWU.

Now in their third year, the NWU Media and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) Recognition Awards acknowledge those who go above and beyond as ambassadors for the university. At this year’s event, held at the ANEW Resort Hunters Rest in Rustenburg, 13 exceptional individuals received awards across eight categories.

Submitted on Fri, 05/23/2025 - 07:34

NWU Technology Transfer and Innovation Support engages in global dialogue

Dr Janine Chantson, chief director of Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) at the North-West University (NWU), recently represented the Southern African Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) and the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP) at the prestigious annual conference of the Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum in Beijing. The visit formed part of a knowledge exchange mission by ATTP, hosted by the Technology Transfer Professionals Association of China National Capital Region.

Submitted on Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:39

Latest Budget provides foundation for building fiscal sustainability

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s revised third Budget is a pragmatic one, given the current circumstances.

This is the view of Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School. In commenting on the third Budget presented to Parliament on 21 May, Prof Parsons says that, as was stressed by the Finance Minister, various compromises and trade-offs have now been inevitable to achieve a workable balancing of the books that builds confidence.

Submitted on Thu, 05/22/2025 - 09:23

Puseletso is advocating for young women in STEM

Medical scientist Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe recently stepped up to change the narrative regarding the representation of females in science. Puseletso joined as a panellist at the launch of the groundbreaking InnovateHER project, which was hosted at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday, 10 May, reaffirming her commitment to empowering young women.

Submitted on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 11:24

Dr Tshepo Alex Malapane named the Most Influential Man in South Africa 2025 at prestigious Gold Reef City ceremony

Dr Tshepo Alex Malapane, an alumnus of the NWU, was honoured with the Most Influential Man in South Africa 2025 award in a powerful moment of national pride and reflection. This prestigious recognition was part of the 2025 Influential Men & Artes Awards, a landmark event celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to South African society. The awards ceremony, held at Gold Reef City on 27 April 2025, was organised and hosted by Big M Productions.

Submitted on Tue, 05/20/2025 - 09:25

How Africa should adapt to climate change

Africa is getting the short end of the stick as climate change is tightening its grip on the continent, although it has only contributed about 3% (at most) of global carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution.Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the effects of climate change, with droughts, floods, extreme heatwaves, and shrinking forests and vegetation causing widespread devastation.

Submitted on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 14:13

Unemployment level raises red flag about weak growth performance

The 1% rise in the unemployment level in the first quarter of 2025 raises another red flag about South Africa’s weak growth performance.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says with the gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts for 2025 having been progressively reduced by various institutions and economists to about 1,5% and below, it is not unexpected that this should now be reflected in higher unemployment levels.

Submitted on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 08:43