By Ontiretse Motingwa

Dineo Nakedi, a North-West University (NWU) transport economics honours graduate, conducted research on the need to establish efficient public transportation in non-metropolitan areas.

The title of her study is “Identifying the challenges faced by a commuter train in non-metropolitan areas with specific reference to Mahikeng”.

“It can be argued that the lack of commuter trains in non-metro areas negatively affects the mobility of daily commuters as it denies them access to various economic activities,” says Dineo.

Khululwa Nosipho Shibane, North-West University (NWU) alumnus and an educator at Christinah School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, came second in the category Excellence in Special Needs Teaching in the North West provincial segment of the National Teaching Awards that took place on 7 October 2022.

This was not her first accolade. Khululwa also represented the Christiana School in 2020 in the same category at that year’s National Teaching Awards.

Four communication studies students from North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus have been inaugurated as part of what will ultimately become South Africa’s first-ever 22-member Youth Online Safety Council (YOSC).

The students are Bokamoso Shame, Faith Monaisa, Itumeleng Mohwasa and Ester Kgaje.

The inaugural event was held at the University of Limpopo on 21 and 22 September, and follows a series of engagements at historically disadvantaged universities, commencing at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

Dr Richard Beteck, of the subprogramme Drug Discovery at the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharMaCen), has left the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) extremely proud of his latest achievement! Dr Beteck received the runner-up award for best oral presentation at the Annual Conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APSSA) of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA), hosted at Rhodes University in Makhanda from 21 to 23 August.

“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.

The saying goes - cherish the moment, live your dream and play netball. This is precisely what the NWU Eagles netball team is doing.  

They are off to a strong start in the 2022 Varsity Netball campaign by winning all three of their games. 

On Monday, 19 September, bragging rights went to the NWU Eagles yet again, when they defeated the Nelson Mandela University Madibaz by 84-50. 

The NWU Eagles now occupy the first position on the overall log with 15 points. 

Five North-West University (NWU) students from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently participated in the virtual Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) Cybersecurity Hackathon.

A hackathon is a kind of social event for programmers from all around, in which the participants have to solve a complex coding problem such as developing or improving existing software, or pitching a business idea for a particular field.

During his inaugural lecture, Prof Aubrey Golightly discussed the influence of problem-based learning (PBL) on students’ self-directed learning (SDL) skills, and looked at PBL as a means to foster SDL in Geography education. SDL is a process during which individuals take ownership of their own learning.

On Wednesday, 7 September, the North-West University (NWU) recognised two outstanding individuals for their grit, determination and perseverance during the 2022 Comrades Marathon. This took place during an event at which outgoing Council members were honoured for their contribution and services to the NWU.