Water is an essential component of life on earth, and without it we cannot survive. However, the sad reality is that we take this resource for granted, and much more should be done to conserve it.

The North-West University (NWU) played its part by being the primary host of the 23rd WaterNet WARFSA/GWP-SA Symposium that took place at Sun City from 19 to 21 October 2022.

These symposia have been held annually in the eastern and southern African regions for the past 22 years.

It is clear that something needs to be done about discipline in schools, but reintroducing corporal punishment, even on a limited scale, is probably not the answer.

This is one of the findings of a study by Dr Noorullah Shaikhnag, senior lecturer and deputy director at the School of Psycho-Social Education of the North-West University (NWU).

The study revealed strong differences among learners, teachers, parents and school governing bodies on the topic of corporal punishment.

The academic world can easily be infiltrated by dishonesty and plagiarism, especially in trying times such as the past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Good academic practice is essential for lecturers and students. 

Prof Anné Verhoef, director of the School of Philosophy at the North-West University (NWU), is an avid campaigner for academic integrity and has centred his research on establishing a Community of Practice for Academic Integrity (CoPAI).

The rampant failure of banks in Zimbabwe in the past 20 years has now been explained: a major reason is inadequate supervision of banking institutions by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and other regulatory bodies.

This is according to the doctoral study of Menelisi Ncube, who recently graduated from the North-West University (NWU) as a Doctor of Laws in mercantile law. 

In his study, Menelisi investigated why the banking institutions in Zimbabwe have been failing from around 2002 to date.

To be compelled to pursue research and to be grateful. These sentiments are what Prof Susan Coetzee-Van Rooy, research professor at the North-West University (NWU), values when she reflects on receiving her B2 National Research Foundation (NRF) rating in 2022.

Prof Coetzee-Van Rooy is an NWU-grown B-rated scholar in languages – specifically multilingualism. Her track record proves that with the right support and guidance, humanities and social sciences scholars at our institution can obtain, maintain and systematically improve their ratings.

When it comes to seeking innovative solutions to the social and environmental challenges faced by South Africa, the Research Unit for Law, Justice and Sustainability from the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront.

The North-West University (NWU) is at the cutting-edge of research that seeks to embed community engagement and contribute meaningfully to people’s lives locally, continentally, and globally.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, is under no illusion about the intricacies involved in research and innovation, societal expectations of the importance of research, as well as governmental and multi-stakeholder views on the role of institutions of higher learning in this regard.

Together they are known as the water mavericks: Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout and Prof Henk Bouwman from the North-West University (NWU) have a wealth of experience between them and have amassed acclaimed recognition for their water-related research in their respective fields.

A new chief director has joined the Business School of the North-West University (NWU). Dr Joseph Sekhampu, an executive in private higher education, will take the reins on 17 January 2023.

Dr Sekhampu boasts managerial expertise that includes being executive head of commerce and management (from August 2022), chief operating officer (2019 to 2022) and dean of the School of Commerce (2014 to 2019) at Milpark Education, a South African private education institution in business education.

In a world grappling with the effects of pollution and global warming, hydrogen is a viable alternative in generating cleaner, “greener” energy to not only benefit humankind, but also the environment.