The future of mining in the North West Province depends on the availability of high-calibre mining professionals with specialised skills, and the North-West University (NWU) is an integral part of achieving this.

Now, a potential partnership with one of Australia’s top mining schools is set to boost the university’s efforts to strengthen mining education and research and establish a mining school.

Understanding the true state of biodiversity in sub-Saharan Africa has long been a challenge, especially for those responsible for shaping environmental policies. A major new study published in the prestigious Nature journal now offers much-needed clarity.

Strengthening ties in two fast-growing scientific fields, medicine and space science, was the central focus of high-level engagements at Otago University in New Zealand where the North-West University (NWU) explored opportunities to advance its internationalisation drive.

The visit on 28 November brought together academics working in medical training, health research and astrophysics to map out areas where their institutions can work together in coming years.

The North-West University (NWU) honoured its exceptional staff at the annual NWU Excellence Awards ceremony, held in Potchefstroom on 20 November.

More than 150 staff members received recognition for their outstanding contributions to the university’s key focus areas of teaching and learning, community engagement, and research and innovation.

The North-West University (NWU) continues to build on its reputation as an innovative, globally engaged institution committed to excellence and societal relevance. This commitment is driven by its strategy, Taking the NWU forward: 2024 and beyond. This is once again affirmed in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Sustainability Ranking, which highlights our growing impact in addressing critical environmental, social and governance priorities aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

By Gosego Phutieagae

As the world commemorates International Diabetes Day on 14 November, the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening awareness on diabetes prevention and management. In the weeks leading up to the global observance, the Obesity and Metabolic Disease Research Group (OMDRG) at the Biochemistry department in Mahikeng, under the leadership of Prof. Sithandiwe Mazibuko-Mbeje, hosted a successful Diabetes Awareness Drive on 23 October 2025.

• The Centre for Digital Humanities was born out of the realisation that the humanities are central to creating equitable digital futures for South Africans. 
• “As digital humanists, we understand that technology exists within a network of human and more-than-human relationships,” says Prof.

For more than two decades, the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the North-West University (NWU) has been shaping the future of nutrition leadership on the continent. Since its first programme in 2002, this flagship 10-day residential initiative, hosted annually at the NWU, has developed over 500 professionals from more than 40 African countries. This year alone this flagship programme will reach close to 50 professionals from 10 African countries.

While cities in Africa expand rapidly and the pressure for economic growth is increasing, the protected areas on the continent face a complex challenge: how to conserve nature and empower people.

At the North-West University (NWU) the Protected Areas Research Group, led by Prof. Reece Alberts, Prof. François Retief, Prof. Claudine Roos and Prof. Dirk Cilliers, is working to find exactly that balance.