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.

Our researchers continue to receive national recognition for their impactful work across a wide range of disciplines. The North-West University (NWU) has five nominees for the 2025/2026 NSTF‑South32 Awards. This further affirms our standing as a contributor to excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation in South Africa.

The North-West University (NWU) has marked a significant academic achievement after two of its leading scholars, Prof. Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu and Prof. Rasheed Adeleke, were awarded prestigious research chairs under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI).

• “As a country, we can only succeed if we adhere to the principles of transparency and accountability. Accounting professionals are the counterbalance to corruption.” – Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
• “It is our duty to ensure that we deliver enough accounting professionals of the highest quality, with the ethical and leadership frameworks to stem the tide of corruption.” – Prof. Tyobeka.

The North-West University (NWU), through its Centre for Health Professions Education (CHPE), recently played a key role in a major continental initiative to strengthen the quality of health professions education across Africa.

The FNB NWU Eagles are ready to step up in the Varsity Cup final against the FNB UP-Tuks in a rivalry battle on Monday 13 April in Tshwane. Coach Burger van der Westhuizen’s side dominated FNB Maties at the Fanie du Toit Sportsgrounds to secure their place in the highly anticipated final.

With preparations in place ahead of the final showdown, the Eagles are hoping to repeat their 2023 Varsity Cup Success, but they have a tough row to hoe.

Road to the finals

The FNB North-West University (NWU) Eagles booked their place in the 2026 Varsity Cup Final in emphatic fashion, dismantling FNB Maties 50 – 10 in a blockbuster semi-final fixture at the Fanie du Toit Sportsgrounds on Monday, 6 April. The dominant victory extends the Eagles’ unbeaten home run and avenges their 26 – 30 defeat to Maties in their round-six clash at the Danie Craven Stadium on 23 March.

The FNB North-West University (NWU) Eagles secured a dramatic, hard-fought 56 -53 victory over the FNB University of Cape Town (UCT) Ikeys on Monday, 20 March in front of a boisterous crowd at the Fanie Du Toit Stadium. In a game of two halves, defined by moments of magic and mistakes, the Eagles were waiting in the wings.