Can you present your thesis within three minutes? These master’s and PhD students from the North-West University (NWU) proved that it is possible at the university’s second Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.

This competition is held annually at more than 200 universities worldwide, and challenges participants to present their research in 180 seconds in an engaging format that can be understood by an intelligent audience with no background in the research area.

By Ontiretse Motingwa

“As a complicated and ever-evolving field, science requires scientists and researchers who are resilient, determined, and knowledgeable. They must also have a great willingness to learn and use new skills and scientific concepts without bias or conformity to what society deems acceptable.” This is according to Khanyisani Ziqubu, a PhD biochemistry candidate at the North-West University (NWU).

It is the diagnosis dreaded by most: cancer. Two professors at the North-West University (NWU) who were both affected in different ways by this life-threatening disease, say the emotional toll it takes can be just as detrimental as the physical havoc it causes. They offer expert advice on how to deal with it when cancer becomes a personal reality.

Prof Welma Lubbe, director of the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area in the Faculty of Health Sciences, says her journey started almost seven years ago when she discovered a lump in her breast.

By Onitretse Motingwa

“Little attention is given to the mental health of those affected by divorce,” says Dr Lebogang Philda Selahla, a North-West University (NWU) PhD alumnus.

Dr Selahla who recently obtained her PhD, conducted research on mental health issues of men and women who are affected by divorce. Her thesis is titled “Psychosocial predictors of the mental health of divorcees and efficacy of intervention”.

By Ontiretse Motingwa and Nolwazi Xulu

North-West University (NWU) Prof Choja Oduaran of the School of Psychosocial Health presented her inaugural lecture on the evening of 7 October 2022.

The lecture, attended by academics, family members, friends and students, explored thoughts and behaviours for the resolution of life balances in an unsettled world.

Dr Luce Pretorius, an academic at North-West University’s (NWU’s) Social Work subject group, has recently conducted a study to look at ways to enhance safety of social workers against client violence.

The study was titled “A policy framework to enhance the protection of South African social workers against client violence”.

Dr Richard Beteck, of the subprogramme Drug Discovery at the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharMaCen), has left the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) extremely proud of his latest achievement! Dr Beteck received the runner-up award for best oral presentation at the Annual Conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APSSA) of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA), hosted at Rhodes University in Makhanda from 21 to 23 August.

North-West University (NWU) nursing student and the winner of the WorldSkills South Africa Occupational Standards National competition, Tshiamo Mokgoetsi, is preparing in all earnest for the international WorldSkills competition that will take place in France in October 2022.

With the assistance of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), Tshiamo was coached and mentored by two national experts in August.

On Wednesday, 7 September, the North-West University (NWU) recognised two outstanding individuals for their grit, determination and perseverance during the 2022 Comrades Marathon. This took place during an event at which outgoing Council members were honoured for their contribution and services to the NWU.