Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Another successful BMI Day for the Vanderbijlpark Campus

The North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus hosted BMI Day, an annual event organised by the Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI) on 14 August 2024.

Since its inception in 2022, BMI Day has grown into a tradition, bringing together current students and accomplished alumni, and – for the first time this year – high-achieving Grade 11 and 12 learners from nearby schools.

Submitted on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 08:56

Alumnus unpacks academic entrepreneurship

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its third Food Security and Safety (FSS) seminar on 8 August 2024.

NWU alumnus and CEO of Eco-Agro Enterprise Pty Ltd Dr Sydwell Sihlangu was the guest speaker.

Dr Sihlangu spoke about academic entrepreneurship, which he described as a means of commercialisation, transforming knowledge into products, processes and organisations, thereby contributing to economic growth and innovation.

Submitted on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 08:46

How brown seaweed and spent oyster mushroom substrates could be used as chicken feed

One of the greatest challenges facing Africa is food security. Dr Godfrey Mhlongo, a recent PhD graduate in animal science from the North-West University (NWU), believes indigenous chickens, brown seaweed and oyster mushroom spawn could help feed the continent and preserve the environment.

He has conducted research on the use of oyster mushrooms to optimise brown seaweed in feed for indigenous chickens.

Submitted on Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:15

Academic and student named finalists for the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola and student Sinenhlanhla Mthembu have been named finalists for the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).

These awards recognise outstanding contributions by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Prof Babalola and Sinenhlanhla will join other distinguished women at the awards ceremony on 15 August in Mbombela.

Submitted on Wed, 07/24/2024 - 14:11

Animal health is a science of care at the North-West University

The relationship started 10 000 years ago and continues to shape our world to this very day. As human societies transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled farming communities, they recognised the benefits of taming and breeding animals for a variety of needs. Not only did this domestication revolutionise agriculture by enhancing food security, it also allowed the development of complex societies.

Submitted on Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:17

Ensuring a future for migratory fish species

The Water Research Group (WRG) from the School of Biological Sciences and the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at the North-West University (NWU) collaborated with Nature-I-Am to celebrate World Fish Migration Day. Children between the ages of 4 and 13 from twenty different schools across Potchefstroom, Stilfontein and Fochville participated in the celebration, which took place at the appealing Lekwena Wildlife Estate on Saturday, 25 May.

Submitted on Wed, 06/19/2024 - 08:32

Annual BMI Prestige Award Ceremony honours outstanding achievements

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (BMI) held its annual Prestige Awards Ceremony on 26 April 2024, celebrating the exceptional achievements of its students across various categories.

The NWU BMI Prestige Awards do not only celebrate academic excellence, but also highlights the university's commitment to fostering industry-relevant research and innovation. The accomplishments of these students reflect the NWU’s dedication to cultivating leaders and innovators in the fields of business mathematics and informatics.

Submitted on Wed, 05/29/2024 - 09:53

DJ and statistics wiz earns a PhD

Moses Phiri, widely known as DJ 10111, graduated with a PhD in statistics from the North-West University (NWU) on 22 May 2024.

He is the second DJ to achieve this academic milestone at the NWU, following DJ HK who earned a PhD in geography in 2022.

Born and raised in Mahikeng, he completed his bachelor’s degree in statistics in 2009 and his honours degree (cum laude) in 2010. His pursuit of education continued at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, where he completed a postgraduate diploma in general management in 2018 and an MBA in strategic leadership in 2020.

Submitted on Thu, 05/23/2024 - 14:46

Former world and national Morganti Ju-Jitsu champion bags a PhD

Moses Radebe, a two-time world Morganti Ju-Jitsu and a five-time national Ju-Jitsu champion, graduated with a PhD in radiation science at the North-West University (NWU) on 20 May 2024.

Moses also holds a BSc in computer science and physics, and a BScHons and MSc in applied radiation science.

His PhD thesis was on “The design, construction, and validation of a radon chamber for the calibration of radon monitors at the North-West University, South Africa”.

Submitted on Tue, 05/21/2024 - 09:11