Research

Prof Bismark looks at SA’s nuclear future

You don’t have to be able to split the atom to know that South Africa – and the world – is facing an energy crisis and that urgent answers are needed to address this pressing problem.

That is why the principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, will be part of a panel discussion titled Global Nuclear Power – Implications for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.

Submitted on Tue, 08/08/2023 - 11:32

Researcher brings African populations into previously Eurocentric cell research

Why did some people experience more severe coronavirus symptoms than others during the Covid-19 pandemic? International researchers believe part of the answer may lie deep within human cells, specifically in the small circular chromosome inside each cell, called the mitochondrial DNA.

Genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA are considered the key to unlocking answers about the innermost workings of cells and mapping the way forward for more effective medical treatment.

Submitted on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 15:12

UNESCO chair continues on its journey of opening doors to education

A key United Nations agency has shown its confidence in the North-West University (NWU) by relaunching the Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources for a second term of four years.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has approved the NWU’s submission for a renewal of the chair, which was initially awarded to the university in 2019. The chair was relaunched in June.

Submitted on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 15:05

Study explores the use of medicinal plants to treat childhood diseases

Dr Tshepiso Ndhlovu, a PhD graduate from the North-West University (NWU), has completed promising research on the use of medicinal plants to treat children’s diseases.

Childhood illnesses make a major contribution to infant mortality rates worldwide, and the high cost of conventional treatment exacerbates the problem by putting a financial strain on rural populations.

Submitted on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 15:00

Solar telescope expands research horizons into solar physics

Located on the roof of building G5 at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus, the solar telescope of the Centre for Space Research has garnered attention from organisations such as the BBC and the Royal Astronomical Society.

Dr Ruhann Steyn, senior lecturer and principal scientist involved in the project, recently attended the National Astronomy Meeting in Cardiff, Wales, where he was commended for the outstanding work done by the Centre for Space Research.

Submitted on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 14:33

Using technology to prepare language teachers for the future

While debates about the quality of teacher education intensify, the North-West University (NWU) is exploring solutions, including mixed reality, that will ensure that well-prepared and effective teachers enter the country’s classrooms.

The recent findings of the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), indicating that 81% of South Africa’s Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning, have reignited the debate about the quality of pre-service teacher preparedness in the education sector.

Submitted on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 14:16

Research unit strengthens partnership with University of Crete

By Menziwa Msibi

Representatives from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Education and Human Rights in Diversity (Edu-HRight) research unit, recently embarked on a visit to the University of Crete in Greece to strengthen the two institutions’ longstanding research partnership.

Prof Charl Wolhuter, Prof Ewelina Niemczyk and Prof Johan Botha also participated in the TASTstrategy Conference on Education, aimed at addressing the prevalent issue of skills mismatch between education and employment.

Submitted on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 15:17

Visit leads to nutrition collaboration in Lesotho

The African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) of the North-West University (NWU) is continuing its aim to build tailored leadership capacity on the African continent.
Representatives of the ANLP engaged with the Lesotho Nutrition-Sensitive Platform (LSNP) in Maseru on 15 and 16 June. This follows a leadership capacity building visit to Nigeria earlier in the year (to read more, visit: Impact of nutrition project continues through leadership development | news.nwu.ac.za).

Submitted on Wed, 06/21/2023 - 14:06