Maize production and mining are essential for the economy of the North West Province, and researchers at the North-West University (NWU) are now looking at how microorganisms can protect maize from climate challenges and mining by-products.

Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola and two PhD graduates, Saheed Adekunle Akinola and Dr Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro, recently published research articles looking at the benefits and essential services provided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) for sustainable maize production in the province.

Replacing native forests with tree plantations is harming the soil at a microbial level by having an impact on soil fertility and the health of the planet.

This is one of the conclusions of North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola – who along with Dr Adenike Eunice Amoo – recently conducted ground-breaking research to investigate the impact of land-use change on soil bacterial communities and characteristics.

As of 1 June, animal owners living within a 25-kilometre radius of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus can look forward to more services from the institution’s animal hospital.

When magnetic fields and long strokes of hot gas known as jets interact, the jets become bent. This is an important discovery and, for his contribution to it, Prof James O Chibueze has earned a space in the prestigious research publication Nature.

Dr Morategi Mojanaga, North-West University (NWU) alumna and chief animal health technician at the Gauteng Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, are in the running to win free participation in the Developing Women in Leadership course, offered by the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (GSB).

Ntokozo Happy Msiza, a North-West University (NWU) researcher and PhD student in the subject group Animal Sciences, has broken new ground when she completed a MSc degree in pasture science, a scarce skill and male-dominated field of study.

The agricultural industry is facing numerous and significant challenges.  To remain competitive and sustainable, it needs to find ways to constantly improve. 

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has expressed government’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to find solutions to unemployment for graduates within the indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) sector.

The Minister was speaking at a two-day virtual summit hosted by North-West University (NWU) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Universities of Venda, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal on 30 and 31 March 2021.

With a 25-year age gap between them, mother and son Susan and Janu Fouche have both been accepted to do their first year at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU).

​The North-West University (NWU) celebrated the torchbearers of its teaching excellence during a virtual event. The best-of-the-best lecturers of 2020 were acknowledged for their work in taking teaching and learning to higher levels during the annual Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) ceremony, which was streamed online on 25 March.