Nadia van Jaarsveldt, an Industrial Engineering student pursuing her master’s degree with a topic in agriculture, was recognised for her outstanding presentation at the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) and Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineering (PASAE) International Symposium 2024.

Held at the Houw Hoek Hotel in Grabouw, Western Cape, the symposium served as a landmark event. It ran from Wednesday, 23 October to Friday, 25 October, bringing together brilliant minds in agricultural engineering.

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.

Agriculture is at the forefront of ensuring food security and researchers at the North-West University (NWU) are constantly looking for innovative and more effective ways to enhance this crucial sector.

Associate professor Rojanette Coetzee from the School of Industrial Engineering is focusing on “lean agriculture” to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of agri-systems.

“The lean agriculture approach is adapted from the manufacturing industry, where it is used to reduce waste, improve efficiency and do more with less,” says Prof Coetzee.

Founded in 2004, Engenius Kids is a student-run programme at the North-West University (NWU), dedicated to inspiring Grade 9 learners, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds in townships, to pursue their education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“Our mission is to cultivate future innovators and leaders in South Africa by providing exposure, education and encouragement in STEM fields,” says Nadin Talip, programme manager for Marketing and Media at Engenius Kids.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Chris van Dyk recently received the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering’s (SAIIE’s) Best Industrial Engineering Practitioner - Employer's Choice Award.

This award highlights his contributions to the field of agriculture and the respect he has earned from peers and employers as business analyst at Taaibosch Piggery.

The Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) held its Postgraduate Open Day on 25 July, granting prospective students the opportunity to engage with the faculty and peers.

The Open Day served as a platform for students to explore Engineering PhD programmes, the diverse research fields and advanced facilities of the NWU. Attendees also discovered more about interdisciplinary possibilities, application procedures and funding opportunities through presentations by leading experts in the faculty.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed communication systems in today’s modern world. The integration of AI into various communication systems will likely lead to more advanced capabilities and the invention of new applications. Autonomous vehicles, exceptionally fast communications speeds and smart cities come to mind.

The legacy and impact of former President Nelson Mandela in changing people’s lives for the better remain a milestone to aspire to.

News24 recently selected their Young Mandelas for 2024 ─ celebrating a new generation of young champions who are committed to building the South Africa of Madiba’s dreams.

Ian Thomson, a PhD student and lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering of the North-West University (NWU), is one of these 30 exceptional young people chosen for their remarkable achievements. He was named winner in the innovation category.

Prof Kenny Uren from the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, highlights the unique nature of this programme.

South Africans must have ownership of nuclear technology.

Without properly trained people, South Africa will face a major problem with the nuclear waste.

South Africa should not rely on others when it comes to nuclear safety and decommissioning.