OVERVIEW
Education and training A new vocational stream is being introduced at schools.
SECTOR INSIGHT A Covid-19 vaccine candidate is being tested at NWU.
Open Day at the Jouberton Campus of Vuselela TVET College.
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orth-West University (NWU) is working together with Walter Sisulu University (WSU) on a new Covid-19 vaccine candidate. The results of preclinical trials in June 2021 were described as “very promising”. Prof Markus Depfenhart, who holds extraordinary appointments as a professor at both universities, developed the vaccine candidate, the trials for which are being run at the Pre-Clinical Drug Development Platform at the NWU. NWU has ambitious aims with regard to accommodating students in residence: 50% of contact students and 75% of first-year students is the goal. There are 38 NWU-owned residences on three campuses and one off-campus residence in Vanderbijlpark. There is also some rented accommodation which amounts to more than 10 000 beds managed by the university. The CHE has announced that the NWU Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme has received full accreditation. A new qualification, Mechatronic Engineering, has been added to the courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering. The Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering programme has been approved by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), enabling graduates to compete internationally. The faculty now offers eight specialities, including industrial and electromechanical and chemical engineering (minerals processing). Partnerships include Sasol, Eskom, Denel Aviation, Telkom and Sappi. The Faculty of Engineering is a leading department in terms of innovations and plays a role, together with the NWU Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office, in commercialising ideas by creating companies.
NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2021/22
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The universit y and its researchers are leaders in many fields, including astrophysics, tourism, solar energy and extruder technology. Among the research entities at NWU, there are five chairs allocated by the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI): Astrophysics and Space Physics, Coal Research, Biofuels and other clean alternative fuels, Nuclear Engineering and Early Detection and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Africa. The University of South Africa (Unisa) has three branches in North West, at Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Mmabatho.
Training and skills A new, third, stream is being piloted at 11 schools across the province. In addition to the existing technical and academic streams, vocational will be offered. The new option includes 13 new subjects and is intended to widen the options available to young people. As par t of this initiative, three schools will increase their enrolment of pupils wanting to study agricultural subjects. Fifteen
