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.

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce that Prof. Linda du Plessis has been appointed as deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning by the NWU Council during its meeting on 13 November 2024.

She has been serving as acting deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning since August of this year, and previously, since July 2017 held the position of deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations.

The North-West University (NWU) Council reappointed Dr Anna Mokgokong, renowned business leader and entrepreneur, as its chancellor during its meeting on 13 November 2024.

As chancellor, she serves as titular head of the NWU, and all qualifications awarded by the university are formally conferred by her.

North-West University (NWU) Graphic Design lecturer and artist Danelle Heenop will take part in a sensational group art exhibition at the Alliance Française de Pretoria, located at the hub of diplomatic embassies and the Loftus stadium.

The groundbreaking exhibition, Infinite Perspectives, will be on display from 7 November to 6 December, and it explores the relationship between art, memory, identity and human experience. In addition, it brings together the innovative works of four contemporary South African artists: Bevan de Wet, Danelle Heenop, Mark Modimola and Lisa Younger.

Nadia van Jaarsveldt, an Industrial Engineering student pursuing her master’s degree with a topic in agriculture, was recognised for her outstanding presentation at the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) and Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineering (PASAE) International Symposium 2024.

Held at the Houw Hoek Hotel in Grabouw, Western Cape, the symposium served as a landmark event. It ran from Wednesday, 23 October to Friday, 25 October, bringing together brilliant minds in agricultural engineering.