The better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 0,6% in the second quarter of 2023 is welcome news, as it has extended its gains for a second consecutive time.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says this demonstrates a noteworthy degree of resilience in the economy. This has mainly been the outcome of more moderate Eskom blackouts in June compared with April and May, together with other mitigating factors that helped to generate better growth figures.

In an intriguing joint announcement, the Walter Sisulu and North-West universities unveiled the astounding results of their preclinical trials for a groundbreaking combination vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and Covid-19. The universities reported an unprecedented 100% protection in vaccinated animals – a significant step forwards in the unrelenting battle against tuberculosis, one of the world's most devastating diseases.

The North-West University (NWU) has added another top placement to its impressive show in international rankings. The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy ranks the NWU in the category for the top 5 to 7 South African universities in its 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

The placing in the 5 to 7 category is an improvement from being ranked seventh in the country last year.

ARWU places the NWU in the 501 to 600 ranking category internationally – a considerable achievement, as it was ranked in the 601 to 700 category in 2022.

A sustainable energy future is at the forefront of the list of research and innovation priorities of the North-West University (NWU), as is building and maintaining partnerships to help achieve this. Therefore, the NWU is playing host to the 4th AFRA-NEST General Assembly and 3rd Regional Meeting of Vice-Chancellors, which is currently being held in Sandton, Johannesburg.

You don’t have to be able to split the atom to know that South Africa – and the world – is facing an energy crisis and that urgent answers are needed to address this pressing problem.

That is why the principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, will be part of a panel discussion titled Global Nuclear Power – Implications for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.

Following a goalless draw in their first match against the University of Johannesburg during the opening round of Varsity Football, the North-West University (NWU) triumphed with a score of 3-0.

Entering the game with a single-minded focus to secure victory against VUT, their initial attempt at netting a goal materialised just five minutes into the first half – only to be thwarted by the vigilant VUT goalkeeper.

The North-West University (NWU) hosted its inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Science Day on 31 July 2023 at Mabeskraal near Rustenburg as part of National Science Week.

This landmark event served as a platform for fostering partnerships and collaboration among educational institutions, government departments, private companies, communities, and other stakeholders in the North West province.

Caretaker coach Amos Xabanisa is brimming with confidence that the North-West University (NWU) football team is fully prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming Varsity Football tournament.

In their bid to gauge their readiness, the team has engaged in a series of friendly matches. The NWU faced tough opponents, including Tuks FC, the Bafana Bafana team that recently participated in the Cosafa competition, and the SuperSport United FC MDC team.

As was widely anticipated, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided by a 3:2 majority to keep interest rates on hold for now, instead of opting for a further increase of 25 basis points.

In commenting on the MPC’s decision on 20 July, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School at the North-West University (NWU), says it was the right call by the MPC, given the latest global and domestic economic cross-currents, as well as the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes on the economy.