The Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses of the North-West University (NWU) held their 2024 final-years’ functions on Wednesday, 10 October, creating a festive feeling among the students.

At the events, around 1 300 students from the Potchefstroom Campus and 700 students from the Vanderbijlpark Campus gathered to take pictures and videos, reflecting on their experiences at the university. With loads of fun and good company in order, the events also served as platforms for students to bid farewell to their peers.

An award-winning programme of the North-West University (NWU) is changing the lives of imprisoned men and their children by coaching and supporting them to be better fathers.

As the NWU delegation’s visit under the leadership of principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka to the North Carolina State University (NCSU) comes to an end, it is great to reflect on the many successful and insightful engagements. What a rewarding experience. The delegation will leave the United States with a reinvigorated purpose, knowing that the NWU is on track to further grow the university’s global footprint.

As part of the BSWI 122 module at the North-West University (NWU), the subject group Social Work organises annual field trips for first-year social work students from all three campuses. These field trips play a crucial role in providing students with practical exposure and first-hand experience in the field of social work.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Obesity and Metabolic Disease research group, led by Prof Sithandiwe Mazibuko-Mbeje from the subject group Biochemistry, together with the Lifestyle Diseases research focus are, led by Prof Ushotanefe Useh from the Faculty of Health Sciences, recently organised a diabetes awareness drive.

With the increasing prevalence of diabetes in South Africa, particularly among young adults, this initiative aimed to promote early prevention and raise awareness.

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, the need for strong, adaptable and visionary leadership has never been more crucial. This very theme, "Future Leaders: Embracing Change and Innovating Tomorrow" – set the stage for the second North-West University (NWU) Student Leadership Summit, held from 26 to 27 September at the picturesque ANEW Hunters Rest Lodge in Rustenburg. The summit aimed to equip student leaders with the tools and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of modern leadership while fostering innovation and positive transformation.

By Karen van den Berg, Senior Psychologist at SCD

It’s exam time, and with that comes a lot of stress and anxiety. Although stress can often be good for you and act as a motivator, anxiety is the dark side of stress and can have a negative impact on how we function.

In an exciting first the Research and Postgraduate Support Department, in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning, hosted a combined Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and the Postgraduate Students Showcase (PSS). This dual event, held on 3 October 2024 at the scenic Roots Lifestyle Café, spotlighted the innovative research being conducted by honours-degree, master’s-degree and doctoral-degree students across various faculties.

Investing in transport infrastructure is critical to South Africa’s post-pandemic economic recovery. This is according to Dr Alexander Samuels from the North-West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. By modernising highways, ports, railways and airports, the country can enhance supply chain efficiency, attract foreign investment, and stimulate job creation, all while positioning itself more competitively in global markets.

Astronomy enthusiasts from nearly 100 countries have submitted thousands of suggestions for the naming of a rare celestial body. The task of narrowing this down to the top 10 possible names has been entrusted to an international panel of experts, one of whom is Prof Thebe Medupe, an astronomer and academic at the North-West University (NWU).