For artificial intelligence (AI) to become a tool for economic empowerment without worsening existing inequalities, various ethical considerations around AI must be addressed.

This is according to Evans Mohlatlole, a lecturer in the subject group Social Work at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

Evens, who is also the acting deputy director of the School of Psychosocial Health, won the Best Oral Presenter Award at the 2024 Ubuntu Africentric Conference.

The countdown to this year’s Cybathlon 2024 has begun for local supporters of the NWU Eagles Cybathlon team, who had an enthusiastic send-off on 18 October.

The Cybathlon is a prestigious event organised by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and takes place in Kloten, north of Zürich. It is a global platform focusing on innovation and assistive technologies and is an excellent benchmarking opportunity for the NWU to see how its innovations compare internationally.

The Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses of the North-West University (NWU) held their 2024 final-years’ functions on Wednesday, 10 October, creating a festive feeling among the students.

At the events, around 1 300 students from the Potchefstroom Campus and 700 students from the Vanderbijlpark Campus gathered to take pictures and videos, reflecting on their experiences at the university. With loads of fun and good company in order, the events also served as platforms for students to bid farewell to their peers.

As the NWU delegation’s visit under the leadership of principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka to the North Carolina State University (NCSU) comes to an end, it is great to reflect on the many successful and insightful engagements. What a rewarding experience. The delegation will leave the United States with a reinvigorated purpose, knowing that the NWU is on track to further grow the university’s global footprint.

As part of the BSWI 122 module at the North-West University (NWU), the subject group Social Work organises annual field trips for first-year social work students from all three campuses. These field trips play a crucial role in providing students with practical exposure and first-hand experience in the field of social work.

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Obesity and Metabolic Disease research group, led by Prof Sithandiwe Mazibuko-Mbeje from the subject group Biochemistry, together with the Lifestyle Diseases research focus are, led by Prof Ushotanefe Useh from the Faculty of Health Sciences, recently organised a diabetes awareness drive.

With the increasing prevalence of diabetes in South Africa, particularly among young adults, this initiative aimed to promote early prevention and raise awareness.

By Karen van den Berg, Senior Psychologist at SCD

It’s exam time, and with that comes a lot of stress and anxiety. Although stress can often be good for you and act as a motivator, anxiety is the dark side of stress and can have a negative impact on how we function.

In an exciting first the Research and Postgraduate Support Department, in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning, hosted a combined Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and the Postgraduate Students Showcase (PSS). This dual event, held on 3 October 2024 at the scenic Roots Lifestyle Café, spotlighted the innovative research being conducted by honours-degree, master’s-degree and doctoral-degree students across various faculties.

Investing in transport infrastructure is critical to South Africa’s post-pandemic economic recovery. This is according to Dr Alexander Samuels from the North-West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. By modernising highways, ports, railways and airports, the country can enhance supply chain efficiency, attract foreign investment, and stimulate job creation, all while positioning itself more competitively in global markets.

October is Transport Month in South Africa. Alexander Samuels, from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) and lecturer in the Department of Transport Economics and Logistics Management, explains why studying transport infrastructure is a worthwhile choice for prospective students, especially at the NWU.