The further slight decline in South Africa’s unemployment rate to 31,9% in the third quarter of 2023 is good news, and the fact that total employment is now back to its pre-pandemic levels is welcome.
Showing their commitment to community engagement, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Computer Science and Information Systems recently organised the annual GeeXpo event.
GeeXpo is a technology and innovation exhibition that showcases cutting-edge research, products and services from various industries, including information technology, robotics, engineering and science.
The Sports Science team of the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) at the North-West University (NWU) recently travelled to the Tlamelang Special School just outside Mahikeng to conduct a series of talent identification tests on wheelchair basketball players for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). SASCOC is the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for South Africa.
“When good governance is sacrificed on the altar of corruption, service delivery falters. Where corruption thrives, as we have seen in many of our municipalities, an increase in poverty becomes inevitable.”
This is according to Prof Kedibone Phago, director of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School for Government Studies, who explains that corruption is killing the country’s future.
They pulled no punches, they were honest in their assessment of the troubles plaguing South Africa and they did not shy away from providing possible solutions. These were some of the hallmarks of the inaugural annual public lecture by Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Suzanne Paxton and Prof Somadoda Fikeni that was hosted by the executive committee of the Convocation of the North-West University (NWU).
The faculties at the North-West University (NWU) are doing exciting work on the research front.
Prof Philimon Modisha is an associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering and his research is centred on liquid organic hydrogen storage. His research is mostly at the Department of Science and Innovation Hydrogen South Africa Infrastructure Centre of Competence, co-hosted by the NWU and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
A researcher in the School of Communication at the North-West University (NWU), Dr Quatro Mgogo, has embarked on a study to explore how Facebook emojis are being employed to shape the meanings of izaci namaqhalo esiXhosa (isiXhosa proverbs and idioms).
The study also delves into how isiXhosa-speaking Facebook users are harnessing emojis to breathe fresh life into isiXhosa expressions. This study, rooted in interpretivist research philosophy, seeks to decode the cultural values of the Xhosa community through their use of emojis in digital communication.
The mesmerising world of honeybee foraging behaviour has long fascinated scientists, with colour playing a pivotal role in their quest for sustenance. Bees are essential pollinators that hold the key to maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
Kurt Naicker, a senior lecturer and chartered accountant at the North-West University's (NWU) School of Accounting Sciences, recently shared his insights about how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the South African landscape and shaping our future with postgraduate students from Kohinoor Business School in Mumbai, India.
The chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Dr Anna Mokgokong, received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 20th annual Top Women Awards in Sandton.
Dr Mokgokong, who is a passionate social activist and champion for women empowerment and transformation, accepted the award during a prestige awards ceremony on 7 November.