By Bonolo Monaisa

Students and staff from the North-West University (NWU) recently attended the 28th South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SBMB) Congress in Polokwane on 10 July 2024.

Hosted by the University of Venda, the congress was themed "Biochemistry Leading the Future" and attracted more than 350 delegates from around the globe.

Tsholofelo Moloi, Sinenhlanhla Mthembu, Marakia Moetlediwa and Masibulele Mdutyana were among the students in attendance.

Prof Wannie Carstens, the former director of the School of Languages at the North-West University (NWU), has been awarded the prestigious Jan H Marais Prize for his exceptional contributions to Afrikaans as a scientific language by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts). This is in recognition of his high level and high quality of work, as well as his expert contribution to Afrikaans linguistics.

The School of Languages and the Language Directorate at the North-West University (NWU) are collaborating with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to host a Multilingual Symposium.

This symposium, taking place on 29 August, will be the main event at the NWU’s Language Awareness Week that will take place from 26 to 30 August.

Prof Menno van Zaanen, professor in digital humanities at the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) at the North-West University (NWU), recently spent a productive two weeks at the University of Gdańsk in Poland to conduct teaching activities and interdisciplinary research in digital humanities.

The North-West University (NWU) boasts another winner of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for 2024.  Dr Pieter Odendaal, a senior lecturer in the subject group Creative Writing, was announced a winner in the Arts and Entertainment category.

He joins Dr Monray Williams, a senior lecturer in the subject group Biochemistry, who was announced a winner in the Science, Technology and Innovation category.

 Dr Odendaal views this recognition as an affirmation of his contributions to the arts and the significance of spoken word poetry in South Africa.

The North-West University (NWU) Business School held a think tank on Monday, 8 July, titled SA’s future economy – is it fit for purpose? Prof Piet Croucamp, political analyst and affiliate of the NWU Business School, served as moderator and the panellists comprised Prof Raymond Parsons, Wandile Sihlobo and Christo van der Rheede.

Experts advocate strategies that will make travel more affordable for South Africans facing increased living costs.

Security measures need to be enhanced by increasing visible policing and security personnel at key tourist spots.

Tax incentives for businesses that invest in tourism infrastructure and services should also be introduced, especially in underdeveloped regions.

Prof Fazel Freeks, an esteemed associate professor and coordinator of community engagement at the Faculty of Theology of the North-West University (NWU), embarked on an important visit to Ovidius University of Constanta in Romania for 14 days.

This visit highlighted the NWU’s core pillars: teaching and learning, research, and community engagement, making it a productive and inspiring journey.

The facts are irrefutable: South Africa is a country rife with corruption that is undermining our democratically elected institutions and hampering our economic growth. Corruption is not a disease in this country, it is a pandemic. But, for every disease there is a possible cure and pandemics can be curtailed. The North-West University (NWU) Business School, through its Unit for Corruption and Integrity Studies (UCIS), is endeavouring to inject some sense where sensibility has been lost.

Prof Kedibone Phago, director of the School of Government Studies at the North-West University (NWU), recently had the opportunity to attend a landmark workshop with the BRICS Research Community of Practice.

Hosted by the Pandit Deendayal Energy University in Gujarat, India, the event drew scholars from BRICS and BRICS+ nations, including South Africa, India, Russia, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.

The workshop, themed “Energy resilience and sustainability in BRICS+ nations – a policy analysis perspective”, provided a rich tapestry of discussions and presentations.