CPUT hosts business and industry stakeholders

During a recent event held at the Bellville campus, CPUT’s vision and strategic plans for the next decade were shared with business and industry role-players.

One Smart CPUT: Engaged with Its Critical Stakeholders was the theme of the Vice-Chancellor’s Businesses and Industries Engagement.

Stakeholders were welcomed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, who said the growth and success of CPUT’s academic project are primarily dependent on the development and success of its partnerships with various industries.

“We have built strong links with all spheres of government, the private sector and societal structures, who assist with the intake of Work Integrated Learning and Service-Learning placements and contribute immensely to developing new qualifications through involvement in advisory committees for different disciplines.”

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo delivered the keynote address and said CPUT could no longer be the best-kept secret.

He said that while much was achieved under Vision 2020, the institution had decided not to rest on its laurels.

These achievements included ground-breaking research, including the launch of CPUT’s very first satellite, which began several ground-breaking research at the institution.

Nhlapo said the institution would move up a gear and learn from the mistakes and shortcomings of Vision 2020.

He said the institution’s aim with Vision 2030 is characterised by three philosophies: ubuntu, ubunye (unity), and ukungafani (diversity).

“In this strategy, we are re-imagining CPUT as a leading university of technology in South Africa, the continent, and indeed the globe. That is why some people refer to it as the reimagining of CPUT as an MIT of Africa”.

Nhlapo said the idea of establishing One Smart CPUT or Vision 2030 was conceived in 2017 – a Smart university focusing on one dimension, oneness, and the other, smartness.

“One Smart University is a concept with two dimensions – it’s both a physical and a virtual environment led by humans coming together to create a more humane, immersive, interactive and automated experience for students, staff, researchers and stakeholders of the institution.”

Nhlapo agreed that the next phase – 2021 to 2030 – should be crafted to build One Smart CPUT.

“The emphasis on oneness is directed at creating one institutional culture, a sense of belonging, an environment in which everyone strives towards the same goal, taking pride in who we are and how we conduct our business as a university, working as teams, taking collective responsibility for our future, breaking down of silos, working across the departments, units, faculties disciplines and research focus areas, evident by a steep sense of caring about the wellness of others in the workplace and the future of CPUT. We are saying everything we are doing is about the people.”

The programme also included presentations by Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, the six faculties, the Advancement Department and other role-players, and a Q&A session.

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director of the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, said the day had been a historic opportunity for the institution to share its new, "extremely vibrant and eloquent vision 2030”.

“We thank you, the public and private sectors, for the valued workplaces over the many years and the SETAs and other funding agencies for the immense funding you have brought to us. You have provided great satisfaction to our students regarding learnerships and internships. We thank our advisory committee members and others who have contributed to shaping our innovative curricula and qualifications.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za