Research is an integral tool in transforming society - it should benefit and change people’s lives. As such, the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate and Centre for Sustainable Oceans recently hosted the CPUT-FEDRATI Research Uptake Seminar.

The event, themed: Enhancing Relevance and Research Impact, was held at Bellville Campus. Addressing the seminar, Dr Mark Botha, Executive Director of the Fisheries Economic Development Research Advisory and Training Institute (FEDRATI), said the strategic partnership between FEDRATI and CPUT was established to foster collaboration between the industry and academia. “The partnership exceeded our expectations,” Botha touted.

About 15 students who received bursaries from FEDRATI under the Centre for Sustainable Oceans delivered their presentations. Manager: Research Uptake: SIP, Dr Nelisiwe Maleka and Associate Professor at Horticultural Sciences Department, Felix Nchu welcomed the guests. Among the guests was Dr Nathalie Viljoen, Head of Research at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and supervisors of the presenters.

Maleka said as an engaged institution, CPUT is committed to conducting relevant and responsive research with impact to address socioeconomic priorities and challenges. Maleka stated that the seminar was part of Activity 4: Develop and facilitate activities and appropriate systems to promote and support research uptake under the University Capacity Development Grant Project 5 for Staff Development Research.

The purpose of the seminar was three-folded:

• To provide a platform for postgraduate students to showcase their research
• To enhance research uptake from the onset and during the research cycle.
• To encourage emerging researchers to understand the value of research uptake and impact.

Dr Conrad Sparks, Acting CPUT Research Chair: Oceans Economy, said The CPUT partnership with FEDRATI is an excellent example of research engagement with communities. “We have aligned our research activities and bursary allocations to that of FEDRATI. We are planning to engage more closely with communities to share the research done at CPUT and to assist in developing new research projects based on the needs of communities in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”

Sparks said the partnership benefits CPUT by providing students with bursaries and fostering collaboration across disciplines, departments and faculties. The partnership also benefits FEDRATI by providing new knowledge about the fisheries and related sectors in the Western Cape. “We, however, need to be more focused on the scope of research planned for the future by communicating the research to affected stakeholders, particularly coastal communities.”

Addressing the seminar, Botha talked about the importance of interdisciplinary research to address the developmental challenges within the fisheries and allied sectors. He also revealed that FEDRATI provides financial support to CPUT students with the assistance of Brimstone Investment Corporation and Sea Harvest Corporation. “Moreover, we facilitate greater engagement between industry and CPUT.”

Reflecting on the event, Botha said: “The event was well executed. The students articulated their research succinctly. The research presented definitely adds value to the maritime industry. Moreover, valuable networks have been established for future collaboration.”

Also reflecting on the event, Sparks said: “The event was a great success. The aim of the event was to create a platform for students to showcase their research to the industry as well as have a platform to practice public speaking. The feedback received from colleagues and Dr Botha is that we are conducting very high-quality research.”

First-year classes at the Department of Maritime Studies are in full swing, with students already hard at work on assignments.

On 27 January 2009, more than 120 first-year students reported to the Granger Bay Campus, for the start of their academic year.

The Department is one of the leaders in Maritime Studies on the African continent and annually produces a large number of highly skilled graduates, who are snapped up by local and international shipping companies.

The department offers Marine Navigation (deck officer) and Marine Engineer programmes, which equip students to work in a sea-going capacity.

The campus has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, with students offered training on the state-of-the-art training vessel, Fathom10. Students also have access to an internationally accredited Survival Centre, which is one of only two in Africa.

Head of the Department Prof Edward Snyders, who welcomed the students during an orientation programme on their first day at the campus, said, “This is a tough programme.”

With various mathematic and science-based courses offered, students were urged to approach their studies seriously.

“I expect input from all students. Try to adhere to deadlines and follow all the guidelines,” he said.

Prof Snyders said the first two semesters are vital and will determine which students will be placed for experiential training in 2010.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 months’ sea service aboard trading vessels greater than 500 gross tons, after completing their first academic year.

During the sea-going phase, students complete a structured on-board training programme. Competencies are recorded in a cadet’s record book.

“In June and July foreign shipping companies visit South Africa to select students. You need to be eligible for placement at sea,” he said.

Prof Snyders, who has been at the helm of the department for several years said the pass rate has never been lower than 90% and expect first year students to uphold the department’s traditions and reputation.

“You have met the minimum requirements for this programme. You have the potential and can pass first time around. I am sure that you will make us proud,” he said.

Meanwhile, first year students said they are looking forward to life at Granger Bay .

Clement Jansen, from Namibia , who enrolled for the marine navigation diploma, said he has been to sea, but is now looking forward to developing the necessary skills to work at sea.

Sam Butt, from the Eastern Cape, is also no stranger to life at sea. Her father and siblings are involved in the maritime community. Butt said she opted for Granger Bay because of its reputation in the marine community.

“I am looking forward to the programme. I will give it my best,” she said.

Dermonique Cloete from Vredenburg, who plans to become a deck officer said: “I am very excited and will work hard.”

Meanwhile, Bade Booi, a senior student who returned for a semester to complete the first-year Marine Engineering modules, said he has made the correct career choice.

Booi, who has worked at sea on cargo vessels, said, “It’s a lot of hard work, but life is good at sea.”

Written by CPUT News
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Fresh water fish with antidepressants embedded in their plasma is a reality according to a visiting professor from America.

Bryan Brooks, a distinguished professor in Environmental Science and Biomedical Studies from the Baylor University in Waco, Texas, presented a public lecture calling for more collaboration between academic disciplines to tackle the complex challenges presented by an increasingly urbanised world.

“An urban water cycle is the new normal. With the concentration of people in cities unlike any other time in human history, we are concentrating the resources they use: water, food, energy. We’re also increasing their access to chemicals. This is occurring at the same time that 80% of sewerage goes untreated,” explains Brooks.

His lecture, titled Perspectives on Intersections of Urbanization, Food Safety and Water Security, revolved around efforts to achieve the United Nation’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development centred on environmental issues.

He highlighted the plight of small fish called fat head minnows that live in a river downstream from a city in the United States. The concentration of the antidepressant Zoloft in these fish exceeds the “human internal therapeutic plasma dose” and is changing the fish’s behaviour making them more vulnerable to predators.

According to Brooks current models that predict the extent of pharmaceutical environmental contaminants are inadequate “to anticipate their risk to people and ecosystems. We can’t afford to be isolationist and reductionist in our approaches to such complex problems. We need a multi-disciplinary, more systems-based approach if we are to solve them,” he adds.

Written by Abigail Calata

A recent study into the nutritional benefits of snoek has proven what Capetonians have always known – that the fish not only tastes great but is good for you too. 

Compared to its expensive counterparts like salmon, trout and cod, snoek is often perceived as a low value fish, which is generally preferred by people in coastal areas close to where it is caught.

Now, thanks to a study by Suné Henning from CPUT’s Food Technology Unit and Stellenbosch University’s Prof Louw Hoffman, the humble snoek is being recognised for its considerable nutritional benefits.

The study concluded that snoek is a healthy, relatively cheap high protein, low fat food source that is high in ‘good’ omega 3 fatty acids.

The study will continue the research into other South African marine fish species like sardines, hake and catfish and will continue into three different cooking methods as well- microwaving, oven baking and steaming.

Henning says the study found that there isn’t a huge nutritional difference between a fresh and frozen snoek but admits that fresh fish will always taste better.

“If a fish is frozen for an extended period then the fat deposits break down and the texture will change so it is better not to freeze fish for too long,” she says.

The snoek study has received extensive media coverage with further findings eagerly anticipated.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) has introduced a Learn to Sail programme, which equips students with a set of life skills while enjoying sailing.

Students learn skills such as diversity management as everyone on the boat is equal, the importance of teamwork, discipline, commitment, communication, time management and dealing with stressful situations from the programme for free.

“Your needs and desires are secondary to those of the group - as a group you have to navigate the boat to safety regardless of the weather or swell of the dunes,” says Student Development Officer Anette Grobler.    

The programme, which is made possible by SA Sailing Western Cape, Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs, the Sailing Academy, the Royal Cape Yacht club and DSA, started recently at the Royal Cape Yacht club with 18 students from all CPUT campuses.

It will continue until October and will resume in January next year and each programme lasts for five weeks.

Training takes place on Sundays.

“Currently, CPUT is the only university that offers this programme to its students,” adds Grobler.

In order to take part in the programme students must be able to swim. If not, they will still be trained in the art of sailing, but their training will mostly be focussed on the important role a person working on the “bridge” plays.  

Later this year, part of this programme will also include a “Learn to Swim” phase.

Students must attend at least four of the five Sunday sessions in order to receive a certificate at the programme’s graduation ceremony.

Students are transported to the yacht club and the bus from Cape Town campus will depart from the Admin Building at 09:30, while on the Bellville campus it will depart at 09:00 from the parking area in front of the New Library building.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The Maritime Department recently hosted a four-day International Association for Safety and Survival Training (IASST) Meeting and Seminar: “The Use of Simulators in Safety and Survival Training”, at  Granger Bay campus.

IASST is a highly professional organisation, which pays efforts to improve the efficiency of safety and survival training all over the world, therefore, saving the lives of seafarers. The IASST has vast experience of more than 40 years in the field, which is combined with the expertise of all its members. It is a huge network of more than 150 members, located in more than 50 countries and on all continents. Every single member contributes to the development of the association and the safety of seafarers.

The event had 20 delegates coming from CPUT: Department of Maritime Studies, Project Maritime Training: South Africa, Sea Safety Training Group: South Africa, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK): Japan, National Maritime College of Ireland: Ireland, Survival Systems Limited: Canada, Maritiem Instituut Willem Barentsz: Netherlands, WoW Company International SA: Belgium, Novikontas: Latvia, The Centre for the Study and Practice of Survival (CEPS): France and FISH Platform: Netherlands.

Senior Maritime Instructor and Manager: Department of Maritime Studies: Survival Centre, Samantha Montes, who was the event organiser, said the objective of the meeting was to facilitate an exchange of information and to fulfil other objectives of the IASST, and that the meetings are held regularly at locations around the world.

Montes said the international meetings are held to conduct the business affairs of the association. Standing items on the agenda of international meetings include review, approval and matters arising from minutes of previous meetings; future meetings membership matters and a round table of membership issues, however, she said the meetings’ agendas were not necessarily limited to the aforementioned matters. Montes added that a one-day safety seminar is held in conjunction with any international meeting. A safety seminar features a mix of international and local presenters.

Reflecting on this year's event, Montes said the event was very successful as “we were only asked in July to host due to the assigned host could no longer accommodate the meeting and seminar”. “[I was] impressed with the quality of speakers who were available at short notice. I am honoured that we, as CPUT, were asked to host. The IASST has not met in South Africa before, and this was the first CPUT was hosting since the inception of IASST in the 1980s.”

Yann Chauty from CEPS said the main topic, Simulation in safety, training was very interesting and successful. Chauty added that there was a need to invest sufficiently in the quality of the training equipment of the schools,  including davits, lifeboats, etc, which “are very obsolete”.

Cormac Mac Sweeney from Munster Technological University said the event accelerated the update on current thinking and possibilities regarding the use of simulation in safety training. Sweeney said a lot can be achieved in online meetings and there is no doubt there is a cost involved in in-person meetings.

“In person [meetings] gives you the opportunity of not only having longer discussions on the topic but also the ability to discuss other topics of mutual interest, expanding on similar methodologies, discussing new ideas and perhaps creating new links,” partnerships etc,” he continued.

“Overall, the ability, without time restraint, to discuss areas of mutual interest to improve our ability to pass the most up-to-date knowledge onto our students/clients.”

Leon Morton from Sea Safety Training Group, said: “I would say in terms of simulation the last presenter with the gaming mode was something interesting, however, not all age groups would be able to do that as the gaming consoles take time to get used to… My favourite was the fish platform, showing how everyone locally and internationally, doesn’t consider the figures of the fishing industry. Our fishing industry needs to be included and not just be on the side as a mention.”

“We are from Canada, and it was nice to see that South Africa was developing a safety culture when it comes to survival at sea.  And yes, the people were extremely nice and helpful,” said Paul Douglas from Survival Systems. 

The IASST also handed over a charitable donation of 500 British Pounds to the National Sea Rescue Institute- NSRI Station 29 - Airborne Sea Rescue.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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In yet another first for the African continent, CPUT has teamed up with industry and the College of Cape Town (CCT) to launch a project to boost the skills of marine engineering students.

This flagship project is intended to provide the much-needed statutory South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) accredited Marine Engineering Workshop Training (MEWT) to CPUT marine engineering cadets, who have successfully passed S1 and S2 in 2016.

The training will take place prior to their work integrated learning seagoing phase aboard internationally owned trading vessels. 

“The MEWT is a is a statutory requirement of the SAMSA Code and the International Maritime Organisation's international convention governing the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers to which South Africa is a signatory,” says Pieter Coetzer, Training and Development Manager at the South African Maritime Training Authority (SAMTRA).

Participants include CPUT’s Department of Maritime Studies, the CCT, SAMTRA and the Transport Education Training Authority.

The students will be trained on, among others, diesel engines, electrical, fitting and turning, hydraulics, pneumatics, sheet metal work and welding for a period of approximately eight months.

Coetzer adds that the CPUT students will after the training be required to work on merchant ships for a further 12 months, and obtain an internationally recognized certificate of competency issued by SAMSA.

“This will enable them to work in the international shipping arena as Marine Engineers, and earn a tax-free, foreign currency salary,” he says.

The programme also ties in with the Government's Operation Phakisa, an initiative aimed at tapping into the opportunities the ocean's economy provide.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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