By Gofaone Motsamai

As the world observes the campaign for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from 25 November to 10 December, the North-West University (NWU) is taking a proactive stance in addressing this critical issue.

Dr Khido Ramadie, a wellness counsellor at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, emphasises the importance of educational institutions in preventing and addressing GBV while supporting survivors.

Ntokozo Happy Msiza, a PhD student in animal sciences at the North-West University (NWU), recently returned from the TechWomen programme in the United States, where she represented South Africa among women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

TechWomen, an initiative by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State, empowers women from Africa, the Middle East and Central and South Asia to advance their careers, pursue their dreams and inspire others in their communities.

The Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI) at the North-West University (NWU) has once again showcased the outstanding calibre of its postgraduate students at the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH) Annual Conference 2024. This prestigious event, which was recently held in Gaborone, Botswana, gathers top talent and professionals in occupational hygiene and rewarded three NWU students for their excellence in research, publications and presentations: Monica Young, Marelizé van Ree, and Nadia Botha.

Self-directed learning can make the process of learning more enjoyable and allow students to personalise the learning experience, which is empowering and motivating.

Prof Elsa Mentz, director of the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning from the North-West University (NWU), is a true advocate for self-directed learning in higher and school education. She firmly believes that it not only enables students to take responsibility for their own learning, but also equips them with the necessary skills for both the 21st century and 4th Industrial Revolution.

They are too often forgotten and relegated to an afterthought – their plight unheard, their future uncertain. They are the women in South Africa’s low- and middle-income communities who suffer from perinatal mental health issues, and the North-West University (NWU) is putting their needs in the spotlight.

The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Desbo Mohono, recently graduated from the North-West University (NWU) with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural Economics. The degree was conferred at a graduation ceremony held on the Potchefstroom Campus on 28 November 2024.

Prof Frances Siebert from the subject group Botany at the North-West University (NWU) was recently invited to publish in the Annual Reviews journal series.

This paper is the first from the NWU’s Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) in this highly regarded publication series on ecology, evolution and systematics.

Prof Roelien Goede, director of the Unit for Data Science and Computing at the North-West University (NWU), has been awarded a B1 rating by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

This is in recognition of her contributions to critical systems thinking and its applications in information systems and information systems education.

The B1 rating acknowledges researchers whose work is of high quality and has significant impact, affirming their international standing.

Tarryn Williams, an Educational Technologist at the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at North-West University (NWU), has been honoured for her outstanding contributions to education and technology. She has been selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious 30 Under 30 Programme at this year’s Open Education Berlin (OEB) Global Conference. This accolade highlights her pivotal role in advancing learning design, integrating innovative technologies, and supporting both lecturers and students in creating enriched educational experiences.

In a display of entrepreneurship, innovation and community impact, the North-West University (NWU) Business School magnificently hosted the final pitching event for its InnovateHER community project on Saturday, 9 November in a quest to empower young women.

Five sets of finalists took centre stage at SuperSport Park in Centurion to battle it out to be announced winner of this year’s pitching competition. InnovateHER is an online programme that trains young women between the ages of 15 and 25 to identify and solve problems.