Academic

Prof Jacques Petzer honoured as Best Examiner by SAPC

BELINDA BANTHAM — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:41:57 +0000

Prof Jacques Petzer honoured as Best Examiner by SAPC

BELINDA BANTHAM Wed, 04/02/2025 - 09:41

The North-West University (NWU) continues to shine in academic excellence as Prof Jacques Petzer, professor in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the Faculty of Health Sciences, has been recognised as the Best Examiner in professional exams for 2024 by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).

This prestigious honour celebrates Prof Petzer’s dedication, expertise and years of contributing to ensuring high standards in professional pharmacy examinations. Having served as an examiner since 2012, Prof Petzer has played a key role in evaluating foreign-qualified pharmacists, ensuring they meet the standards required to practise in South Africa.

“It has always been the goal to set a high-quality examination that evaluates the candidate’s ability to apply pharmaceutical knowledge rather than reproduce specific knowledge,” Prof Petzer said.

“The main challenge is to set an exam that assesses the core concepts of pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry – of which a candidate should have a deep understanding, rather than specific textbook knowledge. Many candidates are practising pharmacists and have been exposed to pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry only during their undergraduate training.”

Prof Petzer shared his surprise and gratitude at receiving the recognition, emphasising that it serves as motivation to continue his commitment to the field. “The accolade gives recognition for the numerous years that I have been involved with the professional examination, while also representing the privilege of being part of the task team,” he stated.

Beyond assessing examinations, Prof Petzer works with a task team that is dedicated to maintaining and upholding professional pharmacy norms and standards. His expertise ensures that future pharmacists are well-prepared to serve communities with excellence.

“The aim of the professional examination is to uphold acceptable norms and standards of pharmacy practice by evaluating the ability of pharmacists with foreign qualifications to apply pharmaceutical knowledge in the practice environment.”

In accepting this honour, Prof Petzer says he is privileged to be a member of the NWU community. “The NWU has provided me with the opportunity to follow an academic career path and has greatly supported my research activities,” he concluded.

As the NWU celebrates this outstanding achievement, the Faculty of Health Sciences continues to produce innovators in the field of pharmacy. With his award-winning contributions, Prof Petzer remains a pillar of academic excellence.

Prof Jacques Petzer is an active researcher in the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen ™) and his research interest focuses on the design of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

TELIT-SA’s digital futures symposium explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping education

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:33:28 +0000

TELIT-SA’s digital futures symposium explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping education

by Angeline Marokoane

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 04/01/2025 - 09:33

The landscape of education is transforming at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). This year’s iTLT Digital Futures Symposium, themed “Accelerating education through AI: Collaborative innovation for the future”, brought together leading experts from around the world to explore the ways AI is reshaping teaching and learning.

Held on 17 and 18 March at the Tsebonokeng Hall on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU), the symposium was organised by the research entity Technology Enhanced Learning and Innovative Teaching in South Africa (TELIT-SA), housed within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning at the NWU, officially opened the symposium. She emphasised the significance of AI in education and the need for collaborative innovation to drive meaningful change in teaching and learning practices. Her address set the stage for two days of thought-provoking discussions and knowledge-sharing.

AI tools can enhance learning and bridge gaps

The symposium started off with a compelling keynote by Prof Helen Crompton from Old Dominion University, USA. A globally recognised scholar and the executive director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning, Prof Crompton emphasised the transformative potential of AI in education. She described how AI-driven tools can enhance learning experiences, personalise instruction and bridge educational gaps worldwide.

Drawing from her research, which spans collaborations with the United Nations, Oxford University and major tech firms such as Google and Apple, Prof Crompton provided a visionary roadmap for integrating AI into teaching practices.

Mario Paiano and Koen Suilen from Fontys University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands then presented insights on integrating generative AI into education. Mario, an expert in mixed reality and emerging technologies, showcased how AI can revolutionise classroom experiences. The two presenters demonstrated AI-powered teaching methods that leverage visual storytelling to create engaging learning experiences.

The NWU’s Prof Wian Erlank, a distinguished legal scholar specialising in AI law, cyber law and property law in cyberspace, elaborated on the legal and ethical challenges surrounding AI in education.

Prof Liandi van den Berg, the director of TELIT-SA and organiser of the Digital Futures Symposium, provided valuable insights into the current research being conducted at the NWU on AI integration and usage by NWU students and staff. She showcased the AI student courses that have been developed, as well as preliminary research findings that indicate students are learning to use AI effectively and responsibility. Likewise, she briefly explained the structure and content of the innovative AI lecturer course being developed by TELIT-SA and collaborating colleagues within the NWU.

AI in challenge-based learning

On day two of the symposium, Prof Koen de Pryck of Montclair State University, USA, took the stage to discuss challenge-based learning (where students work together on real-life challenges) and how AI can be incorporated into it. With expertise in e-learning and competency-based education, Prof de Pryck stressed the importance of balancing technological advancements with effective pedagogy, ensuring that challenge-based learning enhances learning experiences.

Passionate IT educator Mark Mettler of Fontys University spoke about the importance of equipping lecturers with the skills to leverage AI’s potential. His hands-on session focused on designing creative AI-driven learning experiences that prioritise innovation and collaboration.

Koen Suilen, a curriculum specialist and co-author of Leven en leren met AI (Living and learning with AI), explored AI’s role in curriculum development. He detailed strategies for responsibly implementing AI tools in education, ensuring they serve as catalysts for critical thinking rather than passive consumption. His research underscores the need for educators to be well-informed on AI to guide students toward responsible and effective usage.

The symposium concluded with Prof Verona Leendertz, deputy dean for research and innovation in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, delivering the closing remarks and vote of thanks.

She expressed her gratitude to the speakers, organisers, and delegates for their contributions and engagement throughout the event. A special word of appreciation went to Zama Chaacha, administrative and liaison officer of TELIT-SA for her massive contribution to organising and hosting the symposium together with various school and research administrative staff members who contributed. Prof Leendertz emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and research in AI and education, encouraging participants to apply the insights gained during the symposium to their teaching and learning environments.

The symposium concluded with Prof Verona Leendertz, deputy dean of research and innovation within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, delivering the closing remarks and vote of thanks. She expressed her gratitude to the speakers, organisers, and delegates for their contributions and engagement throughout the event. A special word of appreciation went to Mrs Zama Chaacha, administrative and liaison officer of TELIT-SA for her massive contribution to organising and hosting the symposium together with various school and research administrative staff members who contributed. Prof Leendertz emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and research in AI and education, encouraging participants to apply the insights gained during the symposium to their teaching and learning environments.

Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, addresses the audience.

Prof Helen Crompton from Old Dominion University, USA, interacts with the audience.

Prof Koen de Pryck of Montclair State University, USA, discusses challenge-based learning and how AI can be incorporated into it.

Academic earns spot in global grant programme

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:33:58 +0000

Academic earns spot in global grant programme

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 03/28/2025 - 13:33

Articulating the social value of her research is a key priority for North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, who has been selected for a top global programme on cutting-edge grant-writing and related skills.

Prof Babalola, director of the Food Security and Safety research niche area at the university, has been chosen for the 2025 Leaders of Africa Institute’s Grant Writing and Funding (GWF) Programme.

The programme equips researchers with advanced grant-writing skills, stakeholder engagement strategies and resource mobilisation techniques. It builds on the Leaders of Africa Institute’s Research Methods Programme and supports the objective of fostering an international research community.

Prof Babalola expressed her enthusiasm over her acceptance to the programme. “Since yesterday, I have been speechless. I can't wait to begin this journey. I am ready to mobilise resources for social impact.”

She highlighted the support accompanying her selection. “The acceptance comes with a prestigious impact scholarship to support my training.”

The GWF Programme focuses on identifying the cost of research and articulating its value to stakeholders and society. It is open to researchers, lecturers, graduate students, institutional administrators and social innovators worldwide.

Prof Babalola leads the NWU’s Microbial Biotechnology subject group, which has produced 25 master’s and 35 PhD graduates. She also serves as vice president of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World, overseeing operations in 46 African countries.

Her research focuses on rhizosphere microbiology and integrating beneficial microbiomes into agriculture. Her work supports food security efforts, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 of zero hunger.

With more than 350 research outputs, Prof Babalola is making an impact on the scientific community and agricultural sustainability, and the grant will ensure she continues to do so.

Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola

Setswana experts assist the NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences to translate study guides

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:06:25 +0000

Setswana experts assist the NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences to translate study guides BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 03/28/2025 - 12:06

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

In a significant move to enhance multilingualism at the North-West University (NWU), a team of Setswana language experts is assisting the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) to translate study guides into Setswana. This initiative aligns with the NWU’s commitment to its functional multilingualism policy, which recognises Afrikaans, English, Setswana and Sesotho as official languages at the university.

The project, led by Thatayaone Dire, a Setswana language specialist at the FNAS, aims to make scientific and technological content more accessible to Setswana-speaking students. This effort is designed to bridge language barriers and ensure that complex academic material is more comprehensible for students within the FNAS.

Professor Thebe Medupe, the NWU’s deputy dean for Teaching and Learning at the FNAS, emphasised the crucial role language plays in academic success. “Setswana is an integral part of our identity, and ensuring that study guides reflect this language helps our students engage with the material more effectively. If we can translate everyday terms like 'cell phone' into Setswana, there is no reason why we cannot discuss complex topics like quantum mechanics in Setswana,” said Professor Medupe.

The translation team comprises several prominent Setswana language experts, including renowned Setswana authors and linguists like Mr Manfred Molebalwa, Mr Sethunya Kgafela, Dr Solly Magaleta and Mr Steve Selemale. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge in Setswana literature and linguistics, ensuring that the translated terms are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and widely understood.

Their work involves not just translating existing terms but also standardising them to ensure consistency across educational resources at the university. This is a crucial step in creating a uniform scientific vocabulary in Setswana that can be adopted across the NWU and beyond.

The project aims to extend beyond just the FNAS. Professor Medupe shared his long-term vision: “While we are starting with the FNAS, the goal is to make this initiative available across other faculties and institutions. We aim to create a unified scientific vocabulary in Setswana that will benefit the broader educational community.”

The translated study guides will serve as valuable resources for students, educators and researchers, ensuring that Setswana becomes a more prominent language in academic discourse. By integrating Setswana into the scientific lexicon, this initiative strengthens the role of indigenous languages in higher education and supports the NWU’s policy of multilingualism.

Through this project, the NWU is setting a positive example for other institutions, demonstrating how the inclusion of indigenous languages in education can make academic content more accessible, inclusive and relevant to a wider audience.

From left to right: Dr Solly Magalefa, Manfred Molebaloa, Prof Thebe Medupe, Sethunya Kgafela, Steve Selemale and Thatayaone Dire.

First-ever publication in Nature highlights space debris threat

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:14:24 +0000

First-ever publication in Nature highlights space debris threat

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 03/28/2025 - 09:14

The North-West University (NWU) has achieved a milestone with its first-ever publication in the journal Nature with Prof Thembinkosi Malevu of the subject group Physics sharing possible solutions to the risks posed by space junk.

Co-authored with Prof Richard Ocaya from the University of the Free State, the research focuses on the risks posed by space debris, pieces of old satellites and rockets, falling back to Earth.

The study highlights incidents where large metal fragments have crashed in places like Kenya and Uganda. As more satellites are launched into space, the chance of debris falling into populated areas increases, creating risks for people, buildings, land and air traffic.

The study explains that many space agencies and companies do not have clear plans for removing old satellites from orbit. Most of these satellites fall back to Earth, making it difficult to predict where they will land.

The research also discusses international agreements that hold countries responsible for damage caused by falling space debris, but these agreements were created before modern satellite technology and do not fully address today’s challenges.

The researchers warn about a possible chain reaction in space where pieces of debris collide with working satellites, creating more debris that could make space travel and communication systems unsafe. They point out that many small fragments are too tiny to track, making it difficult to prevent accidents.

The study calls for better monitoring systems and stronger rules to manage space traffic and prevent dangerous collisions.

To reduce the risks, the study suggests solutions such as better satellite designs that ensure old equipment burns up safely in the atmosphere. It also explores possible cleanup methods, including robotic arms, nets and lasers that could remove large pieces of debris from orbit.

The NWU’s first publication in Nature is an important step in addressing global challenges related to space safety. The study contributes to discussions on policies, environmental impact and the future of space exploration.

*The journal Nature, established in 1869, is a multidisciplinary science journal that has a 90.0 CiteScore, according to Scopus, a SCImago journal rank of 18.509 and a Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP) rating of 10.010. Nature is not to be confused with journals in the Nature Portfolio.

Prof Thembinkosi Malevu

Faculty of Law to host lecture on judicial limits and apex court authority

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:10:47 +0000

Faculty of Law to host lecture on judicial limits and apex court authority

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 03/28/2025 - 09:10

Is the Constitutional Court within its powers when it rules against decisions made in Parliament? Or is it stepping across the line between separate branches of government?

Setting out to answer these questions, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law is set to host a public lecture, “The functions of an apex court: Who empowered 11 unelected judges to strike down laws of a democratically elected parliament?” on Wednesday, 2 April 2025.

The lecture will explore the judicial process and the limits of judicial authority in South Africa, and will take place from 09:00 to 11:00 via Microsoft Teams.

Guest speaker Justice Albert ‘Albie’ Louis Sachs, a South African activist and former Constitutional Court judge, will lead the discussion.

Justice Sachs has participated in major legal debates and played a role in reform efforts, offering insight into the interplay between judicial review and legislative decisions. His career reflects years of engagement with constitutional matters and legal activism, making him a central figure in contemporary discussions about the power of the judiciary.

Lecture host, Prof Howard Chitimira, says: “This lecture offers a forum to analyse the balance of power within our legal system. It allows us to understand the impact of judicial review on our democratic process.”

His comment reflects the commitment of the faculty to foster a clear discussion on the separation of powers and the influence of legal decisions on public policy.

The session is expected to engage academics, legal practitioners and students in a comprehensive examination of judicial limits and the roles played by apex courts in South Africa’s evolving democracy.

Interested parties can join the public lecture via this MS Teams link on 2 April at 9:00

Dr Masego Matjila’s fight to keep Setswana alive

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:08:08 +0000

Dr Masego Matjila’s fight to keep Setswana alive

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 03/17/2025 - 10:08

For decades Dr Masego Ezekiel “Easy” Matjila’s voice has carried the baton of the Setswana language in the hope of handing it over to the younger generation. This message came across loud and clear at a recent event at the North-West University (NWU).

On 13 March 2025, he shared his journey in Setswana broadcasting at the annual public lecture hosted by the Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research entity at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Dr Matjila’s career in radio began in September 1982 at the national broadcaster. “I started as an on-air radio personality for Radio Setswana, which later became Motsweding FM after merging with Radio Mmabatho,” he said.

Over the years, his role expanded. He became a prime-time Setswana news presenter and later acted as bulletin editor for Setswana, Sesotho and Sepedi until his retirement in 2021.

His efforts earned him wide recognition, including Best News Writer at the SABC in 2008, the honour of commentating during the 1996 African Cup of Nations with the Durban Topsport Team and recognition for his contributions to indigenous language preservation from the Pan South African Language Board.

Pure Setswana and no compromises

His commitment to linguistic integrity shaped his work. “I ensured my bulletins were in purely standardised Setswana, avoiding dialects, to serve the Batswana nation as a whole,” Dr Matjila said. He credited language boards and conferences for refining terminology and sustaining linguistic heritage. “Thanks to the mabutswapele (elders) who paved the way, we held on to what was agreed upon after years of deliberation.”

“Throughout my career, both on radio and television, I made it my mandate to deliver any presentation in the pure and living Setswana language. It is my wish that our upcoming generation should embrace our language and remember that it is passed down from generation to generation.”

Beyond broadcasting, Dr Matjila saw indigenous language media as essential for democracy and development. “Indigenous languages remain a potent vehicle for mobilising people for positive goals,” he said. Yet, he noted a decline in their use, particularly among young people, and a diminishing presence in mainstream media.

How to stem the decline

Dr Matjila appealed for stronger advocacy. “One of the most effective ways to preserve indigenous languages is through awareness campaigns,” he said, commending the SABC for its 11-language radio stations.

He also called for government intervention. “Laws should protect linguistic rights, mobilise funding and integrate indigenous languages into education.”

The message was clear: media must continue to be a platform for indigenous languages, ensuring that voices like Dr Matjila’s do not fade into silence.

From left are Prof Mpho Chaka, Dr Eazy Matjila, Prof Abioudun Salawu and Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe.

Budget seeks balance between fiscal sustainability and economic growth

BELINDA BANTHAM — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:13:59 +0000

Budget seeks balance between fiscal sustainability and economic growth BELINDA BANTHAM Thu, 03/13/2025 - 10:13

The revised Budget statement presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 12 March, proposing a new fiscal mix of spending, borrowing and taxing as a response to the previous opposition to the 2% rise in VAT proposed in the original Budget, diverges to some extent from the parameters outlined in the original Budget.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says there was also a welcome emphasis on factors such as avoiding more borrowing, empowering the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to strengthen tax compliance, and expediting infrastructural spending.

He says the amended Budget seeks to strike a new balance between fiscal sustainability and economic growth. “The promised comprehensive spending review is a step in the right direction, but realistic timelines need to be set. Tough decisions on recalibrating government spending were nonetheless still needed in the amended Budget.”

Prof Parsons points out that future risks to the fiscal outlook remain, which the World Bank has also again emphasised recently.

“It has been the repeated failure over several years to adequately control government expenditure that eventually led to ever bigger budget deficits and a persistent rise in the key debt-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, which is now expected to peak this year at 76,2% of GDP. Hence, on the tax front, although the VAT rate now rises to only 16% over the next two years, that may not be the end of the story, unless more strenuous future efforts are made to rein in the spending side of the Budget.”

According to Prof Parsons, South Africa now risks drifting into a negative tax-and-spend fiscal cycle, with eventually damaging economic consequences unless higher growth generates more tax revenues. In an effort to enhance investment and growth, the emphasis in the Budget speech on increased collaboration with the private sector is nevertheless welcome.

“Whether the Budget has done enough to ignite economic growth to eventually reach the overall target of 3% GDP growth in the GNU’s recent Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) is not obvious. Given a more vulnerable external environment, the Budget assumption of 1,8% economic growth this year may also be too optimistic. As the Budget speech also emphasised, higher economic growth and a durable recovery in economic activity require a stable macroeconomic environment, complemented by rapid implementation of economic reforms and improved state capacity.”

Prof Parsons says an extra layer of uncertainty has, however, now inevitably been injected into fiscal policy by the fact that the Budget in its present form still has to be eventually voted upon and passed by Parliament.

“There is likely to be a further robust debate around amending the money bills in Parliament. The Parliamentary process will be a challenging one to see whether parliamentarians can improve on the fiscal mix in the Budget, as well as consider input from other key stakeholders in the economy.”

Sustainability reporting poses challenges for JSE-listed companies

BELINDA BANTHAM — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 09:05:05 +0000

Sustainability reporting poses challenges for JSE-listed companies

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Wed, 03/12/2025 - 11:05

Companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) must navigate evolving sustainability reporting requirements to ensure compliance, credibility and investor confidence.

Prof Neels Kilian of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law outlined the complexities of this shift in his inaugural lecture – titled “The legal background to integrated financial reporting” – on 5 March 2025 at the Potchefstroom Campus.

“The JSE has taken steps to standardise sustainability reporting,” Prof Kilian said. “But ensuring consistent compliance remains a challenge.”

The JSE introduced sustainability metrics in 2022, requiring companies to report on about 60 factors related to environmental, social and governance practices. This framework builds on the World Federation of Exchanges model, which outlines 30 key indicators. Unlike the New York Stock Exchange, which views these guidelines as recommendations, the JSE integrates them into its reporting rules.

“Companies are adjusting to the new framework, but full compliance is still developing,” said Prof Kilian.

Asset managers such as BlackRock and Old Mutual use independent rating agencies to assess sustainability performance. The JSE also collaborates with the London Stock Exchange for the FTSE/JSE Top 30 Index, which is rated for sustainability compliance by FTSE Russell. However, Prof Kilian pointed to a lack of publicly available ratings for companies in the index.

“There’s a transparency gap in how companies are rated for sustainability. Investors need access to clear and reliable data.”

Other exchanges, such as the Paris Stock Exchange, employ rating systems like Morningstar and Equitics® to evaluate sustainability compliance. Prof Kilian suggested that the JSE may need to adopt similar independent assessment models to strengthen investor confidence.

“The future of financial reporting is tied to sustainability. Stock exchanges must adapt to ensure compliance and credibility.”

Prof Neels Kilian

New research offers hope in Africa’s malaria crisis

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

New research offers hope in Africa’s malaria crisis

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 03/11/2025 - 15:00

A new weapon in the battle against malaria is emerging, and this time not from a laboratory, but rather driven by machine learning.

Researchers at the North-West University (NWU) have leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the search for life-saving drugs, a breakthrough that could shift the tide against this deadly disease.

The researchers have focused on a specific protein that is essential for the survival of the malaria parasite. By using machine learning, they have been able to screen thousands of potential compounds that could block this protein and prevent the parasite from thriving. This approach significantly speeds up the drug discovery process compared to traditional methods.

Malaria continues to be a major health crisis, particularly in Africa, where most cases and deaths occur.

Existing treatments are becoming less effective as the malaria parasite becomes resistant to commonly used drugs.

"We need to stay ahead of the parasite by continuously developing innovative treatments," says Dr Fortunate Mokoena from the subject group Biochemistry and one of the lead researchers.

Machine learning vs malaria

Dr Mokoena emphasises the potential impact of their work. "By using AI and machine learning, we were able to analyse a vast number of compounds in a fraction of the time it would take using conventional approaches. This allows us to identify promising drug candidates much faster."

The study identified several compounds that show strong potential in targeting the malaria parasite. “One compound, called FTN-T5, emerged as a promising candidate. In laboratory tests, FTN-T5 demonstrated its ability to kill the malaria parasite while remaining safe for human cells. However, further optimisation, including pre-clinical trials, is necessary before it can be developed into an approved treatment,” adds Dr Mokoena.

The use of artificial intelligence in drug discovery marks a significant shift in how scientists approach finding treatments for diseases such as malaria. Traditional drug development can take years, but AI-driven methods can streamline the process, identifying viable compounds more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. The researchers stress that additional funding and collaboration with pharmaceutical companies will be crucial in advancing these findings toward real-world applications. Clinical trials, regulatory approvals and large-scale manufacturing are still hurdles that must be overcome before a new malaria treatment reaches patients.

"These findings provide a strong starting point for developing new malaria drugs," says Dr Mokoena. "Our goal is to create medicines that are not only effective but also have a lower risk of resistance. Our interest is to develop affordable medicines for neglected African populations."

The research highlights how technology is transforming medicine, offering a glimpse into the future of drug discovery. If successful, this AI-driven approach could pave the way for faster and more efficient treatments, not just for malaria but for a wide range of infectious diseases.

Dr Fortunate Mokoena.