Academic

Anja sets her sights on early detection of kidney disease in young South Africans

The earlier kidney disease is detected, the more effectively it can be treated. Anja Degenaar, a master’s student in physiology at the North-West University (NWU), has set out to identify the biomarkers which will indicate deteriorating kidney function in young South Africans, ensuring early detection and treatment.

“The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming an increasing concern, especially since CKD is expected to be the fifth leading cause of mortality by the year 2040,” she says.

Submitted on Mon, 03/28/2022 - 13:19

Influence of supply-side shocks on prices needs appropriate response from monetary policy

“Given the overall balance of economic risks currently facing South Africa, the judgement of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that a 25 basis-point rise should suffice for now is right, although the tone and language of the MPC statement was distinctly hawkish.”

Submitted on Fri, 03/25/2022 - 12:34

NWU academic elected President of African Astronomical Society

Phenyo Mokgothu

Prof Thebe Rodney Medupe, North-West University (NWU) academic and deputy dean for community engagement and stakeholder relations in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, has been elected as the president of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS).

Prof Medupe was elected during the society’s General Assembly on 18 March 2022, which formed part of AfAS's hybrid conference that took place from 14 to 18 March.

Submitted on Tue, 03/22/2022 - 14:56

Veteran broadcaster advocates all-inclusive campaign for indigenous languages in Africa

Phenyo Mokgothu

It was a convergence of media practitioners, communication scholars, staff and students on the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) as the legengary broadcaster and famous isiXhosa language news anchor, Dr Noxolo Grootboom, delivered a public lecture on indigenous language broadcasting.

This public lecture was hosted in hybrid format by the NWU’s Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research entity.

Submitted on Tue, 03/22/2022 - 14:53

NWU and partners launch API Plus lab to grow SA's bio-economy

The North-West University (NWU), in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), recently launched the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Plus laboratory.

The project, a joint initiative between government, academia and industry, aims to promote the manufacturing of APIs in South Africa and stimulate the growth of the country's bio-economy.

Submitted on Wed, 03/16/2022 - 09:57

NWU and Universität Duisburg-Essen develop early warning tool for metal pollution in fresh water

Researchers from North-West University (NWU) and Universität Duisburg-Essen in Germany have developed an early warning tool for metal pollution in freshwater systems worldwide.

This research achievement is a collaboration between the Water Research Group, the NWU led by Prof Nico Smit and Prof Victor Wepener and the Universität Duisburg-Essen’s Aquatische Ökologie (Aquatic Ecology) Group, led by Prof Bernd Sures and Dr Sonja Zimmerman.

The project is funded by the National Research Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Submitted on Tue, 03/15/2022 - 14:12

NWU reaches out to schools by donating sports equipment

As part of their community outreach programme, the All Sports Chapter (ASC) and Sports department on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus are reaching out to local schools lacking sports equipment.

 

The aim of this programme is to give back to the community and to add value to sports development in the Ngaka Modiri Molema region.

 

Submitted on Fri, 03/11/2022 - 14:06