Human Interest

Inaugural lecture explores the relationship between media, power and society

Prof Dumisani Moyo, executive dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU), delivered his inaugural address on Wednesday, 13 November 2024. The title of his presentation was “Moving the Centre of Media and Communicative Power in the Digital Age: Promise, Pitfalls, and Perspectives”.

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North-West University expertise addresses catastrophic teacher shortfall

Thirty-one thousand. That is the conservative estimate of the current teacher shortage in South Africa. Classrooms are overcrowded, with ballooning learner-to-teacher ratios, especially in rural and under-resourced schools. This severely impacts dropout rates and education quality.

This is not where the woes of future learners end. It is estimated that nearly half the teaching workforce will retire within the next decade, meaning the demand for new teachers will only keep increasing.

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NWU student joined global experts at Korean Conference on Education

Kamogelo Noge, a Master of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (MIKS) student at the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus, recently embarked on an educational journey to the industrial city of Incheon in South Korea.

Noge was honoured to partake in the Korean Conference on Education, which ran from Monday, 28 October to Friday, 1 November at the Songdo Convensia – an international exhibition and convention centre.

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Newly launched book set to revolutionise the aquatic world

The Water Research Group in the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU) launched Prof Paul Skelton’s new edition of the book titled Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa – A Complete Guide on Monday, 4 November.

The book launch marked the anniversary of the NWU’s longstanding partnership with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB).

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Graphic design lecturer to showcase talent at group art exhibition

North-West University (NWU) Graphic Design lecturer and artist Danelle Heenop will take part in a sensational group art exhibition at the Alliance Française de Pretoria, located at the hub of diplomatic embassies and the Loftus stadium.

The groundbreaking exhibition, Infinite Perspectives, will be on display from 7 November to 6 December, and it explores the relationship between art, memory, identity and human experience. In addition, it brings together the innovative works of four contemporary South African artists: Bevan de Wet, Danelle Heenop, Mark Modimola and Lisa Younger.

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Nadia van Jaarsveldt wins big at international symposium

Nadia van Jaarsveldt, an Industrial Engineering student pursuing her master’s degree with a topic in agriculture, was recognised for her outstanding presentation at the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) and Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineering (PASAE) International Symposium 2024.

Held at the Houw Hoek Hotel in Grabouw, Western Cape, the symposium served as a landmark event. It ran from Wednesday, 23 October to Friday, 25 October, bringing together brilliant minds in agricultural engineering.

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A special celebration during a milestone year at the NWU: Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka’s 50th birthday

On 4 November 2024, the North-West University (NWU) celebrated a momentous occasion – the 50th birthday of its principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka. This milestone coincided with the university’s 20th anniversary, creating a unique and symbolic double celebration. For Prof. Tyobeka, it was a day that not only marked his personal journey but also reflected the growth and transformation of the institution he has helped shape.

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NWU’s population and health expertise is guiding South Africa to a more equitable future

In South Africa, a country still shadowed by the legacies of the past and grappling with complex social and economic challenges, the Population and Health Research Entity at the North-West University (NWU) offers a striking vision of hope. Nestled within the Faculty of Humanities on the Mahikeng Campus, this research entity has grown into a research powerhouse since it was founded in 2007.

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NWU celebrates digitally empowered staff across campuses

In a series of ceremonies held across all three North-West University (NWU) campuses, the People and Culture Department recently celebrated colleagues who completed the 12-month End-User Computing learnership. Marking an important milestone in professional growth, these events showcased NWU's commitment to digital empowerment and continuous learning.

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Academic urges students to play a role in decolonising South Africa’s legal system

“Will you be a benchwarmer, enforcing the status quo, or will you be part of the legal revolution?” This is North-West University (NWU) law professor Boitumelo Mmusinyane’s challenge to students as he advocates for their greater involvement in efforts to decolonise South Africa's legal system.

Prof Mmusinyane highlights the ongoing challenge of integrating indigenous knowledge into the country's Eurocentric legal framework, a legacy of colonisation and apartheid that continues to marginalise African governance traditions.

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