Faculties

NWU researchers honoured at prestigious NRF Awards

Two North-West University (NWU) scholars have received national recognition for research addressing two defining challenges of the modern age: the impact of HIV on African communities and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on journalism.

Prof. Monray Williams and Soligah Solomons were honoured at the National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards ceremony in Gqeberha on Thursday, 3 September.

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New book puts human judgement at the centre of AI-powered research

Artificial intelligence (AI) can support postgraduate research, but it should strengthen human thinking rather than replace it. This principle is at the heart of a new book by the North-West University (NWU) academic Prof. Kudzayi Savious Tarisayi.

Prof. Tarisayi from the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at the Potchefstroom Campus, is the author of Artificial Intelligence in Postgraduate Research Methodology: Transforming Researchers for the AI Age.

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It is time for the South African Blue Crane to spread its wings as a national icon

  • More than 99% of the world’s Blue Cranes live in South Africa, yet our national bird remains one of the country’s most underused tourism assets.

  • The Blue Crane is a living part of South Africa’s heritage, yet the species’ ‘Vulnerable’ status shows that national-symbol status does not guarantee survival.

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Bushmeat poaching: When the wildlife disappears, tourists will follow

South Africa’s wildlife is one of its greatest tourism assets. Every year, visitors travel from across the world to experience animals roaming freely in the country’s national parks, nature reserves and private conservation areas. Yet hidden within these landscapes is a largely unseen threat: bushmeat poaching using wire snares, packs of dogs and other unlawful methods.

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Accreditation brings NWU’s medical school closer to reality

The North-West University (NWU) has reached a decisive milestone in establishing the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine following the accreditation of its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

The CHE confirmed the accreditation in correspondence dated 21 August 2026. The six-year, 940-credit programme will be offered in contact mode at the Potchefstroom Campus.

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Conference places collaboration at the heart of research and societal impact

For many who grew up in the 1990s, Captain Planet was the environmental superhero who could only be summoned when five young Planeteers united the powers of earth, fire, wind, water and heart. 

It was this familiar image that Prof. Habib Noorbhai, deputy dean for research, innovation, community engagement and postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences, used to describe the Faculty of Health Community Engagement Champions and delegates at the African Community-Led Knowledge Co-Creation Conference. 

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Apply to study at the university you know and trust – #MyNWU

The North-West University (NWU) 2027 application season is open, and applications are coming in thick and fast. Since the opening of the application season on 1 June 2026, close to 20 000 prospective students have already submitted their applications.

Applications for selection courses will close on 30 June 2026 while applications for general courses and residences are scheduled to close on 31 August 2026.  Applications for postgraduate studies close on 30 November 2026.

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Fiction is where researchers can find facts

Civilisations rising and crumbling over eons and across galaxies. Interplanetary conflicts, alien races and worlds as vivid in description as they are difficult to conceive.
For a young Prof. Henk Bouwman, now professor in Zoology at the North-West University (NWU) in South Africa, specialising in ecotoxicology across multiple biological systems, these were the realms in which his imagination roamed during his formative years. And still does.

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