South Africa should invest more in nuclear research if it wishes to remain globally competitive and fulfil its responsibility to meet the diverse needs of its communities. This was Professor Machaba Michael “Mike” Sathekge’s message when he received his honorary doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Philosophiae Doctor, Honoris Causa) from the North-West University (NWU) on Wednesday 4 June.

By Gofaone Motsamai

The road from Kagiso, where she sold second-hand clothing under the scorching Gauteng sun, to the lecture halls of North-West University (NWU) was long, bumpy and deeply personal for Dr Salphinah Vuloyimuni Ubisi.

Now a senior lecturer in the subject group Public Administration and Local Government at the NWU, Dr Ubisi’s story began in hardship and determination. “The money generated from selling old clothes became my main source of income and this provided the core finance for my studies.”.

The disappointing gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure of 0,1% for the first quarter of 2025, released by StasSA on 3 June, comes as no surprise, as it merely confirms several months of muted high-frequency economic data that pointed to this likely outcome.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says although adverse global developments earlier this year have also played a role, the weaker economic data was already apparent before then.

When the Brazilian real stumbles or the Chinese yuan strengthens, the ripple travels far beyond currency traders’ screens; it strikes at the heart of the economic performance of nations belonging to the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) bloc.

That’s the central premise of research by recent NWU PhD graduate Dr Goitsemodimo Abel Molocwa, whose recent investigation into the BRICS bloc unpacks how fluctuations in exchange rates tilt the scales of growth.

The implementation of the recently approved strategy of the North-West University (NWU) is starting to show positive results. The strategy – Taking the NWU forward: 2024 and beyond – prioritises, among other things, internationalisation, partnerships and impact. Consequently, the NWU now ranks in the top 4,1% of universities worldwide. This is according to the 2025 edition of the outcome-based Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). The CWUR published the latest ranking on 2 June.

In a country where the number of female academics specialising in occupational hygiene is exceptionally small, the North-West University (NWU) stands out as a national and continental leader.

Of the only eight known female academics in South Africa with a specialised focus in this field, an astounding five are based at the NWU. This speaks volumes about the university’s commitment to advancing occupational hygiene and promoting female academic leadership in a historically male-dominated discipline.

The widely anticipated decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to resume its interest rate-easing cycle by reducing rates by another 25 basis points (bps) is the right one.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist of the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC decision of 29 May is welcome recognition of the changed economic circumstances that have made this possible.

At just 23 years old, Aurleen Shenjere has achieved what many spend a lifetime striving towards – three degrees, including a master’s degree completed in under a year, and an academic publication in an international peer-reviewed journal. Her story is one of exceptional discipline, resilience and purpose – driven by a deep desire to grow and to inspire.

By Gofaone Motsamai

Years of study, fieldwork and reflection have culminated in a book that combines experience and policy on a touchy subject in South Africa, housing.

Dr Salphinah Vuloyimuni Ubisi, a lecturer in the subject group Public Administration and Local Government at the North-West University (NWU), described how her work had evolved into a project that reconnected her with her heritage during a seminar on 15 May.

In a landmark session that brought together forward-thinking academics and institutional leaders, the Technology Enhanced Learning and Innovative Training and Education in South Africa (TELIT-SA), based within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS) at the North-West University (NWU), hosted internationally acclaimed e-learning pioneer Dr Badrul Khan for a powerful conversation on the future of education in a digital age.