Environmental Sciences & Management NWU

06/01/2026

📣 REMINDER: Abstract Submissions Closing Soon! 🎓🌍

Are you a Master's or PhD student researching environmental issues, sustainability, conservation, climate change, or related fields?

The UESM Postgraduate Conference 2026 is your opportunity to showcase your work, gain valuable feedback, and connect with fellow researchers and academics from across disciplines.

📅 Conference: 4–5 August 2026
📍 Venue: The Roots, Potchefstroom

🌱 Theme: Navigating environmental change across systems and scales.

✨ Why participate?
✅ Present your research
✅ Expand your academic network
✅ Engage with experts in your field
✅ Discover collaboration opportunities
✅ Attend the Gala Dinner on 5 August 2026 🎉

📌 Abstract Submission Deadline: 20 June 2026

🔗 Submit your abstract here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQ3Sy-77YOhSeRxOQeNc-Hlf1_UCM1rIV6GT0lbb_Ebsh9xg/viewform

📧 Queries: [email protected]

Please share this opportunity with postgraduate students and colleagues who may be interested.


NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West University African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU NWU Green Team NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG

🌟 Call for Abstracts: UESM Postgraduate Conference 🌟

📢All Master's and PhD students
📅 Date: 4 & 5 August 2026
📍 Venue: The Roots, Potchefstroom

The Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM)’s Postdoctoral Association invites all Master's and PhD students to participate in this exciting conference under the theme:
"Navigating environmental change across systems and
scales.”

💡 Showcase your research, exchange ideas, and network with peers and experts!

🎉 Don’t miss the opportunity to join us for the Conference Gala Dinner on the 5th of August, and share in this collaborative celebration of innovation and knowledge.

Submission Deadline: 20 June 2026
Queries and Questions: [email protected]
Submission Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQSSy-77YOhSeRxOQeNc-YHf1_UCM1rlY6GT0Ibb_Ebsh9xg/viewform



NWU - North-West University NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU Water Research Group NWU Green Team NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG

05/28/2026

🌟 Celebrating Excellence within the UESM family! 🌟

The Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) proudly joins the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) in congratulating 👏 Prof. Victor Wepener on receiving the prestigious 2026 SETAC Fellow Award.

Presented by the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)- an international society representing more than 10 000 members across 95 countries- this fellowship recognises exceptional and sustained contributions to environmental science, research leadership, and societal impact. 🌍

This remarkable international recognition is a testament to Prof. Wepener’s dedication, excellence, and continued impact within the field of environmental science. His achievement reflects proudly on the Water Research Group (WRG), UESM, FNAS, and the NWU. 💚

Congratulations, Prof. Wepener, on this outstanding achievement and for continuing to advance scientific knowledge on a global stage! 🎉


Victor Wepener Carlos Bezuidenhout NWU - North-West University NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU Water Research Group

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) at the North-West University (NWU) proudly congratulates Prof Victor Wepener on receiving the prestigious 2026 SETAC Fellow Award.

Presented by the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) — an international society with more than 10 000 members across 95 countries — the fellowship recognises exceptional and sustained contributions to environmental science, research leadership and societal impact.

This outstanding international recognition is a testament to Prof Wepener’s dedication, excellence and continued impact within the field of environmental science. The accolade also reflects exceptionally well on the Water Research Group (WRG), Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM), FNAS and the NWU.

Congratulations, Prof Wepener, on this remarkable achievement and for continuing to advance scientific knowledge on a global stage.

05/28/2026

🌟 Celebrating Excellence within the UESM family! 🌟

We are proud to celebrate members of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) who have been recognised among the NWU’s Top 16 Researchers according to Research.com. 🎉

A special congratulations to:
👏 Prof. Nico J. Smit — notably recognised in TWO categories!
👏 Prof. Louis H. du Preez
👏 Prof. Victor Wepener

Your exceptional contributions to research, innovation, and global scientific impact continue to elevate the standing of UESM and the NWU internationally. Thank you for your dedication and for inspiring the next generation of researchers and environmental scientists. 💚

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) at the North-West University (NWU) continues to make its mark on the global research stage.

We are proud to celebrate that nine FNAS researchers have been recognised among the top 16 researchers at the NWU on the international academic platform, Research.com.

Congratulations to:
🔹 Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
🔹 Indra Bahadur
🔹 Absalom E. Ezugwu
🔹 Chaudry Masood Khalique
🔹 Etienne Barnard
🔹 Victor Wepener
🔹 Adeyemi O. Aremu
🔹 Nico J. Smit (listed in two categories)
🔹 Louis H. Du Preez

This outstanding achievement reflects the world-class research, innovation and academic excellence within FNAS. Through their dedication and impactful contributions, these researchers continue to advance scientific knowledge and strengthen the global reputation of the NWU.

We congratulate each researcher on this remarkable recognition and thank them for inspiring the next generation of scientists and scholars.

🔗 View the rankings here: https://research.com/university/north-west-university

05/25/2026

🌍 Congratulations to Prof. Dewald van Niekerk on being featured as a co-author in the Belgian newspaper La Libre 🇫🇷

The article, “The world risks losing the memory of disasters”, highlights the global importance of EM-DAT and the role of disaster data in shaping resilience, preparedness, and climate response worldwide.

This international French publication is another proud milestone for NWU and the African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU (ACDS). 👏

🔗 Read the article:
https://www.lalibre.be/debats/opinions/2026/05/22/le-monde-risque-de-perdre-la-memoire-des-catastrophes-XDYBUPJJIZD6BAPH6CTN6ICBQI/

🌍 ACDS research featured internationally- now published in French 🇫🇷

We are proud to share that Prof. Dewald van Niekerk is featured as one of the co-authors of a powerful opinion piece published in the Belgian newspaper La Libre:

📰 “Le monde risque de perdre la mémoire des catastrophes”
(The world risks losing the memory of disasters)

The article highlights the global importance of EM-DAT, one of the world’s leading disaster databases, and warns about the risks posed by the loss of critical funding. It also emphasizes how disaster data shapes global policy, preparedness, humanitarian response, and climate resilience.

This international publication- appearing in French- is another significant recognition of the impactful work being done by researchers connected to the African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS) and NWU on the global stage.

👏 Congratulations to Prof. Dewald van Niekerk and his fellow co-authors on contributing to this important global conversation on disaster risk, collective memory, and resilience.

🔗 Read the full article here:
https://www.lalibre.be/debats/opinions/2026/05/22/le-monde-risque-de-perdre-la-memoire-des-catastrophes-XDYBUPJJIZD6BAPH6CTN6ICBQI/


Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU - North-West University NWU Water Research Group NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Green Team NWU: Green Campus Initiatives NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

05/22/2026

Proud to see the ACDS contributing to important continental discussions at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 🌍🇪🇹

This engagement highlights the unit’s ongoing commitment to disaster risk reduction research and collaboration across Africa. 👏


NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU - North-West University

05/21/2026

Celebrating Excellence in Leadership: Congratulations Prof. Stuart Piketh 🎉

Congratulations to Prof. Stuart Piketh on his appointment as Deputy Dean: Research and Innovation, Community Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the NWU 🎉

Prof. Piketh has served with distinction as Director of the School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences since 2015 and is internationally recognised for his contribution to atmospheric and environmental sciences. His leadership, dedication to research excellence, and commitment to academic development continue to make a meaningful impact within the university and beyond.

We at UESM wish Prof. Piketh every success in this exciting new chapter as he takes up this important leadership role from 1 June 2026.



NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West University NWU Microbiology NWU Green Team NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG Carlos Bezuidenhout Stuart John Piketh

05/20/2026

📻💧 Hydrology Insights from the NWU on Star FM

Mr. Thapelo Mongala from the NWU-UESM Hydrology and Geohydrology programme recently joined Papa Bloke on Star FM’s "Water Wednesdays" to discuss the importance of hydrology studies for planning in arid zones.

The discussion highlighted the role of hydrological research in supporting sustainable water resource management, environmental planning, and informed decision-making in water-scarce regions. 🌍💦

👏 Thank you to Star FM and Papa Bloke for creating platforms that promote meaningful conversations around water, sustainability, and environmental science.

💧
NWU - North-West UniversityNWU Water Research Group Water Research Commission NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Green Team NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU FNAS Student Chapter

05/20/2026

🐝🌼 Today is 🌼🐝

At UESM, we celebrate the tiny pollinators that make a huge impact on our planet and our future. 🌍💚

Bees and other pollinators are responsible for nearly 75% of the world’s food crops. From fruits and vegetables to coffee and nuts, they help sustain the ecosystems and food systems we rely on every day. 🍎☕🥜

But these vital species are under threat. Habitat destruction, climate change, industrial agriculture, and harmful pesticides are contributing to the decline of pollinators across Africa and around the world. 🚨

As an institution committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, UESM encourages everyone to take action:
🌱 Plant bee-friendly flowers
🚫 Reduce pesticide use
💧 Protect natural habitats
📚 Educate others about pollinator conservation

Every small action helps protect biodiversity and secure a healthier future for generations to come. 🌍✨

Let’s work together to keep our world buzzing! 🐝



NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West University NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU: Green Campus Initiatives NWU Green Team NWU Microbiology NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG African Amphibian Conservation Research Group NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU

05/19/2026

Proud to see the impact of the REPRESA project and the strong partnerships built across Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique 🌍🌊

These collaborations will continue to strengthen resilience long after the project officially concludes.


NWU - North-West University

05/19/2026

JUST FOR FUN🤩🧥

The UESM support staff just HAD to jump on the “Kyk wat doen ’n blazer” trend 😎✨

(For our non-Afrikaans friends: “Kyk wat doen ’n blazer” basically means “Look what a blazer can do” 👀💼) and it is going viral on social media!

From registration and marketing to finance, ethics, SIS support, social media, student support, and everything in between, our team understood the assignment 🔥

Because behind every successful department is a support staff member serving looks, solving problems, answering emails, fixing systems, helping students… and doing it all in style 😌👏

So yes… apparently a blazer CAN do a lot, and the people wearing them- can do even more! 🤭


Adri Joubert Coréne Van Der Merwe Janine Oelofse Nanneels du Plessis JC van Rooyen Madelien Viljoen Burgers