Academic

NWU student second runner-up in Nedbank & Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition

North-West University (NWU) master’s student in economics Sphesihle Thusini was announced second runner-up in the postgraduate category of the 2022 Nedbank & Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition and walked away with R50 000.

For the 2022 competition, postgraduates were asked to submit an essay, evaluating the impact of public infrastructure investment on economic growth based on South Africa's post-2000 experience. They were also asked to discuss this impact on the prospects for economic growth in the medium term.

Submitted on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 15:32

NWU team secures second position in Student Datathon Challenge

Students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Computer Science and Information Systems secured second position in the annual Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) Student Datathon 2022 Challenge.

Themed "Using social media data to develop innovative solutions", the challenge aimed to demonstrate how open data can be utilised to develop creative and innovative solutions to some of South Africa's problems.

Lecturer Susan Campher says that teams from nine universities and one secondary school participated in the challenge.

Submitted on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 12:03

Renowned Judge Dennis Davis to present seminar for small business enterprises

Esteemed Judge Dennis Davis will lead a seminar for small business enterprises on Thursday, 9 March 2023 at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

The seminar is organised by the Companies Tribunal in partnership with the NWU's Faculty of Law. It is aimed at small and upcoming businesses in Mahikeng and NWU students, especially those dealing with company law and/or doing research about this topic.

Various legal academics and practicing lawyers will join Judge Davis as presenters.

Submitted on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 11:58

School of Computer Science and Information Systems secures third place in Cyber Security Challenge finals

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Computer Science and Information Systems secured third place in the Cyber Security Challenge finals hosted by the South African National Research Network (SANReN) during the Centre for High Performance Computing’s national meeting.

Students Heinke Lubbe, Nico kemp, and Aaryadev Ghosalkar took part in the challenge, with honours student Christo Croucamp as their mentor and Prof Lynette Drevin as facilitator.

Submitted on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 09:43

There is nothing small about nanotechnology at the North-West University

One thousand-millionth of a metre. Or, to put it differently: one billionth of a metre. This unfathomably small number is called a nanometre and the world of nanotechnology operates at between 1 and 100 nanometres. This is also where the North-West University (NWU) is unearthing new ways to combat disease, to help protect the environment and to develop materials that will promote sustainability.

Submitted on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 14:20

Delegation from Kogakkan University share insight into new team-teaching style

A delegation from Kogakkan University on the island of Mie, Japan, visited the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) from 20 to 24 February 2023 to demonstrate their new team-teaching style – Lesson Study Approach (LSA).

This teaching style, developed by Kogakkan University, is aimed at preservice teachers as part of their work-integrated learning, and incorporates the advantages of both cooperative and individualised teaching.

Submitted on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 14:06

NWU Debating Union hosts annual first-year debate tournament

The North-West University (NWU) Debating Union on the Mahikeng Campus is dedicated to maintaining the existing skills of public speaking, debating, and critical thinking, and cultivating and maturing these skills in those who would like to learn.

This is according to Kgopotso Sekgobela, chairperson of the union.

The union has consistently received positive reviews of the annual first-year debate tournaments they host to introduce first-year students to university debating.

Submitted on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 09:31

Top music practitioners to facilitate African Music workshop series

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Music is bringing top African music practitioners to share their knowledge and expertise as part of an African Music workshop series.

The first three workshops will be held during the first semester of 2023, and each of these will be open to all NWU staff and students, free of charge.

The first workshop – facilitated by Keitumetse Joyce Moholoagae – takes place on 4 March 2023 from 10:00 to 15:00 and will focus on vocals.

Submitted on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 12:14

ILMA research unit engages on African language media development

The Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research unit of the North-West University (NWU) wants to find out why businesses in African language media are unstable, and what can be done about it.

The research unit hosted an event on 23 February 2023 to engage with relevant stakeholders to discuss the survival, management and economics of African language media.

The director of the ILMA research unit, Prof Abiodun Salawu, says it is important that the university does research that betters the community and is meaningful to them.

Submitted on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 09:52

Panellists ponder post-Budget recession risks in South Africa

If the elevated fiscal risks outlined in the Budget speech on 22 February 2023 were to materialise, the South African economy could well drift into a recession later this year, said a panel of experts in discussing the Budget in an NWU Business School Pitso today. Questions put to the panel were whether the 2023 Budget responded adequately to a highly unfavourable global and domestic economic environment, whether the Budget strategy could generate a fiscal offset to current economic challenges, and what fiscal risks still faced the economy and the country’s public finances.

Submitted on Mon, 02/27/2023 - 12:36