When puppets talk, children listen!

The energy in the room full of five-year-olds is almost tangible. The moment the music starts playing and the velvet curtains draw open, their eyes shine with amazement and all quiets down. It is time for the puppets to talk and the children to listen.

Puppetry plays an important role in sharing knowledge, especially when it comes to young…

Cultivating humanity: interdisciplinary research for a better tomorrow

Poverty, unemployment, poor service delivery, lack of economic growth. There are a lot to be done before we will see the African continent truly thriving. The need for interdisciplinary research has never been greater.

The Optentia research focus area on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark recently hosted a day…

BTMG – an equation that makes sense!

Five years since the inception of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Bridging The Mathematical Gap learning programme, the demand for participation in the programme has grown by leaps and bounds.

Through the intervention, also referred to as the BTMG programme, many learners have not only overcome their anxiety towards mathematics, but are…

Female entrepreneurship: quitting is not an option /

At first glance, Olivia Vaughan has it made. She is a successful entrepreneur, an academic scholar and an executive management member of the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce. The latter has been awarded the Best Business Chamber in South Africa for three consecutive years. 

What you don’t know is that she also typifies resilience. She…

NWU Convocation: breakfast is served!

The terms ‘alumna’ or ‘alumnus’ represent much more than mere titles. Not only is it part of your academic past, but also your professional future. In short: it signifies a lifetime relationship with your alma mater – and in your case, the North-West University (NWU).

Whatever happens at the NWU may have an influence on your qualification…

NWU facilitates LED dialogue

If you are interested in Local Economic Development (LED), then diarise 16 and 17 October 2018. On these days, the North-West University (NWU) will host two special lectures on the topic.

The lectures are hosted by the School of Economic Sciences on the campus in Vanderbijlpark, and staff, students and members of the community are invited…

Future awaits graduating class of 2018

For the graduating class of 2018 the exciting world of work awaits. A world which is characterised by unmatched change, rapid technological advancements and a dire need for responsive and strategic leadership. 

In her address at the recent October graduation ceremony of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-…

Caring connections enable resilience

“My teacher loves me.” “My social worker is like my mother, she cares.” “My neighbour cares for me; he doesn’t want me to go hungry.”

These quotes illustrate that caring connections matter for the resilience of South African adolescents facing chronic, unthinkable levels of hardship.

Prof Linda Theron’s research among young people has…

Having grit goes a long way

It is the year 2000. The share price of a multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 company peaks at $90. Their recruitment strategy reads: Hire the best, fire the rest. At the time it seemed to work, only it didn’t. That company was Enron.

“Grit” is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual’s perseverance - combined with a passion for a…

Commodity risk management: students g(r)ain experience

Economic instability has changed the way in which companies operate. Long gone are the days when decisions were made solely with the help of forecasts and projections. Risk management has become an integral part of good management and governance.

This is also true for grain marketing and trading.

Risk management students from the…