Despite growing investment in employee well-being, workplace stress and mental health challenges continue to rise – a contradiction explored by North-West University (NWU) extraordinary professor Renzo Bianchi.

Prof. Bianchi, who is a psychologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway, examined the growing workplace mental health challenge during a recent presentation titled, “The workplace mental health paradox”.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help researchers write, analyse data and search vast amounts of information. But when the same technology begins to influence whether research deserves publication, a more difficult question emerges: who is actually making the scientific judgement?

Dalton Appolis

The health of the environment is seldom mentioned in the same breath as job creation and economic growth. Now this interconnection has been highlighted in research by North-West University (NWU) alumnus Dalton Appolis.

Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, NWU principal and vice-chancellor, delivered the keynote address at Mintek-SCi 2026, the Science Convention of Innovators.

By Vukosi Mathale

The NWU Council approved the revised Intellectual Property (IP) Policy at its meeting on 17 September 2026.

The revised policy covers intellectual property arising from the research and innovation activities of the NWU and sets out the responsibilities of employees, students and internal contractors.

A study highlighting a less recognised form of chemical exposure among South African petrol attendants has earned the North-West University (NWU) PhD student Lize van der Westhuizen international recognition.

Lize received the award for the best oral presentation by an early-career researcher at the 10th Occupational and Environmental Exposure of Skin to Chemicals (OEESC) Conference, held in Manchester in the United Kingdom from 14 to 16 September 2026.

A researcher in physiology at the North-West University (NWU) has received one of the highest levels of recognition for excellence in higher education teaching in South Africa. Dr Annemarie Wentzel, senior lecturer and researcher in physiology, is one of only six recipients of the 2026 National Teaching Awards (NUTA). 

Africa does not have to look beyond its borders for every answer to its health challenges. Much of the knowledge, expertise and data needed to find solutions already exist on the continent.

That is the message from North-West University (NWU) physiology professor Lebo Gafane-Matemane, who says Africa's diversity, research expertise and young scholars give the continent a strong base from which to improve health outcomes.