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Academic excellence elevated at Optentia’s transformative writing retreat

The Optentia Usiba Writing Retreat 2025, held recently at the tranquil Khaya iBhubesi Conference Centre in Parys, brought together over 76 researchers, doctoral candidates and academic staff from across South Africa and beyond for four days of transformative learning, writing and scholarly connection.

Hosted by the Optentia research unit of the North-West University (NWU), the retreat created a space for structured research progress, intellectual exchange and personal rejuvenation, set against the backdrop of the Vaal River’s peaceful landscape.

Submitted on Thu, 05/08/2025 - 15:18

Learners enjoy hands-on robotics and coding experience

Whatever shape the future takes, robotics and coding are likely to be part of it. Fifty primary school learners from the Mahikeng area had the opportunity to learn basic coding and robotic skills during a training programme at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus from 22 to 24 April.

The group of Grade 6 and 7 learners and two educators from DP Kgotlheng Primary School spent three days at the Science Centre of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Submitted on Mon, 05/05/2025 - 11:57

South Africa urged to adopt sustainable model for mine rehabilitation

Sitting on a R49 billion environmental liability tied to 6 100 legacy mines, South Africa needs to consider a dedicated rehabilitation fund supported by mandatory levies on mining companies to meet its mine rehabilitation targets.

Speaking during a public lecture hosted by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law, Dr Fredua Agyemang pointed to Western Australia’s model, backed by industry levies and steady investment returns, as a possible solution to unlock consistent rehabilitation funding.

Submitted on Mon, 05/05/2025 - 08:44

Public lecture to share insights on AI, ethics, and the future of humanities education

The Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU) will host a public lecture on 8 May 2025, exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of humanities education in higher education institutions.

The event, to be held at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel and streamed online, will also mark the official launch of the university’s new Centre for Teaching Excellence.

Submitted on Fri, 05/02/2025 - 12:48

Service learning is a journey: Seminar encourages curriculum change through community engagement

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Social Sciences hosted a seminar by Nikki Green, an occupational therapist and a service-learning coordinator at Rhodes University Community Engagement.

Nikki used the session to draw from her experience implementing service-learning programmes across institutions and disciplines.

“Service-learning is more than volunteer work. It is about integrating meaningful community engagement with academic study,” said Nikki.

Submitted on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:55

Deepening global ties through expanded German collaboration

Opportunities for international research experience are one of the many benefits of the newly expanded research and teaching partnership between the North-West University (NWU) and Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz (HSZG) University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

The two universities, who have had an engineering collaboration for over two decades, have deepened their partnership following a three-week visit by HSZG’s Prof Frank Worlitz to the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus in April this year.

Submitted on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 08:37

No increase in VAT is the right decision

The decision by the National Treasury not to increase value-added tax (VAT) on 1 May is the right one in the current circumstances.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says after an intensive debate a rise in VAT was eventually seen to be unnecessary, and economically and politically it also failed to command wide support.

Submitted on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 15:59

North-West University medical school named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce that its soon-to-be-established medical school will be honorifically named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

This decision was taken in consultation with – and received the approval of – the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.

Submitted on Tue, 04/22/2025 - 15:06

African economies should adapt to global challenges amid US-China tariff wars

In a timely Pitso webinar hosted on Friday, 11 April, the North-West University (NWU) Business School featured distinguished panellists who discussed the vulnerable status of African economies caught in the crossfire of escalating international tariff wars. As countries on the continent compete for both economic sovereignty and competitive advantage, the discussion focused on how the economic power struggle between the US and China is changing trade landscapes throughout Africa.

Submitted on Thu, 04/17/2025 - 08:29