It was 1975 and the concept of the “blockbuster film” was in its infancy. A young director named Steven Spielberg adapted Peter Benchley’s harrowing novel Jaws into the first bona fide summer spectacular that changed the face of modern cinema forever. What was once revered was now hated and feared.

While most people are aware of the health risks associated with children being overweight or obese, they do not know about the academic consequences that come with these conditions.

Deidré van Staden, a North-West University (NWU) master’s degree graduate, conducted a study in which she explored how child obesity, overweight, stunting and wasting affect academic performance in mathematics, language, reading and writing.

Prof Christo van der Westhuizen from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Self-Directed Learning (SDL) research unit has been awarded the Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Research Medal for 2020. 

Horrific scenes of migrants who have perished on the high seas while in search of a better life is a too-familiar sight on television screens, online and in newspaper pages. Extreme hunger, repressive governments and ethnic and religious conflicts are cited as among the contributory factors for the crises.

A North-West University (NWU) academic with research interests in the fields of migration and clinical psychology, Prof Erhabor Idemudia, has traversed six European countries to highlight the plight of this vulnerable group and to seek solutions.

When children are physically active, their brains and bodies benefit. This has again been demonstrated by an eight-country Brain Breaks ® study in which the North-West University (NWU) participated.

From the NWU’s side, Prof Dané Coetzee at the School of Human Movement Sciences led the charge.

Teaching is often seen as a calling rather than a career. But that calling quickly turns into a nightmare when teachers are attacked by the very people they are trying to educate.

Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports in the media of learners physically assaulting, stabbing and even shooting their teachers.

Dr Michael Nhambura, a North-West University (NWU) alumnus, conducted his PhD study on learner violence at schools.

“A learning experience like no other.” This is how Prof Petra Bester, director of the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) at the North-West University (NWU), describes the unit’s exposure to the inner workings of the North West province’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the early days of the pandemic, AUTHeR embarked on a unique journey with the North West Department of Health (NWDoH) – a journey that highlighted the value of transdisciplinary research.

Many people rely on traditional plant remedies to treat skin disorders, and now a North-West University (NWU) researcher has investigated why these plants are effective, paving the way for further research by the pharmaceutical industry.

“The use of indigenous knowledge in providing primary healthcare, especially in most indigenous African communities, is as old as human history,” says Dr John Awungnjia Asong, researcher and recent PhD graduate.

The NWU honoured the best of its best researchers and innovators during a virtual awards evening on 3 December 2020.

Three North-West University (NWU) academics have been chosen for the South African Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) Fellowship Programme.

It is a great honour to be selected by the TAU panel and confirms that the NWU’s academics have a well-deserved reputation for their expertise, hard work and dedication.
The three lecturers who have done the NWU proud are two senior lecturers of the Faculty of Law, Dr Allison Geduld and Dr Kesolofetse Lefenya, and Dr Teresa Hattingh, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering.