Traditional African astronomy opens up academic's gaze
African people have been observing the stars and planets since ancient times and modern-day science is now paying close attention to the wealth of knowledge within traditional African astronomy. Prof Thebe Medupe, an academic at the NWU's campus in Mahikeng, uses his research to shed light on the ancient science of African astronomy, and in turn enhance global understanding of the world's oldest science.
He also looks at celestial beliefs – beliefs about the skies and outer space – from different parts of the African continent.
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Gerontology: Adding life to years of older people in Africa
Within the next 30 years the number of older people in Africa will grow from 46 million to 170 million. This is the problem that the continent will be facing by 2050, said Prof Jaco Hoffman from the Optentia research focus area at a recent Course on Social Gerontology in Southern Africa. This course was hosted by the focus area in partnership with the International Institute of Ageing, United Nations, Malta, the International Longevity Centre SA, the South African Gerontological Association and the National Department of Social Development.
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BRICSEd crosses borders in Africa and beyond
Over the years the NWU has made a name for itself as one of the top universities in the country. Now the NWU is part of a broader initiative, BRICSEd, to take quality education to countries across Africa and beyond. BRICSEd is an international association made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the five member states of the BRICS economic block. It is a new education research initiative conceived at the NWU and aimed at promoting excellence in educational practice across the five BRICS countries, the African continent and internationally.
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