A recent visit by North-West University (NWU) Professors Ephrem Redda and Prof Marko van Deventer to the Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) in Toruń, Poland represented a significant step in strengthening international academic collaboration.

Hosted by the NCU’s Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management, the visit underlined the importance of cross-institutional partnerships in higher education and demonstrated the potential for meaningful scholarly exchange and cooperation.

Book launches represent important academic milestones. On 23 September 2025, the Faculty of Theology at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a book launch and celebration that highlighted the value of international research and academic exchange.

North-West University (NWU) extraordinary professor Linda Godfrey has been elected as an International Fellow of the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in the United Kingdom.

This is the second key role she has had within the ambit of the RAEng. For the past four years, Prof Godfrey has served on the Board of the Academy’s Safer End of Engineered Life Programme, which aims to improve safety in the decommissioning of engineering products, structures and infrastructure.

By Gofaone Motsamai

While tourism remains one of South Africa’s biggest economic growth areas, little research has been done to investigate the travel habits of black city dwellers who are a fast-growing sector of the market.

Step up Kamohelo Lempe, a second-year MA Tourism candidate at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, who is charting new territory in South African tourism research.

The Constitutional Court’s recent decision in Jordaan and Others v Minister of Home Affairs has reshaped how South Africans approach surname changes after marriage. The judgment declared sections of the Births and Deaths Registration Act unconstitutional for restricting surname changes to women, finding that the provisions reinforced outdated assumptions about family identity.

At a time when the role of higher-education institutions (HEIs) is increasingly tied to their relevance and impact in society, alumni have emerged as one of the most vital stakeholders in driving institutional success and community development.

The North-West University (NWU) celebrated a significant academic milestone on 2 September 2025 with the inaugural lecture of Prof Eunice Ivala, held at the Mahikeng Campus with the theme: “Scholarship of teaching and learning: towards holistic student success”.

This important occasion brought together members of the academic community, leadership and guests to honour Prof Ivala’s promotion to full professor and to hear her insights on improving the student experience through a research-led approach to teaching and learning.

Livestock farming feeds millions of South Africans, but it also leaves a carbon footprint that cannot be ignored. North-West University (NWU) animal scientist Prof Kenny Mnisi says the challenge is finding the balance between sustaining households and tackling climate change.

Many farmers, however, are unaware of this link. Prof Mnisi says short learning programmes and collaborative initiatives are needed to close the gap.

By Gofaone Motsamai

With fewer than half the people requiring treatment for mental health getting it, traditional healers could be the answer to South Africa’s pressing mental health challenges.

This is one the findings of Goratileona Mashishi’s master’s study on the perceptions of Mahikeng community members on the role of the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in dealing with mental health.

He recently completed a Master of Social Sciences degree in sociology at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

South Africa’s capacity to deal with incidents involving radioactive materials has received a boost. North-West University (NWU) academic Dr Tebogo Kupi has returned from Austria where he attended a high-level international training course aimed at preparing experts to deliver national workshops on radiological crime scene management.