On 29 and 30 November 2023, the Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI) of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a workshop to share knowledge and best practices regarding the use of direct-reading methodologies and sensors in occupational hygiene. Themed "The changing landscape of occupational hygiene: Challenges and opportunities presented by real-time exposure data", the event brought together 50 professionals, including international representatives, government bodies, universities and industry experts.

The North-West University (NWU) again distinguished itself as one of the country’s premier accountancy institutions when the NWU’s School of Accountancy and its Management Accountancy programme claimed three prestigious Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Professional Africa Awards. The awards are powered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

The decline in the third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth to -0,2% from 0,5% in the second quarter of 2023 was worse than expected.

Stats South Africa released the GDP growth figures for the third quarter on 5 December. Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says negative factors have clearly dominated the positive ones to a greater extent than anticipated in that period.

Professor in mechanical engineering Prof LJ Grobler represented the North-West University (NWU) at the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) World conference that took place from 25 to 27 October 2023 at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida.

The AEE is an international non-profit membership association focusing on professional development in the energy sector. To help professionals working in the energy sector develop their skills, they offer a variety of training and certification programmes.

A researcher of the North-West University (NWU) has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the South African Heart Association (SA Heart®). He will also work in its executive and stakeholder committees.

Prof Ruan Kruger from the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) will serve on the board for a period of three years. “It is a great honour. The SA Heart® board comprises the best cardiologists in South Africa, and for me as a physiologist to be selected is a wonderful milestone.”

Kurt Naicker, a senior lecturer and chartered accountant at the North-West University's (NWU) School of Accounting Sciences, recently shared his insights about how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the South African landscape and shaping our future with postgraduate students from Kohinoor Business School in Mumbai, India.

North-West University (NWU) academic and researcher, Prof Nico Smit has been appointed as an adjunct professor in marine biology and ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami (UM), USA.

The title of adjunct professor is the equivalent of an extraordinary professorship, showcasing the recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field.

Imagine an hourglass and think of one of the countless impoverished communities in South Africa. Ask yourself: How do we enrich the lives of the people in these communities and equip them with the skills to secure sustainable employment opportunities? If you fill the hourglass with resources and turn it over, these resources will trickle down steadily, but leave few lasting effects for the community. Therefore, the question remains unanswered.

Associate research professor Petronella Jonck from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently shed light on the relationship between talent management and the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) operating within the informal sector.

As the keynote speaker at a research seminar hosted by the Central University of Technology, her presentation underscored the critical role, benefits, and rewards associated with enhancing the financial sustainability of informal SMMEs.

Prof Marianne van Woerkom examined the importance of identifying and utilising the strengths and talents of employees in the workplace during a recent public lecture hosted by the Optentia research unit on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus.

Prof Van Woerkom, a professor of positive psychology and human resource studies at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, explained that harnessing employees’ strengths not only can help them to cope with work pressure, but it can also add value in their personal and professional development.