By Gofaone Motsamai and Keaoleboga Motshabi

The North-West University’s Faculty of Humanities, in collaboration with the School of Philosophy, hosted a public lecture on 6 September 2024, presented by Prof Bernard Matolino from the University of Pretoria.

The lecture, titled “Governments of National Unity (GNUs) and the African Polity: Insights from the 2024 South African Electoral Outcome”, addressed the state of African democracy and the potential implications of GNUs in governance.

There is no feeling like it. You stand there with bated breath, waiting for your name to be called. This is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication … determination. Underneath your black gown, your nervous system is in flux, you are a veritable cauldron of emotions. “I can’t believe I did it,” you think to yourself. Then it happens. You are called to the front. Applause fills the graduation hall. You hear the cheers of your family. You reflect on the sacrifices they have made, that you have made. You leave the stage, beaming, degree in hand and your future ahead of you.

Prof Wannie Carstens, an accomplished Afrikaans scholar at the North-West University (NWU), was recently honoured with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts) Jan H Marais Prize for his outstanding academic work in Afrikaans.

The prestigious prize ceremony took place at Webersburg farm in Stellenbosch.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) hosted another successful Teaching and Learning Conference from 10 to 12 September.

Themed "Student centricity in teaching and learning at the NWU", the conference stressed the importance of reimagining teaching and learning methodologies to better cater to the specific needs of NWU students.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management was recently recognised in two categories of the 2024 South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) Awards.

The school won an award in the category Best University in People Practices and Governance (PPG) Standards Alignment, and Debbie Mtshelwane, a lecturer and programme leader for Human Resource Management won an award in the Best Standard Research Paper/Dissertation category.

By Loveness Hulwane

The North-West University's (NWU’s) Golden Key chapter on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, in partnership with Standard Bank, recently  inaugurated new members into the prestigious society.  

The event, held at the Tsebonokeng Hall, was a celebration of academic excellence and served as a platform to recognise and welcome new members into the Golden Key family.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) , together with the Water Research Group, the Safety, Health and Environment Department and the Green Team, celebrated International Water Week from 26 to 30 August in Potchefstroom.

The Zoology subject group of FNAS organised three community engagement activities to raise awareness of the importance of clean water and sustaining water sources for the future. This included a river clean-up at the Trimpark, a Fish Day at Vyfhoek Primary School, and a citizens Science Shop.

The observable part of our universe is 93 billion light years in diameter and growing. It holds secrets accumulated over 13.8 billion years of interstellar expansion, cosmic explosions, and the fusion of matter that has shaped all that is known and all that isn’t. These are numbers that the mind struggles to comprehend. Just think of the research opportunities that await.

Student affairs is an important part of higher education and the work that professionals in this field do is an essential catalyst in starting the lifelong, holistic development of students.

The goal of achieving land degradation neutrality is still achievable, especially with the recent appointment of Prof Klaus Kellner from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU) to serve on the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) National Working Group.