The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to leave the repo rate unchanged highlights the role of non-model-based judgement in policy choices, especially in current uncertain circumstances.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says this decision that was made by the MPC on 20 March was decided by a 4 to 2 vote.

Universities are evolving beyond academic learning and becoming “dynamic hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship”, according to Professor Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU).

He was speaking at the official handover ceremony for the North West Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub site, held at the Mahikeng Campus on 19 March 2025 and marking the start of a development aimed at fostering business growth and innovation in the province.

This week a delegation from the NWU will leave for the shores of the United States to visit North Carolina State University (NCSU).

We do so during a time of great tension between our two countries. We cannot look past that. The relationship between the US and South Africa is strained, but we cannot let that derail us from our goal, which is to learn, to keep learning and to bring back what we have learned to our university, our province, our country, and our continent.

The Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office has begun 2025 with a renewed commitment to helping researchers turn their ideas into real-world solutions. TTIS has played a key role in two major events: the Research and Innovation (R&I) Induction Session and the Research and Innovation Colloquium.

As we consider the urgent issues confronting social work in South Africa, it is evident that the profession is at a crucial turning point. On 18 March we commemorate World Social Work Day, and this year’s theme – “Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Well-being” – serves as a timely reminder of the vital role that social workers play in our communities.

However, the challenges they encounter risk undermining their efforts and compromising the well-being of those they serve.

“To expand beautiful ideas of working together across disciplines.” These were the words of Professor Jeffrey Mpahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Innovation at the North-West University (NWU), as he captured the essence of the university's Research and Innovation Colloquium that was held at Sun City from 02-04 March 2025.

Food security, climate change and sustainability. These are some of the issues that will take centre stage from 19 to 20 March when the North-West University (NWU) and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) will be co-hosting the 2025 National Grain Research Programme (NGRP) Annual Meeting, themed Farming 2.0: Smarter & Greener.

This event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policy makers and students from across South Africa to discuss innovative approaches to farming and grain production.

The Business School at the North-West University (NWU)’s second Pitso online seminar brought together economic experts to examine South Africa’s current financial situation. The discussion, titled Budgeting for Austerity, featured analyst and columnist Khaya Sithole, who moderated the webinar; independent economist Elize Kruger; and Sanisha Packirisamy, an economist at Momentum Investments.

• Hunters, especially international hunters, believe that they benefit local communities.

• International hunters spend up to four times more per visit than local hunters.

• International hunters perceive their impact to be greater than local hunters.

• The perspective of the local community is still missing.

The North-West University (NWU) continues to shine in international rankings. The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject place four of the NWU’s subject groups in the top 850 globally, with one of these featuring in the 301 to 350 ranking category. The subject groups are agriculture, environmental sciences, physics and medicine. QS published these rankings on 12 March 2025.