Human Interest

NWU’s TRADE publishes book on Africa’s digital future

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Chairs Programme in the TRADE research entity (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) at the North-West University (NWU) has published a new book on Africa’s digital future.

The book, titled Africa’s digital future: From theory to action, makes an important and timely contribution to the literature on Africa, exploring the many opportunities and challenges that the continent faces in a world characterised by accelerating technological change.

Submitted on Mon, 02/21/2022 - 11:01

Waiting times in healthcare are under the microscope

Waiting for medical treatment can be a life-or-death matter.

“Waiting times in healthcare are a significant problem that occurs across the world and often has catastrophic effects – as we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Maria van Zyl, a lecturer in the School of Industrial Engineering at the North-West University (NWU).

Submitted on Sun, 02/20/2022 - 12:18

Blood parasites in African wild dogs are becoming more prevalent

Blood parasites were recently shown to be highly prevalent in African wild dog populations, according to Dr Edward Netherlands and colleagues from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

Their study on blood parasites of species of Hepatozoon indicates that these parasites are common in African wild dog or painted wolf (Lycaon pictus) populations.

Submitted on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 21:21

In this study the road ahead is accident-free

Have you ever imagined a society that is free of road accidents? A road environment where cars can connect and communicate to aid in your decision-making abilities on the road? Well, this is, among other things, what Dr Thulani Phakathi, a recent PhD graduate at the North-West University (NWU), is envisaging through his doctoral research.

His PhD study focused on using cybersecurity technology to improve telecommunications network performance and the design of efficient routing protocols.

Submitted on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 15:32

New species named in honour of NWU academic

According to Sir David Attenborough, who has at least 17 species named in his honour, having a species named after you is the “biggest of compliments that you could ask from any scientific community.” 

Internationally acclaimed North-West University (NWU) researcher, Prof Nico Smit was recently complimented in such a way.

Researchers from the Queensland Museum in Australia and the Prince of Songkhla University in Thailand named a new species of cirolanid isopod in his honour.

Submitted on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 08:52

#theArtofResearch – making health science more accessible

It is no secret that the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) at the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront of in-depth research. Over the past year they have demonstrated yet again that their mission is to conduct research that could solve many health-related problems that affect young and old.  

Recently, HART researchers took part in a programme, #theArtofResearch, as an initiative to activate African knowledge. The researchers showcased their research by means of posters to make African science more accessible to our communities.

Submitted on Wed, 02/16/2022 - 21:27

Crime and punishment, but what about rehabilitation?

The South African penal system has failed and as a result crime remains out of control. This is the harsh and uncomfortable reality that is plaguing society, and the country’s haunting crime statistics attest to that.

One reason for this is the lack of rehabilitation opportunities available to offenders. The allure of falling back in old ways can be too appealing, but there is also a fundamental misunderstanding of the systematised obstacles criminal offenders face when reintroduced into society.

Submitted on Wed, 02/16/2022 - 20:07

NWU continues impressive performance in rankings

The North-West University (NWU) has cemented its place among the cream of the crop of local and international universities in various global rankings in 2021 and is continuing its impressive ranking performance this year.

Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings has placed the NWU third overall in South Africa and 124th internationally on its ranking of the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger. The NWU was placed third overall in South Africa in this ranking in 2021 too.

Submitted on Wed, 02/16/2022 - 14:35

NWU alumnus part of award-winning campaigns for Nando's

North-West University (NWU) alumnus, Oratile Mokgwetsi, has made the university proud by obtaining five awards for being part of a team working on Nando’s digital marketing campaigns.

Oratile, who completed her BA degree in communication in 2013, scored this feat while working as a digital media strategist at VMLY&R South Africa, an advertising agency that runs digital campaigns for Nando’s.

She received an Apex award for assisting in Nando’s e-commerce platforms, giving her input on the consumer journey and touchpoints.,

Submitted on Mon, 02/14/2022 - 10:18