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.

By Oldrin Masowa

Although the words ‘charisma’ and ‘sharks’ are not often used in the same sentence, Prof Serena Lucrezi believes that the charisma of sharks can be the centre of attraction for shark tourism.

That is indeed the focus of project “Brand South Africa” she and her research team from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) recently launched.

The nuclear debate has raged for more than three quarters of a century. Proponents of nuclear power continue to extol its virtues, while its detractors remain steadfast in their belief that its risks outweigh its benefits. Renowned nuclear energy expert and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Dr Bismark Tyobeka, was recently nominated to serve as South Africa’s representative on the Senior Industry Advisory Panel (SIAP) of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF).

Dr Tyobeka gives his thoughts on what the future holds for nuclear energy.

By Angeline Marokoane and Ontiretse Motingwa

This annual event takes place across campuses, and aims to showcase the NWU's cultural diversity, to broaden horizons, to strengthen respect for each other, and to enable the renewal of ideas. This year’s theme was “Multilingualism: a powerful resource for inclusion and academic development”.

Prof Manitza Kotzé’s current research is an extension of what she has been working on for years. She works between the two fields of Christian ethics and systematic theology, which aims to formulate an orderly, rational and coherent account of truths in a Christian-consistent whole. She is profoundly interested in the topic of developing biotechnology as a challenge to Christian ethics. She specifically looks at transhumanism, which is the belief that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology.

When we think about tourism, our mind’s eye is filled with images of long safari drives through the African bush, sunbathing on the white sands of pristine beaches and gazing up at architectural feats both foreign and unique. But tourism is a complex industry that is subject to the whims and fancies of an almost unimaginable number of variables.

There is plenty to sift through, to research and to recommend to keep the industry healthy, as it is not only a major job creator, but an integral part of South Africa’s economy as an income generator. 

The Film and Production Board (FPB), in conjunction with the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Communication, recently hosted a roadshow as part of an open dialogue with students on online harm, cyber safety and content classification.

The objective of the roadshow, that took place on the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, was to provide the youth with a platform to share their input on policy matters that affect them.

As part of the roadshow, a panel of young people bravely shared personal testimonies on online harm and cyberbullying they have experienced.

This webinar analysed the country’s stance and the extensive criticism it received on its decision not to vote on three United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia's intervention within Ukraine - with both the United States of America and the Russian Federation equally vying for support from South Africa.

A proud tradition of speaking up to protect the environment is alive and well.

The experts of the North-West University (NWU) have for years been part of the very popular weekly insert Omgewingspraatjies on the radio programme Brêkfis met Derrich on Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) on Saturday mornings. Prof Rialet Pieters, professor in Zoology at the School of Biological Sciences, is continuing this tradition on RSG as the NWU’s new voice on Omgewingspraatjies.