At the 2024 Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) conference in Maputo, Mozambique, Mr Ntiyiso Shabangu, technology transfer specialist at the North-West University (NWU) Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) Office, underscored the crucial role of technology transfer offices (TTOs) in conveying the impact of research to diverse stakeholders. His presentation resonated with the theme "It takes a village to raise a child," an African proverb highlighting the communal effort needed for nurturing and development.

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU) – and internationally renowned nuclear energy expert – Prof Bismark Tyobeka, has lauded the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) proposed recommendation to Cabinet that three possible ownership models to acquire and fund more nuclear projects in SA under the Nuclear New Build Programme (NNBP) be considered.

The ViNCO (Visual Narratives and Creative Outputs) research entity at the North-West University (NWU), a collective that includes creative practitioners, created an exhibition titled “Monsters, Myths & Fables” with the aim of showcasing and promoting their members’ creative and artistic endeavours. A total of 14 artists, including the ViNCO members and their invited artist friends, are participating in the exhibition at the Snowflake Gallery in Potchefstroom between 15 August and 16 September 2024.

Zanobia Kanjee, head of e-Learning at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Unit for Distance Learning, has been recognised for her remarkable contributions in the field of digital learning technologies during the recent Higher Education Women Leaders Awards (HEWLA), hosted by Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (HERS-SA).

She received an award in the category Women in Support Services at the awards ceremony that took place at the breath-taking Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on 29 August 2024.

Student affairs is an important part of higher education and the work that professionals in this field do is an essential catalyst in starting the lifelong, holistic development of students.

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Test of Competence (ITC) exam is a critical milestone for aspiring chartered accountants in the country, and North-West University (NWU) students have once again proven to be among the best in the country.

Achieving high results in this exam demonstrates a strong grasp of fundamental accounting principles and readiness for advanced professional practice.

The goal of achieving land degradation neutrality is still achievable, especially with the recent appointment of Prof Klaus Kellner from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU) to serve on the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) National Working Group.

The North-West University (NWU) is dedicated to playing an impactful role on the African continent in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

A prime example of this is the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the Centre of Excellence in Nutrition (CEN) at the NWU that has for 22 years been making meaningful contributions towards achieving zero hunger (Goal 2), good health and well-being (Goal 3), and quality education (Goal 4).

“After the revised zero growth (0,0%) in the first quarter of 2024, the better news is that real gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa grew by a modest 0,4% in the second quarter of 2024.”

In commenting on the second-quarter GDP figures that Statistics SA released on 3 September, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the NWU Business School, says it could represent a turning point in South Africa’s business cycle, as the growth performance has clearly been too low for too long.

It is springtime, and with all the pleasantness associated with the warmer weather and sunnier days comes a major challenge for many: allergies from the masses of pollen that flowers, trees and grass release and that are spread by the wind over long distances.

Pollen allergies can have serious health implications for people who suffer from conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. The symptoms of pollen allergies may include nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watering and itchy or irritated eyes, among other things.