Research

Research examines the need for regional policy in the Southern African Development Community

Creating and executing supranational regional policies is a critical first step in preparing regions to become core players on the global stage. Such policies seek to modernise and restructure a region’s foundations, promote sustainable development across borders and address economic and social inequalities.

Submitted on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 08:43

Better support for psychiatric nurses means better mental health care for children

Improvements in the North West province’s support systems for psychiatric nurses would directly impact the quality of care for children with mental health issues.

This is one of the findings of a recent study led by Dr Rorisang Machailo, an academic at the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU). She focused on developing strategies to address the gaps in resources, training and support for psychiatric nurses caring for children with mental health issues in the province.

Submitted on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 08:36

Replacing antibiotics in chicken feed with fulvic acid could satisfy farmers and consumers

Chicken farmers in underprivileged communities are battling to contain feed costs while meeting growing consumer demand. An NWU master’s student has been exploring a potentially win-win solution.

Keamogetswe Constance Mokubung recently earned her master's degree in animal science under the guidance of Prof Upenyu Marume. Her research focused on the effects of incorporating fulvic acid into broiler diets in place of antibiotic growth promotants, specifically examining its potential impact on growth performance, health and meat quality.

Submitted on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 08:28

In lean times, more food can be produced with fewer resources

Agriculture is at the forefront of ensuring food security and researchers at the North-West University (NWU) are constantly looking for innovative and more effective ways to enhance this crucial sector.

Associate professor Rojanette Coetzee from the School of Industrial Engineering is focusing on “lean agriculture” to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of agri-systems.

“The lean agriculture approach is adapted from the manufacturing industry, where it is used to reduce waste, improve efficiency and do more with less,” says Prof Coetzee.

Submitted on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 08:14

Researchers in the spotlight

Researchers across the faculties at the NWU continue to produce exciting work in their fields of expertise.

We introduce the work of two researchers - Prof Muchativugwa Liberty Hove, deputy director of the School of Language in Education, and Dr Wihan Pheiffer, senior lecturer at the DSI/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP).Tumi Ledwaba, a lecturer in History, and Prof Tycho Maas, extraordinary researcher in the School for Ancient Language and Text Studies.

Submitted on Tue, 10/08/2024 - 20:05

“Monsters, Myths & Fables” exhibition displays student curators’ growth and learning

The ViNCO (Visual Narratives and Creative Outputs) research entity at the North-West University (NWU), a collective that includes creative practitioners, created an exhibition titled “Monsters, Myths & Fables” with the aim of showcasing and promoting their members’ creative and artistic endeavours. A total of 14 artists, including the ViNCO members and their invited artist friends, are participating in the exhibition at the Snowflake Gallery in Potchefstroom between 15 August and 16 September 2024.

Submitted on Fri, 09/06/2024 - 11:21

NWU hosts impactful nutrition leadership training in Malawi

The North-West University (NWU) is dedicated to playing an impactful role on the African continent in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

A prime example of this is the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the Centre of Excellence in Nutrition (CEN) at the NWU that has for 22 years been making meaningful contributions towards achieving zero hunger (Goal 2), good health and well-being (Goal 3), and quality education (Goal 4).

Submitted on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 11:44

Public lecture calls for us to reclaim control of our food systems by remembering our relationship with the land

On Wednesday, 28 August 2024, the Population and Health research entity at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a public lecture by Dr Jackson Sebola-Samanyanga, senior lecturer in the Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Pretoria. The event was held at the Mahikeng Campus and attracted a diverse audience. The aim was to unpack the land question, which continues to be passionately debated in South Africa.

Submitted on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:16

Meet our researchers

Researchers across the faculties at the NWU continue to produce exciting work in their fields of expertise.

We introduce the work of two researchers - Tumi Ledwaba, a lecturer in History, and Prof Tycho Maas, extraordinary researcher in the School for Ancient Language and Text Studies.

Submitted on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 10:53