Natural and Agricultural Sciences

NWU student chapter reaches out to Unathi Community Orphans’ Home

The Student Chapter of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) hosted a coin-laying fundraiser event on 7 September 2022.

The aim of this event was to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate, and the money that was collected will be used to purchase food, toiletries and non-perishable items for the Unathi Community Orphans’ Home in Mahikeng.

Submitted on Wed, 09/21/2022 - 15:25

From a toxic to a greener world: protecting mother nature

“The inaugural lecture ceremony marks the rite of passage into the ranks of a professorship. It is also an occasion that celebrates one’s academic career achievements,” said Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, North-West University (NWU) deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, during the inaugural lecture of Prof Indra Bahadur.

Prof Bahadur from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences presented his inaugural address – titled “From toxic to greener world” – on 14 September 2022.

Submitted on Wed, 09/21/2022 - 11:38

NWU’s Prof Serena Lucrezi and her team scuba dive into research

By Oldrin Masowa

Although the words ‘charisma’ and ‘sharks’ are not often used in the same sentence, Prof Serena Lucrezi believes that the charisma of sharks can be the centre of attraction for shark tourism.

That is indeed the focus of project “Brand South Africa” she and her research team from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) recently launched.

Submitted on Wed, 09/14/2022 - 12:15

Professor continues NWU tradition on popular radio programme

A proud tradition of speaking up to protect the environment is alive and well.

The experts of the North-West University (NWU) have for years been part of the very popular weekly insert Omgewingspraatjies on the radio programme Brêkfis met Derrich on Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) on Saturday mornings. Prof Rialet Pieters, professor in Zoology at the School of Biological Sciences, is continuing this tradition on RSG as the NWU’s new voice on Omgewingspraatjies.

Submitted on Wed, 09/07/2022 - 15:50

NWU professor is using systems thinking to change the game of learning 

Prof Roelien Goede is passionate about teaching and moved to Potchefstroom, where she had been appointed as lecturer in the then School for Computer Science, Statistics and Mathematics, in 2001.

Her main research focus, for which she received a C2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa in 2018, is the improvement of data warehousing in South Africa using systems thinking.

The improvement of data warehousing includes a focus on technical improvements and on improving the readiness of graduates to enter the data warehousing industry.

Submitted on Tue, 09/06/2022 - 12:00

Night-time cooking with solar is possible with thermal energy storage

With the aid of thermal energy storage systems it is possible to use solar cookers to prepare hot meals at night. Some systems perform better than others though, and there is room for improvement. This is according to Prof Ashmore Mawire of the Solar Thermal research group at the North-West University (NWU).

He recently gave a public lecture at which he presented past and recent research results of the group, which is located in the Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) research focus area.

Submitted on Wed, 08/31/2022 - 11:54

Study finds freshwater species at risk from threats linked to human activities

From climate change and associated extreme weather events to pollutants, over-utilisation and invasive species, human activities are the main threats to freshwater species in South Africa’s largest floodplain ecosystem.

This is according to the Water Research Group (WRG) of the North-West University (NWU), which for the past 10 years has been actively involved in studies relating to water preservation in the Pongola River and floodplain (PRF).

Submitted on Wed, 08/31/2022 - 11:35

NWU IKS Centre and Modi Donkey farm to host lekgotla

The North-West University (NWU) Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre in partnership with Modi Donkey Farm will be hosting a donkey farmers’ Lekgotla on 1 September 2022 at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Director of the IKS Centre Dr Motheo Koitsiwe says the purpose of the lekgotla is to discuss challenges and possible mitigation strategies, to establish a database and council for donkey farmers, and to start a donkey information desk at the NWU’s School of Agricultural Sciences.

Submitted on Wed, 08/24/2022 - 12:57