An inaugural lecture is considered an important rite of passage in the life and career of an academic.

Professor Marietjie Havenga delivered her inaugural lecture, titled Cooperative problem-based learning in Information Technology: Active learning for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In this lecture, Prof Havenga argued that the implementation of cooperative problem-based learning as a teaching and learning strategy can contribute to students’ active and responsible learning skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking has placed the North-West University (NWU) among the top eight South African universities in the QS World University Rankings, which were released on 8 June.

Globally, the NWU has been placed in the 1 001 to 1 200 ranking category for the 2022/2023 QS World University Rankings – the same as last year. The NWU’s performance has been consistent in this ranking category for the past four years.

Better technology tools are on the way for South Africa’s four Nguni languages. Research being done at the Centre for Text Technology (CTexT®) at the North-West University (NWU) is helping to fill in the missing links about how these languages are being used, which will in turn lead to the development of language tools based on the latest technologies, notably artificial intelligence (AI).

Just as vastness induces awe, so there is wonder to be found in the miniscule. For Dr Roksana Majewska from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), this is an absolute truth.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Keatlegile Mabena has recently been selected as one of the Sunday World Unsung Heroes for 2022. He received an award under the category Youth in Education and Academia.

The subject group Geography on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently hosted 44 Grade 11 and 12 learners from the Tiego Tawana High School to teach them more about the Geographic Information System (GIS) software application.

GIS is a system that creates, manages, analyses, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry.

A well-known former dean of the Faculty of Education and vice-rector at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus, Prof Dewey de Wet, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 2 July in his house in Potchefstroom.

Prof de Wet studied at the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE), now the NWU, where he obtained his BSc degree in mathematics and science, UOD, BEd, MEd and DEd degrees, as well as a BScHons degree from UNISA. 

By Ontiretse Motingwa

Tebogo Phakedi, a North-West University (NWU) alumnus has been nominated as one of the 50 most influential young people in the North West province.

Tebogo, a journalist at the SABC, was nominated after local newspaper Naledi News requested its readers and the general public to nominate young people who they believe are goal driven and influential.

North-West University’s principal and vice-chancellor, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, has been invited by prominent global leaders in nuclear affairs to be a panelist in an international webinar on the role of nuclear and radiology safety in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.

The surge in lifestyle diseases in South Africa could be halted by paying more attention to the lifestyle choices of young and vulnerable learners, especially in rural areas.