annual research report 2009 eng.indd

NWU Annual Research Report

2009

Innovation through diversity ™

Table of Contents

Annual Research Report 2009

NWU’s Mission Statement

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Messages from the Campuses

Message from the Executive Director: Research and Innovation

NRF Rated Researchers at the NWU

PhD students delivered in 2009

Research Excellence Awards

Research Entities at NWU

Other NWU Centres and Institutes focusing on Research

Specialist Academic Services for Research and Postgraduate Students at NWU

Contact Information

Glossary

Acknowledgements

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1 NWU’s Mission Statement


VisionTo be a pre-eminent university in Africa, driven by the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.

ValuesThe North-West University subscribes to the values of human dignity, equality, freedom, integrity, tolerance, respect, commitment to excellence, scholarly engagement, academic freedom and justice.

MissionThe NWU’s mission is to become a balanced teaching-learning and research university and implement our expertise in an innovative way.

This the institution will achieve as it lives its values, strives for sound management and pursues transformation, while being locally engaged, nationally relevant and internationally recognized.

Mission elements and objectives

The MIssIon Is Made up of The followIng eleMenTs:• Develop,educateandempowerthroughqualityteachingandlearning,well-roundedgraduateswhoareabletothink laterally and critically in their service to the country and its people.• Developandsustainhigh-quality,relevantandfocusedresearch,supplyinginnovativesolutionstochallengesfacedbythe scholarly community, the country, the continent and the world.• Expandtheimplementationofexpertise,bothcommerciallyandcommunity-directed,forthebenefitoftheprovince,the country, the SADC region, the continent and ultimately the world.• Beavalue-drivenUniversity,strivingtomakeadifferenceinthepursuitofourmission.• Aspiretoberecognizedinternationallyasawell-managedandinnovativeUniversity,withaclientfocusembeddedinquality. This, the University seeks to achieve by creating an enabling environment that will enhance and improve its core business and remain financially viable.• Transformcontinuallyintermsofpositioning,academicprofile,unity,equityandredress.Indoingthis,contributetothe transformation of the South African Higher Education system to help meet the country’s social, economic, developmental and environmental needs.

2 Message from the Vice-Chancellor

The NWU continues to place itself uniquely among South African universities, by virtue of our mission to become a balanced teaching-learning and research university and implement our expertise in an innovative way. The unique differentiator is that the NWU does not position itself either as a research led university or primarily as a teaching-learning university, but seeks instead to address both aspects in a balanced way. In addition, the NWU is the only university emphasising that the third element of its core business is not (merely) “community engagement”, but the implementation of expertise, both in communities and commercially.

Sustained effort to improve the quality of research and postgraduate education over the last number of years is now paying off. The University focuses its research and innovation strategy to optimise resources and ensure maximum impact of interventions. Following the restructuring of our research entities model in 2008, we continue to improve the quality of our research, as the following progress indicates:

• Eventhoughourarticleoutputwasslightlylowerin2009(452)thanin2008(503),postgraduate qualifications showed a significant increase. The number of Masters degrees awarded increased with 11,5% from 2008 to 659 in 2009; and the PhDs increased with 18% to 123 in 2009. This led to an increase in our total research output from 1,083 in 2008 to 1,190 in 2009, an increase of 10%. This includes 659 research Masters, compared to the 583 in 2008.

• TheUniversitystartedtheacademicyearwith103NRF-ratedresearchersand,inFebruary2009, submitted 31 rating applications to the NRF. Of the 18 applications for new ratings, 13 were accepted. The NRF also approved the 13 re-rating applications. Thus, at the end of December 2009, the NWU had 116 rated researchers, up 13% on the previous year’s figure. As a result, the percentage of rated staff members rose from 11% in 2008 to 12% in 2009. The target set in the Institutional Plan in 2010 is to increase the percentage of NRF-rated staff to 14%.

• In2009,theNWUearnedthesecondmostTHRIPincomeofalluniversitiesinSA,overR26million. This is indicative of the innovative and relevant research done in close association with industry in the country.

• InanothermilestonefortheNWU,anewHighPerformanceComputingFacilitywasestablished.The facility will assist the NWU’s strategy to enable and improve research capacity.

I also wish to thank all our research partners and donors. Without your support, the NWU would not have been able to deliver the relevant, high-quality research that has become our hallmark.

Theuns eloffVICE-CHANCELLORTel: +27 18 299 4901E-Mail: [email protected]

Annual Research Report 2009 3


MESSAGE FROM THE MAFIKENG CAMPUS

The Mafikeng Campus is moving up in terms of research output. There has been a steady but sure increase in the research output since 2007. Even though the numbers are comparatively still small, there is a positive spirit in the majority of academic staff members to ensure that the numbers with respect to research output reflect the capacity and ability of the campus. I believe that the steady increase is going to be maintained and the number of units produced in 2009 will increase in 2010 and beyond for the following reasons:

• Thecampushasembarkedontheappointmentofresearchprofessorsineachfaculty,andthus far, research professors have been appointed in the Faculties of Law, Human and Social Sciences and Agriculture, Science and Technology. These Research professors have already started to make a difference in terms of research output in 2010. The Faculties of Commerce and Administration and Education will be appointing theirs very soon and I am sure that these appointments will make a significant difference to the research output;

• Thecapacitytosuperviseandconductresearchhasbeenincreased.BytheendofJune2010,36% of staff members had obtained doctoral degrees and 58% masters degrees. This capacity has started to make a difference in research output and postgraduate supervision;

• InadditiontotheresearchworkshopsthatareofferedbytheInstitutionalResearchSupport Office, faculties and the ADC have organised additional research workshops to train and encourage staff members to publish;

• ThesecondNicheAreaattheMafikengCampushasbeenestablished.ThisNicheAreaonFood Security in the North West Province, which is located in the Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology has just been approved at the Institutional Senate meeting of 20 October 2010. Other faculties have also been encouraged to develop Niche Areas and the Campus is likely to apply for at least two more Niche Areas in 2011. Members of staff at the Mafikeng Campus are also being encouraged to take part in existing research entities on other campus. The Niche Area on Population and Health will also be encouraged to move to the next level of the research entity Focus Area

At the beginning of the year the research output target for the campus was set at 40 units. In the submission and commitment to the Institutional Senate Committee the Deans committed to a publication of at least 50 units. I believe that the campus will be able to attain and exceed the target set for 2010. With a little more work and commitment it is possible to reach at least 80 units in 2010.

Congratulations to all the staff members who have ensured that the research output in 2009 reached 34,98 units. For those staff members who have not yet come on board, you are encouraged to start immediately to ensure that the campus can continue on the upward trend. It is never too late to start.

pRof Mogege MosIMegeVICE RECTOR: TEACHING-LEARNING AND RESEARCHMAFIKENG CAMPUSTel: +27 18 389 2156E-mail: [email protected]

3 Messages from the campusesProf Mogege MosimegeVice-Rector: Teaching-learning and ResearchMafikeng Campus


3 Messages from the campuses

MESSAGE FROM THE POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS

The year 2009 proved to be another excellent year for the Potchefstroom Campus in terms of research. The Potchefstroom Campus has consistently and strongly advanced the research thrust of the North-West University and we are grateful and proud of the hard work and commitment by our researchers. The faculties, and specifically the research entities and centres, have given special attention to create a more sustainable research culture on the campus, which is evident in the wide range of output highlighted in this report.

Apart from the many highlights presented in this report by our twenty research entities and other research centres, we would like to share a few achievements and growth areas with you:• ThePotchefstroomCampusreacheditssettargetsintermsofresearchoutputasapprovedinour 2009 Campus Plan;• Wewere(again)amongstthetopfiveinstitutionswhoreceivedindustry-related(NRF/THRIP)funding;• Wehavestartedtodiversifyourresearchfundingbaseandhavebeensuccessfulinmoreinternational funding opportunities;• Staffqualificationsatdoctorallevelimproved,aswellasthenumberofNRFratedstaff;• Wehadasignificantgrowthinpatents(especiallyinternationalpatents);• Thefocusofourpublicationoutputwasonimpactandqualityandwecontinuedwithaslightshift towards international publications. What is of importance is the fact that our publication base, i.e. the number of new academic staff producing publication output has grown significantly especially in terms of young (<39 years) researchers;• Post-graduate(mastersanddoctoral)enrolmentshaveshownaconstantgrowthoverthelastyear,as well as the number of post-doctoral fellows (we now have fellows from sixteen different countries).• Ourpost-graduatestudentsreceivedasignificantnumberofacknowledgments(suchasinvitations to international conferences, best paper awards, etc.) in their respective fields, as can be seen from the research entities reports;• Wehaveagaininvestedsignificantlyinspecialisedresearchequipmentonthecampus;• Ouracademicstaffreceivedanumberofawards(AcademyofScience,DepartmentofScienceand Technology, the South African Academy for Science and Arts, etc.); and• Thefocusandimpactofourresearcheffortsonourcommunityhaveimprovedsignificantly.

fuTuRe dIReCTIonIn order to achieve the “balance” in the NWU’s mission, it is our contention that the Potchefstroom Campus needs to build on its strengths, while at the same time developing capacity to address shortcomings, and in so doing contribute as best as it can towards the realisation of the vision. It is also considered essential that we take proactive steps towards becoming more research intensive – modelling itself on excellent research-intensive universities.

Research-intensive universities are defined as academic institutions committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge in a range of disciplines and fields, with a strong orientation towards research at the highest possible level. They educate students at all degree levels, and the synergy of research and teaching is a hallmark of these institutions which employ mainly full-time academics who hold doctoral degrees. Not only do these institutions train key personnel, but they form windows to scientific information worldwide by providing opportunities for top-level scientific communication and interaction.

It is with this in mind that the Potchefstroom Campus has decided to shift gears and become a research-directed campus. In our new campus vision and with the unique characteristics and factors that make a research-directed university in mind, the Potchefstroom Campus will, in future, put more emphasis on:

Prof Herman van SchalkwykRectorPotchefstroom Campus

Prof Amanda LourensVice-Rector: Research and Planning

• Academicstaffresearchproductivity;• Thequalityandimpactofourresearch;• Thequalityofstaff;• Expansionofourpost-graduateandpost-doctoralprofile• Creatinganenablingenvironmentforresearchers;• Internationalisation,networksandpartnerships;• Researchchairsandsecondmentsfromindustry;• Commercialisationofpatents;and• OurinvolvementinthelocalcommunitiestobecomemorerelevantintheNorthWestProvince.

Gratitude and congratulations are due to the colleagues on the Potchefstroom Campus for their outstanding work and excellent research. May this be the beginning of even greater things where the Potchefstroom Campus is to become a research-directed campus where excellence in both teaching-learning and research are mutually reinforcing.

pRof heRMan Van sChalkwykRECTORPOTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS

and

pRof aManda louRensVICE-RECTOR: RESEARCH AND PLANNINGPOTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS


MESSAGE FROM THE VAAL TRIANGLE CAMPUS

This year, 2009, will be remembered as the year that research on the Vaal Triangle Campus really came into its own! Up to 2008, this growing campus had only one faculty, but the expanded structure and the growth in student and staff numbers necessitated a re-look at and refining of the research support structures. We also identified focused strategies to support researchers and to improve the post-graduate experience for students.

The Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University has a unique mix of students, and the research projects contribute towards achieving our goals of becoming a balanced teaching-learning and research institution, making us relevant in our region, contributing to national needs, being internationally recognised and moving from traditional learning to innovative learning approaches specifically with regard to multilingualism.

UndertheleadershipofProf.TinieTheronandProf.BertusvanRooyoftheFacultyofHumanities,thefirst formal request was submitted for the establishment of a focus area on the Vaal Triangle Campus, entitled Understanding and Processing Language in Complex Settings (UPSET). The vision of UPSET is for the campus to become the leading national centre for the study of language practice, multilingualism and the usage-based theoretical frameworks informing our research. The sub-programmes of UPSET are: • LanguagePractice(leader:Prof.JLKruger)• Multilingualism(leader:Prof.ASCoetzee-VanRooy)• Theoreticalfoundations(leader:Prof.AJvanRooy)

The Faculty of Economic Sciences and Information Technology has made excellent progress in establishing a niche in Information Technology and Economics. We are proud of the following staff members who are nationally and internationally recognised for their representation of the institution on various forums: • Prof.LindaTheronwaselectedastheincomingchairpersonoftheEducationAssociationofSouth Africa(EASA).HertermofofficewillbeJanuary2010–January2013.• Prof.BertusvanRooywasnominatedbytheNationalResearchFoundation(NRF)asConvenerofthe Assessment Panel for Literary Studies, Languages and Linguistics.

We also acknowledge the following staff members who have shown excellence in research and were promoted:• Prof.ElizevanEedenandProf.SusanCoetzee-VanRooyhavebeenpromotedtofullprofessors.• ElsaFourie(DirectoroftheSchoolofEducationalSciences)andJan-LouisKruger(Directorofthe School of Languages) have been promoted to associate professors.

Top ReseaRCheRs:• Prof.LindaTheronwasnominatedasthetopseniorresearcheronthecampus.• DrJacoGerickewasnominatedasthejuniorresearcheroftheyearonthecampus.

My sincerest thanks and congratulations to our colleagues on the Vaal Triangle Campus for the enthusiasm and dedication they have shown in their research endeavours.

pRof. lInda du plessIsVICE-RECTOR: ACADEMIC, QUALITy AND PLANNING, VAAL TRIANGLE CAMPUS Tel: +27 16 910 3161E-mail: [email protected]

Prof Linda du PlessisVice-Rector: Academic, Quality and Planning,Vaal Triangle Campus


4 Message from the Executive Director: Research and Innovation

Research and innovation highlights of 2009

• NWUidentifiedtheformationofcollaborativeresearchprograms,spanningseveraldisciplines, management units and even organisations, as one of the key success factors in achieving its growth targets in research, innovation and community engagement. Multi-disciplinary collaborative research programs include:• TheDSTCompetenceCentreinHydrogenInfrastructure,aCompetenceCentreinHydrogen Production, Storage, Reticulation and Codes and Standards, hosted by the NWU and the CSIR with the NWU as lead party. During 2009 NWU and CSIR revised its business plan following DST input and laid a foundation for infrastructure and student development.• TheBioPadMetabolomicscentreconcludeditsfinalphaseasplatformandcommencedwiththe development of a Competence Centre.• NWUbecamememberoftheEUFramework7EURPAIRSconsortium.Thepurposeoftheprogram is to develop applications and solutions for process heat from High Temperature Nuclear Reactors.• TheDTICentreinAdvancedManufacturingwasestablishedintheFacultyofEngineeringin close collaboration with the latest NWU spin-off company: the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CFAM).• NWUremainsoneofthetopTechnologyandHumanResourcesIndustryProgram(THRIP) earners in the higher education sector; in 2009 NWU earned R26 485 875 from this program. This is indicative of the innovative and relevant research done in close association with industry in the country.• Bytheendof2009,atotalof116NWUacademicshadNationalResearchFoundation(NRF)ratings.• MrDerekHanekom,DeputyMinisterofScienceandTechnology,launchedtheUniversity’sCentre for High Performance Computing towards the end of the year. The Centre stands out for the high quality of its experimental equipment, which is used for computational-intensive research in a wide range of disciplines.• AfterbeingcommissionedbytheDepartmentofScienceandTechnology,theNWUdeveloped a detailed business plan for a science park in Potchefstroom. The science park will be a joint venture between the North-West Provincial Government and the North-West University. The plan has been submitted to the North-West Provincial Government for approval and funding. • Excellentprogresswasfurthermadetoco-ordinatethemorethan200communityengagement projects, e.g.:• 119communityserviceprojects,suchastheScienceCentre,HIV/AIDSprojects,studentRAG projects, law clinics and research-related projects.• 22developmentalactivitieswitharecruitmentfocus,suchasScience,EngineeringandSports weeks, as well as cultural activities.• 62professionaladvisoryservices,includingresearchandprofessionaladviceforlocal,provincial and national government.• 10subsidiseddevelopmentalengagementprojects,includingexperientialtrainingforstudents doing nursing, social work and teaching.

Introduction

One of the ways in which the University distinguishes itself in the market place is in its approach to the three pillars of its core business. The NWU’s mission is to become a balanced teaching-learning and research university where research and innovation receive the same level of attention as teaching-


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Prof Frikkie van NiekerkExecutive Director: Researchand Innovation


learning. To achieve this balance, the University has set itself a number of research goals. These goals include positioning the NWU among the top six universities in terms of total research and innovation output.

Another difference is that the institution defines the third element of its core business as the implementation of expertise, which goes beyond conventional community engagement by making expertise available commercially as well.

This unique approach is clearly reflected in the NWU’s 40:40:20 target for academic time allocation, with 40% of time for teaching-learning, 40% for research and 20% for implementation of expertise. Moving closer to this ideal ratio is a challenge in the light of an ever-increasing teaching load, but the NWU is confident that this and other research targets can be reached through effective execution of the research and innovation strategy.

This strategy is to increase research output and improve research quality by allocating the best possible blend of resources to research and introducing high-impact research interventions. During 2009, the University took some significant steps forward towards ensuring that research and innovation take their rightful place alongside teaching-learning.

overview of research in 2009

Key research indicators for the year were article equivalents published, the number of researchers with NRF ratings, master’s and doctoral enrolments and graduations, and post-doctoral fellowships awarded. • posTgRaduaTe ReCRuITMenT In 2009, 2 591 students were enrolled for master’s degrees and 792 for PhDs, compared to the 2 477 master’s degrees and 758 PhDs in 2008. This slight increase once again strengthened the University’s resolve actively to recruit master’s and doctoral students. • InCenTIVes foR IMpRoVed ReseaRCh ouTpuT Various incentives for researchers contributed to the improved research input at the University. These are for instance the NRF rating incentives and the incentive model for researched articles, aimed at encouraging staff to publish more regularly, to improve the quality of publications. • ReseaRCh ouTpuT With the exception of master’s and doctoral enrolments and graduations, the NWU met the research targets set for 2009 in the Institutional Plan. The best performance was in NRF ratings, with 116 of academic staff accredited as at 31 December 2009, and in post-doctoral fellowships, which increased to 48.

The table below gives a breakdown of research output in the key categories since 2004.

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Article equivalents 271,60 318,38 351,50 358,23 471,33 413,56

Conference proceedings 3,30 7,58 7,80 12,62 18,25 34,38

Books 0,15 0,23 1,55 5,35 12,93 4,56

Article equivalents published 275 326,19 360,85 376,22 502,51 452,50

Total weighted research output 798 865 1 075 1 061 1 083 1 190

Number of NRF accredited researchers

73 85 82 95 103 116

Master’s degrees conferred 626 700 765 618 583 659

Doctoral degrees conferred 87 85 110 124 100 123

Post-doctoral fellows 9 17 18 34 38 48


The graphs below show the number of master’s and doctoral degrees awarded since 2002, as well as the total numberof research units:

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Total number of research units (2002 to 2009)


publications output

The NWU’s subsidised publication output consists of accredited journal articles, books and conference proceedings. Total publications output for the year came to 452,50 units, which is an decrease of 10% against the previous year’s 502,51 units. This is still 20% higher than in 2007. Of the journal articles published, 41% appeared in Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) journals, compared to 36% in 2008. For 2010, the NWU is working towards publishing 60% of all its research publications in ISI journals.

Per capita output, referring to articles published per academic year, decreased from 0,54 in 2008 to 0,45 in 2009. This decrease follows the reduction in article output and a slight increase in academic staff numbers. The aim is to increase the per capita output to 0,60 units in the coming academic year. For NRF-rated research output, the NWU achieved a record high for its total weighted research output, which came to 1 190 units.

The following table and graphs track the University’s publications output between 2005 and 2009.MafIkeng CaMpus

faCulTy 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Human and Social Sciences 2 4 2 5 2,33

Agriculture, Science and Technology 3,03 8,03 5,58 16,10 26,85

Commerce and Administration 1,66 1 0,5 2,2 1,63

Law 1 0 2 1,5 1

Education 0 0 0 1 0

Vice Rector 0 0 0 0 0,50

ToTal 7,69 13,03 10,08 25,80 32,31

poTChefsTRooM CaMpus

faCulTy 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Faculty of Arts 36,7 49,16 39 70 62,74

Natural Sciences 50,55 54,55 58,08 80,46 54,57

Theology 46,17 55,67 49 61,17 55,17

Educational Sciences 17,25 12,83 16,73 20,54 37,08

Economic and Management Sciences 21,42 35,86 23,67 37,41 28,83

Law 23,82 24,32 30,32 31,38 22,50

Engineering 16,45 15 10,67 12,40 8,65

Health Sciences 67,67 65,91 16,4593,34 86,61 64,48

ToTal 280,03 313,3 320,81 400,45 334,02

Vaal TRIangle CaMpus

faCulTy 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Other (Campus Rector) 0 0 0 0,5 0

Humanities 30,16 25,17 27,34 40,53 40,75

Economic Management and Information Sciences 0 0 0 3,5 5,87

ToTal 30,16 25,17 27,34 44,53 46,62

InsTITuTIonal offICe 0,5 0 0 0,25 0,61

ToTal nwu Journal articles 318,38 351,5 358,23 471,03 413,56

Books 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mafikeng 0 0 0,09 0 0,17

Potchefstroom 0,23 1,55 5,95 12,93 4,31

Vaal Triangle 0 0 0,09 0 0,08

ToTal nwu Books 0,23 1,55 9,2 12,93 4,56

Conference proceedings 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mafikeng 0 0 0 0,33 3,67

Potchefstroom 7,58 7,8 10,91 17,92 29,79

Vaal Triangle 0 0 0,5 0 0,92

ToTal Conference proceedings 7,58 7,8 8,79 18,25 34,38

ToTal Books/Conference proceedings 7,81 9,35 17,99 31,18 38,94

ToTal nwu 326,19 360,85 376,22 502,21 452,50

nRf ratings

The University started the academic year with 103 NRF rated researchers and, in February 2009, submitted 31 rating applications to the NRF. Of the 18 applications for new ratings, 13 were accepted. In the case of the 13 re-rating applications submitted, the NRF approved 13. Thus, at the end of December 2009, the NWU had 116 rated researchers, up 13% on the previous year’s figure. As a result, the percentage of rated staff members rose from 11% in 2008 to 12% in 2009. The target set in the Institutional Plan in 2010 is to increase the percentage of NRF-rated staff to 14%. The table below gives details of rated researchers per category at each NWU campus as at 31 December 2009.

NRF rated researchers in 2009:

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Figure 1 NWU Research Output with regard to Output Type (2005-2009)


post-doctoral fellowships

The post-doctoral program focuses on critical disciplines such as space physics, energy systems and business mathematics and informatics. It has shown excellent growth since 2004 when there were only nine participants. Within six years, by 2009, the number of post-doctoral fellows had risen to 48, reflecting the success of the improvements made to the program since 2006.A new campaign has been launched in May 2010 to attract more post-doctoral fellows to NWU. It is estimated that 55 could be achieved.

Research capacity development

The NWU aims to be ranked among the top six universities in South Africa for total research and innovation output. With this in mind, the University is investing significantly more in research capacity development, equipment and infrastructure.

As part of capacity development, funding is being made available for the fast-tracking of staff to obtain their PhD degrees. Lecturers who were completing their PhDs during 2009 could free up their time by applying for funding to pay for lecturer replacement. In addition, funding was made available for editing, printing and binding of doctoral theses. A total amount of R 1,37 million was approved for this in 2009.

Other capacity-building initiatives during the year were: • The2009researchawards,recognisingtheJuniorResearcheroftheYear,ResearcheroftheYearandResearchEntityofthe Year.TherecipientsoftheABSAandS2A3bronzeawardsalsoreceivedtheirmedalsandcertificatesattheawardsfunction.• Theroll-outofthenationalresearchinformationmanagementsystem,InfoEd.• Overandabovetheinvestmentsincapacitydevelopmentin2009,theUniversityspentR12milliononnewexperimental equipment and facilities.• TheCentreforHighPerformanceComputingwaslaunchedbytheDeputyMinisteroftheDepartmentofScienceand Technology, Minister Derek Hanekom, during the last quarter of 2009. Its experimental equipment is used for computational- intensive research in disciplines such as astrophysics, computational mechanics, bio-informatics and data mining, molecular modelling, pharmaco-epidemiological studies and operational analyses. The Centre is available for shared use by qualifying researchers and is governed by a representative body of research managers and information technology professionals. The NWU funded the entire investment.• TheAnnualResearchReportfor2008wasfinalisedanddistributedinternallyandexternally.

strengthening the Research entities modelThe Research Entities model is central to the University’s plans to improve research quality and output, as it standardises the format of research entities across the University. There are now four entity categories, starting with entry-level structures known as niche areas all the way through to the top level, centres of excellence. Implementation of the Research Entities model continued during the year under review. Towards the end of 2009, however, it became clear that the management model was not fully understood and implemented in some faculties and that a serious intervention was necessary to fully establish the model and thereby empower Research Entity Directors.

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In another development around research entities, a call for new entities was posted in September 2009. Of the seven applications received, three were recommended for the next stage, the submission of full proposals. These three proposals, one from each campus, were still being evaluated nationally and internationally at the end of the academic year.

Research funding

• nRf fundIng The University seeks to increase external funding awarded for research and innovation and had a number of funding successes during 2009, especially for Technology and Human Resources in Industry Program (THRIP) projects. The tables below provide details of research funding received from all external sources, including THRIP, the National Research Foundation, the North-West Research Coordinating Council, the Medical Research Council and the Department of Science and Technology.

• nwu ThRIp funds eaRned In 2009

faculty Research entity / Centre funds earned

Engineering Energy Systems R24 950 250

Natural Sciences BMI R1 535 625

ToTal R26 485 875

• oTheR ReseaRCh fundIng ReCeIVed In 2009

Medical Research Council (MRC) R605 000

North-West Research Coordinating Council (NWRCC) R1 000 000

Department of Science and Technology (DST) R5 975 000

South Africa-Netherlands Research Program on Alternative inDevelopment (SANPAD)

R7 946 096

ToTal R15 526 096

overview of implementation of expertise

As mentioned earlier in this report, the third element of the University’s core business is the implementation of expertise, both in communities and commercially. Community services are usually offered free of charge, while businesses pay for using NWU expertise. For ease of reference, these two components, community engagement and commercialisation, are reviewed separately.

Commercialisation in 2009

Activities that fall into this category include technology transfer, intellectual property (IP) protection and sales, and establishing and mentoring spin-off companies. The Technology Transfer Support team offers NWU staff involved in these activities a wide range of specialised support services, such as assisting with IP protection, marketing technologies, developing commercial models, and negotiating and renegotiating licensing agreements. During 2009, the team had a busy year developing major technology transfer projects such as the North-West Science Park, while managing the University’s IP portfolio and agreements, and providing support services to University staff.

• noRTh-wesT sCIenCe paRk Science parks are internationally recognised as the implementation agents for regional economic strategies. They enhance technology transfer from universities to industry and play a major role in obtaining research and development funding. In the case of the North-West Science Park (NWSP), ten programs have been initiated to enable these attributes. For this purpose, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has awarded a further R300 000 to NWU to support the establishment of economic development programs that will be managed from the NWSP. This brings to R700 000 the total DST contribution towards the NWSP to date.

At the end of 2009, all ten programs were ready to be implemented on a small scale in anticipation of the commissioning of the NWSP building and are being established with donor funding.



ApresentationontheNorth-WestScienceParkwasmadeinJune2009tothetechnicalcommitteeofthePremier’sExecutive CommitteeandthePremier’sAdvisoryCouncilonInnovationandICT.Bothgroupsrespondedfavourably,andthetechnical committee referred the project to the full Executive Committee.

Although the Premier and the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism have accepted the NWSP project, the process of ensuring buy-in from all provincial and other political stakeholders is a long and complex process. Most of the efforts in 2009 were focused on achieving stakeholder buy-in and an answer on the future of the project is expected early in 2010.

• agReeMenTs More than 19 non-disclosure and material transfer agreements were facilitated during 2009, along with approximately twelve licensing and collaborative agreements.

• CoMMeRCIalIsaTIon of paTenTs In August 2009, the NWU signed an agreement with ISIS, the technology transfer company of Oxford University, to assist with the commercialisation of patents. ISIS is very well positioned in the technology world, providing a useful springboard for propelling NWU technologies into the global arena. ISIS will, for a basic fee, present the patents in their format to their customer base.

The NWU will negotiate directly with potential licensees. Four patents, including the Pheroid vaccine and the ozone generator, have been presented to ISIS to date.

The agreement with ISIS supports the Department of Science and Technology’s initiative to build local capacity in the context of the Intellectual Property Rights Act. During the year under review, the Director of the Technology Transfer Office spent two weeks in training at ISIS and two days at the National Health System Innovation London. More groups will follow in 2010, and the Intellectual Property Rights and contracting manager in this office will join the first group in 2010 for three weeks at ISIS.

The following patents were in the process of being commercialised in 2009: • Mosfet-basedignitionsystem:Ambixtra(Pty)LtdandtheNWUarecollaboratingwithEuropeanpartnerstodevelopthis new system for high-pressure petrol engines.

• Hardwarerandomnumbergenerator:TheNWUisdevelopingprototypesfortestingandverification.Apotential industrialisation partner has been selected.

• Mosfetintegratedcircuitdevice:NegotiationsareunderwaytocontractIMECinBelgiumtosimulateandspecifythe integrated device.

• MaRkeTIng and neTwoRkIng Through various specialised channels, the University actively marketed its patents to potential customers in business, academia and government. An example is Tektique, the web-based patent marketing instrument launched by a consortium of universities, including the NWU.

Another networking highlight was the invitation extended to the Director of the Technology Transfer Office to join a panel of industrialists and government officials serving on the Premier’s Advisory Council on Innovation and ICT. This enables direct contact with the Premier and provincial Director-General.

Further, staff of the Technology Transfer Office presented a commercialisation case study to the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) as an experiment to share its experience. The group of University Technology Transfer Offices decided to repeat this exercise to increase cross-learning.

• Ip polICIes ReVIsed The NWU policies and guidelines on Intellectual Property Rights have been consolidated and revised to reflect the latest IP trends, changes in the NWU and the new IPR Act. The consolidated document is being translated into all three NWU languages, and a quick reference sheet has been printed and distributed to researchers.

Quantitative outputs for nwu for 2009

• InTelleCTual pRopeRTy: paTenT poRTfolIo

Disclosures, filings and registrations: 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Disclosures - - 7 8 6 11

SA provisional applications 4 5 6 3 3 5

SA final granted 7 4 4 2 1 5

Total number of RSA patented inventions 18 22 26 28 29 35

No of co-owned patents 0 0 0 0 0 0

PCT applications 4 1 6 3 2 5

International final registrations 1 1 1 1 1 5

Tot number of international patented inventions 5 6 7 8 9 14

Number of countries in portfolio - - - 47 47 47

Numberofcountries(thisyear/total) 1/1 1/2 0/2 0/2 0/2 0/2

Plantbreedersrights(thisyear/total) 0/4 0/4 0/4 0/3 0/3 0/3*Note that one invention could be registered in many countries. It is reported here as only one. The NWU has six USA registered patents to date and six USA patents pending.

A record number of disclosures, SA provisional applications, RSA patented inventions, international final registrations, new international patented inventions were concluded in 2010.• paTenT suppoRT The Innovation Fund (DST) supports the NWU by providing up to 50% of the cost of patenting and awards incentives to individual inventors.

year received 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Amount awarded to the NWU 717 226 763 380 674 202 813 584 770 743 1 233 269

Number of individuals 6 10 2 4 9 4

Total awarded to individuals 120 000 202 000 50 000 85 000 160 000 TBA

Support is received for final RSA granted filings in the previous year.

• lICensIng, RoyalTIes and pRoduCT sales

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

New Licence agreements 7 3 2 0 1 1

Agreements terminated 1 1 1 1 0 0

Total active agreements 10 12 12 11 12 14

Total royalty income (excl. product sales) 860 387 1 153 931 1 427 496 1 363 754 875 520 1 593 006

Royalties distributed to inventors 160 852 141 440 129 836 66 418 31 026

Gross income from product sales based on own IP

1 523 415 2 228 050 4 262 250 2 843 634 2 518 276 1 026 251

• Spin-offcompanieS(independent,aSSociatedandSubSidiarieS)

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

New spin-offs 1 1 3 1 1 1

Total technology spin-offs since ‘99 9 10 13 14 15 16

Technology spin-off companies still active 9 9 11 11 12 13

New investments in companies (including spin-offs)

1 1 2 0 1 0

Numberofexits/divestments 1 1 0 1 0 1

NWU subsidiaries and associated companies at the end of the year

5 5 7 6 7 6



Community engagement

The NWU is positioning itself as a community partner of choice that uses its unique strengths to facilitate corporate-social responsibility investment and promote social entrepreneurship. So committed is the University to community engagement that staff and Management are required to include community-related activities in their task agreements and to report regularly on progress.

This part of the NWU’s core business is coordinated by the Community Engagement Office, which assists corporations to develop sustainable corporate investment strategies and enables communities to develop entrepreneurial skills. The Office, togetherwiththeInstitutionalAdvancementandBusinessDevelopmentOffice,coordinatestheworkoftheForumforContinuous Collaboration in Development, which brings together established companies and emerging enterprises or community organisations.

during 2009, the university delivered a number of community engagement achievements:• TheForumforContinuousCollaborationinDevelopmentassistedPhalukuhlale,ageneraltradingandconstructioncompany owned by 10 previously disadvantaged women, to acquire an investment of R2 million as well as construction contracts.

• LandandsomefundingwereobtainedfortheplannedDrKennethKaundaResourcesCentreinIkageng,Potchefstroom. The Centre will give the community access to training, entrepreneurship, personal development and wellness facilities. Partners include the Dr Kenneth Kaunda town council, AngloGold Ashanti, governmental regulators and government, Tlokwe City Council, the departments of Education, Social Development, Tourism and Economic Development, the AIDS consortium, Dede’lingoma (NGO), youth Resource Centre, Hospice, the NWU Legal Aid Centre and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

• Corporatepartnerscontributedfundingforkeyprojects.AngloGoldAshantidonatedfundsinsupportoftheAmaphelo Day Centre to the Hope Village Development Trust. Hope of Dreams was assisted to formalise and register its training course for boilermakers.

A memorandum of understanding was signed with the North-West provincial Department of Health and Social Development to cooperate in training, skills development and research, among others. This agreement will be finalised in early 2010.• AnauditwasdoneofNWUcommunityprojects,inwhichatotalof213projectswereidentifiedanddocumented. These comprised: o 118 community service projects (for training, technology transfer, donations and general assistance to members of communities).

o 10 developmental engagement projects (training and empowering communities to become self-sufficient).

o 63 expert advisory services projects (sharing information and expertise with government and the broader community).

o 22 developmental recruitment projects (training and skills transfer).

Many of these projects are having or will have a significant positive impact on the beneficiaries concerned, as the following examples pertinent to 2009 demonstrate:

eBio partnership:eBioisaweb-basedpersonaldevelopmentempowerment,growthandemploymentenhancementtoolandalsoanentrepreneurshipcoachingsystem.TheNWU’sProfJapieKroonprovidestheacademiccontentforthesystem,whichisto be introduced to 40 Potchefstroom businesses, as well as to students and staff on the Mafikeng Campus.

The hope Village development Trust: The Trust is an NGO partner of NWU and has taken over the management of Amaphelo Childcare Centre on behalf of the Community Engagement Office. It facilitates the daily care, feeding and training of 80 HIV-positive children.

lerato Centre: This day care centre cares for 70 children and holds parenting sessions to empower parents in about 40 families.El-Gibbor: This crafts project has sold 300 leather cushions to a local retailer and received orders from France, the United States and Canada. It sustainably employs 27 people.

farmlabourandGeneralHealth(flaGH)project: The project’s aim is to improve the quality of life and health of people living and working on commercial farms in the North-West Province. It commenced in 2002 by offering training in business and sewing skills to unemployed women in the Ventersdorp community. Since then, this small income-generating project has grown into a structured business involving thirty women who produce an extended range of products. In 2009, the project’s turnover was just under R100 000 and they had received funding of R25 000 from the Craft and Design Industry of North West. They already have orders to the amount of R 35 000 for 2010. Also in 2009, the FLAGH-program received funding to start a community project on the Vyfhoek smallholdings outside Potchefstroom. The project will focus on glass recycling, a glass crusher and kiln was acquired with the funding.

nwu Community engagement Trust

TheNWUSocialDevelopmentTrustwasformedandthefirstmeetingoftheBoardofTrusteeswasheldon31August2009.This was followed on 4 September by the Trust’s fund-raising dinner. This event was very successful, especially in the light of the economic downturn. Some R40 000 was raised through an auction and another R140 000 in external funding was channelled into community engagement projects. Hosken Consolidated Investment Foundation funded a photographic exhibition on Xenophobia at the fund-raising dinner.

Conclusion

Overall, the University met or exceeded almost all its research and innovation targets for 2009. This is a fine achievement considering the “stretch” targets set, meaning these were attainable but only with a considerable amount of effort. One of the most encouraging results of the year was the progress that both the Mafikeng Campus and the Vaal Triangle Campus made in raising their research output. In the case of Mafikeng, journal output has increased almost five-fold since 2005, while the Vaal Triangle’s tally of rated research has grown by similar margins. Another encouraging trend was the gains made institution-wide in implementing the NWU’s expertise commercially and for the benefit of communities, as evidenced by the success of the Community Engagement Office in forming value-adding partnerships with business, local authorities and provincial departments. There has also been a strong increase in patents filed in South Africa and internationally, in the patent support awarded to the University and in the revenue earned from royalty income. All in all, it was a good year for the NWU’s research and innovation efforts, which benefited from a well-crafted strategy, effective execution and coherent, cross-campus teamwork.

pRof fRIkkIe Van nIekeRkEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: RESEARCHAND INNOVATIONTel +27 18 299 4926


pRof luCas VenTeRDIRECTOR: RESEARCH SUPPORTTel +27 18 299 4848

dR RudI Van deR walTDIRECTOR: INNOVATIONTel +27 18 299 4923

Ms BIBI BouwManDIRECTOR: COMMUNITy ENGAGEMENTTel +27 18 299 4935


5 nRf Rated Researchers at the NWU

The following nwu researchers had a valid nRf rating during 2009:

a RaTIng: leadIng InTeRnaTIonal ReseaRCheRMoraal, H Unit for Space PhysicsPotgieter, M Unit for Space Physics

p RaTIng: nRf pResIdenT’s awaRdsFerreira, SES Unit for Space Physics

B RaTIng: InTeRnaTIonally aCClaIMed ReseaRCheRBurger, RA Unit for Space PhysicsDe Jager, OC Unit for Space PhysicsGouws, JS Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextGreyvenstein, GP Unit for Energy SystemsGrobler, JJ UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsSwanepoel, JWH UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsVan den Berg J Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementVan der Walt, DJ Unit for Space PhysicsVan Dijk, AA Centre for Human MetabonomicsVan Rooy, HF Unit for Reformed Theology and the Development of the South African SocietyVorster, HH Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN)

C RaTIng: esTaBlIshed ReseaRCheRsBergh, JJ Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentBlignaut, S Educational Technology for Effective Teaching, Learning and FacilitationBreytenbach, JC Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentBrink, CB Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentCarstens, WAM Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextCilliers, SS Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementCoetzee Van Rooy, AS Faculty of HumanitiesDe Jongh, PJ UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsDe Ridder, JH Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)Du Pisani, J Social TransformationDu Plessis, JJ Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentDu Plessis, W Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateDu Plooy, HJG Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextDu Preez, JL Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentDu Preez, LH Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementDu Toit, CDGDK Unit for Energy SystemsEngelbrecht, P Teaching-learning organisationsEverson, RC ChemicalResourceBeneficiationFourie, JH UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsGreeff, M Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Grobler, LJ Unit for Energy SystemsHarvey, BH Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentHuizenga, JM Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementJerling, JC Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN)Kellner, K Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementKotze, AF Unit for Drug Research and Development

Kotze, HF Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Krieg, HM ChemicalResourceBeneficiationKroeze, J Faculty of Economic Sciences and Information TechnologyKruger, GHJ Unit for Environmental Science and ManagementKruger, HA UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsKruger, HS Centre of Excellence in Nutrition (CEN)Liebenberg, W Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentMaterechera, SE Agriculture, Science and TechnologyNeomagus, HWJP Unit for Energy SystemsOliver, DW Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentOosthuizen, IJ Teaching-learning OrganisationsPetersen, M UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsPienaar, AE Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)Pienaar, GJ Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StatePienaar, JJ Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementRautenbach, C Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateRobinson, JA Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateRoos, V African Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Rothmann, S Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesRousseau, PG Unit for Energy SystemsRoux, C Teaching-learning OrganisationsRoux, JC Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextSaayman, M Socio-economic impact of TourismSmit, JJA Teaching-learning OrganisationsSmuts, CM Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN)Stander, L Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateStrydom, C ChemicalResourceBeneficiationStrydom, H Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Theron, PD Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementVan der Walt, JL Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextVan Rensburg, L Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementVan Rooyen, JM Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)Van der Westhuizen, FH Centre for Human MetabonomicsVan der Westhuizen, PC Teaching-learning OrganisationVenter, CS African Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Viljoen, HM Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextVisser, JA Unit for Energy SystemsViviers, W Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesVorster, JM Unit for Reformed Theology and the Development of the South African SocietyVosloo, HCM ChemicalResourceBeneficiationWaanders, FB Unit for Energy SystemsWeyers, ML Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Winde, F Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementWissing, DP Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextWissing, MP Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Wolhuter, CC Teaching-learning OrganisationsWolmarans, CT Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

l RaTIng: laTe enTRanTs InTo ReseaRChBezuidenhout, CC Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementHuisman, HM UnitofBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsMalan, L Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)Sewlall, H Population and Health

y RaTIng: pRoMIsIng young ReseaRCheRsGericke, JW Faculty of Humanties


Jansen van Rensburg, L Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateKrügell, WF Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesLoots, DT Centre for Human MetabonomicsMaboeta, M Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementMamabolo, RL Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN)Mashele, HP Agriculture, Science and TechnologyMonyeki, MA Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)Mostert, K Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesO’Neill, FH Unit for Environmental Management and SciencesPetzer, JJ Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentPienaar, JJ Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesPieters, M Centre of Excellence in Nutrition (CEN)Retief, FP Unit for Environmental Management and SciencesSaayman, A Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesSchutte, AE Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)Siebert, SJ Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateVan der Merwe, M Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Van Deventer, HJM Unit for Reformed Theology and the Development of the South African SocietyVan Huyssteen, GB Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African ContextVan Rooy, AJ FacultyofHumanitiesVorster, N Unit for Reformed Theology and the Development of the South African SocietyWeldon, C Unit for Environmental Management and SciencesSchutte, R Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)

The following researchers received a new nRf rating during 2009, ormaintained their nRf rating or are new nRf Rated staff members.

B RaTIng: InTeRnaTIonally aCClaIMed ReseaRCheRGouws, JS Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African Context

C RaTIng: esTaBlIshed ReseaRCheRsBrink, CB Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentCoetzee Van Rooy, AS Faculty of HumanitiesKotze, HF Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Kruger, GHJ Unit for Environmental Science and ManagementKruger, HA UnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsOliver, DW Unit for Drug Research and DevelopmentOosthuizen, IJ Teaching-learning OrganisationsPienaar, AE Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)Pienaar, JJ Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementRautenbach, C Research Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional StateRoos, V African Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Van Rensburg, L Unit for Environmental Sciences and ManagementVorster, JM Unit for Reformed Theology and the Development of the South African SocietyVosloo, HCM ChemicalResourceBeneficiationWaanders, FB Unit for Energy SystemsWolhuter, CC Teaching-learning Organisations

y RaTIng: pRoMIsIng young ReseaRCheRsGericke, JW Faculty of HumantiesKrügell, WF Workwell: Research Unit for Economic and Management SciencesRetief, FP Unit for Environmental Management and SciencesSchutte, R Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)Van der Merwe, M Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR)Weldon, C Unit for Environmental Management and Sciences


Gouws, JS Brink, CB Coetzee Van Rooy, AS

Kotze, HF Kruger, GHJ Kruger, HA Oliver, DW

Pienaar, AE Pienaar, JJ Rautenbach, C Roos, V

Oosthuizen, IJ

Waanders, FB Wolhuter, CC Gericke, JW

Krügell, WF Retief, FP Schutte, R Van der Merwe, M Weldon, C

Vosloo, HCMVorster, JM

Van Rensburg, L


6 phd Students delivered in 2009


Mafikeng CampusAnakoka Mufungulwa Maurice A model for training Home Health Educators within the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

AwinoJamesOnyango TheimpactofdemocraticpedagogyonthereligiouseducationcurriculuminBotswanaSecondarySchools.

BogapaneLebosaPeter TheimplementationofBlackEconomicEmpowerment(BEE)intheCentralDistrictMunicipality(CDM).

KgobeBaitsholetsiGloria An evaluation of homeostatic mechanisms used by animals to deal with severe phosphorus deficiency in communally grazing animals

MakhubeleJabulane Indigenising Life Skills Education for learners in rural schools in Malamulele Central Circuit in the Limpopo Province-South Africa : A Social Work perspective.

Molukanele Mamadika Motlagomang Alettah The impact of teenage pregnancy on the educational aspirations of female learners, North-West Province, South Africa.

Semuli Qhobela Kitch SuccessfulABETdeliveryintheNorthWestProvinceofSouthAfrica.

potchefstroom CampusALLISON,JamesSamuel Bootstrap-basedhypothesistesting PromoterSWANEPOEL,JWHPROF

BEKKER,Ian The Vowels of South African English PromoterVANROOY,AJPROF

BESTER,Petra Authentic leadership embedded in a social capital framework: A theory in Nursing Science Promoter KLOPPER, HC PROF

BOLT,GerhardusDerk A unique energy efficiency investment decision model for energy services companies Promoter KLEINGELD, M PROF Assistant Promoter PELZER, R DR

BOSCH,Thahir Management and auditing of bank assets and capital Promoter PETERSEN, MA PROF

BOTHA,JohannesUrbanus Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM): ‘n Prakties-teologiese beoordeling Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF

BUYS,Chenell The well-being of ministers in South Africa Promoter ROTHMANN, S PROF

CHALWE, Andriano An evaluation of the mission history of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia Promoter WARNER, CP PROF DR Co-promoter MASHAU, TD PROF

CHOONG POH LEE, Charmiane Imago Dei and its Significance for Pastoral Leadership Effectiveness in a Global Society PromoterGRAINGER,RBPROFDRCo-promoterLOTTER, GA PROF

CUNNINGHAM, Shawn The role of market failure in the utilisation of quality management services by the tooling industry Promoter VAN DER MERWE, SP PROF

DE CONING, Gerhard Lourens An integrated service excellence model for strategic military test and evaluation facilities: The case of the South African National Department of Defence.

Promoter: VAN DER WALDT, G PROF Co-promoterNEALER,EJPROF

DEJAGER,PetrusJacobusChristiaan Pastorale berading aan bejaardes na die trauma van die onnatuurlike dood van ‘n volwasse kind Promoter COETZER, WC PROF

DRENTH, Cornelia Maria Complicated grief in the South African context - a therapeutic intervention programme Promoter STRyDOM, H PROF Co-promoterHERBST,AGDRAssistantPromoterBOTHA,KFHPROF

DU PLESSIS, Alida AnÉL Fulfillment of the constitutional environmental right at Local Government Level in South Africa

Promoter DU PLESSIS, W PROF Assistant Promoter ROOS, MC MEV

DU PLESSIS, Thomas Edward South African expatriates as potential entrepreneurs: an exploratory study PromoterKROON,JPROF

ELGAR, Dale Evaluation of the pre-clinical effects of peroral administered pro-Pheroids Promoter KOTZE, AF PROF Co-promoterGROBLER,AFMEV

FOURIE,JohannesHermanusVanSchalkwyk

“Medelye-moegheid”, ‘n Pastorale benadering Promoter COETZER, WC PROF

GREFFRATH, Gustav Carl Oorkruisnavorsing op sentrumgebaseerde en ekspedisiegebaseerde (wildernis) AEL ten opsigte van persoonlike en groepseffektiwiteit: ‘n Rekreasiekundige perspektief

Promoter MEyER, CDP PROF Assistant Promoter STRyDOM, H PROF

Grönum,NicolaasJohannes Hermeneutiese vertrekpunte in die GKSA in ‘n post-moderne denkklimaat: ‘n evaluering PromoterJANSEVANRENSBURG,JJPROFAssistantPromoterVORSTER,JMPROF

HATTINGH, Karien The Validation of a Rating Scale for the Assessment of Compositions in ESL PromoterVANDERWALT,JLPROF

HLABELA,SimonPatrick Integrated barium carbonate process for sulphate removal from mine wastewater PromoterWAANDERS,FBPROF

HOEPFNER, Hendrik Gustav Die betekenis van die Vaderskap van God in die pastorale begeleiding van aangenome kinders Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF

JANKOWITZ,HendrikaJohanna Die praktyk van liturgiese psalmsang in die NG Kerk in Suid-Afrika en Namibië Promoter KRUGER, D PROF

JANSENVANRENSBURG,SusaraJacoba The export promotion of South African craft products Promoter VIVIERS, W PROF

JULYAN,Marlene A phytochemical analysis of some ancient narcotics, with comparative notes on South African folk medical practices

Promoter DIRCKSEN, MR PROF Co-promoterSCARBOROUGH,JPROFAssistantPromoter VAN DyK, S PROF

KGOKONG,JosephLebese Trifluoromethyl-substituted quinoline and tetrazole derivatives: Design, synthesis, antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity

PromoterBREYTENBACH,JCPROF

KLAASING, Henrietta Elizabeth Verslawingsparadigmas en implikasies vir hulp: `n Pastorale studie Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF

KOTZE, Hendrik Petrus Die belangrikheid van die stappe van rou en vergifnis in die herstelproses van die emosioneel verwonde persoon - ‘n Pastorale studie

Promoter COETZER, WC PROF

KRUGER,JohannaAletta The development of educational relationship-focused reading support strategies Promoter DU TOIT, P PROF

LARNEy, Thomas Die gesin as primêre geloofseenheid in `n postmoderne konteks: `n pastorale studie Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF

LAUREANO, Cynthia Marisa Da Silva Coping and psychological well-being of University rugby players PromoterNIENABER,AWDRAssistantPromoterGROBBELAAR,HWMNR

LOUW,PieterJohannes Die invloed van ‘n avontuur gerigte ervaringsleerprogram op die persoonlike funksionering van swart hoërskoolleerlinge

Promoter MEyER, CDP PROF Assistant Promoter STRyDOM, GL PROF Assistant Promoter KOTZE, HN PROF

LOVELL, Louise Welheidsbediening deur AGS pastore in `n stedelike konteks: `n Prakties-Teologiese studie Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF

MANGENA,SetobaneJonas Fuel bed evaluations and coal properties transformation in a Sasol - Lurgi fixed bed dry bottom gasifier that is operating on North Dakota lignite

PromoterWAANDERS,FBPROFCo-PromoterBUNT,JRPROF

MARTINS,JacobusJohannes Concentrations and deposition of atmospheric species at regional sites in southern Africa PIENAAR,JJPROFCo-promoter GALy-LACAUX, C DR

MATSELA, Agnes Malineo Psychological violence as workplace trauma impacting on teachers’ health in Lesotho: guidelines for teacher support for health promotion

PromoterKIRSTEN,GJCDRAssistant Promoter VAN DER WALT, MS DR

MBENNAH,EmmanuelDavidMwalukoLuhembe

The mature church: A rhetorical-critical study of Ephesians 4:1-16 and its implications for the Anglican Church in Tanzania

PromoterJANSEVANRENSBURG,JJPROF

MEINHARDT, Horst Ralph Evaluation of predictive models for pesticide behaviour in South African soils PromoterVANRENSBURG,LPROFCo-promoterBOUWMAN,HPROF

MOTSHEDI, Mosimanegape Mercutio A social work programme for poverty stricken families in rural areas of the Northern-Cape Province

Promoter WESSELS, CC DR Co-promoter STRyDOM, H PROF

MULI,BenjaminKimwele The biology and ecology of Mussidia spp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and associated natural enemies in Kenya

PromoterVANDENBERG,JPROFCo-promoter SCHULTHESS, F DR

MWANGI,JamesKamau The relationship between theological training and practical ministry: a study of Pan African Christian College Alumni 1983 - 2004

PromoterDEKLERK,BJPROF

MyNHARDT, Ronald Henry Regulatory compliance: a framework for South African banks PromoterDEJONGH,DCJPROF

Nel,JanAlewyn Uncovering personality dimensions in eleven language groups in South Africa: An exploratory study

Promoter ROTHMANN, S PROF Co-promoterVANDEVIJVER,AJRPROF

NIEMANN, Andries Christiaan Self-sensing algorithms for active magnetic bearings Promoter VAN SCHOOR, G PROF

OBERHOLZER,IanDewald Peroral and nasal delivery of insulin with Pheroid TM technology Promoter KOTZE, AF PROF

OBONYO,MeshackAmosOwino Basisofhostrecognitionbythelarvalendoparasitoids:CotesiasesamiaeCameronandCotesiaflavipes(Cameron)(Hymenoptera:Braconidae)

PromoterVANDENBERG,JPROFCo-promoter CALATAyUD, P DR Assistant Promoter SCHULTHESS, F DR

ODUOR,BonaventureOmondiAman Ecology and population genetic structure of strains of Teretrius nigrescens (Coleoptera: Histeridae),predatorofProstephanustruncatus(Coleoptera:Bostrichidae)

PromoterVANDENBERG,JPROFCo-promoter MASIGA, D DR Assistant Promoter SCHULTHESS, F DR

OLIVIER, Korita An HIV and AIDS group work programme empowering adolescents for the possible death of their caregivers

Promoter STRyDOM, H PROF

ORPEN-LyALL, Mark Raymond Work wellness in a financial services institution: A longitudinal study Promoter ROTHMANN, S PROF

PARKER, Erika Iona The Attributes of God the Father in the Covenant: A pastoral foundation for fathering Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF

PETZER, Anel ThemonoamineoxidaseBsubstratepropertiesofselectedpyrrolinylanalogues PromoterBERGH,JJPROFCo-promoterPETZER,JPPROFAssistantPromoterTERRE’BLANCHE,GDR

PHALE, Mathews Mbangwa Work-related well-being in the South African post office Promoter ROTHMANN, S PROF

PRETORIUS,Judey ThesynthesisandevaluationofcaffeineanaloguesasinhibitorsofmonoamineoxidaseBandantagonists of the adenosine A2a receptor

PromoterPETZER,JPPROFCo-promoterBERGH,JJPROFAssistant Promoter MALAN, SF PROF

PRETORIUS,StephanusJohannes The role of geohydrology in the determination of a Spatial Development Framework in the Vredefort Dome world heritage site

PromoterVANDERWALT,IJPROFAssistantPromoterSCHOEMAN,CBPROF

RANKIN, Driekie The validity and reproducebility of the 24-hour recall dietary assessment method amongst adolescents in North West Province, South Africa

Promoter MACINTyRE, UE PROF Co-promoter WRIGHT, HH DR Assistant Promoter HANEKOM, SM DR

ROBINSON,ResinaJacoba Wordsworth as a transumptive presence in the poetry of Emily Dickinson PromoterPROFALCOMBRINK

ROUX, Annalie ‘n Model vir die konseptuele leer van wiskunde in ‘n dinamiese tegnologies-verrykte omgewing by voorgraadse wiskunde-onderwysstudente

Promoter NIEUWOUDT, HD PROF Co-promoter NIEUWOUDT, SM DR

RUTHERFORD, Rachè Margaret A creativity development model to enhance educator security-a labour law perspective PromoterROSSOUW,JPPROFAssistantPromoterNEETHLING,JSDR

SCHUTTE, Ignatius Christian A strategic management plan for the sustainable development of geotourism in South Africa Promoter SAAyMAN, M PROF

SERFONTEIN,JohannesHendrik A prediction model for the prevention of soccer injuries amongst youth players PromoterSPAMER,EJPROF

SITO, Mmapula Mary A social group work empowerment programme for families affected by HIV and AIDS from social workers’ caseloads

Promoter ROUX, AA DR

SKHONDE, Madoda Pet Sulphur behaviour and capturing during a fixed bed gasification process of coal Promoter STRyDOM, CA PROF Co-promoterSCHOBERT,HHPROFAssistantPromoterBUNT,JRPROF

SMIT, Marius Hilgard A model for the improvement of democratic school governance in South Africa - an education law perspective

PromoterOOSTHUIZEN,IJPROF

SMITH, Hermanus Arnoldus DiepastoralebedieningvandieplaaslikekerkaansubstituutversorgersvanMIV/VIGSgeaffekteerders

Promoter LOTTER, GA PROF Co-promoter MINNIE, FG DR

STEENKAMP, Sonia Host plant resistance as a management tool for Ditylenchus africanus (Nematoda: Tylenchidae) on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Promoter MCDONALD, AH PROF Co-promoter DE WAELE, DGMA PROF

STRAUSS,AbramJohannes Limitation of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in South African soybean genotypes in response to low night temperature

Promoter VAN HEERDEN, PDR DR Co-promoterKRÜGER,GHJPROF

TAU,BaetsaneAaron BankloanpricingandprofitabilityandtheirconnectionswithBaselIIandthesubprimemortgage crisis

Promoter PETERSEN, MA PROFCo-promoter SCHOEMAN, IM DR

TERBLANCHE,StephanusEsias Contributions towards survivable network design with uncertain traffic requirements PromoterHATTINGH,JMPROFCo-promoter WESSÄLy, R DR

THEKISO, Masisi Samuel Psychological well-being, health and the quality of life of farm workers in South Africa PromoterBOTHA,KFHPROFAssistant Promoter WISSING, MP PROF


Uren, Kenneth Richard State space model extraction of thermohydraulic systems Promoter VAN SCHOOR, G PROF Assistant Promoter GREyVENSTEIN, GP PROF Co-promoterBODENSTEIN,CPPROF

UyS, Charmaine Cecilia Die verband tussen herkenning van hoëfrekwensiewoorde en die leesvaardighede van leerders in die Grondslagfase

Promoter NEL, C PROF DR

VAN DER GRyP, Percy Separation of Grubbs-based catalyst with nanofiltration Promoter MARX, S PROF Co-promoter VOSLOO, HCM PROF

VAN DER VAART, Maniesh Characterization of circulating free DNA in healthy and diseased individuals PromoterPRETORIUS,PJPROF

VANDERWALT,HermanusJohannes The impact of hydrocarbon emissions on regional air quality in a South African metropolitan area

PromoterPIENAAR,JJPROFCo-promoterMCQUAID,JBDR

VANROOY,JacobaHendrika Die Psalmboek 2003 as kommunikasie middel in die liturgie van die erediens in die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid Afrika: `n himnologiese studie

PromoterDEKLERK,BJPROFAssistantPromoterSPIES,BMPROF

Van Wyk, Hendrik Francois God se verlossende wil: ‘n Dogmaties-Apologetiese studie met verwysing na die Mormoonse verlossingsleer

Promoter COETZEE, CFC PROF

VENTER,JanMagielPaul An analysis of the expectation gap in the personal financial service industry in South Africa Promoter COETZEE, K PROF

VISSER, Alvera A competitiveness model for tourism products PromoterSLABBERT,EPROFCo-promoterJANSENVANRENSBURG,LRPROF

Vosloo,JanCorne A new minimum cost model for water reticulation systems on deep mines PromoterVANRENSBURG,JFDRPromoter KLEINGELD, M PROF

WATSON,MarthaJacoba Community based colloboration to support the older person in the world of HIV- and aids Promoter KLOPPER, HC PROFCo-promoter KRUGER, A PROF

WILLIAMS,MarthaJohannaSusanna Assessering in gesondheidswetenskap-programme in ‘n Hoër Onderwysinstelling: ‘n Kritiese etnografiese studie

Promoter KLOPPER, HC PROF Co-promoter KOEN, MP PROF Assistant Promoter COETZEE VAN ROOy, AS PROF

yEATES, Charl Alan Optimisation of a stereoconvergent process catalysed by whole yeast cells Promoter KRIEG, HM PROF Co-promoterBREYTENBACH,JCPROF


Vaal Triangle CampusAyONGHE, LS SubtitlingasanaidacademicliteracyprogrammesattheUniversityofBuea Promoter:ProfJLKruger

Co-promoter:DrHGButlerAssistant promoter: Prof MM Verhoef

BOOYSEN,MJ ‘n Koöperatiewe onderrig-leerprogram vir die bevordering van denkvaardighede in die Grondslagfase

Promoter: Prof MM Grosser

BOTHA.E Jobinsecurityandwellnessofemployeesinaco-operation Promoter:DrJBosman

DE KLERK, N Analysing entrepreneurial and marketing development skills for small tourism enterprises in the Vaal triangle region

Promoter: Dr A Garnett

GOUWS, MC Responding to water demand strategies: a case study in the Lower Orange catchment management area (LOCMA)

Promoter:ProfJWNTempelhoffCo-promoter: Prof G van der Waldt

JOUBERT,PA Sexual harassment of academic staff at Higher Education Institutions in South Africa Promoter: Prof C de W van Wyk

KEySER, E The changing employment relationship in the chemical industry: The role of the employment and psychological contract

Promoter: Prof C de W van WykCo-promoter: Prof S Rothman

MALINDI,MJ The antecedents of resilience among street children Promoter: Prof LC Theron

MASINDI, KE Waste management at the Sedibeng District Municipality: A strategy for improvedservice Delivery

Promoter: Prof EP Ababio

MAyIMELE, RR A communitarian programme for supporting AIDS orphaned learners Promoter:ProfJEFourie

MOLOI, SWF Exploring the role of School Management Developers as in-service education and training providers to secondary school educators

Promoter:ProfJEFourie

NHLAPO, VA A whole school approach to facilities maintenance Promoter: Dr MI Xaba

NOJAJA,JM A model for parent involvement in disadvantaged South African schools Promoter: Dr EAS de WaalCo-promoter:ProfDrPJMentz

SOULS,JA A model for changing teachers’ attitudes towards the value of teaching critical thinking skills: a school management perspective

Promoter:ProfJEFourie

TSHABALALA,MM A programme for parental involvement in the primary school Promoter: Dr MI Xaba

VAN DER MERWE, EK A Psychological perspective on God-belief as a source of meaning and well-being Promoter: Prof C van EedenCo-promoter:ProfHJMvanDeventer

WEyERS, ACG Management Accounting as a tool to measure the viability of performance management for the academia in higher education in South Africa

Promoter: Prof P Lucouw


7.1 NWU Most Productive Researcher Award Scheme

The Most productive researcher award scheme is presented by the NWU Vice-Chancellor. This scheme will award researchers based on their research performance in a specific reporting year, in this case 2009.

This award system considers nominations in three categories:• MostProductiveJuniorResearcheroftheyear• MostProductiveSeniorResearcheroftheyear• MostProductiveResearchEntityoftheyear

Faculties were invited to submit one nomination per category. The criteria used were divided into several categories. A total number of seventeen nominations were received, four for the most productive junior researcher of the year, seven for the most productive senior researcher of the year, and six for the most productive research entity of the year.

The following nominations were received:

MosT pRoduCTIVe JunIoR ReseaRCheR of The yeaR:• ProfAnelduPlessis• DrJacoGericke• ProfDuToitLoots• ProfKarinaMostert

MosT pRoduCTIVe senIoR ReseaRCheR of The yeaR:• ProfHeilnaduPlooy• ProfGeorgeLotter• ProfAnitaPienaar• ProfMelvilleSaayman• ProfLindaTheron• ProfJohnnievandenBerg• ProfFransWaanders

MosT pRoduCTIVe ReseaRCh enTITy of The yeaR:• UnitforReformedTheologyandtheDevelopmentoftheSouthAfricanSociety• SocialTransformation• WorkWell:ResearchUnitforEconomicandManagementSciences• UnitforEnergySystems• PhysicalActivity,SportandRecreation(PhASRec)• CentreforHumanMetabonomics

7 Research excellence Awards

The 2009 wInneRs of The MosT pRoduCTIVe ReseaRCh exCellenCe awaRds weRe:• MostProductiveJuniorResearcheroftheyear–ProfDuToitLoots• MostProductiveSeniorResearcheroftheyear–ProfHeilnaduPlooy• MostProductiveResearchEntityoftheyear–UnitforReformedTheologyandtheDevelopmentoftheSouth African Society


7.2 S2 A3 Bronze Medal

The S2A3 (Southern African Association for the Advancement of Science) aims to promote the pursuit ofscienceamongyoungpeople,andtodistinguishthosewhohaveexcelledinscience.ThisBronzeMedal is annually awarded to the best Master’s student at the NWU in a scientific discipline. The S2A3 BronzeMedalisaprestigiousscientificawardmadeinrecognitionoftheperseveranceanddedicationof the successful Master’s student in the application of scientific principles and the presentation of a written dissertation. For 2009, this medal was awarded to Mr Roelf Du Toit Strauss (Supervisor: Prof Marius Potgieter).

Certificates were also awarded to the best Master’s student on each campus, as follows:• MafikengCampus–MsKeneilweMongale(Supervisor:ProfDAIsabirye)• PotchefstroomCampus–MrTheunisCloete(Supervisor:ProfJacoBreytenbach)

s2a3 Bronze Medal – winner 2009MrDuToitStraussenrolledin2004attheNWUforthedegreeB.Sc.inphysics,andin2007forthedegreeB.Sc.Hons.inphysics.Bothofthesedegreeswereawardedcumlaude.In2009hereceivedhis M.Sc. degree (cum laude) in Space Physics. The topic of his M.Sc. thesis was the modelling of anomalous cosmic rays in the heliosphere. This included a study of the acceleration, transport and modulation of ionized cosmic rays in our Sun’s local turbulent, magnetized plasma, the so-called heliosphere, by using mathematical and computational models. The resulting cosmic ray intensities were compared to observations made by the Voyager spacecraft, currently the furthest man-made objects in space. This gave new insights into both the transport of cosmic rays, as well as the properties of the heliosphere. Since 2007 he attended five international and five national conferences and workshops, giving a total of sixteen conference contributions. Two of these contributions were made as invited presenter. He also published five conference proceeding, three as leading author, and three international peer-reviewed articles. He is currently employed at the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at the NWU as a lecturer. He is also a research member of the Centre for Space Research.

7.3 ABSA Bronze Medal

TheABSABronzeMedalisawardedannuallytothebestMaster’sstudentattheNorth-WestUniversity. This prestigious award is made in recognition of the perseverance and dedication of the successful student in the presentation of a written dissertation required at Master’s level. During 2009, this medal was awarded to Ms Martinette Kruger (Supervisor: Prof Melville Saayman).

The University also awarded certificates to the best Master’s student on each campus. These certificates were awarded as follows:•PotchefstroomCampus–MsElizeHarris(Supervisor:DrMarthievanderWalt)•VaalTriangleCampus–MsMagdaKloppers(Supervisor:ProfMaryGrosser)

aBsa Bronze Medal – winner 2009Dr Martinette Kruger obtained her PhD in 2010 where she critically evaluated market segmentation at arts festivals in South Africa. During her academic career at the North-West University she obtained thefollowingawards:SecondbeststudentinFacultyofArts(2004),BeststudentintheFacultyofArts(2005),BeststudentoverthreeyearsinTourismManagement(2006),BestEcotourismStudent(2006),BestThirdYearTourismStudent(2006),BestTourismHonoursStudent(2007)andBestHonoursStudentinSchoolforBusinessManagement(2007).In2010shewasselectedastheABSABronzeMedal winner for the best Masters’ student at the North-West University. She is involved in numerous research projects done by the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies at selected national parks, arts festivals and events in South Africa, and has written more than 35 research reports. To date she has published 8 articles in accredited journals, 10 more has been accepted for publication and 15 are beingpeerreviewed.Furthermore,sheispartoftheeditorialboardfortheInternationalJournalonEvents Management. She is currently working as a Subject Specialist at part of the tourism research entity, SEIT (Socio-Economic Impact of Tourism).

8.1 Research Centre of ExcellenceAResearchCantreofExcellenceshouldhaveaclearfocus(preferablymulti-and/ortrans-disciplinary)whichisidentifiedbythecampus and is part of the overall strategic plan of the university and campus linked to national priorities with international research impact.

8.1.1 Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN)

The Centre of Excellence for Nutrition (CEN) is one of two research entities to be classified as a research centre of excellence, which is the highest level a research entity can reach at the NWU. The CEN is located in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Potchefstroom Campus.

The focus of research in CEN is determined and guided by the existing nutritional problems in South Africa, Africa and globally. The main aim of the research is to generate in-depth information about all aspects of malnutrition and its alleviation, in order to provide evidence for solutions to the scientific community and governmental bodies responsible for policies, strategies and intervention programs.

The research approach, “From molecules to society”, is a holistic one that finds relevant and workable solutions by integrating all facets of and contributing factors to nutrition-related health problems.

The expert researchers in the group focus on matters such as changes in dietary patterns during the nutrition transition, as well as micronutrient malnutrition, the role of fatty acids in human development, child nutrition, nutritigenetics and sports nutrition. Master’s and doctoral students are trained in these research programs. CEN contributes to capacity building in nutrition in Africa by hosting the African Nutrition Leadership Program.

The results of the nutrition research at NWU have been applied in policies, programs and dietary recommendations to improve thequalityoflifeofallSouthAfricans.Judgedbythenumberofreferencestothisresearchintheinternationalliterature,ithasalso had a significant impact on nutrition science and practice globally.

pRof esTé VoRsTeRRESEARCH DIRECTOR: CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR NUTRITIONTel: +27 18 299 4237E-Mail: [email protected]


8 Research entities at NWUProf Esté VorsterResearch Director: Centre ofExcellence for Nutrition

dId you know?The Centre of Excellence for Nutrition is the first and now one of two Research Centres of Excellence at the North-West University.

8.2 Research Units A Research Unit should have clear focus (preferably transdisciplinary) which is identified by the campus and iss part of the overall strategic plan of the university and campus linked to national priorities with national research impact.

8.2.1 Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African context With 11 official languages and 10 recognised literatures and a culture that since 1994 has become increasingly open to the whole world, South Africa is a unique laboratory for linguistics and literary research. This challenging terrain, as part of a bigger world system of languages and literatures, is the focus of the Unit’s research.

Currently, the Unit does research on three main areas. The first is the movement in literary studies across textual, conceptual, social and physical boundaries at the level of the text, between texts and literary genres, conventions or systems and at the interface between literature and the world. The second focus is Language acquisition, teaching and learning and academic literacy. This forms part of applied linguistics, which responds to practical linguistic issues of the day in areas such as language teaching and learning, writing skills, language testing and curriculum design for language teaching. Thirdly, the Unit focuses on cutting-edge research in human language technology based on fundamental and computational linguistic research and the development of applications in the fields of proofing tools and machine translation through the Centre for Text Technology (CTexT).

highlights of the year

A highlight for 2009 was the gala launch of CTexT’s Autshumato on 28 October. This application, the Autshumato Integrated Translation Environment (ITE), combines various translation tools, including machine translation (for three language pairs), translation memory and a glossary in a single environment. CTexT was also awarded a tender for a R5 million project to develop text corpora, lexica, core technologies and test suites for ten official South African languages for the Department of Arts and Culture.

ImportantachievementsbypersonnelincludethatProf.DaanWissingreceivedthehighlyprestigious“CJLangenhoven-prysvirTaalkunde” from the SA Academy for Science and Art. Furthermore, Prof. Heilna du Plooy was recognised as the most productive senior researcher at the NWU for 2009 (after being in 4th place for 2008). She also delivered the TT Cloete honorary lecture as wellasalecturecelebratingthe70thbirthdayofthepoetBreytenBreytenbachinthecourseoftheyear.

Another important highlight was the redefinition of the linguistics research clusters and negotiations with the VTC to establish separate research foci and programmes.

TopromoteandshowcaseourresearchtheRUandtheSchoolofLanguagesfrom8to11JulyorganisedajointconferenceoffiveSouthAfricanacademicassociations.TheplenaryspeakerswereProfsArnethaBallfromStanford,OdileHeyndersfromTilburg, Ntongela Masilela from Pitzer College in the US and the writer Philip de Vos. 107 academics and students participated in the conference, among them seven international US teaching fellows from around the globe. Nine members of the RU and five PhD students read papers at the conference.

Prof. Franci Greyling and Ian Marley completed the project on Tracking Creative Creatures and launched a new multi-disciplinary project on artist’s books, entitled Transgressions and boundaries of the page. The artist’s books produced, in themselves works of art, were exhibited to much acclaim at the Stellenbosch Wordfest and at the NWU (Potchefstroom) and UJcampusesduring2010.


Prof Hein ViljoenResearch Director: Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African context

AspartoftheBoundariesResearchProjectaworkshopviavideolinkwiththeBordersResearchGroupinTromsö,Norway,ledbyProf.JohanSchimanski,wasorganisedon12March.ColleaguesfromtheuniversitiesofStellenbosch,CapeTown,andKwaZulu-Natal also participated and read papers.

InJune2009Prof.JohnGouwsorganisedastimulatingworkshopontexteditinginwhichcolleaguesfromtheuniversitiesofPretoria and Free State participated.

In the framework of the project on Verse and Narrative Prof. Heilna du Plooy organised a two-day international workshop during JulyinwhichcolleaguesfromSouthAfricaaswellasBelgiumandtheNetherlandsparticipated.Thiswashighlysuccessfulandintellectually very stimulating. Papers from the workshop will be published in 2010 in two special editions of Literator and Stilet.Internationalisation.

During 2009 members of the RU were very active on the international front and strengthened international links in various places. In total 59 presentations were delivered at international conferences and at overseas institutions. • CooperationwiththeUniversityofAntwerpcontinued.MsSulénePilonstudiedforthefirstsemesteronherPhDinAntwerp and taught a course in Afrikaans linguistics. Dr Phil van Schalkwyk spent two months in Antwerp and taught a course in Afrikaans literature. Prof. Wannie Carstens also was in Antwerp for some time to complete a book on text editing with a colleague in Antwerp. • Staffparticipatedinanumberofinternationalworkshops.Prof.EtienneTerblancheparticipatedaninternationalworkshop on TS Eliot in London and Dr Olivier Wittezaele an international interpreting workshop in Cambridge. Dr Wittezaele was afterwardsinvitedtositforaNATOinterpretingexam,whichhepassedverywell.InJulyDrKarienHattinghparticipatedina summer school in applied linguistics at Pennsylvania State University. • Inlanguagetechnologystronginternationallinkswereforged.Prof.JustusRouxwasinvitedtobecomeamemberoftheUNESCO internationalexpertgroupforacybernetworkforlearninglanguagesandparticipatedinameetingofthegroupinBeijing.He alsoreadpapersatthreeotherinternationallanguagetechnologyconferences.MsAnsuBergparticipatedinaGrammatical Framework Summer School lead by Prof. A Ranta at the Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, in August. With Prof. Rigardt Pretorius she read a paper at a Workshop on Language Technologies for African Languages held in Athens, Greece, in March. Mr Handré Groenewald and other members of CTexT read papers at three international conferences on language technology in Europe. Two MA students in language technology did coursework for a semester at Tilburg University. As part of capacity building Dr Damir and Dr Gosia Cavar of the University of Zadar were invited for a week’s lectures and workshops in language technology and cognitive phonology during October. • Membersoftheliteraturesub-programmealsoactivelyparticipatedinternationally.ProfHeilnaduPlooy,Prof.Betsievander Westhuizen and Dr Phil van Schalkwyk read papers at the Zeventiende Colloquium Neerlandicum held at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, in August. Prof. Attie de Lange read a paper at a Conrad conference in London, Prof Adéle Nel participatedinaculturalstudiesconferenceinAmsterdamandProfJohnGouwsreadapaperonthetextsofDeneysReitz’s CommandoataninternationalconferenceontextualscholarshipinBrussels.Prof.MaritaWenzelreadapaperonmythand metaphor in Zakes Mda’s Cion at a conference at the Centre for Critical and Cultural Theory, Cardiff University, Wales.• MsAdriBreedreadapaperinCreolelanguagesataconferenceonCaseinandacrosslanguagesinHelsinki,Finland.InNovember Ms Gerda Wittmann read a paper at the 4th German African Network of Alumni and Alumnea (GANAA) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Research outputs during 2009

puBlICaTIonsAlthough a lot of time and energy was devoted to the process of curricular alignment across the three campuses in the first semester of 2009 and despite the changes in the RU good research productivity was maintained. The total number of subsidy units published for 2009 was 23, with a total of 46 articles submitted, accepted or published.


A number of important publications were published in 2009. • Gouws,John(ed).2009.NicholasOldisworth’sManuscript(BodleianMS.Don.c.24).Tempe,Arizona:ACMRSand Renaissance English Text Society. This is a text critical edition of one of Oldisworth’s manuscripts.• AspecialissueofLiterator,TrackingCreativeCreatures,containingtheresearcharticlesthatreflectontheprojectwas completed during 2009. This particularly attractive issue also contained a digital catalogue of the project and the works and responsesproducedinreactingtoIanandJoshMarley’sninecreativecreatures.• Overgrenzen/Oorgrense(Acrossboundaries),acomparativestudyofAfrikaans,DutchandFlemishpoetry,editedbyRonel Foster, yves T’Sjoen and Thomas Vaessens was published in Louvain and The Hague. Three members of the RU, Heilna du Plooy,BetsievanderWesthuizenandPhilvanSchalkwyk,wrotechaptersorpartsofchaptersforthebook.

posTgRaduaTe sTudenTsIn 2009 the Unit had 19 participating MA students and 20 PhD students. Five MA dissertations in literature as well as two PhDs inlinguisticswerecompleted.ThethesisbyDr.IanBekker,ThevowelsofSouthAfricanEnglish,receivedexceptionallygoodreports and was commended as a work of outstanding quality. At the end of the year another thesis in linguistics and two dissertations, one in literature and one in linguistics, were submitted for examination.

In 2009, the Unit had 17 primary researchers (five of them rated), 36 secondary participants and three extraordinary researchers. The average research time available was 32,05%. That the Unit again produced thorough research that is increasingly making an impact internationally is entirely due to the enthusiasm and dedication of all its members. For that I would like to thank them all wholeheartedly.

pRof heIn VIlJoenRESEARCH DIRECTOR:UNIT FOR LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXTTel: +27 18-299-1501E-mail: [email protected]


8.2.2 Unit for Business Mathematics and Informatics

With 22 full-time staff members, more than 70 postgraduate students and an extensive national and international network, the Unit is a key link in the NWU value chain in both basic and applied research that generates solutions for different role players, for instance, in the financial and telecommunications sectors.

The Unit does basic research, as well as research that is industry-directed, also in support of two NWU centres, the Centre for BusinessMathematicsandInformatics,andtheTelkomCentreofExcellence.Bothcentresspecialiseinthesolutionofproblemsthat occur in the financial and telecommunications sectors. The Unit benefits much from its extensive cooperative relationships with academics from other universities (national and international) and the involvement of at least 12 representatives from the industry in its research projects.

oVeRall, The unIT does ReseaRCh In sIx suB-pRogRaMs:• AppliedMathematics;• MathematicsandMathematicalModeling;• Statistics;• BusinessInformaticsandOperationsResearch;• FoundationsandEthicsand• RiskandRewardAnalysisandRiskManagement.

Withintheseprogramsin2009,theUnit(andtheCentreforBMI)had55Master’sstudentsatthePotchefstroomCampus,ofwhom 32 completed their studies in 2009, and 14 PhD students, (four of whom are permanent staff members of the NWU) completed their qualifications in 2009.

Members of the Unit produced 31 publications in 2009. These research papers in accredited journals translated into a total of 13,2 article equivalents for the Unit. Members also produced 15 technical reports and 33 national and international conference presentations, which included two keynote addresses. Several international journals called on the expertise of the Unit’s members for the refereeing of research papers for publication.

• ProfJan(JWH)Swanepoel,amemberoftheUnit,washonouredbythe“SAAkademievirWetenskapenKuns”withthe Havenga prize for his outstanding contribution in Statistics. • MsSenosi(currentlyaPhD-studentinAppliedMathematics)wasawardedtheS2A3 bronze medal for the best MSc-student in the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Engineering.• ProfMarkPetersenandco-authorspublishedachapterinaresearchtextbook(oninvitationoftheeditors),andabookof ProfPetersenandco-authors,“SubprimeBankingModels”wasacceptedforpublicationbyNovaPublishers,NewYork, ISBN:978-1-60876-A-B.• ProfJJGroblerwasoneofthreeeditorsoftheProceedingsofthe18thInternationalworkshoponOperatorTheoryand Applications.ThiswaspublishedasabookintheBirkhäuserseries“OperatorTheoryAdvancesandApplications”,Vol.195.• ProfHAKrugerreceivedaC-ratingfromtheNRF.

pRof Jan fouRIeRESEARCH DIRECTORUNITOFBUSINESSMATHEMATICSANDINFORMATICSTel: +27 18 299 2574E-Mail:[email protected]


ProfJanFourieResearchDirector:UnitofBusinessMathematics and Informatics


Prof Jan Swanepoel received the Havenga prize for his outstanding contribution in Statistics over many years, both as a researcher and supervisor for students.

dId you know?TheUnitforBusinessMathematicsandInformaticsdoesbasicandappliedresearchinsixsubprograms:• AppliedMathematics• MathematicsandMathematicalModeling• Statistics• BusinessInformaticsandOperationsResearch• FoundationsandEthics• RiskandRewardAnalysisandRiskManagement

8.2.3 Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management

The Unit for Environmental Science and Management is a value-driven research programme with the broad aim of developing expertise and a fundamental understanding of how our natural world functions.

Through high-quality research, postgraduate education and the provision of specialist services, the Unit contributes to the sustainable utilisation and management of natural resources in a manner that is relevant and responsive to the requirements of the age, the country and the nation. The source of inspiration of the research group is the common desire to create an environment that safeguards the natural environment while promoting the social and economic development of the country’s people.

The Unit supports the optimal utilisation of natural resources within the limitations of the resilience of ecosystems. This approachtakesintoaccounttheenvironmentalandfinancialimplicationsoftherestorationand/orremediationofdisturbedsites or waterways. To ensure long-term relevance, the Unit seeks a balance between fundamental academic research and applied, market-orientated research. Members of the Unit have extensive national and international networks of a professional and scholarly nature. Internationally, these include cooperation supported by governments, such as those of Norway and Finland, international programmes such as the European Union PF6 framework programmes, and collaboration with a range of development aid agencies, including ICRISAT.

The Unit also works closely with numerous South African and international universities and research agencies, and with private sector partners such as Impala Platinum Holdings and AngloGold Ashanti. The research within the Unit is formally structured into five sub-programmes:

sub-programme 1: Environmental managementsub-programme 2: Aquatic ecology and managementsub-programme 3: Remediation and sustainable management of ecosystemssub-programme 4: Air quality and impactssub-programme 5: Spatial planning, development and implementation.

From a research output perspective, 2009 was a successful year for all five sub-programmes, which collectively published 41 publications in accredited journals and 10 in non-accredited journals. The sub-programmes also delivered 20 national and 33 international congress papers. Overall, the Unit generated third-stream income totalling R7,3 million and fifth-stream income of R1,5 million.

As a strategic development, the Unit appointed a number of extraordinary lecturers and research fellows to enhance overall research capacity and to inject their wealth of experience and knowledge into the various sub-programmes. Similarly, the Unit benefited greatly from the contributions of its significant postgraduate complement. All personnel must be congratulated on their efforts and continued drive to strike a fine balance between their teaching-learning and research activities, while at the same time meeting the deadlines and requirements of industry partners.

pRof leon Van RensBuRgRESEARCH DIRECTOR:UNIT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENTTel: +27 18 299 1542E-Mail: [email protected]


Prof Leon van RensburgResearch Director: Unit for EnvironmentalSciences and Management

8.2.4 Unit for Space Physics

The Unit for Space Physics is one of the smaller research entities of North-West University. However, the Unit and its progenitors have managed to produce research and researchers of the highest quality over more than five decades. The Unit does research on Heliophysics, Methanol masers and star formation, and Gamma-Ray Astrophysics. We also have programmes for Antarctic Research, in which cosmic-ray observations with neutron monitors play a key role, and Innovative Astro-technologies, which is the Unit’s physics-in-application platform. The Unit participated in the International year of Astronomy 2009, which was a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The aim was to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe. In this regard, Prof BurgerpresentedlecturesatmeetingsofthelocalScienceTechnologyEnvironmentalRocketryandSpace(STERS)Club,on5September and 14 November 2009.

oTheR ouTReaCh aCTIons InCluded: • StudentandstaffinvolvementinthePotchefstroomAstronomicalSociety-threelecturesduring2009.• StudentactedasadjudicatorfortheNationalSchoolsScienceExpo,October2009.• StaffpresentedthreelecturesattheSASOLScienceConvention,August2009.• OutreachorganizedduringtheIHYAfricaWorkshopinLivingstone,Zambia,6-12June2009:Staffandpost-graduate students were involved.

TheRe weRe also seVeRal hIghlIghTs RelaTed To ouR ReseaRCh and expeRTIse aT The InTeRnaTIonal leVel:• ProfsMSPotgieterandSESFerreirasharedinaNASAGroupAchievementAwardfortheirtheoreticalworkaspartofthe UlyssesMissionTeam.Fromtheawardletter:“Theawardisofcoursewell-deserved,andI[BruceMcKibben]wanttoaddmy thanks to those conveyed by this certificate for your important work in providing theoretical context and interpretations for observations from the COSPIN experiments, especially from KET …”• ProfMSPotgieterpresentedinvitedtalksatinternationalsworkshopsandconferences:“VoyagersintheHeliosheath: Observations,ModelsandPlasmaPhysics”,Kauai,USA,January9-142009;WorkshoponPAMELAPhysics,Rome, May 11-12, 2009; and the IAGA-2 Workshop of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy: “Solar Wind- Space Environment Interaction”, Cairo, Egypt, December 4-8, 2009.• ProfHMoraalwasinvitedtoactasrapporteurforsessionson“GalacticCosmicRaysintheHeliosphere”atthe31st InternationalCosmicRayConferenceheldinŁódz,Poland,July7-15,2009.• ProfOCdeJagerpresentedinvitedlecturesattheUniversityofAmsterdamAPCandattheUniversityofParisVII.• DrCVenterwasawardedaNASAPost-doctoralFellowshipfor2009.HespenttheyearworkingwithDrAliceHardingatthe Astrophysics Science Division of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. • ProfRABurgerwasapanelistforNASA’s2009SolarandHeliosphericSupportingResearchandTechnologypeerreview,held in Washington DC, May 19-21, 2009.

pRof adRI BuRgeRRESEARCH DIRECTOR:UNIT FOR SPACE PHySICSTel: +27 18 299 2409E-Mail:[email protected]

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ProfAdriBurgerResearch Director: Unit for Space Physics

8.2.5 Unit for Reformed Theology and the Development of the South African Society

foCusThe focus of the entity is the study of Reformed Theology and its importance for and contribution to the development of the South African society.

VIsIon and sTRaTegIC aIMThe vision of the entity is to be an entity of high quality working within the Reformed theological paradigm, with the aim to be recognised locally and internationally as doing research of a high standard and high impact on issues relevant in South Africa and abroad.

goalThe goal of the entity is to make a meaningful contribution to the theological debate, locally and internationally, from within the Reformed tradition.

MIssIonThe mission of the Unit is to make a scholarly contribution to important debates in South Africa today, especially those related totheinterpretationoftheBibleanditsuseinthedevelopmentoftheSouthAfricansociety.Inthiswayanattemptismadetocontribute towards and provide guidelines for a healthy and responsible society and for the effective functioning of Christians within the current South African state. From the Reformed Theology perspective, the Unit seeks to impact on discourse on international theological matters and aspects pertinent to South African society.

To realise our mission, we undertake the following activities:• TheconceptsofReformedTheologyregardinghumanrightsareappliedtotheprocessofnation-buildingandsocietal development. A special focal point is the relationship between Church and State. This is done within the project titled: “The moral renewal of society: The ethics of human rights.”• Methodologicalreflectionandexegeticalresearchonthesocio-historiccontextoftheBiblearedoneto(interalia)provide toolsfortheinterpretationandtranslation,oftheBiblicaltextforourcurrentsituation.Thisisdonewithintheprojecttitled: “TheSocio-historicContextoftheBibleandtheDevelopmentoftheSASociety”.• Theoreticalperspectivesaredevelopedbyendeavouringtounderstandandexplainthepraxisoftrendsandreligiousactivities and actions in the South- African society in hermeneutical interaction with what God reveals in Scripture. Research usually culminates in developing strategic indicators for renewal of praxis. This is done within the project titled: “Practical theological perspectives on the South African society in transformation”.• TheinterpretationoftheBible,giventhemultitudeofmethodsusedinthisfield,isinneedofstudy.ThemessageoftheBible needs to be established in a responsible and valid way, and communicated effectively to society. Research towards this end is donewithintheprojecttitled:“Reflectiononhermeneutics:issuesincurrentBiblicalinterpretation”.• Theprojecttitled:“AncientTextualStudies”iscommittedtothescientificinvestigationofancienttexts.Theprimaryfocusis on text-based research in which the principle of descriptive adequacy is essential. Part of the secondary focus is the description of implicit levels of understanding, in other words: an encyclopaedia of understanding of the ancient (predominantly but not exclusively religious) texts.• “ChurchHistoricalStudies”hasbeenlaunchedasaproject,withitsfirstsub-project:“RecordingtheHistoryofthe Theological School of the GKSA (1970 - 2019)”.• DifferentaspectsoftheTheologyoftheNewTestamentarebeingresearched.Theapproachcanbroadlybetypifiedas “BiblicalTheology”or,asintheDutchreformedtraditionas“Revelationhistory”.Thisisdonewithintheprojecttitled: “Aspects of the Theology of the New Testament”.


Prof Francois ViljoenResearch Director Unit for Reformed Theologyand the Development of the South African Society


ManageMenTdean:ProfDrAleRduPlooy(untiltheendof2009andsucceededbyProfDrJJJansevanRensburgsincethe1stJanuary2010)director or Research: Prof Dr FP Viljoenleaders of Research projects:ProfDrJMVorster;ProfDrJJJansevanRensburg;ProfDrBJdeKlerk(replacedbyProfDrFWdeWetsince2010);ProfDrFPViljoen;MrALamprecht;DrPHFick,andProfDrJGvanderWatt.

Research projects

RunnIng pRoJeCTsBytheendof2009thefollowingfiveresearchprojectswererunning.

project 1: The moral renewal of society: The ethics of human rights.

project 2:TheSocio-historicContextoftheBibleandtheDevelopmentoftheSASociety.

project 3: Practical theological perspectives on the South African society in transformation

project 4:Reflectiononhermeneutics:issuesincurrentBiblicalinterpretation

project 5: Ancient Textual study

new pRoJeCTs To CoMMenCe In 2010:From 2010 the following two projects were started in the Unit.

project 6: Church Historical Studies.

project 7: Aspects of the Theology of the New Testament.

pRof fRanCoIs VIlJoenRESEARCH DIRECTORUNIT FOR REFORMED THEOLOGy AND THE DEVELOPMENTOF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETy.Tel: +27 18 299 1842E-Mail: [email protected]

8.2.6 Unit: Development in the South African Constitutional State

The vision and strategic aim of the research unit is to utilise juridical science and the law to solve developmental problems in South Africa as a constitutional state and to receive national and international recognition for the research efforts of the unit.

The Research Unit’s point of departure relates to national strategic priorities and initiatives. If the projects of the Research Unit are measured against the Medium Term Strategic Framework (2009-2014) of Government announced by President Zuma in his StateoftheNationAddresson14July2009,itisclearthattheprojectsoftheResearchUnitsupportstheprioritiesandinitiativesof government to ensure development in South Africa:

goal 1: “Ensuring more inclusive economic growth, decent work and sustainable livelihoods”: The projects Poverty, social exclusion and social rights (Poverty), as well as Rural and urban development (Rural) address issues relating “to the creation and stabilisation of sustainable livelihoods, albeit in an indirect manner.” Various doctoral studies have as their foci the law as an enabling instrument towards sustainable livelihoods.goal 2: “Economic and social infrastructure”: The project Environment, trade and development (Environment), as well as the rural and poverty projects deal from different perspectives with the role of law “in the expansion and improvement of social and economic infrastructure to increase access, quality and reliability of public services as well as to consider environmental sustainability.”goal 3: “Rural development, food security and land reform”: The rural and poverty projects specifically deal with the topic of rural development and land reform and issues of food security are also included. goal 4: “Improved health care”: The poverty project also focuses on aspects of health care, especially in relation to children rights.goal 5: “Fighting crime and corruption”: In the project “New thinking in law” one of the doctoral studies focuses on the role of the private sector in crime prevention and corruption; another on the criminal liability of corporations, while various other LLM dissertation students also focus their studies in this regard.goal 6: “Cohesive and sustainable communities”: The removal of inequalities is the focus of nearly all the projects. It is one of the cornerstones of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and one of the values on which the Research Unit and Faculty is based.goal 7: “Creation of a better Africa and a better world”: The project on the Influence of Public International Law on Municipal Law (Municipal law), the new planned project relating to the African Union, as well as the projects Environment and Trade and Development include research relating to NEPAD, SADC regional integration, legal comparative studies and the North-South relationship, and have attracted students from other parts of Africa to participate in the LLD program. goal 8: “Sustainable resource management and use”: The project Environment (as well as its sub-projects); Rural and Municipal law specifically deal from a legal perspective with “impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and diminishing water resources; diversification of the energy mix in pursuit of renewable energy alternatives; a zero tolerance approach to illegal and unsustainable exploitation of resources, supporting local and sustainable food production, and promoting sustainable water use and preserving the quality of drinking water.”goal 9: “A developmental state including improvement of public services:” Various projects address this goal from a legal perspective (New thinking in law, Rural; Environment, - especially its sub-project focusing on Local Government - as well as Poverty): The issues listed relating to the goal are: “transforming the system of governance; local government; poor quality of some of our public services; declining trust and confidence in public institutions such as the judiciary, legislatures and the executive branch of government; and weak planning capacity across the three spheres of government and… the building of an effective and accountable state”.

One of the highlights in the Research Unit’s work was the Tilburg-Potchefstroom Winter-Summer School that was presented in Potchefstroom, with two lecturers attending from Tilburg and one lecturer from Mafikeng Campus. Several Dutch, Potchefstroom and Mafikeng students attended the School. The last day was concluded with a small conference with invited speakers from other universities in South Africa.


Prof Willemien du PlessisResearch Director: Development in theSouth African Constitutional State


Earlyin2009theLLMinComparativeChildLawwasintroducedincollaborationwiththeJustusLiebigUniversity,Giessen,Germany. Five students enrolled; two South Africans, a Tanzanian, one Pakistani and one student from Cameroon. The Tanzanian student’sdegreewasawardedcumlaude.Tenstudentsenrolledin2010.ThecollaborationwithJustusLiebigUniversityalsoled to new funding applications relating inter alia to biodiversity protection, which were granted in 2010. This grant will allow funded exchange of staff and students between the two universities. Another grant also makes provision for students from this universitytoparticipateinthesummerschoolprogramsofJustusLiebiginAugust2010.ThecollaborationwithJustusLiebigalso resulted in NWU being a member of the newly established APEDIA (African Partnership for Environment and Development in Africa)networkthatisaresearchnetworkforAfricanuniversitiesalsofundedbyDAADundertheleadershipofJustusLiebig.Sixmembers of the Faculty were invited to attend a conference in Uganda in December 2009. Prof Anél du Plessis attended the first meeting of APEDIA in Uganda in October 2009. In 2010 a successful conference was held in Namibia.

Several of the participants of the Research Unit were invited to participate in a project of the South African Law Reform Commission to rationalise legislation in South Africa – the members were involved in aspects dealing with, inter alia, mining and mineral legislation, land legislation, environmental legislation, and local government legislation that all link to the research projects of the Research Unit.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of Germany has funded projects and workshops within the Research Unit for several years and continues doing so. A successful colloquium on good governance as a mechanism to promote sustainable development in SouthernAfricawasheldatMaropeng,Johannesburgon21August2009.Severalinternationalspeakersattendedtheevent.Prof Andries van der Merwe organised a successful international conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems at the NWU. Prof Linda Stewart was invited by the International Association of Law Schools to deliver a keynote address at the Constitutional Law Conference of the International Association of Law Schools at Washington DC in September 2009. Prof Christa Rautenbach was invited to deliver a presentation at a seminar in Madrid in March 2009 at the Centro de Estudios Politicos y Constitucionales – this lecture was presented before members of the judiciary and other personnel of the courts.

ProfGerritPienaarpublishedthe6theditionsofhisco-authoredtextbooksIntroductiontoPropertylaw/InleidingtotSakeregbyJutain2009andwasalsoappointedasaresearchfellowofthePropertyLawChair,Stellenboschandisformallyinvolvedinthe LLM Program in Property Law at the same University. Mr H Lubbe translated an English textbook on Law of Evidence into Afrikaans(SchwikkardBeginselsvandieBewysreg3euitg2009).ProfKotzéco-editedanationalandaninternationalbookwith a colleague from the University of Cape Town and was appointed co-chair of the editorial board of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers from African Universities.

Prof Robbie Robinson is President of the International Association of Family Law, which relates to the sub-projects he participates in: New Thinking in Law and Poverty, Social Exclusion and Social Rights. Proff Louis Kotzé and Willemien du Plessis served on the Research Committee of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, (as member and co-chair) coordinating research projects that also relate to the project Environment, Trade and Development, while Prof Anél du Plessis served on the Governing Committee. The Faculty hosts the Secretariat of the Environmental Law Association. The members of the Research Unit served in Evaluation Commissions of other national and international universities.

ProfWernerScholtzreceivedtheMostProductiveJuniorResearcheroftheYearAwardin2009.ProfAnélduPlessisreceiveda Fullbright scholarship for 2010 and was also appointed an IUCN CEL commission member. Proff A du Plessis & L Kotzé were elected as members of the youth Global Faculty of the Volkswagen Stiftung’s Sustainability Project, Germany 2009.

pRof wIlleMIen du plessIsRESEARCH DIRECTOR: DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONAL STATETel:+27182991969/54E-Mail: [email protected]

Prof George van SchoorResearch Director: Unit for Energy Systems

8.2.7 Unit for Energy Systems The Unit for Energy Systems focuses its research efforts in the following five main areas, which also form the sub-program of the proposed unit:• NuclearEnergy• HydrogenEnergy• FossilEnergy• RenewableEnergy• EnergyManagementThese areas cover a strategically relevant spectrum of energy-related research in support of the current global energy challenges.

The global energy industry faces an ongoing challenge to sustainably utilise its natural resources to meet increasing energy demands. In the 2007 Science Plan of the International Council for Science (ICSU) , sustainable energy refers to energy:• providingaffordable,accessibleandreliableenergyservices;• thatmeeteconomic,socialandenvironmentalneeds;• withintheoveralldevelopmentalcontextofthesocietyforwhichtheservicesareintended;• whilerecognisingequitabledistributioninmeetingthoseneeds.

Nuclear energy is regarded as the only technology that can significantly address the future (global) energy needs in a sustainable manner. One of the main focuses of the Unit for Energy Systems is therefore nuclear energy, which is also of national strategic importance. The activities of the former Mechanical Energy Systems sub-program now mainly resorts under the Nuclear Energy sub-program.

Interest is also heightened in utilising nuclear energy and hydrogen to leverage existing hydrocarbon reserves[ . Hydrogen can be cleanlyproducedfromwater(withoutCO2pollution)byusingnuclearenergytogeneratetherequiredelectricityand/orprocessheat to split the water molecule. Once the clean hydrogen has been produced, it can be used as feedstock in a clean coal-to-liquids process to produce synthetic liquid fuels. Hydrogen will make its largest impact with the economic commercialisation of the fuel cell, relieving the dependency of the automobile industry on oil reserves.

Fossil energy, in synergy with the above, conducts advanced research in the field of clean coal science and technology with the intention of developing alternative or improved processes using available coal reserves with cognizance of maintaining a clean environment. The activities of the former Coal Technology sub-program now resort under this sub-program.

IntheRenewableEnergysub-programtheBiomassactivityisbecomingwellestablishedandassociatedactivitiesine.g.windgeneration and solar heat pumps are under way. With the drive towards cleaner energy and the associated taxation of carbon emissions activity in the Renewable Energy sub-program is seen to expand in the near future. The drive of the South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) to establish a Renewable Energy Centre for Research and Development (RE CORD) allows for new opportunities to strategically establish further activity in this area.

The unit also devotes special attention towards Energy Management in the form of power quality and demand side management.The unit boasts a number of participants esteemed among world leaders in their respective fields: Prof Eben Mulder (Nuclear Energy),ProfFransWaanders(FossilEnergy)andProfLJGrobler(EnergyManagement).Theunitalsohostsfourresearchchairsi.e.• aDTIchairinNuclearEnergy;• aSANERIchairinCleanCoaltechnology;and• anassociateSANERIchairinBiofuels.• AchairinHydrogenEnergy.



Theunitreceivesindustry/governmentfundingintheorderofR35millionperyearfrommostlyTHRIP,DST,DTIandtherespective industry partners, attesting to the importance and relevance of its programs. Student numbers associated with the unit for the year 2010 currently are 223 Masters’ and 51 PhD students. In terms of infrastructure the unit boasts a number of facilities, which includes the Heat Transfer Test Facility (HTTF) on the Potchefstroom Campus.

Vision and strategic aim

The Unit strives to be recognised as a centre of expertise and excellence for research in and development of energy systems to meet actual industry needs, while working towards maintaining a balance between basic research and research in application.The unit strives to deliver research outputs in a sustainable manner that:• AddsdirectvaluetoSouthAfricanindustriestherebycontributingtowardstheeconomicdevelopmentandupliftmentinthecountry.• Maintainsabalancebetweenbasicresearchandresearchinapplication.• Atteststoahighdegreeofresearchproductivity.• Providesproofofhighqualityresearchintermsofinternationalstandards.• Atteststoresponsiblestewardship.• Contributestowardsthepersonaldevelopmentofitsparticipants.

TheUnitwillcontinuetomaintainclosetieswiththerelevantenergyindustriesi.e.PBMR,SASOLandESKOM,aswellasthemain funding bodies i.e. THRIP, SANERI, DST and DTI in order to ensure relevance as well as sustainability of the research programs.

The unit will strive to maintain a post-graduate delivery of on average sixty Masters’ students and ten PhD students per year. The number of NRF rated researchers can potentially be increased from the current eight to fifteen within the next five years. The number of post-doctorates in the Unit also needs to be increased from four in 2009 to eight by 2012.

Special attention will be given to increase the number of accredited journal articles from 0,2 Single Article Equivalents (SAE) SeniorLecturerEquivalent(SLE)in2009to1,0SAE/SLEinfiveyears’time.

The scope of research in all five sub-programs will remain relevant over the next twenty years at least. South Africa is planning to double its generation capacity over the next twenty years. This translates to forty GW of power, of which at least 20 GW is envisaged to come from nuclear. The drive to establish a hydrogen economy is also a primary drive internationally and it is envisaged that this area could be a main area of research for decades to come. The clean coal technology will also be around for many years to come until the hydrogen economy has become established. Even then coal research will still be relevant in terms of its vast range of by-products. The biomass research as a form of renewable energy is also only in its initial stages of commercial exploration. Energy management is inevitable to ensure the economic and effective use of a very valuable resource.

The Unit for Energy Systems furthermore boasts high-level expertise in all the relevant fields to sustain the research initiatives. In terms of funding the Unit is also well positioned.

highlights 2009

nuCleaR eneRgy(a) Ivor Clifford, a Masters’ student in Nuclear Engineering from the Engineering Faculty of the NWU – Potchefstroom Campus receivedtheS2A3BronzeMedalforfirst-ratepost-graduatestudies.Hereceivedanaveragemarkof82,86%,andreceived an impressive 87,5% for his dissertation. Since the completion of his dissertation he has been invited by two international role players to present his work. The contribution made by Ivor to the field of neutronic code development is significant.


(b) Proff George van Schoor, Robert Holm and Dr Eugén Ranft successfully completed and demonstrated a high speed active magneticbearing(AMB)supporteddrivesystemforaheliumblower.Thesystemconstitutedanin-housedevelopedrotor delevitationsystem(RDS)andastateoftheartAMBcontrollerunit.TheRDSalsoconstituteda100kWinductionmachine. Thesystemwasdemonstratedat19000r/min.

(c) DrJHKrugerstartedtheOpenFoamsoftwaredevelopmentwiththePBMR.

(d) Werner van Antwerpen, a PhD student in Nuclear Engineering, represented South Africa at the European Nuclear Education NetworkAssociation(ENEN)InternationalYouthConferenceonEnergeticsinBudapest,Hungaryon5June2009.TheNorth- West University was the first tertiary institution beyond European borders to be admitted as an associate member with ENEN, and Van Antwerpen is the only South African representative nominated by ENEN members and selected by ENEN PhD Event Jurytopartakeinthisevent.Werner’spresentationattheconferencefocusedonModelingtheEffectiveThermalConductivity inthenear-wallregionofaPackedPebbleBed.Hewasalsoannouncedasoneofthethreewinnersduringthisconference. As part of the price he has been invited to do a presentation at the next ENEN conference this year in Paris, or next year in Barcelona.WernervanAntwerpenhasalsoproventobeatrueambassadorforSouthAfricawhenherecentlyreceived the Harry Mandil Award for exceptional masters’ degree research in the field of nuclear engineering. This research provided an integrated simulation that can be applied to predict the performance of the plant during normal operation as well as start-up transients, and is a significant contribution towards the advancement of high temperature gas cooled reactor power plant technology.

(e) ASouthAfricandelegation,includingtheDeanoftheNorth-WestUniversity’sEngineeringFaculty,ProfJIJFick,participated in a collaboration workshop at a nuclear training centre of the Korean Nuclear Energy Research Institute in 2009. This delegation represented the National Nuclear Regulator and organised labour. This workshop was the first of a sequence that are to be organised under an existing bilateral research agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of South Korea. The National Research Foundation has awarded a three-year contract to the North-West University with the purpose to establish a national nuclear training system in South Africa. This workshop was of such significance to the South African Ambassador that the delegation was invited to Seoul for an interview at the embassy. A follow-up workshop will be held in South Africa in 2010, which will be attended by a delegation from South Korea.

hydRogen eneRgy(f) Research in Hydrogen at the Hydrogen Infrastructure Competence Centre (HICC), which is jointly hosted by the NWU andCSIR,hascontinuedduring2009withasmallnumberofstudentsledbyProfEnnisBlom.Duringthistime,several NWU Engineering staff members were approached to get involved in HICC research activities, which mainly entail hydrogen production, storage and delivery and safety codes and standards. The year 2009 was used for an extensive literature study of the proposed Hybrid Sulphur (HyS) Thermo-Chemical Water Splitting (TCWS) technology by the NWU staff involved to be able to start leading students in 2010. In parallel to this literature survey, a Systems Integration and Techno-Economic (SITE) study was conducted by a NWU complement and engineers from M-Tech Industrial, which focused on integration of energ sources, hydrogen production technologies and the end-user applications.

The road was now paved for students to enrol in 2010, and during the period September to December 2009, around fifteen M.Eng students and two PhD students signed up for research in the HICC. Areas of research in the HyS TCWS technology include:• thesulphuricaciddecompositionreactorincludingthecatalystfordecomposingsulphurtrioxidetosulphurdioxideandoxygen,• thesulphurdioxideelectrolyserwhereinsulphuricacidandthehydrogenproductisformed,• severalseparationsectionsintheproposedprocessamongstwhichsulphurdioxideandoxygenhastobeseparated,aswell as recuperation of sulphuric acid,• processsimulationinanAspenPlus™platform,• materialsofconstructionfortheproposedprocessequipmentwhereintechnologicalhurdlesofmaterialsarebeingaddressed.


The SITE study has already delivered a few M.Eng studies (since 2007) wherein the HyS process and elements thereof were studied and techno-economically evaluated. It will continue studying end-user integration as well as other proposed TCWS hydrogen production technologies.

fossIl eneRgy(g) Prof Frans Waanders and the clean coal technology research group were nominated for the Energy SANEA award for their work on the beneficial use of this important resource. Prof Waanders was also nominated as the most productive senior researcheroftheNWU.ProfJBuntreceivedtheFFFCompanyAward.

RenewaBle eneRgy(h) TheAeronauticalSocietyofSouthAfricaawardedMrAttieJonkeroftherenewableenergygroupwiththeNeelsvanNiekerk goldenmedalforoutstandingachievementinAeronauticalengineering.Thissought-afterawardMr.AttieJonkerofJonker Sailplanes received, is the third of its kind awarded within the last twelve years. The Rooivalk and Celstar previously received this award. This award is named by the Aeronautical Society as one of high importance only awarded to people who have made an important contribution to aeronautical engineering in South Africa. This award is the highest honour the Society awardstoanyaeronauticalengineer.ThisgoldenmedalwasawardedataprestigegalaeveningwhereMrJonkermadean excellenttechnicalpresentation.MrJonkerwasalsoinvitedbytheUniversityoftheWitwatersrandandtheUniversityof Pretoria to present lectures there. This confirms that the NWU is a national recognised centre for aeronautical engineering.

(i) On3June,studentsandlecturersfromtherenewableenergygroupinspired100Grade7learnerstomakeadifferencein energy conservation by educating them about renewable sources of energy. The interactive workshop, which was presented at Madibeng Primary School Ikageng, focused on hydro-, wind-, biomass- and solar energy. The project under leadership of Dr Percy van der Gryp empowered the pupils of Madibeng Primary School with knowledge and created a sustainable relationship with the school, on which the faculty can build on during yearly visits.

eneRgy ManageMenT(j) ProfLJGroblerreceivedhonourablementioninarecentMailandGuardianforhisnominationasfinalistforthe“Bestof Science and Technology” award. Energy Cybernetics, another brainchild of Prof Grobler, was also nominated in the category for innovation by this group.

(k) ProfLJGroblerandtheEnergyCyberneticsgroupwerenominatedfortheEnergyProjectSANEAawardfordevelopingthe PowerWatch technology that enables industry to monitor and control its own energy use.

(l) Dr Martin van Eldik established the C02 heat pump research.

(m) Dr Pieter Fick’s PhD thesis, Control system trip management in the Chemical industry, was named by the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM) as one of the best three PhD theses for 2009. Dr Fick was a student under the supervision of Prof PW Stoker.

(n) ProfLLiebenbergwonthefellowshipoftheJapanSocietyforthePromotionofScience(JSPS)tospendatwo-monthresearch period at Kyushu University in the field of micro-channel heat transfer.

pRof geoRge Van sChooRRESEARCH DIRECTORUNIT FOR ENERGy SySTEMSTel: +27 18 299 1962E-Mail: [email protected]

8.2.8 Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHer)

The research activities in AUTHeR focus specifically on bio-psycho-social health in the context of preventing illness and restoring, maintaining and promoting bio-psycho-social health, as well as facilitating quality health systems. A variety of disciplines are involved in AUTHeR, namely Social Work, Psychology, Nursing Science, Consumer Science and Occupational Hygiene.

The research focuses on problems and opportunities specific to Africa and other developing countries where health is affected byHIV/AIDSandrapidurbanisation,andwheretheempowermentofpeopleandthedevelopmentofhumancapitalisahighpriority. Research includes basic, applied and action research (research in application). It attempts to understand the impact on people’s health transition in a country where rapid urbanisation takes place without corresponding changes in health care delivery.CommunitiesinsuchenvironmentsaretypicallyvulnerabletotheHIV/AIDSpandemicandotherillnesses,andareexposed to various social ills that compromise people’s health, including gender inequality and abuse, an intense struggle with poverty and irresponsible behaviour patterns. These conditions conspire to create an escalating cycle of fear, hurt and anger that is detrimental to health.

Currently AUTHeR has two main sub-programs, which span the broad health continuum (pathology to thriving) and allow integration among the different disciplines. Many of the projects and programs within these two subprograms developed from and influenced one another. For example, basic and epidemiological studies led to applied research, and implementation and evaluation of interventions led back to basic research on issues identified in the process. This interaction is indicated by the arrows in the diagram below.

suB-pRogRaM 1Epidemiology, prevalence and identification of problems and strengths over the continuum of health (pathology to thriving), as wellasthedynamicsofbehaviourinvariouscontexts.Largefundedprojects/programsinthissub-programare:PURE,FORT,QOLPLPH, DCS, CON-WEL, Forensic Social Work and OPQUAL.

suB-pRogRaM 2Interventions to enhance health and quality of life in various contexts on individual, community, social and systems levels. Large fundedprojects/programsinthissub-programare:CENPOLL,HOLDINGHANDSTHROUGHLIFEPLAN,EBPQI.


Prof Annamarie KrugerResearch Director: Africa Unit forTransdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHer)


Each sub-program consists of several large funded projects or programs with individual studies to accommodate the large number of postgraduate students. There were 279 postgraduate students registered in AUTHeR for 2009. Out of the 223 registered masters’ students, 86 were full-time, while and 137 were part- time students. Out of the 56 registered doctoral students, 26 were full-time and 30 were part-time students. A total of 34 masters’ and 9 doctoral degrees were awarded in 2009.

In 2009, AUTHeR had 35 primary researchers (with PhD degrees), 28 secondary researchers (in the process of obtaining higher qualificationsand/orwithoutaPhDdegree),3temporaryresearchers,1“extraordinary”member,0post-doctoralfellows,2administrative staff members and 2 full-time project assistants. Five of the primary researchers are NRF rated researchers while many of the others serve on the national and international executive councils of their scientific and professional societies.

The high quality of research done by members of AUTHeR is reflected in the substantial body of work published in international peer-reviewed journals. For 2009 a total of 45 articles were published in peer-reviewed accredited journals of which 26 were in internationaljournalsand25innationaljournals,resultingin25,69articleequivalents(AEs).Thisaccountsfor0,95AEs/FTEs.There were also 6 publications in non-accredited journals (4 international and 2 national). Researchers contributed to 38 national and 44 international conferences with 22 published abstracts.The AUTHeR unit is proud of its research output and is committed to making the results of its research endeavours widely accessible in the national and international health care community.

pRof annaMaRIe kRugeRRESEARCH DIRECTORAFRICA UNIT FOR TRANSDISCIPLINARy HEALTH RESEARCH (AUTHeR)Tel: +27 18 299 2095E-mail: [email protected]

dId you know?The Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research focuses on problems and opportunities specific to Africa and other developingcountrieswherehealthisaffectedbyHIV/AIDSandrapidurbanisation,andwheretheempowermentofpeopleand the development of human capital is a high priority.

8.2.9 WorkWell: Research Unit for Economic and Management Sciences

During 2009, it was important for the Research Unit to take stock and reassess its focus following the implementation of new research entities at NWU.

Importantly, a research statement was developed for each school in the Unit, in order to bring greater focus to work being done. Quality assurance was enhanced through the formalisation of a suitable ethical review process for research proposals and the introduction of a Post-graduate Degrees Committee that examines all reports from external examiners.

In terms of total research output (master’s, doctorate and publications), the Research Unit has remained relatively constant from 2008 to 2009. Specifically, total research output in terms of article equivalents is at 27.49 for 2009.

In terms of conference presentations, it is seen that the total number of presentations remained relatively constant from 2008 to 2009 (64 vs. 62). However, a decline is seen in terms of international presentations, while national presentations have increased. A number of factors played a role in this, among others the introduction of a policy for research assistance to staff for international travel from the Research Unit and the world-wide economic recession. Focusing on a strong national presence is preferred, given the developmental phase of the Research Unit.

In terms of completed degrees by research, both master’s and doctoral output has increased. Completed master’s degrees have improved with 14.71% from 2008 to 2009, and the completion of doctoral degrees has nearly doubled from 2008 to 2009.

Although the research unit lost two rated researchers during the course of 2008, it also gained another y-rated researcher during 2009. The total number of researchers with an NRF rating has thus gone from six to five.

Important training interventions were launched during 2009 to enhance the research skills of staff members. These included workshops on research methodology, post-graduate supervision and structural equation modelling. Furthermore, discussions were held with staff members and 12 individuals were identified as having the potential to apply for an NRF rating between 2009 and 2013.

The highlights of 2009 were:

• TheResearchUnitrelauncheditswebsiteinApril.Itisnowusedmuchmoreeffectivelyinsupportofresearchandholds ethics and title registration forms for post-graduate students, as well as information regarding research in all the different schools in the Faculty (www.workwell.co.za). • ThreestaffmembersfromtheSchoolofBusinessManagementwontheBestPaperawardattheSouthwestAcademyof Management Conference in Oklahoma. • Fourinternationalstudents(twofromStockholm,Sweden,andtwofromTilburg,theNetherlands)visitedtheResearchUnit during the first semester of 2009 to complete their undergraduate research projects. • DrHansSiebersvisitedtheResearchUnitduringApril2009.HisinputswereespeciallyvaluableintheteachingofResearch Methodology at post-graduate level and enhancing collaboration with Tilburg University. • ProfPaulStygerfromtheSchoolforEconomicspresentstrainingtothetopmanagementoftheGhanaianReserveBank regarding strategic asset and risk management. Prof. Styger is also the winner of the Stals-prize for Economics in 2009.• TheResearchUnitpresenteditsshortcourseinresearchmethodstostudentsinEconomicandManagementSciences,in collaborationwiththePotchefstroomBusinessSchool(PBS)topost-graduatestudentsofMANCOSA(ManagementCollege of Southern Africa) in Durban during April 2009.


ProfJacoPienaarResearch Director Workwell: Research Unit forEconomic and Management Sciences

• DuringSeptember,thePBS,asmemberofaconsortiumofsmallerbusinessschoolsinSouthAfrica,presentedthe3rd InternationalBusinessConferenceinZanzibar.Theconferencedrewover100participantsfromsixregions,includingEurope, Scandinavia and Africa. • Attheendof2009,itwasannouncedthatProfWaldoKrugellfromtheSchoolforEconomicsreceivedtheY2(Young Researcher) award from the National Research Foundation (NRF). • TheResearchUnitpresentstwoimportantworkshopsforstaffmembersduringthesecondsemesterof2009.Thefirstis a workshop in post-graduate supervision, presented by Prof Chris Kapp, and the second is a workshop on structural equation modelling using AMOS, presented by trainers from SPSS South Africa, in Cape Town. The second workshop is financially made possible by Institutional Research Support. During the first semester, the Unit also presents its short course on research methods, which was well attended by staff. • DuringOctober,ProfMagnusSverke,newly-appointedextraordinaryprofessorinIndustrialPsychology,paidtheResearchUnit avisitanddeliveredhisinaugurallecture.Hewasaccompaniedbytwocolleagues:ProfJohnnyHellgren(alsoStockholm University,Sweden)andProfHansdeWitte(LeuvenUniversity,Belgium).• Throughpersonalinitiative,staffmembersfromtheSchoolofAccountingSciencesinvitedDrPanagiotisAndrikopoulosfrom De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom to South Africa. He met with several staff members and delivered a lecture onBehaviouralFinance.HeisalsoinvolvedinchartingaresearchstrategyfortheSchoolofAccountingSciences.• InNovember2009,theVLIRproject(VlaamscheInteruniversitaireRaad)isagreedtobytheUniversityandcontractsare signed. This agreement grants an amount of 240 000 Euro for post-graduate training of previously disadvantaged psychologistsinGhent,Belgium,underthesupervisionofProfJohnnyFontaine.

pRof JaCo pIenaaRRESEARCH DIRECTORWORKWELL: RESEARCH UNIT FOR ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCESTel: +27 18 299 1369Email:[email protected]


8.2.10 Unit for Drug Research and Development

The Unit for Drug Research and Development is a research unit in Africa, but we are competing internationally. Through collaboration with other researchers (both nationally and internationally), a global research network with a multi-disciplinary approach has been established.

All our activities are focused on aspects involving the development of safe, efficacious and cost-effective drugs and dosage forms for the community. Our vision is to be a leader in the area of drug research and development in Africa. Part of the mission of this unit is to contribute to human resources development in the field of health care. We are achieving this through post-graduate education.

The researchers are a recognisable force of expertise, and include scientists, post-graduate students and a number of post-doctoral researchers. Our post-graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are an integral part of our research programs and their activities are focused within the programs of established researchers where pockets of excellence exist. Students completing their post-graduate studies in this unit are leaders in South Africa through the positions that they hold within the pharmaceutical community, be it industry, the Medicines Control Council, research or the pharmaceutical community at large. We have research programs that are both nationally and internationally recognised for the quality of its research outputs. The programs in the research unit have been restructured in order to obtain greater synergy and focus where excellence exists. The state of the art facilities available to the research unit create an entrance into innovative research. The replacement value of our specialised equipment is in excess of R30,000,000.00. The research unit consists of a multi-disciplinary team, which includes pharmaceutical chemists, pharmacologists, medicinal chemists, botanists, biochemists and chemists.

In the next few years, we will focus on building capacity in health research and invest in innovative activities at the NWU and in the RSA by identifying and supporting groups of researchers with scarce expertise and proven records of excellence, the expansion of facilities, thus creating opportunities for young researchers to develop knowledge, skills and outputs, and by the appointment of full time researchers and professors (research chairs).The unit proudly boasts 11 NRF-rated researchers, and action plans are in place to develop seven new young researchers.

Although there was a slight decrease in article equivalents which was mainly due to several publications being accepted, but which will carry a 2010 publication date, as well as two publications which had to be withdrawn because of possible infringement of patenting, 13 publications in international journals of very high quality still resulted in the 2009 academic year.We are also very proud to announce that five patents were registered during 2009, which included both a Canadian and a Chinese patent.

During the May and September 2009 graduation ceremonies 6 PhDs and no less that 29 MSc degrees were awarded.

This research unit is committed to pursue knowledge through relevant and high quality research and innovation, which will lead to new products and knowledge to advise policies that will promote and restore the physical health of individuals, families, communities and populations.

pRof JeaneTTa du plessIsRESEARCH DIRECTOR: UNIT FOR DRUG RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTTel: +27 18 299 2274E-Mail:[email protected]


ProfJeanettaduPlessisResearch Director: Unit for DrugResearch and Development

8.3 Research Focus Areas A Research Focus Area should have a clear focus which is identified by the campus and is part of the overall strategic plan of the university and campus linked to national priorities with regional research impact.

8.3.1 Social Transformation 2009/10 While doubts might have existed regarding the success and sustainability of the Focus Area: Social Transformation in the past, itsactivitiesintheperiod2009/10haveproventhosedoubtstobeunwarranted.Currently,theFocusAreacanboastwiththemost articles produced (per entity) with a figure of 57,73; the Focus Area was named as the second most productive entity at the North-West University; involvement in a range of projects has proliferated dramatically; the establishment and nurturing of networks both nationally and internationally, along with a consistent growth in postgraduate enrolments have placed the Focus Area on a new trajectory of growth.

From the management of the Focus Area, a word of gratitude must be expressed to our colleagues for their dedication and hard work that have characterised their endeavours during the past year. Also, our gratitude is expressed to the management of the Faculty of Arts, the Campus and the University, for their continued support over the last few years, which has culminated in the Focus Area receiving the honour of being awarded a research professor.

Currently, changing socio-political, socio-economical and related management spheres pose new challenges to the University, as well as the Focus Area specifically. As is the case with any organisation operating within a fast-changing and dynamic environment, the Focus Area finds itself returning to the drawing board to plan, re-evaluate and expand its activities in order to become a strategic focal point for research on Campus, in the University, the Province and South Africa. No doubt exists that the Focus Area can, and has, made considerable contributions to the fields of Governance, Disaster Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Water Studies and Communication, amongst others. One of the greatest challenges on the path to realising the continued expansion of the above mentioned fields is the development of adequate management structures in which each area of study can be fully actualised. Notwithstanding the recent changes to the management of research, much remains to be done to optimise the way in which research is managed in the Humanities and Social Sciences. We envisage greater devolution and decentralisation in the structures of decision-making, resulting in a more responsive and agile management model to tackle future challenges.

In this regard, the Focus Area undoubtedly has a role to fulfil; the question we are now faced with is how far can we develop this role? The solid grounding upon which the Focus Area has been built in the past few years has formed the foundation upon which development will take place in the years to come. If the intention of the University’s management is to develop the Potchefstroom Campus towards a research-oriented institution, it is our opinion that the Focus Area can play an important, and perhaps a leading role in realising that goal.

pRof andRé duVenhageRESEARCH DIRECTORFOCUS AREA: SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONTel:+27182991750/1593E-mail: [email protected]


Prof André DuvenhageResearch Director: Social Transformation

8.3.2 Chemical Resource Beneficiation

TheResearchFocusAreaforChemicalResourceBeneficiation(CRB),situatedintheFacultyofNaturalSciences,consistsofparticipants from the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, the School of Chemical Mineral Engineering and the School of Pharmacy. The clustering together of these related disciplines ensures a competitive advantage to supply the single largest South Africanbusinesssector,i.e.themanufacturingindustries(chemical/mineral/petrochemical/energy)withresearchexpertiseandwelltrainedresearchers.TheCRBaimstoaddsustainablevaluetotheSAnationalmineralandchemicalresourcebase.TheNWU is situated in two provinces, i.e. North-West and (southern) Gauteng, and adjacent to two provinces, i.e. Free State and Limpopo, with rich metal-based and carbon-based resources. Metal-based resources include the platinum group metals (PGMs) and other metals, such as chromium, while the carbon-based resources are mainly from coal (e.g. petrochemicals). South Africa is the world leader in the production of the platinum group metals and in the conversion of coal to petrochemicals, and the contribution of these industries to the GDP of South Africa is of great value. The beneficiation of these resources is therefore of critical importance for sustainable economic development, not only in the region, but also in the rest of South Africa.

ThevisionoftheCRBistofindinnovativesolutionsthroughfundamentalandappliedresearch.ThestrategicobjectivesoftheCRBistosatisfythechemical-basedresearchanddevelopmentalneedsofitsregionalclients;totraininnovativelythinkingresearchers; to establish synergy by means of interaction between chemical scientists and engineers; to undertake high quality research and to strive towards optimal mutual application of expertise by means of strategic alliances in co-operation with clients; to use the available resources effectively and to place a high premium on the publication of research results in internationallyacknowledgedscientificjournals.ThetechnologyobjectiveoftheCRBistocreateaportfolioofprojectsbasedonmarket needs and opportunities for research, development and implementation. Strategic alliances are of cardinal importance, several of these comprise of co-operation in academically aimed activities, for instance with universities or research institutes in SouthAfrica,theNetherlands,Belgium,theUK,theUSA,Germany,Romania,aswellasnationalprogramssuchastheCoEincatalysisandHydrogen-SA.TheresearchactivitiesoftheCRBhavealreadyledtocommercialstrategicallianceswithbusinesseslike SASOL, Necsa, MINTEK, CSIR, Anglo Platinum, Xstrata, and NRF (THRIP).

TheCRBconsistsofresearchgroupsworkingwithinandacrosstheboundariesofthetwokeyknowledgeareas,metal-basedandcarbon-based resources:

TheFerrochromeresearchgroupundertheleadershipofDrJPBeukesisaimedattheferrochromeindustriesinSouthAfrica.South Africa holds approximately 72% of the world’s chromite ore reserves and currently produces approximately 49% of its ferrochromium. Approximately twelve ferrochrome plants (smelters) are currently operational in South Africa, with more than twice this number of chromite mines supplying ore to these smelters. The research group focuses on critical process and environmental issues of the ferrochrome industry, as well as linkages to the platinum group metals industry. The process-related research aspects are aimed at the pre-treatment of ores, the optimisation of the recovery of chromium and the development of alternative analytical and handling techniques. The environmental-related research aspects focus on chromium VI.

ThePlatinumGroupMetalChemistryresearchgroupledbyDrRJKriekfocusesoncertainaspectsofthechemistryandhydrometallurgy of the platinum group metals (PGMs). South Africa, and in particular the North-West Province, is the world’s largest producer of PGMs, accounting for about 75% of the world’s platinum alone. With the exception of a small amount of catalytic converters, these noble metals leave the country prior to beneficiation. The group investigates the recovery of PGMs via leaching as well as the development of PGM electrocatalysts. These electrocatalysts are applied in electrolysers for the electrochemical production of hydrogen gas as an alternative energy source, as well as in fuel cells for the electrochemical supply of electricity. The group also participates in the Hydrogen Infrastructure Centre of Competence of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).


Prof Manie VoslooResearch Director:ChemicalResourceBeneficiation


The Membrane Technology research group, under the leadership of Prof HM Krieg, investigates membrane technology as a future-driven, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional separation processes. While the suitability of membranes has been proven for the water industry, significant inroads are still expected into other chemical industries, including the nuclear, petrochemical and metal refining industries. The aim of the group is two-fold: firstly, to contribute to the well-being of the people, especially rural communities of the North-West Province, by improving the purity of the water supply and, secondly, to support the South African industry in introducing novel membrane applications to improve traditional separation processes. The group has established international networks to ensure that state-of-the art membranes for specific and local applications can be obtained. The group also participates in the DST’s Hydrogen Infrastructure Centre of Competence.

The Catalysis and Synthesis research group, led by Prof HCM Vosloo, studies homogeneous catalysed reactions. The emphasis is on the development and understanding of catalytic systems with potential industrial importance. The approach of the research group is to find new concepts, catalysts (ligands and organometallic complexes) and reactions, to demonstrate proof of concept of a catalytic reaction, and to investigate its mechanism. This approach is driven by a specific industrial problem, such as utilisation of Fischer-Tropsch streams to produce value-added commodity chemicals or beneficiation of high-value PGM metals. Although the applied aspects of catalytic chemistry are emphasised in the research focus of the group, it is done from a fundamental perspective. The group is an active participant in the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, and Prof Vosloo is program leader of the SA Olefins program.

The Coal and Femtochemistry research group, under the leadership of Prof C A Strydom, studies the influence of impurities on the formation of minerals during the gasification and combustion processes of South African coal, to produce cost-effective hydrogen for fuel cells (steam reforming of methane), the conversion of methane to higher-value chemicals and the conversion of stranded natural gas to liquid products. The group aims to improve the efficiency of the gasification process, to reduce its environmentally unfriendly aspects and to develop new technology for carbon dioxide conversion and reduction. The group collaborates extensively with SASOL, one of the world’s leading chemical companies.

The Laboratory for Applied Molecular Modeling (LAMM), under the management of Dr CGCE van Sittert, actively promotes the developmentofmolecularmodelingwithinalltheresearchgroupsoftheCRB.

TheLaboratoryforAnalyticalServices,underthemanagementofDrJHLJordaan,providesspecialisedanalyticalservicesandsupportto maintain internationally competitive and locally relevant research. Equipment currently under the management of the laboratory areaBrukerAvanceIII600MHzUltrashieldPlusNMRspectrometer,aVGAnalytical70-70Emagnetsectormassspectrometer(MS),Autospectandemmagneticsector/time-offlight(TOF)MSandaLecoPegasus4D/Agilent6890GCxGC-TOFMS.

SomehighlightsoftheCRB’sresearchactivitiesin2009:• Theupgradingoflaboratoriesofvariousresearchgroupstointernationalstandardswascompleted.Theupgradingwas mainly financed by the NWU with contributions also received from the DST Hydrogen Infrastructure Centre of Competence.• Awardingof8MScand4PhDdegrees.• ProfChristienStrydomdeliveredakeynotelectureattheInternationalConferenceonCoalScienceandTechnologyheldin Cape Town.• MsMarikaNel,aPhDstudentintheCoalandFemtochemistryresearchgroup,wontheawardforbeststudentoral presentation at the International Conference on Coal Science and Technology. Her co-author was Prof Christien Strydom.• MrSamXaba,anMScstudentintheCatalysisandSynthesisresearchgroup,wontheMicromereticscupandCATSAmedal for the best poster at the annual conference of the Catalysis Society of South Africa (CATSA) held in Wellington. His co- authors were Dr Attie Viljoen and Dr. Cornie van Sittert. Sam was also awarded the best oral presentation price at the young Chemist Symposium of Gauteng branch of the South African Chemical Institute.


• MsYolandiNortjewonthesecondpositionintheChemistrySectionattheannualStudentSymposiumoftheSuid-Afrikaanse AkademievirWetenskapenKunsheldinBloemfontein.SheisanMScstudentstudyingunderthesupervisionofProfErnstBreet.

ResearchersparticipatingintheCRBareamongtheleadersintheirrespectivefieldsofresearchinSouthAfrica,andthisexpertisewasforwardedonvariousnationalandinternationalplatformsin2009.CRBresearchersparticipatedinseveralinternationalworkshops and also made eleven presentations at international and thirteen at national conferences. Dr Cornie van Sittert and Dr Gerhard Lachmann presented their popular course, Introductory Molecular Modelling, on invitation at a number of universities andindustriesinSouthAfrica.DieCRBhasalsobeenvisitedbyseveralinternationalresearchersfromRomania,theUSA,theUKandCanada.ThesevisitorsalsogavetheColloquiumseriesoftheCRBaninternationalflavour.CRBresearcherswerealsoinvolvedinresearchvisitstopeersintheUSA,theUK,Germany,Romania,CanadaandSpain.TheCRB’sendeavourtobeinternationallyrelevant and competitive already has a healthy foundation to build the future on.

pRof ManIe VoslooRESEARCH DIRECTORCHEMICALRESOURCEBENEFICIATIONTel: +27 18 299 1669E-Mail: [email protected]


8.3.3 Teaching-Learning Organisations

The Faculty of Education Sciences has a dedicated Research Focus Area. The vision of the Focus Area is to address challenges in education through high quality, relevant, innovative and focused research. Our cutting edge research is aimed to address, within the scientific parameters of Education Research, the challenges, effectiveness and productivity of teaching-learning in South Africa with collaboration internationally. The position of the Faculty within the North-West Province creates ample research opportunities to address the challenging education system in South Africa.

The two research programmes cover:

• CreationofSustainableSupportandworkingenvironmentsinDiverseEducationalContexts• EffectiveteachingandlearningstrategiesandCurriculumdevelopmentinDiverseEducationalContexts

Five NRF-rated researchers are part of these research groups. Prof Charl Wolhuter received his NRF C-rating in 2009 and Prof Izak Oostuizen retained his C-rating. Many projects are funded internationally and are carried out in collaboration with universities in England, Europe, Canada and the USA. Three post-doctoral fellows (from Malawi, Canada, and the Netherlands) joined three of the Focus Area’s research projects in Human Rights Education in Diversity (HREiD), Inclusive Education and Reading Literacy. The research outputs are a reflection of the consistent contribution to quality research. Sixty-five active researchers contributed to the core of research outputs of 42 publications in accredited journals as well as 5 published and 6 accepted articles in non-accredited journals (7 of these contributions are in international renowned journals). There is a steady growth in the outputs of the Focus Area and this trend is continuing with dedicated and renowned researchers.

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0 2006 2007 2008 2009

12.83

23

15.73

27

20.13

3032.96

42

Total number of publication units

number of research articles in accredited journals

Prof Cornelia RouxResearch Director: Teaching-learning organisations

Other outputs were 19 chapters in books (national and international) four monographs; eight conference proceedings and one report on a completed international project. Researchers delivered 58 papers at education research associations and subject-related conferences (28 national and 30 international). Two papers were key-note presentations at national conferences.

The Dean’s Research Forum in April every year remains the highlight on the academic calendar in the Focus Areas and this event stimulates academic and scholarly discussions in the Faculty. Four international keynote speakers presented papers and four South African respondents contributed to rigorous discussions and discourses.

The internationalisation of the Focus Area was further strengthened through visits by international academics. At present the Faculty has three international extraordinary professors and one extraordinary associate professor, who present workshops andlectureswhilstalsomentoringstaff.CooperativeagreementswithJoenssuUniversity(since2010TheUniversityofEasternFinland;Finland);HoogeschoolDriestarEducatief,Gouda,Netherlands;andamemorandumofagreementwithBrockUniversity,St. Catherines, Canada, are contributing to the internationalisation of the Focus Area. Many researchers in the programmes are also collaborating in projects with scholars in the Netherlands (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), USA (Minnesota), and England (Plymouth; Oxford and Manchester). These collaborations are within the specific research programmes of the Focus Area, and therefore contribute to the main vision of internationalisation and quality research through collaboration. The three international fundedprojectsofProfBarryRichter;Prof.PetraEngelbrecht,andProf.CorneliaRouxcontributedtothisnewphaseintheFocusArea started in 2008. Further support is given to new initiatives which include a number of applications for international research grantsfor2010/2011.

International researchers that paid visits to researchers and projects are: (Dr Ina ter Avest, (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam); Prof CokBakker,(UniversityofUtrecht);ProfBrittaGullin,(UmeåUniversity,Sweden);ProfLiamGearon(UniversityofPlymouth);ProfAlfredoArtiles,(ArizonaStateUniversity);ProfElizabethKozleski,(ArizonaStateUniversity);ProfDMogadimeBrockUniversity(Canada);ProfCRusso(UniversityofDaytonUSA);SharanMerriam(UniversityofGeorgia,USA);MichelleMcGinn(BrockUniversity,Canada);SusanTilley(BrockUniversity,Canada);DonnaMertens(GallaudetUniversity,Washington,DC);DrLucHens,(VrijeUniversiteitBrussels).

The improvement of scholarly and cutting edge Education Research remains first priority in the Focus Area. The dedication of all the researchers played a significant role in reaching the goals envisaged for 2009. I want to thank them for their contributions.

pRof CoRnelIa RouxRESEARCH DIRECTORTel:+27182994780/+27182935245E-mail:[email protected]/[email protected]



8.4 Research Niche Areas A Research Niche Area should have a clear focus which is identified by the campus and is part of the overall strategic plan of the university and campus with local research impact.

8.4.1 Population and Health In 2008, the Research Niche Area had a combined total of fourteen academic staff members, six from the Population Studies and Demography Program and eight from Statistics, one a full professor and two associate professors. Five of the staff held doctoral degrees and six had masters (five of whom were working towards doctoral qualifications, while one was planning to register in 2009). Two of the staff had honours qualifications and working towards completing their Masters degrees (all these in Statistics). In all, six staff members were actively engaged in research not necessarily leading to academic qualification. With respect to postgraduate training, the RNA had a combined total of 62 students, 17 registered for doctoral degrees (2008), 28 for masters and seventeen for Honours. Of these, fifteen were registered for Statistics (consisting of one PhD, two Masters and twelve Honours) while 47 were registered in Population Studies and Demography (consisting of sixteen for PhD and 26 for Masters).

In 2009 the Research Entity restricted its membership to active researchers. This reduced the full-time membership as follows:• FivefromthePopulationStudiesandDemographyProgramfollowingtheresignationofProfessorHadguBariagaberatthe end of 2008.• OnefromtheStatisticsProgram(CommerceandAdministration,MC).HetoolaterresignedfromtheUniversityattheendof2009.• OnefromtheDevelopmentStudiesProgram(FHSS,MC)(Hejoinedin2009).

As of 2010, the capacity of the RNA stands at a total of twelve full-time staff members, ten of whom are active researchers and holding PhDs and two who are working towards their doctoral degrees (see Table 1). The impact of the increase in capacity will not however be felt until 2011.

Table 1 presents the full list of participating membership consisting of NWU full-time and part-time internal members, as well as part time external members.

At the end of 2009, three well-qualified candidates with doctoral degrees were interviewed and all recommended for appointment. However, given budgetary constraints, only one is likely to be appointed. One, Professor Akim Mturi, formerly at UKZN and HSRC, has already been appointed in the position of Full Professor and joined with effect from 1 March 2010. We are awaiting the appointment of one of the remaining two.

As far as postgraduate student participation is concerned, in 2009 it consisted of 27 Masters and twelve Doctoral students. Completion rate remained low and presented a major challenge for the Research Entity. This, however, is expected to change withtheincreaseinsupervisioncapacityin2010.Butadecisionhasalsobeentakenatfacultyleveltoterminatetheprogramsofthose who have been in the system for a long time with little or no evidence of progress.

Prof Ishmael Kalule-SabitiResearch Niche Area Leader:Population and Health


faCulTy sChool CaMpus

1 Human and Social Sciences (FHSS)

Research and Postgraduate StudiesProf I Kalule-Sabiti (RNA coordinator)Social Sciences (SSS)Prof Akim Mturi (Assistant coordinator)Dr Moses Kibet (Assistant coordinator)Dr Martin Palamuleni (Assistant coordinator)ProfBCChikuloMr Karabo Mhele (Staff and Doctoral Candidate)Ms Veronica Mothai (Staff and Doctoral Candidate)DrAnneKhasakhala(VisitingScientist)2009/2010Human Sciences (SHS)ProfBMbenga(Part-time)

Mafikeng

2 Commerce and Administration (FCA)

Economic and Decision Sciences (SEDS)Prof Phillip Serumaga-Zake (Left in 2009)

Mafikeng

3 Law (FL) Dean’s OfficeProf Melvin Mbao (Part-time)

Mafikeng

4 Agriculture, Science and Tech-nology (FAST)

Potential: Still talking to Nursing Sciences Mafikeng

5 Health Sciences (FHS) Psycho-SocialBehaviouralSciences(PSBS)Prof Vera Roos (Part-time)

Potchefstroom

InITIally The Rna ConsIsTed of fIVe suB-pRogRaMs as follows:• FamilyandHouseholdHealthinNWP • HIV/AIDSManagementinNWP• PovertyandHIV/AIDSinNWP • YouthandWomen’sHealthinNWP• PopulationChangeandPovertyinNWP

Following the recommendation by the internal review panel last year (2009), they were reduced to two: Household Health and PopulationChange;andPovertyandHIV/AIDS.Researchprojectsundertakenand/orplannedwithintheabovesub-programsare:

1. household healTh and populaTIon Change: leader: Prof I. Kalule-Sabiti. Projects undertaken and their co-ordinators: (a) HiV/aidSandthepsychosocialanddemographicchangesintheafricanfamilyandHouseholdinthe north west province: Co-ordinator: Prof I. Kalule-Sabiti Team Members: Prof A. y. Amoateng, Dr Anne Khasakhala (visiting scientist from the University of Nairobi), Provincial Department of Health and Social Development, Postgraduate Students.

(b) SomeaspectsofmillenniumdevelopmentGoalsinthenorth-WestandGautengprovinces(almostcompleted): Co-ordinator: Prof I. Kalule-Sabiti Team Members:ProfB.C.Chikulo,ProfM.Mbao,PostgraduateStudents.

ONPART-TIMEBASIS(EXTERNALSUPERVISORS/RESEARCH)Prof Ay Amoateng (Research) Prof Eric Udjo (External Supervisor)Prof Natal Ayiga (External Supervisor) Dr Monde Makiwane (External Supervisor)DrTapiwaJhamba(ExternalSupervisor)


(c) thedemographyofnorth-Westprovince: Co-ordinator: Dr Martin Palamuleni Team Members: Postgraduate Students

(d) youth,perceptionsofaidsriskandSexualbehaviourinnorth-Westprovince: Co-ordinator: Dr Moses Kibet Team Members: Postgraduate Students

(e) Gender-basedViolenceandWomen’sHealthandWell-beinginthenorth-Westprovince(tostartin2011): Co-ordinator: Dr Moses Kibet Team Members: Postgraduate Students

2. hIV/aIds and the psychosocial and demographic Changes in the african family and household in the north- Westprovince.(ongoing) principal Researchers: Prof I. Kalule-Sabiti, Prof A. V. Amoateng, Dr Anne Khasakhala (Visiting Scientist), Postgraduate Students.

3. Trends in universal primary education, Child and Maternal Mortality in the Context of the Millennium developmentGoalsinSouthafricawithparticularreferencetoGautengandnorth-Westprovinces.(ongoing) principal Researchers:ProfI.Kalule-Sabiti,ProfB.C.Chikulo,PostgraduateStudents.

4. theprevalence,natureandconsequencesofchild-headedHouseholdsinnorth-Westprovince.(ongoing) principal Researchers:ProfAkirnMturi,ProfI.Kalule-Sabiti,ProfA.V.Amoateng,DrJohannahSekudu,DrMosesKibet, Dr Martin Palamuleni, Postgraduate Students

5. Marriage dynamics and fertility in the era of hIV/aIds in the Mafikeng local Municipality, north west province, Southafrica.(ongoing) principal Researcher: Ms Veronica Mothai (Leading to PhD)

6. thetimingofthefirstbirthanditsimpactonSchoolattainmentamongblackWomeninSouthafrica(ongoing) principal Researcher: Mr Karabo Mhele (Leading to PhD)

7. localGovernanceanddevelopmentinSouthernafrica.(completed2009) principal Researcher:ProfB.C.Chikulo

8. climatechangeandHousingissuesinSouthafrica.(completed2009) principal Researcher:ProfB.C.Chikulo

9. Mdgs and governance in the north west and gauteng provinces. principal Researchers:ProfB.C.Chikulo,ProfMelvinMbao.

publications in accredited Journals2008• Socio-EconomicCorrelatesoftheIncidenceofExtendedHouseholdLivinginSouthAfrica. SouthernAfricanJournalofDemography.Vol.11(1):75-102,December2008.(I.Kalule-SabitiandA.Y.Amoateng)• FamiliesandHouseholdsinPost-ApartheidSouthAfrica:Socio-demographicPerspectives. Published in “Family Formation and Dissolution Patterns’~ Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, pp 89-112, (M. Palamuleni,, I. Ka!ule-Sabiiti, A.y. Amoateng and M. Makiwane)


• FamiliesandHouseholdsinPost-ApartheidSouthAfrica:SOC10-DemographjcPerspectives. Published in “Fertility and Childbearing in South Africa’~ Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, pp 113-134, (M. Palamuleni, I. KaluIe-Sabiti, A. y. Amoateng and M. Makiwane).• WorkingLifeTablesforSouthAfrica,1996—2001.AfricanPopulationStudies22(2):223-246,• PopulationProjectionsforMalawianditsRegions,1998-2023,AfricanSociologicalReview11(2):16-28.• LocalGovernanceinZambia.LocalGovernmentBulletin,Vol.Issue3,pp842-844,July/August2008.(B.C.Chikulo).

2009• lntergenerationalRelationsofAfricanMigrantsinPost-ApartheidSouthAfrica:ImplicationsforOlderPersons.TheJournalof Nutrition,HealthandAgeing,13supplement1,S708,2009.(1.Kalule-Sabiti,M.Douglas,V.RoosandB.Mbenga)• LocalGovernanceReforminZambia:AReview.CommonwealthJournalofLocalGovernance,Issue2:January2009pp98- 106.(B.C.Chikulo)• AnAnalysisoftheProximateDeterminantsofFertilityinMalawi,1992-2004.EasternandSouthernAfricaSocialScience Review XXIV(1): 15-40. (M. Palamuleni).• ContraceptiveUseAmongMalawianWomen,1984-2004.MalawiMedicalJournal.(M.Palamuleni).• DemographicChangesinSouthAfrica,1996-2007.VDMPublishingCompany,Germany(ISBN:9783639099706(13-digit), ISBN:3639099702(10-digit)).(M.Palamuleni).

2010 JouRnal aRTICles puBlIshed oR aCCepTed foR puBlICaTIon In 2010• ComparativeStudyofInfantandChildMortality:TheCaseofKenyaandSouthAfrica.(DrM.Kibet). AcceptedforpublicationintheAfricanPopulationStudies(APS)Journal,Vol.24No.1.• DemocraticLocalGovernanceinSouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunityRegion:SomeEmergingIssues. PublishedinCommonwealthJournalofLocalGovernance,lssue5:SpecialIssueMarch2010,pp145-157.(ProfB.C.Chikulo)

2010 JouRnal aRTICles foR possIBle puBlICaTIon In 2010• ClimateChangeandHousingIssuesinSouthAfrica.TobepublishedbySpringer,USAasachapterinClimateChangeand SustainableDevelopmentinAfricaandAsia.(ProfB.C.Chikulo).• SocialContextFactorsandtheSexualBehaviourofBlackAfricanAdolescentsintheNorth-WestProvince,SouthAfrica.(I. Kalule-Sabiti, A.y. Amoateng and Prakash Narayanan).• Rural-UrbanDifferentialsintheProblemsFacedbytheElderlyintheEraofHIV/AIDSinMafikengLocalMunicipality,North WestProvince,SouthAfrica.(I.Kalule-Sabiti,PaulBigalaandNatalAyiga).• Child-HeadedHouseholdsinSouthAfrica:WhatWe(Don’t)Know.(ProfAkimMturi).SubmittedtoDevelopment Southern Africa.• SomePatternsofInternalMigrationinNorthWestProvince,SouthAfrica:1996-2001.(M.Palamuleni).• GrowthofUrbanPopulationinMalawi:1950-2050.(M.Palamuleni)• RecentMarriagePatternsinSouthAfrica:1996-2007.(M.Palamuleni).

pRof IshMael kalule-saBITIRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADER:POPULATION AND HEALTHTel: +27 18 389 2333E-mail: [email protected]


8.4.2 Musical Arts in South Africa: Resources and Applications

The year 2009 had many highlights. Two congresses took place, which gave particular momentum to the research entity. The North-South-South intensive course, funded by the Centre of National Mobility of Finland (CIMO), was attended by approximately 110 local and international experts. The first Musical arts in South Africa congress was held at the Conservatory from 27 to 29 August. Role players representative of various leading universities in South Africa attended the congress.

During2009,DrHannesTaljaard(April)andMrsDirkieNell(September)visitedtheUniversityofJyväskyläinFinlandandtheSchoolofMusicinStockholm.TwostudentsfromtheUniversityofJyväskylä,MssAnniMatilainenandIinaReinikainen,visitedtheSchoolforMuiscasexchangestudentsfromtheUniversityofJyväskyläinthefirstsemester,whileMsIzélBothma(aBMusIVstudent)andMrItumelengPooe(aBAMusHonsstudent)inturnvisitedtheFinnishJyväskyläUniversityinthesecondsemester.DrEvaWedinfromStockholmandDrChristopherKlopperfromBathurst,AustraliaactedasguestlecturersattheScoolforMusic.

InAugust2009,DrGerritJordaanjoinedDrChristianOnyejyaspost-doctorateassociate.Amongstothers,DrJordaanresearchesreligious music in Tswana and Afrikaans churches.

Students who obtained a Master’s degree are Mrs Dirkie Nell (top achiever of the Faculty of Arts), Mr Aloysio Mumpuka and Mr Charles Nota. Dr Liesl van der Merwe obtained the DMus degree (performing with bassoon) with an article A critical evaluation of conceptual progression in Music skills and knowledge in the National Curriculum Statement for Arts and Culture Grade R-9 (Schools).

CuRRenT ReseaRCh pRogRaMs• North-South-Southproject,Finland.TheUniversityofJyväskyläinFinlandistheinitiatoroftheproject,andthepaticipating universitiesareKenyattaUniversity,Kenia;UniversityofBotswana,Gaborone;UniversityofPretoria;UnisaandNorth-West University. The project consists of: - An exchange scheme for lecturers and students, - The presentation of an intensive music course during which in-service training is provided to music teachers, and - Research by lecturers and students on “The Role of Music in Strengthening Cultural Identity in Southern Africa”. • RoyalSchoolofMusic,Stockholmproject,Sweden,withspecificfocusontheDalcrozeapproachandEmbodiment.• GriffithUniversityProject,Australia,dealingwithinter-culturalmusicplaying.• TheTalkingDrumprojectdealswitharticlesinaprofessionaljournalthatisbeingdistributednationallyandinternationally. ThefocusinthisjournalismusiceducationinschoolsthroughwhichArtsandCultureteachersbenefit.IntheJuly2009 edition, an article by a group of lecturers, students and Prof Hetta Potgieter is published, while the December edition was writtenbyProfJacoKruger.• Projectscontinuingform2008arethoseoftheTswanaandVendamusicculturesandreligiousmusic.

The Musikhane project, through which children from previously disadvantaged communities receive music education, posts opportunites of the School of Music to become involved in a community project, as well as opportunities for research.

pRof heTTa poTgIeTeRRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADERMUSICAL ARTS IN SOUTH AFRICA: RESOURCES AND APPLICATIONSTel: +27 18 299 1700E-Mail: [email protected]

Prof Hetta PotgieterResearch Niche Area Leader Musical arts inSouth Africa: Resources and Applications

8.4.3 Educational Technology for Effective Teaching, Learning and Facilitation (EdTech4Learn) EdTech4Learn has found its physical and academic home in the School of Continuing Teacher Education (SCTE), Faculty of Educational Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus. Researchers from other faculties on the Potchefstroom Campus, as well as from the Faculty of Economic Sciences, Mafikeng Campus, and the Vaal Triangle Campus have for the past two years participated in the niche area EdTech4Learn. The basic structure of the niche area comprises three sub-programs and nine main projects. Five students from two South African and two international universities also participated through their joint studies with the leader of the niche area, namely the Tshwane University of Technology, the University of Pretoria, the University of Eastern Finland and the Sudan University of Science and Technology. In terms of joint research, the niche area links to two partner universities of the Faculty of Education Sciences: The University College of Iringa, Tumaini University, Tanzania, and the University of Eastern Finland.

The niche area abounds with qualified research capacity of fifteen researchers. Five Masters and eleven PhD students comprised the student component of the niche area in 2009. The first doctoral student completed his studies through EdTech4Learn with a thesis that comprised four published research articles. This constitutes a growth of almost fifty percent in the enrolment of students from the previous report. The EdTech4Learn produced three research articles during 2009, of which two relates to the SSCIandIBSSjournallistswithimpactfactorsof0,941and2,190respectively.SeveninternationalandthreelocalcontributionscounttowardstheconferenceactivityofEdTech4Learn,aswellasachapterinaninternationalbook.ProfSeugnetBlignautandMr Christo Els received a best session paper award for their paper at the International Symposium on Engineering Education and Educational Technologies. As this paper was rated as one of the ten percent best papers at the conference, they received aninvitationtopublishitintheprestigiousJournalofSystemics,CyberneticsandInformatics.ThearticleTowardsaResearchFrameworkforICTUseinDevelopingContextswassubmitted.ProfSeugnetBlignautalsopresentedtheDean’sPrestigeLectureon Towards a Research Framework for ICT Use in Developing Contexts.

During 2009 EdTech4Learn invested in capacity building and organised several hands-on workshops with renowned international researchers. While Prof Parick Dillon from the University of Eastern Finland and Exeter, UK, presented a workshop to the niche area participants on Technology Enhanced Learning; Profs Aaron Doering and Charles Miller from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, presented a workshop on Transforming the Perspective. From this cooperation, a funding proposal for further cooperation was submitted to the University of Minnesota for further faculty development and instructional design. Prof Erkki Sutinen, a professor extra-ordinary to the niche area, with Mr. Andres Moreno visited Potchefstroom to assist in strategic planning for the years ahead. This cooperation resulted in two funding proposals that related to determining the ICT education technology needs of SACTE for the delivery of open and distance education, a Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) application, and a Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) application for joint research and student supervision to Finnish funding organisations.

A highlight of 2009 was the many school visits that EdTech4Learn undertook to conduct research and establish networks for future research. These visits were accompanied by three international scientists in the field that also carried out consultations at the North-West Province schools. Two conference papers followed from this field research.

pRof seugneT BlIgnauTRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADEREDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGy FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING, LEARNING AND FACILITATIONTel: +27 18 299 4566E-mail:[email protected]


ProfSeugnetBlignautResearch Niche Area Leader Educational Technology for Effective Teaching, Learning and Facilitation


8.4.4 Socio-economic impact of Tourism (SEIT)

Having conducted well over 300 major research projects for private sector and government clients in the past 27 years, the research track record of the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies is unrivalled in South Africa.

The Institute’s tourism research program was the first National Research Foundation-accredited niche program in South Africa and is still the country’s only NRF-funded tourism program.

During 2008, the Institute prepared to enter the next phase of its development by achieving niche entity status within the NWU’s new research management model. Soon after the announcement that the University was introducing a new management modelforresearch,theInstituteappliedforrecognitionasanicheresearchentity.TheapplicationwassuccessfulandbyJuly2008 the Institute had received seed funding for the establishment of the niche area, Socio-Economic Impact of Tourism (SEIT). This development has set the scene for greater collaboration among researchers in the field and is expected to result in further increases in the Institute’s already prolific research output. The table below summarises research output for the seven years from 2003 to 2009.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Publications:

Books 1 5 2 4 1 2 -

Articles 8 14 8 8 12 18 24

Manuals 2 2 - - - - 4

Chapters 1 1 1 - 1 1 1

Projects 15 19 24 36 21 39 31

Conferences:

National 3 7 3 6 2 9 3

International 8 10 7 6 11 7 16

Courses 37 6 7 1 2 2 3

Post graduate studies (completed)

Masters (M) 1 3 2 3 2 14 15

Doctoral (PhD) 3 - 1 - 2 1 5

As the table shows, the research entity produced a total of 31 technical publications during 2009. Research output was especially strong for articles submitted in accredited journals, which totaled 24 compared to 18 in the previous year.

other research highlights of 2009 included:

• Arecordof20master’sdegreesanddoctorateswerecompleted.• Arecordnumberofinternationalconferencepaperswerealsopresented,namely16.• ProfMelvilleSaaymanreceivedtheawardforthesecondmostproductiveseniorresearcheratNorth-WestUniversityforhis publications during 2009. • DrPeetvanderMerwe,waspromotedtoassociateprofessor.• TheInstitutewasfurthermoresuccessfulinourbidtoattractamajorinternationalconferencetoourshores,namelyAIESTto be hosted in September 2010.

Prof Melville SaaymanResearch Niche Area Leader:Socio-economic impact of tourism

• DrMartinetteKrugerreceivedtheABSABronzemedalforbestmastersdegreeattheNorth-WestUniversityfor2009.• TheInstituteforTourismandLeisurestudiessuccessfullyhostedthe3rdInternationalICNT(InternationalCompetence Network of Tourism Research and Education) in Potchefstroom on 20-22 October 2009. • Greatercooperationwiththeindustryhasbeenachieved,forexamplea3-yearMOUwiththeCapePhilharmonicOrchestra.

Research projects

Over the years, the Institute has conducted research for various government departments, private companies and local authorities. Public sector clients have included organisations such as South African National Parks (SANParks), North-West Parks andTourismBoard,MpumalangaTourismAuthority(MTA),theNationalZoo,theNorthernCapeProvincialGovernment,theWesternCapeFinanceDepartmentandBotswana’sInternationalTourismResearchCentre.Intheprivatesector,theInstitutehasworkedwithclientsrangingfromStandardBank,SASOLandtheNationalBusinessInitiativetotheSouthAfricanHuntingAssociation, Aardklop National Arts Festival and Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. During 2009, the Institute continued to assist many of the tourism industry’s most prominent role players by conducting marketing surveys, socio-economic impact studies, entrepreneurship surveys and quality of life assessments on their behalf.

The research projects that were conducted during 2009 spanned all sub-sectors of the tourism and leisure sector, from the arts to sport, hunting, nature conservation and ecotourism development:• Marketingsurveyswereconductedtodeterminetheprofileofvisitorstosevenfestivalsandtodeterminetheimpactofthe festivals on the local economy. The festivals concerned were the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Grahamstown National ArtsFestival,AardklopNationalArtsFestival,InnibosArtsFestival,CapeTownInternationalJazzfestival,WackyWineFestival and Cultivaria Arts Festival.• EntrepreneurshipsurveyswerealsoconductedattheKKNKandGrahamstownNationalArtsFestivalandAardklopNational Arts Festival to study the demographic backgrounds, roles and attributes of the entrepreneurs there and their roles at the festivals.• Asocio-economicimpactstudywasundertakenatKrugerNationalParktoassessthesocialimpactsoftheparkonthe community, as well as the direct and indirect impacts of the park on the local economy.• AreportonthenationalprofileandeconomicimpactofbiltonghuntersinSouthAfricawascompiledtodeterminethe impact of the new firearms legislation, as well as to ascertain the economic impact and national profile of biltong hunters.• Thesocio-economicimpactofhuntingintheNorthernCapewasalsoconducted,indicatingtheimportantrolehuntingplays in this province. • TheInstitute’shomebase,Potchefstroom,hasnotbeenoverlooked.Aresearchprojectisunderwaytodeterminethebed occupancy of accommodation facilities and the profile of visitors to Potchefstroom, with the ultimate aim of marketing the town more effectively. • MarketingsurveysatselectednationalparksinSouthAfricawereconductedinordertodeterminetheprofileandspending behaviour of visitors. The following national parks formed part of the 2009 surveys: Addo Elephant National Park, TsitsikammaNationalPark,BontebokNationalPark,KarooNationalPark,WildernessNationalPark,KrugerNationalPark, West Coast National Park, Mountain Zebra National Park, Marakele National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Golden Gate National Park, Tankwa National Park, Namakwa National Park and Kgalagadi National Park.• AmarketinganalysissurveywasdoneatthePro20CricketmatchinPotchefstroomtodeterminetheprofileofvisitors attending the match.• SocialimpactstudieswerealsoconductedattheKleinKarooNationalArtsFestival,AardklopNationalArtsFestival,Cultivaria Arts Festival and Grahamstown National Arts Festival.• AmarketingandeconomicimpactsurveywasconductedattheNorth-WestInternationalAirShow.Thissurveyhadthree objectives, namely (1) to determine the profile of visitors, (2) to determine the spending patterns, and (3) to determine what motivates visitors to attend the Air Show.



• QualityoflifesurveyswereconductedatForeverResorts(BadplaasandSwadini),aswellasattheWackyWineFestivalto determine the influence of tourism and service on tourists’ quality of life.• Wehavebeensuccessfulinconductingourfirstmajorjointinternationalresearchprojectwithfiveotheruniversitiesfrom Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina and Masedonia. We also successfully conducted a joint research project with Tswane University of Technology (TUT), as well as a student travel behaviour project with other universities in South Africa offering tourism.• AnenvironmentalperceptionstudywasdoneonalltheNationalParksofSouthAfricainordertodeterminewhetherthe parks can be classified as being “Environmentally Green”.

Tourism in Southern Africa has become a significant generator of revenue and growth and its contribution to regional economies is expected to grow further in the aftermath of South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As the leading tourism research and training unit in Southern Africa, the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies and SEIT is committed to working with stakeholders in the private and public sectors to assure the ongoing success of the Southern African tourism industry in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

pRof MelVIlle saayManRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADER:SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISMTel: +27 18 299 1810e-Mail: [email protected]

8.4.5 Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART)

The Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) is a Research Niche Area on the Potchefstroom Campus. HART strives to conduct dynamic and focused research on cardiovascular diseases in various ethnic populations of South Africa, with the emphasis on understanding the development of hypertension. Only by truly understanding the development of this condition can HART contribute to alleviating cardiovascular disease through preventive health care strategies and specific strategic interventions. The aim is not only to improve the cardiovascular disease situation in South Africa, but also internationally, since, according to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally.

In line with the vision of the National Department of Health, an important goal of the research team is to improve health status through the prevention of illness and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Disease prevention and healthy lifestyles are important topics both for HART’s own research agenda and for the postgraduate students who participate in the team’s research projects. In line with the aims of excellence in research and postgraduate training, as well as making a concrete difference in the development of noncommunicable diseases in our communities, HART is presently establishing a Hypertension Research and Training Clinic on the Potchefstroom Campus. The present vision is already to extend this program into mobile clinics in order to reach the rural communities in the near future.

The HART Focus Area is a small but dynamic group consisting of ten full-time staff members, of whom four are NRF-rated. What the team lacks in numbers it makes up for in focus and expertise. This approach has enabled them to deliver projects of the highest quality, as demonstrated by the international award of excellence received in 2008 by the Metabolic Syndrome Institute inFrancefortheSABPA(SympatheticactivityandAmbulatoryBloodPressureinAfricans)study.Anotherexampleistheawardof the Department of Science and Technology to Prof Alta Schutte as winner of the Distinguished young Women Scientist in Life Sciences award, made in 2010.

The quality of HART’s research is also reflected in the nine publications in international peer-reviewed journals in 2009, and twelvefor2010.Thesepublicationswerebasedondatafrompreviousandcurrentstudies,includingtheSABPA,theSAfrEIC(South African Study on the influence of Sex, Age and Ethnicity of Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Function) study and international PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology) study. In line with HART’s ethos of continual improvement, plans are in place to further enhance the quality of research publications in high scientific impact, accredited international journals.

Researchers of HART also collaborated actively with other entities of the NWU, as well as with national and international scientists on various levels. The Focus Area is well represented at national and international expert conferences and is successful in attracting postdoctoral research fellows. In the years to come, the aim is to strengthen the level of collaboration with co-investigators and collaborators, which will increase HART’s standing in the national and international scientific community.

Although HART is a young research entity, its researchers are conducting the quality of research that, within the next few years, will position HART as role model of scientific excellence, both within the South African context and in international research communities.

pRof alTa sChuTTeRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADERHyPERTENSION IN AFRICA RESEARCH TEAM (HART)Tel: +27 18 299 2444Email: [email protected]


Prof Alta SchutteResearch Niche Area Leader: Hypertensionin Africa Research Team (HART)


dId you know?HART strives to conduct dynamic and focused research on cardiovascular diseases in various ethnic populations of South Africa, with the emphasis on understanding the development of hypertension.

dId you know?In line with HART’s aims, they are in the process of establishing a Hypertension Research and Training Clinic on the Potchefstroom Campus, with a vision to extend this program into mobile clinics to reach the rural communities directly.

dId you know?The Focus Area Director of HART was the winner of the Distinguished young Women Scientist in Life Sciences award made by Minister Naledi Pandor from the Department of Science and Technology in 2010.

Prof John Reid from Glasgow, Scotland was invited to give a workshop regarding Setting-up a Hypertension Clinic. From left to right: Dr Matthew Glyn, Dr Rudolph Schutte, Prof Hugo Huisman, Prof Mariette Lowes (Vice Rector), Prof Nico Malan (School Director), Prof Leoné Malan, Prof John Reid (Glasgow), Prof Amanda Lourens (Vice Rector), Prof Johannes van Rooyen, Dr. Carla Fourie, Prof Alta Schutte (Focus Area Director), Mrs Tina Scholtz.

8.4.6 Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)

PhASRec – The Research Niche area researching physical activity “from the cradle to the grave” celebrated its first birthday in 2009. The vision of PhASRec is to contribute, through appropriate research and services, to a more physically active, healthy and winning nation.

The Niche Area has 16 full-time staff members that are involved in under- and post-graduate teaching, research and community engagement.

In 2009 research was performed within the sub-programs as listed below:

• Biokineticinterventionprogramsinvestigatingthechangesinhealthstatusandqualityoflife,aswellasrelationshipsin musclefunctionandbiomechanicsinsportinjuryandrehabilitation.TheprogramleaderisProfCJWilders.• Kinderkinetics,withthefocusonthetotaldevelopmentofyoungchildrenfromtheperspectiveofmovement.Thiscourse addresses interventions related to development associated with movement, be it conductive, preventative or therapeutic. Correction, improvement or maintenance of the physical development of the child has value for the promotion of health as well as total well being. Prof AE Pienaar is the program leader.• MovementEducationconcentratesprimarilyonphysicaleducationinschoolsandontheimprovementandenhancementof learners’ health, physical fitness and life skills within the school curriculum. The program leader is Dr D du Toit.• HumanMovementSciencefocusesonresearchintophysicalactivityperseandtheintegrationbetweensport,healthandthe science of human movement in general. Dr MA Monyeki is the program leader. • SportandCoachingSciencedealswiththeapplicationofspecialisedscientificknowledgeandexperienceinamanner conductivetothedeterminingandthedevelopmentofsportparticipantsandprospectiveparticipants.MrBCoetzeeisthe program leader.• RecreationandAdventurefocusesonfacilitation,smallgroupdynamics,riskmanagement,problemsolving,decisionmaking, safety, financial management, planning, organising and implementing adventure activities, excursions and research. The program leader is Prof C Meyer.

ReseaRCh ouTpuT In 2009During 2009, 49 students were enrolled for postgraduate studies, of which 27 were Master’s degree students and 22 PhD students. In 2009, 15 students obtained their Master’s degree and 2 were awarded PhD degrees.

A total of 19 accredited publications were produced during 2009, of which 50% were in ISI journals. Researchers from PhASRec attended six international conferences, presenting 16 papers. Of these presentations six were published in conference proceedings. One research output was also in the form of a published book.

These outputs have placed Prof AE Pienaar as the 6th most productive researcher of the North-West University and PhASRec being the 5th most productive research unit at the North-West University and the most productive in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

PhASRec also has three NRF-rated researchers, of whom two are C2 rated (Prof Hans de Ridder and Prof Anita Pienaar) and one is y2 rated (Dr Andries Monyeki).


Dr Hanlie MossNiche Area Leader: Physical Activity,Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)


Although PhASRec is a newly established Niche Area, the research output sustained over the initial period is supported by collaborations with international researcher from the Vrije University of Amsterdam, who annually motivate Master’s degree students to proceed with a research internship under the supervision of PhASRec researchers. Various other collaborations with European and Australian universities are also ongoing. The researchers also serve on the review panels of various journals, committees of controlling bodies for the various disciplines and are closely involved in community engagement.

dR hanlIe MossRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADER:PHySICAL ACTIVITy, SPORT AND RECREATION (PhASRec)Tel: +27 18 299 1821E-mail: [email protected]

dId you know?Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec) was the most productive research unit in the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2009?

8.4.7 Medicine Usage in South Africa (MUSA)

Medicine Usage in South Africa (MUSA) received Niche Area status in 2008. MUSA’s research and postgraduate training focus on the appropriate use of medicine by patients in both the public and private health care sectors in South Africa, including factors that may influence the usage of medicine positively and negatively.

During 2009, a total of ten members of staff were involved with the Niche Area, which had 19 Master’s and seven PhD students. Currently, MUSA consists of one main research programme with different research projects that are implemented within the South African private and public health care context with special reference to the North-West Province and possible application nationally and internationally. MUSA is currently the only research entity in the Faculty of Health Sciences to focus on the financial aspects of health care delivery, specifically medicine cost.

This makes the research entity highly relevant in the context of the South African health care system, which is facing serious challenges such as the following:• Rapidgrowthinhealthcareexpenditure,especiallymedicinecosts;• Thecostoftreatingchronicdiseases,aswellaspandemicssuchasHIV/AIDS,tuberculosisandsexuallytransmitteddiseases;• Lackofaccesstoessentialmedicine,and• Problemsexperiencedwiththeuse,misuseorirrationaluseofmedicine.• TheimplementationoftheproposedNationalHealthInsurance.

MUSA aims to help find solutions for these challenges by conducting research that will make it possible to:• DetermineandcomparethemedicineutilisationpatternsandcostinboththepublicandprivatesectorsofSouthAfrica.• EvaluatetheimpactofpolicydecisionsinfluencingtheNationalDrugPolicy,withemphasisonindicatorssuchasaccessto and affordability and availability of medicines in South Africa.• Investigatefactorsthatmay(positivelyandnegatively)influencetheappropriateuseofmedicineinSouthAfrica.• DeveloppharmaceuticalcaremodelstoimproveappropriatemedicineusageinSouthAfrica.

pRof MaRTIe luBBeRESEARCH NICHE AREA LEADERMEDICINE USAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA (MUSA)Tel: +27 18 299 2299E-Mail: [email protected]

dId you know?MUSA is currently the only research entity in the Faculty of Health Sciences to focus on the financial aspects of health care delivery, specifically medicine cost.


Prof Martie LubbeResearch Niche Area Leader:Medicine Usage in South Africa


9.1 Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Systems The followIng aRe The aCTIVITIes done By The Iks CenTRe duRIng 2009:

1. Published an article on Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and Innovation Systems for Public Health in Africa, in Kalua, F, et al (Eds) Science, Technology and Innovation for Public Health in Africa, NEPAD Publication, Feb 2009, pp 95-110. It has already been submitted to the NWU Institutional Research Office.

2. The Centre continued to work with the CSIR, North-West Provincial Departments of Agriculture, Education, Social Development, and local communities to facilitate the development and establishment of the IKS Gardens (North-West Province) in Sannieshof, Lekhophung and Huhudi (Ganyesa)June2009–present.TheIKSCentreofExcellence,incollaborationwiththeCSIR,have been engaged in facilitating the development and promotion of IKS Gardens in schools and local communities in the North-West Province since 2008.

3. On April 3, 2009, the IKS Centre of Excellence had a meeting with the North-West African Chamber of Commerce with the objective of developing a joint concept paper for organising a joint North-West Global Trade and Investment Expo and a Food and Drink Festival. The meeting washeldattheIKSCentreofExcellenceBoardRoom(North-WestUniversity,Mafikeng).The concept paper has been written.

4. On 9 April 2009, two Masters students in IKS, i.e. Emily Matike and Michael Vunyingah, graduated. They are now pursuing their doctorate programs. The topics of their dissertations were as follows:• EmilyMatike:AfricanIndigenousPostHarvestFoodManagementSystemsforRootCrops,with Special Reference to Cassava in Miponda Community (Zambia)• MichaelVunyingah:AnInvestigationintotheRoleofSorghumasanAfricanIndigenousCropfor Food Security with Special Reference to the Kom Community in the North-West Province of Cameroon.

5. InMay-June2009,theIKSCentreofExcellence,incollaborationwithNIKSO,conductedA BaselineStudyofPublicAwarenessonIKSPolicyinSouthAfrica.Thereporthasalreadybeen submitted to NIKSO.

6. IKSCentreofExcellence,incollaborationwithNIKSOandtheBakgatlaTribalAuthority,organised a pilot workshop on the WIPO Tool Kit on Supporting Communities To Identify And Defend Their InterestsDuringDocumentationOfTraditionalKnowledge.TheworkshopwasheldatBakgatla Hall,MorulengVillage,North-WestProvinceon4June2009.Thereportoftheworkshophas already been submitted to NIKSO.

7. On6-7June2009,theIKSCentreofExcellencemetwithNIKSOandSAQAattheIKSCentreof Excellence,North-WestUniversity(Mafikeng)todrafttheBachelorofIKS(Honours)andMasters inIKS.BesidesthefouryearB.IKSdegreequalificationwhichhasbeenregisteredbySAQAin October 2008, the IKS Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with NIKSO and SAQA, decided to develop an Honours and Masters qualification in IKS to provide opportunities for those graduates with three-year degree qualifications from within and outside South Africa interested in IKS a pathway to enter into IKS postgraduate programs.

9 Other NWU Centres & Institutes focusing on ResearchProf Kayah KayaCoordinator: IKS Centre of Excellence


8. On30June2009,theIKSCentreofExcellence,incollaborationwithNIKSO,SAQAandNRF,metwiththemanagementsof theUniversitiesofVendaandLimpopotobriefthemontheBIKS.Thesameprocesswasdoneon5October2009atthe North-West University (Mafikeng Campus).

9. On25-26July2009,theCentrefacilitatedthedraftingoftheRoadMapforthedevelopmentofreferencematerialforthe BIKSattheIKSCentreofExcellence,North-WestUniversity(Mafikeng).

10. Participated at the SET Week (3-7 August 2009) at both the National SET Week launch in Kimberley and at the North-West Provincial SET Week at the North-West University- The IKS Centre of Excellence had an exhibition on IKS and Climate Change at both occasions.

11.From31July-1August2009theIKSCentreofExcellenceorganisedtheIKSPlanningWorkshopfortheNEPAD/SANBIO BIOFISAprojectonIntegratingIKSinBiosciences:AnInitiativeforCapacityBuildingandNetworkingintheSouthernAfrican RegionattheCSIR,Pretoria.TheIKSCentreofExcellence(North-WestUniversity)iscoordinatingtheNEPAD/SANBIOIKS flagship area.

12.On3August2009,theIKSCentreofExcellenceparticipatedintheLivestockNodePlanningWorkshopfortheNEPAD/ SANBIOBIOFISAproject,inLivingstone,Zambia.

13. On 8 - 9 September 2009, the Centre participated at the IKS Spring Lectures at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane organised by the Faculty of Humanities and the IKS Centre at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus).

14. The IKS Centre at North-West University exhibited awareness material including banners, pamphlets and brochures on IKS and Climate Change at the North-West Provincial Annual Research Exhibition organised by the Research Directorate in the Premier’s Office held on 14-15 September 2009 at the Civic Centre (Rustenburg).

15. From 18-19 September 2009, the IKS Centre, in collaboration with NIKSO, SAQA and NRF organised a two-day workshop on themoduledevelopmentfortheBIKSattheDST.ItwasfacilitatedbySAQA.

16.TheIKSCentre,incollaborationwiththeDepartmentofScienceandTechnology,NEPAD/SANBIOandCSIRparticipatedat the SADC Science and Technology Exhibition in Mauritius. The IKS Centre presented and exhibited on the Role of IKS in Mitigating the Impacts of Climate Change in Southern Africa.

17. The IKS Centre participated on the IKS Expo in Polokwane held on 3-6 November 2009. The Centre exhibited on the Role of IKS in Mitigating against the Impact of Climate Change.

18.TheIKSCentrepresentedapaperontheIKSCurriculumattheNorth-WestUniversityandthenewBIKSattheKnowledge Management for Development International Conference held at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek, Namibia (9-13 November 2009). The conference was organised by the University of Namibia and the CAT based in Holland.

pRof kayah kayaCOORDINATOR: IKS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCETel: +27 18 389 2452E-mail: [email protected]


9.2 Centre for Human Metabonomics The Centre for Human Metabonomics was established in 2008 in the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the North-West University. This Centre is the only of its kind in South Africa. An important stimulus for the development of the Centre was an allocation ofR15million(2006–2009)byBioPAD,oneoftheregionalbiotechnologicalinnovationcentresoftheDepartmentofScienceand Technology. The allocation was designated for the purchase of metabolomics equipment for the Centre to the value of R10 million,aswellasformetabolomicsprojectstothevalueofR5million.TheagreementbetweenBioPADandtheNWUexpressesthe intention that the facility should not only be used for research at the NWU, but in time should develop towards a national facility for metabolomics in South-Africa.

Three special highlights of 2009 were:

• InTeRnaTIonal exTeRnal eValuaTIon BioPADinstitutedanexternalevaluationoftheprogramandoutcomesoftheCentrefortheperiod2006–2009,donein April2009byProfRuudBerger(UniversityofUtrecht,theNetherlands)enProfHowardHenderson(UniversityofCapeTown). The key finding in their report was: “We have no doubt that BioPad and NWU should continue to support this initiative. It was a very wise, appropriate and constructive development with huge potential benefits for all South Africans. • Firstly,thisinitiativecomprisescuttingedgeresearchandscientificinvestigationwherethepotentialfornewknowledgeand scientific application is recognised by all.• Further,thiswillbringSouthAfricaandherscientistsacknowledgementasinternationalplayerswhowillbeactivelysought as collaborators in international consortiums. • Atanationalleveltheprogramoffershugepotentialforinstitutionalcollaboration,co-operationandintegration.This includes advanced teaching, research and service applications. • Thepotentialforcommercialspin-offsissignificantashasbeenshownbythemoreestablishedoverseasplatformsinEurope and America.”

Basedonthepositivereportofthisinternationalaudit,BioPADallocatedafurtherR4milliontotheCentrefortheperiod2009–2010 to enable the Centre to actively develop towards becoming a national facility for metabolomics.

• InTeRnaTIonal fellowshIp foR posTgRaduaTe eduCaTIon Thelong-standingcooperationbetweenresearchersoftheDivisionforBiochemistryoftheNWUandcolleaguesofthe Laboratorium Genetiesche Metabole Ziekten (LGMZ) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), the Netherlands, prompted the Koninklijke Nederlandse Academie van Wetenschappen to allocate a Carolina McGillavry fellowship for PhD study to Marli Dercksen of the NWU, starting from 2009 (see Figure 1). It involves complementary research between the NWU and the UvA for the PhD degree that will be conferred by the UvA, under the guidance of two promoters: one from the LGMZ and one from the NWU. Me Dercksen is presently a member of the Laboratory for the Diagnosis of Metabolic Defects of the Centre for Human Metabonomics, and undertakes her local research in this laboratory.

• MeTaBoloMICs of TuBeRCulosIs TheappointmentofProfduToitLootsintheDivisionforBiochemistrypavedthewaytoextendthepresentexpertiseof the Division on inherited metabolic disorders to defects acquired due to infections. Research on tuberculosis is an example of one such an important priority in health issues in South Africa, which thus became the logical choice for the extension of this aspect in the program of the Centre. Due to the health risk of tuberculosis research the NWU approved the establishment ofaP3biohazard-freelaboratoryintheDivisionforBiochemistry.ItalsofinanciallysupportedthepurchaseofaLecoGC- GC-MS TOF. Thus the Centre became the first South-African facility for the investigation of highly infectious conditions like tuberculosis by metabolomics technology. The analytical strength of metabolomics technology is well illustrated by the results shown in Figure 2, indicating how different species causing tuberculoses can be distinguished, based on their metabolic

Prof Carools ReineckeHead: Centre for Human Metabonomics


profiles. Such results now pave the way to identify biomarkers of tuberculosis, which are of prime importance for the early detection of such infections.

• posTgRaduaTe eduCaTIon The program to obtain a masters degree (MSc) at the Centre is mostly linked to the preceding Honours program. Students mayspecialiseinafieldincludedbytheBioPADproject,oronasubjectnotspecificallyassociatedwiththeBioPADprogram. The MSc program is, however, oriented towards research and does not include a formal educational module. The duration of the MSc study is one to two years and requires the production of a dissertation, based on the research. A total of 19 students were enrolled full-time for the master’s program of the Centre during 2009. The master’s program is followed by a PhD program, which requires original research in a basic or applied field of investigation, mostly based on a theme from the BioPADproject.Atotalof18studentswereenrolledfull-timeattheCentreforthePhDprogramduring2009.

• seRVICe RendeRIng The service rendering of the Centre deals mainly with the identification of inborn errors of metabolism by the analysis of biological samples referred to the Centre by pediatricians. The Centre joined the ERNDIM program, which is one of the most important international programs of quality assurance for this kind of diagnostic service. An extension of the diagnostic service is the establishment of neonatal screening, for which the quality assurance is linked to the Centre of Disease Control CDC, Atlanta, USA.

• sCIenTIfIC ConTRIBuTIons The scientific contributions from the Centre were in the form of poster presentations at international conferences and as peer-reviewed articles in accredited journals. This included the following: - International conferences: 7, of which three were delivered at the Vth Conference of the Metabolomics Society, Edmonton, Canada (September 2009) - Peer reviewed publications: 14 - Chapters in books: 6 - Article equivalents for subsidy purposes: 14.08

pRof CaRools ReIneCkeHEAD:CENTREFORHUMANMETABONOMICSTel: +27 18 299 4197 E-mail: [email protected]

Marli Dercksen with the gas chromatograph-mass spectro-meter (GC-MS) used for the diagnostic service, as well as for her reseach tor the PhD-degree

Figure 1

Marli Dercksen with the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) used for the diagnostic service, as well as for her reseach tor the PhD-degree

Figuur 1

Marli Dercksen by die gaschromatograaf – massaspektrometer wat vir die diagnostiese diens, sowel as vir die navorsing vir haar PhD-graad gebruik word

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Figure 2/

Principal component analysis (PCA) of four cultures of tuberculosis species and two control experiments

1) M. tuberculosis, 2) M. Avium, 3) M. Kansasii’, 4) M. Bovis, and5) P. Aeruginosa, and a mixture of 6) M. tuberculosis and P. aeruginosa

Figuur 2.

Hoofkomponent-analise (HKA) van vier kulture van die tuberkulose-spesies en twee kontrole-eksperimente

1) M. tuberculosis, 2) M. Avium, 3) M. Kansasii’, 4) M. Bovis, en5) P. Aeruginosa, en 6) ’n mengsel van M. tuberculosis en P. aeruginosa

Principal component analysis (PCA) of four cultures of tuberculosis species and two control experiments1) M. tuberculosis, 2) M. Avium, 3) M. Kansasii’, 4) M. Bovis, & 5) P. Aeruginosa, and a mixture of 6) M. tuberculosis and P. aeruginosa


DrDmitriBessarabovDirector: DST Hydrogen Infrastructure Center of Competence (HySA Infrastructure)

9.3 Hydrogen Infrastructure Centre of Competency In response to the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies R&D and Innovation Strategy, the Department of Science and Technology formed the Hydrogen Infrastructure Competence Centre (CC) hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and North-West University (NWU). For the first five years, the NWU will be the lead party in the Hydrogen Infrastructure CC, which is a virtual hub in which the two institutions pool resources and facilities. The Centre is tasked with developing hydrogen production, storage and distribution solutions, as well as relevant codes and standards within the framework of the Department of Science and Technology’s strategic objectives, which places the focus of the research, development and innovation on:

• Wealthcreationthroughhighvalue-addedmanufacturingandthedevelopmentofPlatinumGroupMetalscatalysisvalue;• Buildingontheexistingknowledgeinhigh-temperaturegas-coolednuclearreactorsandcoalgasificationFischer-Tropsch technology, to develop local cost-competitive hydrogen generation solutions; and • PromotingequityandinclusionintheeconomicbenefitsfromSouthAfrica’sresourcerent.

The work to be conducted in the CC promotes the Ten-year Innovation Plan for South Africa of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This plan was published in 2007 and calls for the achievement of a number of grand challenge outcomes for South Africa by 2018.

The fIVe-yeaR VIsIon foR The hydRogen InfRasTRuCTuRe CC Is To:• beasignificantplayerinmasteringexistingsolutionsanddiscoveringnewsolutionsforhydrogenproduction,storageand distribution, leading to the development and application of new products and processes which improve the competitiveness of South African industry and the quality of life of all South Africans.• prepareSouthAfricatoparticipateinhydrogen-relatedapplications,primarilybybeneficiatingitsresourcebaseinbecoming a significant supplier of material, components, products, sub-systems and systems for export, as well as appropriate introduction of technology for hydrogen production, storage and distribution into the South African economy.

The 15-year vision for the Hydrogen Infrastructure CC is that, in selected applications, it will be a leading, well-established and internationally recognised centre for research and innovation into solutions for hydrogen production, storage and distribution. Such solutions will address the specific needs of developing countries and encourage maximum participation so as to derive the full benefit of South African strategic reserves and capabilities.

• TheobjectivesoftheCCaretoestablishascienceandtechnologybaseandahumanresourcebaseforhydrogen infrastructure, and to establish raw material beneficiation and product development for hydrogen applications. The Hydrogen Infrastructure CC believes this business plan will become an important contributor to human resource development and wealth creation in South Africa.

During 2009 the Hydrogen Infrastructure CC refined its business plan which currently includes projects in small-scale distributed hydrogen generation using renewable energy and electrolysis, centralised medium-scale hydrogen production through thermo-chemical water splitting using solar energy, and projects in reticulation and safety codes and standards.

dR dMITRI BessaRaBoVDIRECTOR: DST HyDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE CENTER OF COMPETENCE (HySA INFRASTRUCTURE)Tel: +27 18 299 1366 or Cell: +27 72 623 0172E-mail:[email protected]


animalHealtHclinic(mafikenGcampuS)The academic service provided by the Animal Health Clinic is based primarily on the Mafikeng Campus.

electronicSerViceS(potcHefStroomcampuS)Electronic Services support the University by providing electronic systems in support of the core business of the university, as contained in the Potchefstroom campus plan. inStrumentmanufacturinG(potcHefStroomcampuS)This unit provides the following services:1. Advice, design, development, manufacture and maintenance of research equipment for organisational units within the University.2. The design, development and manufacture of specialised equipment for clients outside the University. Acceptance of work from external clients is subject to the condition that the level of service to University clients is not adversely affected.3. The design, manufacture and engraving of trophies.4. Specialised maintenance of University equipment.5. The manufacture of glass apparatus.6. Servicing and repair of microscopes and balances for the University, as well as for external clients.

The Instrument Services Section also manufactures instrumentation for Antarctic expeditions.http://www.puk.ac.za/fakulteite/ing/instrument-services/index_e.html

StatiSticalconSultinGSerVice(potcHefStroomcampuS)The Statistical Consulting Service at the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU provides advice and guidance on the statistical planning of clinical trials and surveys.

laboratoryforelectronmicroScopy(lem)(potcHefStroomcampuS)This is a specialist academic support service that renders research support to the University. This Unit provides high-quality research equipment to ensure a quality service, as well as committed staff members with several years of experience.

10 Specialist academic services for research and post graduate students offered at the nwu


11.1 Institutional Department of Research Support

pRof luCas VenTeR DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH SUPPORT Tel: 018 299 4848 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail: [email protected] BuildingC1,Office330

Ms hannekIe BoTha RESEARCH SUPPORT OFFICIAL Tel: 018 299 4850 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail:[email protected] BuildingC1,Office328

MR Johann du plessIs SENIOR FINANCIAL RESEARCH OFFICER Tel: 018 299 4854 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail:[email protected] BuildingC1,Office327

Ms MaRIeTJIe halgRyn SENIOR RESEARCH SUPPORT OFFICER Tel: 018 299 4852 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail: [email protected] BuildingC1,Office325

Ms TeResa sMIT RESEARCH OFFICER Tel: 018 299 4853 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail: [email protected] BuildingC1,Office324

11 Contact Information

• Promotion,integrationandimplementationofresearch policy and strategy of NWU• ImplementationoftheResearchCapacitydevelopment programme• FacilitationandmonitoringoftheResearchEntityModel• Monitoring,evaluationandreportingofresearch

• Pre-awardresearchprocess• Postdoctoralfellowshipadministration• AdministrationofStrategicResearchEquipmentFundand Most Productive Researcher of the year Awards• AdministrationandsupportofNRFevaluationand rating process

• FinancialsupportandadministrationofallNRFresearch funds• ManagementinformationandanalysesonNRFresearch funds• FinancialsupportandadministrationofNRFpostgraduate bursaries

• Post-awardresearchprocessincludingadministrationand coordinationofNRFM&DBursaries• AdministrationandcoordinationofABSABronzeMedal and S2A3BronzeMedal• CoordinationoftheannualHSRC&R&DSurveyandthe Manual for Post-graduate Studies• Coordinationofresearchcapacitytrainingworkshops• CoordinationandsupportofInstitutionalResearchEthics process and databases

• Administrationofresearchpublicationsubsidyclaims, internal incentive awards• Maintenanceorresearchdatabasesandreports(including virtual Research and Equipment Store)• ImplementationoftheNationalResearchManagement InformationSystems(RIMS/InfoEd)• ResearchAnnualReport,relatedmarketingmaterial


Ms lIzeTTe Van deVenTeR SECRETARy Tel: 018 299 4849 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail: [email protected] BuildingC1,Office331

Ms RIa Van sChalkwyk SENIOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT Tel: 018 288 4851 fax: 018 293 5329 e-mail: [email protected] BuildingC1,Office326

general office hours: 08:00-16:30general enquiries: E-mail: [email protected] address:InternalMailbox116,PrivateBagX1290,Potchefstroom,2520

11.2 Institutional Department of Innovation

dR RudI Van deR walT DIRECTOR: INNOVATION Tel: 018 299 4923 fax: 018 293 5341 e-mail: [email protected]

MR Johann CoeTzee INTELLECTUAL PROPERTy AND CONTRACTING MANAGER Tel: +27 18 299 4924 fax: +27 18 293 5341

Ms Roslyn lodewyk SECRETARy Tel: +27 18 299 4964 fax: +27 18 293 5341

• SecretarytoDirectorResearchSupport• ProgrammeadministrationofResearchSupportCommission and coordination of external research evaluation process• GeneralOfficeadministrationandcoordinationofbudget• Coordinationofannualresearchfunction

• FinancialSupportandadministrationofallNWUresearch and innovation funds (including Focus Area Financial Reports)• Managementinformationonresearchandinnovation funds (including Focus Area Financial Report)• FinancialsupportandadministrationofMRCandother external research funds (excluding NRF)

ConTaCT The InsTITuTIonal depaRTMenT of InnoVaTIon foR any enQuIRIes aBouT:• Assistingwithfunding applications for commercialisation• MarketingTechnologies• Buildingnetworkswithindustry• ProtectionofIntellectualProperty• Industrialisation• Commercialisation• Managingexistinglicensing agreements• Organisingandconducting workshops on entrepreneurship for students.


aee Association of Energy Engineers

aIo Assistent in Opleiding (Assistant in Training)

aTkV Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuur Vereniging

auTheR Africa Unit for Transdiciplinary Health Research

assaf Academy of Science

BRICs BiotechnologyRegionalInnovationCentres

Biopad BiotechnologyPartnershipandDevelopment

Call Computer-Assisted Language Learning

CaTsa Catalysis Society of South Africa

CC Competence Centre

CfaM Centre for Advanced Manufacturing

ChpC Centre for High Performance Computing

CoC Centre of Competency

Coe Centre of Excellence

CRB ChemicalResourceBeneficiation

CsIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

CTa Cerenkov Telescope Array

CTexT Sentrum vir Tekstegnologie

doe Department of Education (currently the Dept of

Higher Education and Technology – DoHET)

doh Department of Health

dosd Department of Social Development

dsM Demand Side Management Decision

Support Model

dsT Department of Science and Technology

dVd Digital Video Disk

easa Education Association of South Africa

eTeTlf Educational Technology for Effective Teaching,

Learning and Facilitation

eRM-II Enterprise Risk Management International

Institute

fIfa Fédération Internationale de Football

Association

gdp Gross Domestic Product

g.I.R.R.l Girls in Risk Reduction Leadership

haRT Hypertension in Africa Research Team

heI Higher Education Institution

IaCCp International Association of Cross Cultural

Psychology

IaTe International Association of Tourism Economics

ICpd International Conference on Population

and Development

ICsu International Council for Science

ICT Information and Communication Technology

Iks Indigenous Knowledge Systems

IMk Indigenous Musical Knowledge

IRensa International Research Ethics Network for

Southern Africa

Isak International Society for the Advancement

of Kinanthropometry

IsI International Science Index

ITsC International Tourism Students Conference

kknk Klein-Karoo National Arts Festival

laMM Laboratory for Applied Molecular Modelling

Ms Mass Spectrometer

Musa Medicine Usage in South Africa

M&V Measurement and Verification

naCI National Advisory Council on Innovation

nasa National Aeronautics and Space Administration

nMC Netherlands Metabolomics Consortium

nMR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

nRf National Research Foundation

nwu North-West University

oBe OutcomeBasedEducation

pBMR PebbleBedModularReactor

pgM Platinum Group Metal

pIRls Progress in International Reading Literacy

Study

pMsM Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine

powIRs Profiles of Obese Women with the Insulin

Resistance Syndrome

pRMIa Professional Risk Managers’ International

Association

puRe Prospective Urban-Rural Epidemiology

s2a3 Southern Africa Association for the

Advancement of Science

saaa South African Accountancy Association

saBpa SympatheticActivityandAmbulatoryBlood

Pressure in Africans

safreIC South African Study on the Influence of Sex,

Age and Ethnicity of Insulin Sensitivity and

Cardiovascular function

sadC Southern African Development Community

saneRI South African National Energy Research

Institute

sanparks South African National Parks

sapfI South African Psycological Fitness Index

sapT Centre for Academic and Professional Language

Practice

saRChl South African Research Chairs Initiative

sasol South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation

seIT Socio-economic impact of Tourism

sITes Second Information Technology in Education

Study

TB Tuberculosis

ThRIp Technology for Human Industry Partners

TIMMs International Mathematics and Science Study

Tof Time-of-flight

Twas Third World Academy of Science

uMC Utrecht Medical Centre

unfpa United Nations Population Fund

unIsa University of South Africa

usa United States of America

uva University of Amsterdam

12 glossary


13 acknowledgements

The 2009 Annual Research Report is published by the Institutional Department of Research Support. The Institutional Department of

Research Support would like to acknowledge each and everyone who contributed to the publication of the Annual Research Report 2009.

edIToRIal panel

Ms T Smit

MrCBSmuts

CoRpoRaTe IdenTITy

MrLJacobs

phoTogRaphy

Maclez Studio

Tel: +27 18 293 1034

desIgn and layouT

Graphikos

Tel: +27 18 299 4229

pRInTIng

Platinum Press

Tel: +27 18 299 4226

annual research report 2009 eng.indd

Documents