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Prof Bismark lauds Springboks as Newsmaker of the Year

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.

Submitted on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:08

Ethics first: workshop guides postgraduate students on using AI responsibly

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.

Submitted on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 08:36

Optentia symposium emphasises the importance of balancing technological progress with ethical considerations

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.

Submitted on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 15:08

Voter education: key issues explored prior to the general elections

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.

Submitted on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 14:31

World Intellectual Property Day celebrations launched

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).

Submitted on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 12:43

NWU Eagles YG to face Shimlas YG in FNB Young Guns Final

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.

Submitted on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 14:38

World Art Day: Tradition and technology

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.

Submitted on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 10:12

Vanderbijlpark Campus switches to solar power to tackle load-shedding

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently unveiled its new solar carport plant. The plant features 696 solar panels with a peak capacity of 382 kW. It is expected to generate 1500 kWh per day and 505 MWh per year. Electrical and mechanical technician Mike Odendaal says not only will the plant provide green power into the 11 kV network under normal conditions when municipal or grid power is available, but it will also assist the standby generators by increasing the emergency power available during sunny weather.

Submitted on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 08:26

Drs Bam and Petzer join prestigious teaching advancement programme

A nationwide initiative, the Teaching Advancement at Universities (TAU) programme, aims to improve the standard of teaching and elevate teaching and learning in public higher education.

The programme is a component of the national framework for advancing academics as university teachers that is run by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and is coordinated through the Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association of Southern Africa.

Submitted on Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:25