NWU takes research to new heights

Welcome to the fourth edition of the North-West University's newsletter, Research@NWU. The aim of the newsletter is to showcase research projects, researchers and related events. This newsletter is one of seven, distributed to academic staff and researchers during the year.

NRF boosts funding for coal research

The quest for more sustainable and greener coal energy is receiving a boost through the National Research Foundation's (NRF) renewal of the Chair for Coal Research at the NWU.

The chair has secured funding of R4,15 million per year for the next five years as part of the NRF's South African Research Chairs initiative (SARChI). This adds up to more than R20 million over the full period.

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Cutting back on bush encroachment

Bush encroachment is a global challenge, but through the multi-million rand RIBS project, this major contributor to land degradation is being tackled with renewed vigour. RIBS is an acronym for "Rangeland Improvement through Bush Control and Sustainable Intensification to mitigate Climate Change and improve Livelihoods and Food Security in Southern Africa".

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Major grant furthers collaborative research in the Humanities

Two NWU researchers have received a special grant that will boost their collaborative research nationally and internationally. Dr Yolandi Coetser and Dr Laura Phillips each received nearly a million rand in funding from the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences Catalytic Research Programme (NIHSS CRP) for their projects.

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Researcher secures place of parasites on red list

Parasites. Just uttering the word may send shivers down the spine, conjuring up images of rapidly prolife-rating organisms devouring or destroying other species.

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Professor's wide focus leads to international collaborations

Prof Elias Munapo is a National Research Foundation- (NRF-) rated researcher – not a simple achievement for academics with major teaching and supervisory obligations.

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Focus on innovation: from ideation to commercialisation

The Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office is leading the charge in ensuring that innovation remains at the forefront of its activities and across all spheres of the institution.

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Meet our researchers

The faculties at the NWU are doing exciting work on the research front. In this edition, we introduce the work of three researchers: Prof Elma Marais, an associate professor and subject group leader in Afrikaans for Education, Prof Abiodun Salawu, director of the Indigenous Language Media in Africa research niche area, and Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane, associate professor of physiology in the Hypertension in Africa Research Team.

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