The World Cup winning Springboks were named the 2023 Newsmaker of the Year by the National Press Club on Wednesday 17 April. The event is sponsored by the North-West University (NWU) and was held at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, lauded the Springboks for their immense achievements and their contributions to nation building, whilst also highlighting the integral role the press plays in working democracy.

Water pollution is a significant environmental issue with far-reaching impacts on society. It is not confined to local or regional boundaries and is exacerbated by climate change, leading to human health risks.

In dealing with such unprecedented risks to our water resources, what is needed is innovation – the kind of innovation embodied by the Water Research Group of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at the North-West University (NWU).

Dr Fortunate Mokoena has a vision. This senior lecturer in biochemistry at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) wants to make the continent she calls home a better, safer place for its citizens.

She hopes to do this by helping to eliminate malaria.

The ongoing influence of colonialism can be seen across the world, as it has had a lasting impact on societies and cultures. In South Africa, the repercussions of colonialism have been particularly profound, marked by periods of Dutch and British rule.

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in the transformation and advancement of technology, and in this rapidly evolving digital world it is critical to know how to use it ethically.

The Alumni Relations Office of the North-West University (NWU) chose to impart relevant career advice regarding AI to the full-time NWU postgraduate students on Tuesday, 9 April.

The Optentia research unit of the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a symposium on technology, humanity and ethics, emphasising the importance of balancing technological progress with ethical considerations and human rights to ensure advancements support sustainability and individual well-being.

Optentia director Prof Ian Rothmann says the event aimed to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from various fields to collaborate towards a more equitable and humane technological future.

Political commentator Mike Sham recently hosted a voter education event in collaboration with the Potchefstroom Student Campus Council (SCC) of the North-West University (NWU).

Mike Sham, as well as the students of the NWU who were present at the event, questioned the various political representatives in attendance about their manifestos and the reasons behind the parties’ request for votes.

The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted the media launch for the World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) celebrations in partnership with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles Young Guns (YG) are heading to the FNB Young Guns Final after defeating FNB UCT Ikeys YG 31-24 at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds on Monday, 15 April.

A rather slow start from the NWU Eagles YG saw the home team nearly getting punished by a missed penalty kick from the Ikeys full back, Monray Daars. Soon afterwards, Jamaine Dampies’ dazzling solo run gave the NWU Eagles YG the lead. UCT Ikeys YG responded with a close-range try from Ali-Amjad Osman.

As the world marks World Art Day 2024 on 15 April, Othusitse Maunatlala, an academic in the School of Communication at the North-West University (NWU), shares insights on the significance of art.

World Art Day is an international celebration of the fine arts which was declared by the International Association of Art to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide.

Othusitse emphasises the universal nature of art and says it is important to recognise the relationship between art and technology.