Academic

Nurses on the frontline: Unveiling the challenges of Covid-19 patient care

A recent study conducted by Dr Joan Dikobe from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing Science sheds light on the lived experiences of nurses as they cared for patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

As frontline healthcare workers, they are fundamental to the healthcare system, and play a crucial role in ensuring the continuity and quality of care to the patient.

Dr Dikobe says the study aimed to examine the physical, psychological, and social experiences of nurses as they provided care to Covid-19 patients in the North West province.

Submitted on Mon, 08/28/2023 - 16:00

Home-grown vaccine demonstrates 100% protection against tuberculosis

In an intriguing joint announcement, the Walter Sisulu and North-West universities unveiled the astounding results of their preclinical trials for a groundbreaking combination vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and Covid-19. The universities reported an unprecedented 100% protection in vaccinated animals – a significant step forwards in the unrelenting battle against tuberculosis, one of the world's most devastating diseases.

Submitted on Thu, 08/24/2023 - 21:15

Qualified nurses are a priority

The lack of qualified nurses is placing a stranglehold on the public health sector in South Africa, but through its commitment to bettering the lives of all South Africans, the North-West University (NWU) is helping to loosen this suffocating grip.

A recent study by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) estimates that there is only one nurse for every 218 patients in the country, with a need for tens of thousands more.

Submitted on Thu, 08/24/2023 - 14:40

Academic shines bright at Oxford innovation boot camp

Prof Rose Hayeshi, associate professor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) DSI/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform has just returned from the United Kingdom after a week-long innovation boot camp at the University of Oxford.

Prof Hayeshi was one of the 10 participants selected to deliver demo pitches, after which her presentation was chosen as one of the top five pitches.

Submitted on Thu, 08/24/2023 - 14:24

Optentia launches two short courses

Mentoring adds value at many levels for mentees, mentors and supervisors and can benefit all parties involved. Developing this relationship helps the parties to learn new things, build their networks, and grow as professionals.

To ensure success in the mentoring relationship, the Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU) developed two short courses to prepare mentors and mentees for their roles:

Submitted on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 07:50

NWU’s Prof Bismark Tyobeka: We need to invest in nuclear expertise, or lose it

The global energy dependency clock is ticking, and in South Africa it is doing so at a dizzying pace. What started as an impending energy crisis more than a decade ago has morphed into a situation that can only be described as akin to an irrevocable catastrophe. According to Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), stagnation in the country’s decision-making process is no longer an option.

Submitted on Wed, 08/16/2023 - 10:38

Prof Bismark: On to a sustainable energy future

A sustainable energy future is at the forefront of the list of research and innovation priorities of the North-West University (NWU), as is building and maintaining partnerships to help achieve this. Therefore, the NWU is playing host to the 4th AFRA-NEST General Assembly and 3rd Regional Meeting of Vice-Chancellors, which is currently being held in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Submitted on Tue, 08/15/2023 - 10:03

North West High Court judges lead NWU-Juta Mock Trials

A full bench of North West High Court judges presided over the annual North-West University (NWU)-Juta Mock Trial finals held at the High Court in Mahikeng on 7 August 2023.

Leading the panel was Deputy Judge President Tebogo Djaje, accompanied by esteemed justices Francies Reid, André Petersen and Myron Dewrance.

North West Judge President Ronald Hendricks viewed the proceedings from the gallery.

Submitted on Thu, 08/10/2023 - 12:18