Human Interest

Volunteers needed for groundbreaking TRACTOR Awareness Rally

The North-West University (NWU) is calling on volunteers to help bring a transformative awareness campaign to life. Ahead of the launch of the TRACTOR Awareness Rally – a pioneering community initiative to raise awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease – support is needed in areas such as logistics, event coordination, research and media.

Submitted on Mon, 05/12/2025 - 09:40

Faculty of Humanities hosts first Africa International Teaching Week

The Faculty of Humanities of the North-West University (NWU) is excited to host its inaugural Africa International Teaching Week (AITW) from 31 August to 5 September 2025 across its Vanderbijlpark, Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campuses.

This prestigious event invites 20 higher education practitioners based outside South Africa to participate in a vibrant academic and cultural exchange centred on the theme “The role of the humanities in social justice”.

Submitted on Thu, 05/08/2025 - 15:15

Nursing Sciences leads outreach to Northern Cape school

New career horizons in healthcare are opening up to Northern Cape learners thanks to an outreach visit by healthcare professionals from the School of Nursing Sciences on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

A team from Nursing Sciences visited Tlhwahalang Secondary School in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape on 16 April 2025 to offer career guidance to Grade 11 and 12 learners and assist them with university applications.

Submitted on Fri, 05/02/2025 - 11:06

Call for climate-smart cattle breeding to promote food security

By Gofaone Motsamai

Heat stress is among the most urgent climate-related challenges affecting beef cattle productivity, requiring South African cattle breeders to adopt climate-smart strategies to bolster food security under changing environmental conditions.

“Heat stress is becoming a major threat to livestock productivity,” said Prof Giel Scholtz of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in an online guest lecture hosted by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on 24 April 2025.

Submitted on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 10:10

Alumni business breakfast sparks dialogue on regional tourism and development

The Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) played host to a dynamic Alumni Business Breakfast on Thursday, 11 April, at the scenic Big Lapa venue.

This networking event brought together alumni, industry leaders and NWU academics for a morning of insightful dialogue centred on tourism, business development and regional growth opportunities.

Submitted on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 09:22

Holly’s final bow: Lize graduates with her faithful companion by her side

It was a bittersweet day for North-West University (NWU) graduate Lize Marais, who celebrated her academic achievement and marked the final public appearance of her beloved service dog, Holly.

Lize received her Bachelor of Education in Senior and FET Phase in English, on 16 April, with Holly—her steadfast companion since 2018—right by her side. The moment was deeply symbolic, as Holly prepares to retire after nearly a decade of loyal service.

Submitted on Wed, 04/23/2025 - 10:05

‘Assume that I can’: putting a spotlight on Down Syndrome awareness

Society tends to have low expectations of people with Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the development of the brain. Such perceptions are unfair and uncalled for, according to the international advertising campaign titled “Assume that I can”, which challenges widely held stereotypes of Down Syndrome.

Submitted on Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:15

NWU AI Hub: Now it is official!

The groundwork was laid over a year ago, and the foundation has been continuously reinforced through engagement with staff and students, the formulation of policies and guidelines, extensive planning and investigations and – most importantly – a shared commitment to embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in an ethical and responsible way at the North-West University (NWU). Although the wait is over, and there is still much hard work ahead, the University can say: Congratulations, the NWU AI Hub has officially been launched.

Submitted on Tue, 04/15/2025 - 12:34

Rocking the Vaal 2025 breaks three Guinness world records

In a powerful showcase of unity and community engagement, the North-West university (NWU) proudly participated in Rocking the Vaal 2025, a lively, cultural and charitable event held at Emerald Casino Tsogo Sun on Saturday, 29 March.

The event, organised by the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCOC) in collaboration with Emerald Casino Tsogo Sun and the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark, drew an enthusiastic crowd of more than 7 500 people and served as a testament to the Vaal community's unwavering resilience and togetherness.

Submitted on Tue, 04/08/2025 - 13:34

Academic elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society

Prof Amare Abebe, research director at the Centre for Space Research at the North-West University (NWU), has been elected as the new president of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS).

AfAS was established to create a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa.

Prof Abebe’s focus will be on expanding membership, fostering research collaboration and enhancing astronomy education and outreach across Africa.

Submitted on Mon, 04/07/2025 - 13:48