Institutional News

Research.com names researchers among the best psychology scientists

The 2026 ranking edition of the leading global platform, Research.com, places three of the researchers of the North-West University (NWU) among the best scientists in the field of psychology.

The inclusion of Prof. Ian Rothmann and extraordinary professors Prof. Bouwien Smits-Engelsman and Prof. Linda Theron in the list underscores the impact of the NWU on psychological research.

A moment of reflection for Prof. Rothmann

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Researchers’ dedication delivers Africa’s first free motor performance test for children

Groundbreaking research in child health assessment has now led to the development of the first free, open-source motor performance test designed specifically for African children.

Breakthrough research by Prof. Bouwien Smits-Engelsman, an extraordinary professor at the North-West University (NWU), and a team of international collaborators has now been published in Communication Medicine of Nature.com.

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South Africa’s foot-and-mouth crisis is a failure of cooperation

South Africa’s struggle to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is exposing a deeper problem than the outbreak itself. The country’s response remains firmly state-led, yet the state’s capacity to execute that response is increasingly in doubt.

Much of this gap between control and capability appears to stem from the government’s reluctance to involve farmers in its decision-making processes. The state needs to reconsider its insistence on control and acknowledge that it does not have the capacity to execute corrective measures effectively.

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Faculty of Education celebrates excellence at 2025 FEDU Awards

The Faculty of Education at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted its prestigious 2025 FEDU Awards, bringing together academics, professional staff, and key stakeholders from across its three campuses in a vibrant celebration of excellence.

The ceremony honoured outstanding achievements in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement, reaffirming the faculty’s commitment to academic distinction and meaningful societal impact.

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Defending truth in an era of corruption and eroding trust

In the shadow of state capture, pervasive corruption, and eroding public trust, a vital line of defence remains: investigative journalism. In a recent panel discussion titled “Investigative Journalism in Defence of Democracy,” facilitated by the NWU Business School, columnist and analyst Khaya Sithole moderated a conversation with journalists Pauli van Wyk from Investec, Kyle Cowan from Media24, and Sikonathi Mantshantsha from News24 to unpack the difficult realities of holding power to account in South Africa.

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TTIS and PhASRec partner to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2026

Innovation is at the heart of progress, and this April, the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office at the North-West University (NWU) joins the global community in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD).

Observed annually on 26 April, WIPD shines a spotlight on how intellectual property (IP) – from patents and trademarks to copyright and designs – shapes everyday life and fuels creativity across industries.

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Inflation pressures build, but South Africa may avoid drastic policy moves

The slight rise in the March headline inflation was expected at this stage. Core inflation increased from 3,0% to 3,2%.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the full impact of the global oil price shock, together with the higher fuel and Road Accident Fund levies, adjusted carbon taxes and higher Eskom tariffs implemented on 1 April will only be seen in subsequent months.

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NWU strengthens residence life through strategic benchmarking visit to University of Pretoria

The North-West University (NWU) continues to advance its commitment to student success and holistic development through strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange.

In this regard, the acting campus director for student life on the Potchefstroom Campus, Funani Mabala, led a delegation on a benchmarking visit to the University of Pretoria from 19 to 23 April 2026.

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Young Guns coach: 2026 was a season of growth

The 2026 Varsity Cup Young Guns (YS) campaign may be over, but the FNB NWU YGs have once again proven why they remain one of the toughest sides in the competition. Although they fell short of winning the title, the season offered valuable lessons in growth and resilience.

The NWU YGs failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in seven years, and this highlights the competitiveness of the tournament and the magnitude of the challenge they faced.

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