Institutional News

NWU Staff-Wellness broadens avenues for healing

The Staff-Wellness office at the North-West University (NWU) acknowledges the unique challenges that men encounter and affirms their right to receive support. In a significant step towards prioritising men’s mental health and emotional well-being, they hosted an innovative men-only online seminar centred around the theme “Managing emotions and Intergenerational Trauma”. The hybrid event took place on the Vanderbijlpark Campus on Friday, 11 July, and included virtual participation from colleagues at the Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campuses.

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The hidden cost of a broken funding system: South Africa’s public universities

Prof Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the North-West University (NWU), explains why the ongoing dysfunction within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) is not only jeopardising the futures of vulnerable students but also placing immense strain on South Africa’s public universities. While attention has focused on student hardships, the crippling operational, financial and reputational toll on universities has gone largely unnoticed.

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Prof Bismark Tyobeka appointed chairperson of the Ministerial Expert Panel on Nuclear

In a landmark development for South Africa’s energy transition, Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU) and former CEO of the National Nuclear Regulator, has been appointed both a member and chairperson of the Ministerial Expert Panel on Nuclear.

The appointment, announced by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, places Prof. Tyobeka at the helm of a body tasked with advising government on the pace, scale, and procurement approach for new nuclear capacity.

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Aggressive tariff policy creates fragmented world trading system

The 30% tariff decision by the United States is not good news for the South African economy, and its potentially negative economic impact should not be underestimated.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says while not unexpected, the decision creates a challenging economic headwind for South Africa.

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Externship sparks inspiration and confidence in language students

The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its third successful externship for the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Applied Linguistics (LanCSAL) students from the University of Johannesburg on 12 June 2025.

The day-long online engagement was designed to give students practical exposure to the diverse and evolving career paths available in the language practice field, particularly in digital and computational contexts.

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SADiLaR announces and applauds sponsorship awardees for the 2025 cycle

The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR), hosted by the North-West University (NWU), is pleased to award a total of seven sponsorships in support of conferences and training events that are closely aligned with its vision to ensure a transformed participative digital future for South Africa’s official languages for people in all walks of life.

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NWU student helps Springboks claim The Rugby Africa Sevens title

For Joubert Schoeman, a BCom Honours in Management Accounting student at the North-West University (NWU), representing South Africa on the global stage was not just a dream, but a goal he pursued with passion. His determination recently paid off when he helped the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ team win the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Mauritius.

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New southern African frog app is making a splash

It is late at night and above you stretches the vast expanse of the Southern African sky that stretches to eternity. You are alone with your thoughts, or at least you think you are. Suddenly, your senses are jolted awake by an unexpected sound. You look around, but see nothing. Then you hear it again: “Ribbit-ribbit… ribbit-ribbit…” You take out your phone – it’s time to discover who your companion is.

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