Health Sciences

NWU PhD student earns international recognition for occupational hygiene research

A study highlighting a less recognised form of chemical exposure among South African petrol attendants has earned the North-West University (NWU) PhD student Lize van der Westhuizen international recognition.

Lize received the award for the best oral presentation by an early-career researcher at the 10th Occupational and Environmental Exposure of Skin to Chemicals (OEESC) Conference, held in Manchester in the United Kingdom from 14 to 16 September 2026.

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Across faculties and borders: International Teaching Weeks bring global perspectives into classrooms

Academics from across Africa and Europe joined colleagues and students from the North-West University (NWU) for a week of teaching, learning, collaboration and cultural exchange - bringing international perspectives directly into NWU classrooms.

From 14 to 18 September 2026, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) hosted parallel International Teaching Weeks across NWU’s three campuses. 

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National teaching honour recognises researcher’s passion for student success

A researcher in physiology at the North-West University (NWU) has received one of the highest levels of recognition for excellence in higher education teaching in South Africa. Dr Annemarie Wentzel, senior lecturer and researcher in physiology, is one of only six recipients of the 2026 National Teaching Awards (NUTA). 

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Africa already has answers to its health challenges

Africa does not have to look beyond its borders for every answer to its health challenges. Much of the knowledge, expertise and data needed to find solutions already exist on the continent.

That is the message from North-West University (NWU) physiology professor Lebo Gafane-Matemane, who says Africa's diversity, research expertise and young scholars give the continent a strong base from which to improve health outcomes.

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When the body count becomes a data point: what Kempton Park tells us about the academy we built


By the time this goes to print, the number may have changed again. As I write, at least nine, possibly 10, women have been found dead in and around Kempton Park since mid-July, most half-naked, several with visible bruising, left along the same stretch of the R21 and its surrounding veld. 

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Appreciate your kidneys, protect your future

Your kidneys work quietly, filtering waste, balancing fluids and regulating blood pressure every single day. Most people never think about these essential organs until something goes wrong and, unfortunately, statistics show that kidney disease is a growing problem. Millions of South Africans are affected by kidney disease and many do not even know they have it. 

The good news is that kidney disease is one of the most preventable and manageable chronic conditions when detected early.

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Second PhD marks the beginning of a new chapter

Prof. Welma Lubbe reached a remarkable academic milestone when she graduated with her second PhD from the University of Cape Town (UCT) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.

Completed under the supervision of Prof. Kirsty Donald, the PhD focused on paediatric neuroscience – a field that complements Prof. Lubbe’s established expertise in neonatal care and neurodevelopmental supportive care.

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