Imagine an hourglass and think of one of the countless impoverished communities in South Africa. Ask yourself: How do we enrich the lives of the people in these communities and equip them with the skills to secure sustainable employment opportunities? If you fill the hourglass with resources and turn it over, these resources will trickle down steadily, but leave few lasting effects for the community. Therefore, the question remains unanswered.

Associate research professor Petronella Jonck from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently shed light on the relationship between talent management and the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) operating within the informal sector.

As the keynote speaker at a research seminar hosted by the Central University of Technology, her presentation underscored the critical role, benefits, and rewards associated with enhancing the financial sustainability of informal SMMEs.

Prof Marianne van Woerkom examined the importance of identifying and utilising the strengths and talents of employees in the workplace during a recent public lecture hosted by the Optentia research unit on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Prof Van Woerkom, a professor of positive psychology and human resource studies at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, explained that harnessing employees’ strengths not only can help them to cope with work pressure, but it can also add value in their personal and professional development.

A second chance to achieve better matric results may just be the key to a thriving career in engineering. Through the innovative Xcel programme, the North-West University (NWU) is giving talented matrics whose final results stand in the way of their dream to become engineers the opportunity to pursue their passion.

As the debate on the effect of fossil fuels on climate change rages on, questions regarding the use of fossils fuels as a major part of the country’s energy-producing package are hotly disputed. Now, Prof Marco le Roux of the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) asks: Is it still ethical to conduct coal research in South Africa?

The North-West University (NWU), in collaboration with AOSIS – an open access publishing platform – recently released two volumes in the Reformed Theology in Africa series.

The books titled Biblical Theology of Prayer in the Old Testament and Biblical Theology of Prayer in the New Testament, have diligently been crafted by co-editors Prof Albert Coetsee and Prof Francois Viljoen from the NWU’s Faculty of Theology.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says in the face of pressing economic and fiscal challenges, the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) offered a realistic but vulnerable fiscal picture for South Africa.

In commenting on the MTBPS that was presented to Parliament on 1 November by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, Prof Parsons points out that several of the fiscal risks outlined in the main February Budget have materialised and were recognised by the minister.

On Friday, 20 October, the Faculty of Education at the North-West University (NWU) launched the Centre for Higher Education Professional Development (CHEPD), and the Centre for African Language Teaching (CALT) – Setswana.

Clad in a variety of African cultural attires, distinguished speakers and esteemed guests descended on the beautiful Roots Café in Potchefstroom to witness the inauguration of the two centres.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management on the Vanderbijlpark Campus recently organised an Industry Day to expose students to human resource management in the workspace.

According to the event organiser, Zama Chacha, the event was aimed at encouraging students to pursue careers human capital and creating lasting networks between industry and academia.

Industry experts from various companies such as Nedbank, Nando’s and Avatar Agency attended the occasion and shared their knowledge and experiences.

-NWU and IAEA collaborate to train students in nuclear forensic science

-The partnership will develop a Nuclear Crime Scene Management Laboratory

-The IAEA has recommended that each of its member states establish a national nuclear forensic library

In a significant step toward enhancing nuclear forensic science capabilities, the North-West University (NWU) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have entered into a ground-breaking partnership.