FNAS

Academic earns spot in global grant programme

Articulating the social value of her research is a key priority for North-West University (NWU) researcher Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, who has been selected for a top global programme on cutting-edge grant-writing and related skills.

Prof Babalola, director of the Food Security and Safety research niche area at the university, has been chosen for the 2025 Leaders of Africa Institute’s Grant Writing and Funding (GWF) Programme.

Submitted on Fri, 03/28/2025 - 13:33

Setswana experts assist the NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences to translate study guides

By Phenyo Mokgothu and Gofaone Motsamai

In a significant move to enhance multilingualism at the North-West University (NWU), a team of Setswana language experts is assisting the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) to translate study guides into Setswana. This initiative aligns with the NWU’s commitment to its functional multilingualism policy, which recognises Afrikaans, English, Setswana and Sesotho as official languages at the university.

Submitted on Fri, 03/28/2025 - 12:06

First-ever publication in Nature highlights space debris threa

The North-West University (NWU) has achieved a milestone with its first-ever publication in the journal Nature with Prof Thembinkosi Malevu of the subject group Physics sharing possible solutions to the risks posed by space junk.

Co-authored with Prof Richard Ocaya from the University of the Free State, the research focuses on the risks posed by space debris, pieces of old satellites and rockets, falling back to Earth.

Submitted on Fri, 03/28/2025 - 09:14

Advancing the circular economy: South Africa’s commitment to zero waste with Prof Linda Godfrey

On 30 March, the world observes the International Day of Zero Waste, an occasion dedicated to raising awareness and fostering global action towards waste reduction, sustainable resource management, and environmental preservation.

South Africa is making progress in waste management, with experts such as Prof Linda Godfrey leading the charge in research and innovation within the waste sector.

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) highlights the remarkable, award-winning work of Prof Godfrey, whose research focuses on waste and circular economy science.

Submitted on Fri, 03/28/2025 - 08:34

North-West University and Agricultural Research Council Co-Hosts 2025 NGRP Annual Meeting

Food security, climate change and sustainability. These are some of the issues that will take centre stage from 19 to 20 March when the North-West University (NWU) and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) will be co-hosting the 2025 National Grain Research Programme (NGRP) Annual Meeting, themed Farming 2.0: Smarter & Greener.

This event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policy makers and students from across South Africa to discuss innovative approaches to farming and grain production.

Submitted on Mon, 03/17/2025 - 12:25

Students nominated for national science education awards

Two North-West University (NWU) students, Makatu Mashanyu and Fhatani Munwana, have been nominated for the national ACCESS Habitable Planet Workshop (HPW) annual awards. These nominations recognise their contributions to science education and environmental initiatives.

The awards, hosted by ACCESS – the Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science – honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the Habitable Planet Programme.

Submitted on Fri, 03/14/2025 - 12:39

QS rankings place four NWU subject groups among the top globally

The North-West University (NWU) continues to shine in international rankings. The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject place four of the NWU’s subject groups in the top 850 globally, with one of these featuring in the 301 to 350 ranking category. The subject groups are agriculture, environmental sciences, physics and medicine. QS published these rankings on 12 March 2025.

Submitted on Fri, 03/14/2025 - 10:35

New research offers hope in Africa’s malaria crisis

A new weapon in the battle against malaria is emerging, and this time not from a laboratory, but rather driven by machine learning.

Researchers at the North-West University (NWU) have leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the search for life-saving drugs, a breakthrough that could shift the tide against this deadly disease.

Submitted on Tue, 03/11/2025 - 15:00

NWU and DARD launch Agri-Hub to enhance agricultural development in North West

By Gofaone Motsamai and Oscar Mosiane

The North-West University (NWU), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), has established an agri-hub to advance agricultural development in North West.

This initiative represents a substantial progression in addressing critical issues such as food security, economic growth and agricultural sustainability in the province. The hub was launched at the university's Molelwane Farm on Monday, 3 March 2025.

Submitted on Fri, 03/07/2025 - 09:34

Eden Roots donation will enhance research in beekeeping

By Gofaone Motsamai and Oscar Mosiane

In a significant step towards advancing agricultural research and community development, Eden Roots – a bee farming enterprise based in Tloung Village, Mahikeng – donated a honey extractor to the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Crop Science subject group on 28 February 2025.

The honey extractor will be stationed at the NWU’s Molelwane Farm.

Submitted on Fri, 03/07/2025 - 09:23