The statement by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on 22 September conveyed an understandably hawkish message about the inflation outlook in the economy in the midst of several global and domestic uncertainties.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), says the majority view was for a 75 basis-point rise in order to progressively re-anchor inflationary expectations. Significantly, two members of the five-person MPC wanted a 100 basis-point hike.

Dr Richard Beteck, of the subprogramme Drug Discovery at the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharMaCen), has left the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) extremely proud of his latest achievement! Dr Beteck received the runner-up award for best oral presentation at the Annual Conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APSSA) of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA), hosted at Rhodes University in Makhanda from 21 to 23 August.

The Student Chapter of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) hosted a coin-laying fundraiser event on 7 September 2022.

The aim of this event was to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate, and the money that was collected will be used to purchase food, toiletries and non-perishable items for the Unathi Community Orphans’ Home in Mahikeng.

“The inaugural lecture ceremony marks the rite of passage into the ranks of a professorship. It is also an occasion that celebrates one’s academic career achievements,” said Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, North-West University (NWU) deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, during the inaugural lecture of Prof Indra Bahadur.

Prof Bahadur from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences presented his inaugural address – titled “From toxic to greener world” – on 14 September 2022.

By Ontiretse Motingwa

The School of Accounting Sciences at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently recognised its top achievers during a special ceremony.

The goal of the event – sponsored by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, Maine Incorporated, and RAin Chartered Accountants – was to acknowledge those students who did well during the first semester and to inspire others to do the same during the second half of the year.

During his inaugural lecture, Prof Aubrey Golightly discussed the influence of problem-based learning (PBL) on students’ self-directed learning (SDL) skills, and looked at PBL as a means to foster SDL in Geography education. SDL is a process during which individuals take ownership of their own learning.

By: Phenyo Mokgothu and Fambisa Mabotse

The Faculty of Law on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus hosted its first-ever cross-campus student seminar aimed at empowering women in the faculty.

North-West University (NWU) nursing student and the winner of the WorldSkills South Africa Occupational Standards National competition, Tshiamo Mokgoetsi, is preparing in all earnest for the international WorldSkills competition that will take place in France in October 2022.

With the assistance of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), Tshiamo was coached and mentored by two national experts in August.

By Oldrin Masowa

Prof Shan Simmonds, North-West University (NWU) academic in the research unit Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight), has been elected as the South African representative of Women in Higher Education Management (WHEM).

The WHEM network is an international feminist research consortium. It analyses challenges for women in higher education and in university management, and finds ways to develop strategies that can empower women to apply for positions in and succeed in higher education.