NWU Faculty of Health Sciences

🏃‍♂️📊 Calling all sport scientists, researchers, coaches, sport managers, healthcare professionals, students, and industry partners!

Be part of the conversation shaping the future of sport and coaching sciences at the NWU Spring Sport Science Summit 2026.

📅 16-18 September 2026
📍 North-West University, Potchefstroom
🎯 Theme: Precision, Performance, and Possibility: Reimagining Sport Science for the Next Generation

Join leading experts and practitioners for:
✅ CPD pre-conference workshops
✅ Cutting-edge sport and coaching science insights
✅ High-performance and athlete development discussions
✅ Injury prevention and sporting integrity topics
✅ Exceptional networking opportunities

🎟️ Register now via: https://chhpevents.zohobackstage.com/SpringSportScienceSummit #/

NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance School of Human Movement Sciences NWU Physical activity, Sport and Recreation

Research led by Prof Welma Lubbe (NuMIQ) has been selected as an Editor's Choice Article by the international journal Children – a recognition awarded to papers the editorial office rates highest for topical importance and quality.

The systematic review asked a deceptively simple question: what do parents of preterm babies in the NICU actually need to be taught? Across 33 high-quality studies, the team found programmes cover the practical ground well – feeding, infant care, discharge preparation – but too often leave out the emotional and confidence-building support parents need most. And almost all of the evidence comes from high-income countries.

Congratulations to Prof Welma Lubbe, Prof Iolanthé Marike Kruger (AUTHeR) and Prof Kirsten A. Donald (UCT). 👏

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/faculty-health-sciences-research-earns-cfc5f

Faculty of Health Sciences research earns Editor's Choice recognition in Q1 paediatrics journal Research from the NWU Faculty of Health Sciences has been selected as an Editor's Choice Article by the international journal Children. The systematic review, Key Components of Parenting Education Interventions for Preterm Infant–Parent Dyads Admitted to the NICU, was chosen by the journal's edito...

Pharmaceutical innovators tackle problems that can make the difference between life and death: a tuberculosis strain that no longer responds to treatment or a compound that breaks down before it ever reaches a patient’s bloodstream. Solving these challenges starts with doing real research alongside experienced scientists from day one.

That’s exactly what you’ll find at North-West University’s Faculty of Health Sciences in South Africa through its Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™). As a postgraduate student, you’ll join research teams tackling diseases that shape public health across Africa and beyond, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, skin conditions, and advanced drug delivery systems. In other words, you’ll contribute to research with the potential to improve patient care.

Read the article below for more detail.

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North-West University: Preparing the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists Pharmaceutical innovators tackle problems that can make the difference between life and death: a tuberculosis strain that no longer responds to treatment or a compound that breaks down before it ever reaches a patient’s bloodstream. Solving these challenges starts with doing real research alongsid...

Join us during World Breastfeeding Week for an insightful webinar on the latest developments in infant nutrition. 🤱🍼

Feeding the Future: Breastfeeding, HMOs and the Infant Microbiome will be presented by Kath Megaw, Clinical Paediatric Dietitian and founder of Nutripaeds, who will share an update from ESPGHAN 2026.

📅 Monday, 3 August 2026
⏰ 10:00
💻 Online

Scan the QR code to register or use the Microsoft Teams details provided on the invitation.

Could medicines already on our shelves hold the key to treating snakebites?

Researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences are exploring an innovative approach that could transform how snakebite envenomation is treated, particularly in rural communities where access to antivenom remains a challenge.

Read more about this groundbreaking research and how NWU is helping to shape the future of healthcare innovation.
https://news.nwu.ac.za/nwu-research-explores-new-approach-snakebite-treatment

❤️ You don't have to feel sick to be at risk.

New research from the NWU Faculty of Health Sciences suggests that young adults may already be showing early signs of high blood pressure, even when they appear healthy and have no obvious symptoms.

The PhD study by Anja Degenaar found that certain kidney markers could help identify people at greater risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease years before these conditions are usually diagnosed. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and prevention in protecting long-term health.

Could the key to preventing future heart disease lie in detecting the warning signs earlier?

📖 Read the full article by following the link below.

Young adults may show early signs of high blood pressure before symptoms appear by Phenyo Mokgothu A young adult may feel healthy, exercise regularly and have no signs of illness, yet changes taking place inside the body could already be laying the foundation for future high blood pressure and heart disease. This is one of the key findings of a North-West University (NWU) PhD s

🌍🤝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

Earlier this year, members of the Presence Research Team from the NWU School of Nursing joined colleagues from the University of Pretoria and the North West Department of Health on an academic visit to the Netherlands, where they engaged with leading healthcare and academic institutions.

The visit created opportunities to exchange knowledge, strengthen international partnerships, showcase South African nursing research, and explore new avenues for collaborative research, education and innovation. 🇿🇦 🇳🇱

By building meaningful global connections, the NWU Faculty of Health Sciences continues to contribute to nursing excellence that makes a difference both locally and internationally.

📖 Read the full article by following the link below.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nwu-nursing-team-strengthens-international-b9nqf

NWU nursing team strengthens international collaboration through visit to the Netherlands International collaboration continues to play an important role in shaping the future of healthcare education and research, and the North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Health Sciences recently strengthened its global footprint through an academic visit to the Netherlands. From 2 to 11 June 2026,

Breastfeeding is one of the best starts we can give a child, but are we doing enough to support mothers?

In this thought-provoking article, Prof. Christine Taljaard-Krugell explores the realities many South African mothers face and asks an important question: Are we making breastfeeding possible, or simply expecting it?

Read more about the role of support, policy and public health in shaping healthier futures. https://news.nwu.ac.za/mothers-need-more-support-breastfeed

What if learning felt more like play?

Discover how NWU innovation is transforming education through a new portfolio of gamified learning tools designed to build confidence, develop critical skills and make learning more engaging for people of all ages.

From maths and entrepreneurship to future-ready workplace skills, these proudly NWU-developed innovations are proving that learning can be both meaningful and fun.

Read the full story and see how the Faculty of Health Sciences is helping to shape the future of education through innovation!https://news.nwu.ac.za/penplay-launches-innovative-portfolio-gamified-learning-tools-developed-nwu

Leadership, service and a passion for nursing, our students continue to make us proud!

Congratulations to Oreratile Letuka and Ina-Mari Kloppers on their appointment to the South African Nursing Students Association (SANSA) committee for 2026. Their selection is a testament to the quality of student leadership emerging from the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Read more about their achievement and how they will be representing the voices of nursing students at a national level.
https://news.nwu.ac.za/nursing-duo-represent-nwu-nursing-students-south-african-nursing-students-association