Parasites may be viewed by many as pesky organisms,but understanding them and their impact on ecological systems is crucial in nature studies. The researchers and students at the North-West University (NWU) excel as experts in this field.

The NWU made history during the recent International Congress of Parasites of Wildlife by not only winning all the medals for postgraduates but also receiving the most coveted award for a researcher.

The North-West University (NWU), in partnership with SAS DataFly, a free resource that offers a fun and engaging way to explore data with students in real time, recently hosted a Teachers4DataAnalytics workshop for mathematics and science teachers.

The event was held at the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus and was organised by statistics lecturers from the NWU and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

By Oldrin Masowa

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus recently hosted an awards ceremony in recognition of top student achievers.

During the event students were rewarded for achieving top academic results in their various modules during the first semester.

The North-West University (NWU) in collaboration with WATERnet and Baleware (Bridging Africa, Latin America, and Europe on Water and Renewable Energies Applications), is hosting an International Water-Climate Summer School from 4 to 18 October 2022.

The summer school is a hybrid, interactive, transdisciplinary event aimed at strengthening capacity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all”, and SDG 13 – “Climate action”.

North-West University (NWU) academic Otsile Maditsi says indigenous mining has a space to influence conventional mining.

“Indigenous mining is one of the 16 disciplines identified under the Indigenous Knowledge Act no 6 of 2019 as an early scientific method by indigenous communities of South Africa,” he says.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.