The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has granted a five-year extension to the SAMRC/NWU Extramural Unit (EMU) for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, effective from the beginning of April 2025. This decision follows a successful review process and highlights the crucial role of the unit in addressing the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in South Africa.
Bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world experience, the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted Mr Solly Segooa, chief risk officer at the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), for a thought-provoking guest lecture titled “Understanding and managing risk in entrepreneurship”.
The session offered students a unique opportunity to gain practical insight into the complexities of financial oversight, governance, and risk management in both public and private sectors.
By Gofaone Motsamai
The Khayalethu Residence at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted an academic symposium aimed at empowering students with knowledge on research, artificial intelligence (AI) and entrepreneurship.
The event provided a platform for students to engage with experts in various fields, gaining insight into emerging technologies, business innovation and academic research resources.
AI in academia: embracing the future
By Gofaone Motsamai and Nikelo Mehlomakulu
The evolution of South Africa’s intelligence services and the academic study of intelligence science took centre stage at a public lecture hosted by the North-West University (NWU) on 3 April 2025. Delivered by retired lecturer and intelligence expert Henning van Aswegen, the lecture explored the historical foundations, transformation and modern-day challenges of intelligence in South Africa.
In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, certain institutions stand out not only for their age or size, but also for their unyielding commitment to curiosity and innovation. North-West University (NWU) in South Africa exemplifies this spirit, particularly through its Focus Area for Pure and Applied Analytics (PAA) research entity. This group is not only pushing the boundaries of mathematical and statistical sciences, but also redefining how these disciplines intersect with real-world applications.
In a noteworthy seminar hosted by the School of Social Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) on Friday, 4 April, Dr Pedro Mzileni, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Zululand, delivered a captivating case study on the “Coloniality of academic freedom” in South Africa’s higher-education sector.
The North-West University (NWU) continues to shine in academic excellence as Prof Jacques Petzer, professor in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the Faculty of Health Sciences, has been recognised as the Best Examiner in professional exams for 2024 by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
The landscape of education is transforming at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). This year’s iTLT Digital Futures Symposium, themed “Accelerating education through AI: Collaborative innovation for the future”, brought together leading experts from around the world to explore the ways AI is reshaping teaching and learning.
Articulating the social value of her research is a key priority for North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, who has been selected for a top global programme on cutting-edge grant-writing and related skills.
Prof Babalola, director of the Food Security and Safety research niche area at the university, has been chosen for the 2025 Leaders of Africa Institute’s Grant Writing and Funding (GWF) Programme.
By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai
In a significant move to enhance multilingualism at the North-West University (NWU), a team of Setswana language experts is assisting the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) to translate study guides into Setswana. This initiative aligns with the NWU’s commitment to its functional multilingualism policy, which recognises Afrikaans, English, Setswana and Sesotho as official languages at the university.