The Hospitality Management students who excelled academically in 2017 walked away with a total of R1 478 100 in bursaries, vouchers and prizes during the Hotel School Awards.

The glitzy ceremony was held at the Cape Town Hotel School this week and saw the school’s academic giants bagging bursaries to the value of R1 445 550, as well as R32 550 in vouchers for books and weekend getaways at local hotels.

The bursaries are funded by successful establishments in the industry including Tsogo Sun Hotels, Cape Liquor and Catering Trade Educational Trust as well as Protea Hotels by Marriot.

Thembisile Molose, the hotel school’s director, said the monetary value of the bursaries is a vote of confidence in the school’s work by industry captains and expressed his gratitude to the school’s advisory board.

Prof Paul Green, Dean of Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, said other departments should take a leaf from the school’s management and learn how to attract such financial and other support from industry.

The biggest winner of the evening was a third-year student, Jonathan Prithiviraj, who was awarded a scholarship to study abroad.

Jonathan clinched the very prestigious University College Birmingham Scholarship to complete his fourth year of study at the college in Birmingham. Valued at approximately R350 000, the scholarship is awarded to the best academic student that can succeed in the overseas environment.

Jonathan will commence his studies in Birmingham in September and he says he is nervous and excited about his upcoming stay overseas.

“I hope to learn and develop personal skills,” he said.

He added that since hearing about the scholarship during his first year, it had been a goal that he had been aiming to achieve.

“I was Head Student Representative for three years, which I used as a stepping stone to craft my leadership skills as I worked as liaison between the lecturers and staff,” he said. “I always gave 100% of what I could in whatever I did.”

The school’s alumnus Prince Chirwa, who is now Guest Experience Manager at the Twelve Apostles Hotel, advised the students to be alert to the opportunities presented to them by the industry and make most of them.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT recently hosted a successful workshop for South African and German researchers who are collaborating on three bilateral research projects.

The three research projects, NOVBIOSURF, SLAC, and SYNDEX, are among 12 SA-Germany bilateral research projects that were launched last year.

The focus of the research projects ranges from topics such as wastewater, to the production of new compounds, but mainly aims to allow for the exchange, training and development of young researchers and PhD-level students.

The three-day event was held at the Cape Town Hotel School and aimed to encourage the exchange of ideas and the development of new collaborations and networks.

It was organised and hosted by Dr Marilize Le Roes-Hill, Head of the Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group in CPUT’s Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology.

The workshop was co-hosted by Prof. Tukayi Kudanga (Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology at Durban University of Technology (DUT).

The guest speaker was Prof Emile van Zyl from Stellenbosch University who presented on the lessons learned from working in the ‘bioethanol production’ and ‘enzyme expression in yeast’ space while progress on each of the three research projects was presented during the course of the workshop.

“To all of those who attended the workshop, which also included other researchers and students from CPUT, DUT and UWC, it was a great success, allowing for the free exchange of ideas and the stimulation of in-depth discussions. Potentially new collaborations were established and the workshop team as a whole, are looking forward to future joint workshop meetings,” said Le Roes-Hill.

The projects are jointly funded by the Department of Science and Technology (South Africa) and the German Federal Ministry of Education Research.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Hygiene and food safety was on the menu when food vendors for the 2018 Jazz on the Rocks Festival received training at the Cape Town Hotel School ahead of the annual event.

The Festival, which is held at the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve on the West Coast, not only provides a welcome boost for the local economy but also empowers local residents through skills development.

Jacqui Scheepers, Acting Director of the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, said the centre, CPUT Hospitality Management, the Hotel School and Camissa Solutions had combined resources and expertise for the benefit of the food vendors.

Twenty-four vendors were transported to the Granger Bay campus from the West Coast where they received training on safe and hygienic food preparation and storage as well as customer care and service excellence.
They were also treated to a tour of the Hotel School’s facilities.

Food vendor Nathalie van der Heever said the training had been extremely helpful.

“Even though we’ve been doing this for a while, there is always something new you can learn. The information on the right temperatures for food preparation and food storage was useful. We are thankful for the experience.”
Lovetta Bolters, Chief Executive Officer of Camissa Solutions, said the vendors attending were the breadwinners in their families.

“By pooling our resources we can come up with opportunities like this that benefit the people. The participants will go back into their communities and share what they’ve learnt here today.”
Scheepers said the project was one of a series of transdisciplinary service learning projects during the festival, involving a number of CPUT departments, including Emergency Medical Services, Town and Regional Planning and Mechanical Engineering.

Funding for these projects was received from the University Capacity Development Grant.
“The festival gives us opportunities to do projects in a rural area and to bring skills and empower local communities. We are looking at building long-term relationships with these communities,” she said.
The four-day festival wraps up on February 25.

For more information on the Cape Town Hotel School click here.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Department of Business and Information Administration (BIA) recently hosted industry partners and community organisations during an exciting networking event at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The event presented an opportunity for engagement as well as for valuable contributions by industry and community organisations.

Guests were welcomed by the programme director for the day and senior lecturer in the Department, Mandie Richards, who introduced the keynote speaker, Prof Paul Green, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences.

The keynote address was titled: Connecting for the Future, on a Quest for Success within the South African context.

Green told the partners that their input was extremely important, adding that their valued contributions, including to the content of the curriculum “remains continuously relevant to us”.

“The social impact of this partnership will have far-reaching benefits, not only for our graduates but also for communities as well as the economy.”

Green said the BIA Department engages in various innovative practices, which respond to the needs of society and enhances the students’ analytical skills.

He said that in this ever-changing world it was essential to stay ahead and prepare students for success.

“As a faculty we are also aware that to remain relevant and to be in touch with industry, we need to continuously review our curriculum. “

He thanked the partners and the organisers for the engagement.

Charlton Brandt an alumnus who now works as Business Specialist: Data Management and Analysis at Old Mutual Limited, delivered a talk on the value of a vision.

The day also included an overview of the department as well its work integrated learning, community engagement and service-learning components. This was followed by a panel discussion, titled Reflections for Success, which touched on several topics including job readiness and the future of work.

The discussion was facilitated by Alesimo Mwanga, Executive Director, PAWA Africa, and chair of the BIA Advisory Committee and the panellists were: Yolande Jacobs, Human Resources Executive Director, World Wildlife Fund; Carla Stewart, Marketing Manager; Leliebloem House: Youth and Child Care Centre; Zikhona Madubela, Founder, In2ChangeLearning; Beverley Dankers, Deputy Dean, Student Development and Support, Cornerstone Institute and Celiwe Mabaleka, Registrar, Western Cape Government, College of Emergency Care.

Head of Department, Prof Visvanathan Naicker, thanked the speakers and panellists for their valuable contribution to the event and everyone who attended for making the symposium a success.

‘I’m confident that the takeaways from the symposium will further deepen our thinking and stimulate the department’s work in future.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The SA Medical Research Council/CPUT Cardiometabolic Health Research Unit will be hosting a symposium next week, under the theme Cardiometabolic Health in a technological era.

The event will take place at the Cape Town Hotel School in Granger Bay on 9 November 2023.

There will be four main sessions – Artificial Intelligence, Personalised Medicine, Point of Care, e-health as well as two industry talks.

The keynote address will be delivered by Prof Faadiel Essop, Director of the Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University).

For more information, contact Dr Saarah Davids at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Students from the Cape Town Hotel School (CTHS) did CPUT proud by scooping four awards at the recent One&Only Reaching for Young Stars competition.

The cook-off for the competition took place on 21 August and the prestigious prize-giving event was held last week.

“This is the first time in 10 years that Cape Town Hotel School has won and we are extremely proud of the students.  We are building and working towards our vision of being the best hotel school in South Africa and beyond, said Danielle Barkhuizen, Acting Executive Chef of the CTHS.

CPUT students won the following prizes:

• Jadon Lee Harilall and assistant Afika Xashimba won the One and Only Young Stars of the Year. Jadon will be going to The Winslow’s Tavern, Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
• Harilall and Xashimba also won Best Food and Wine Pairing – Starters
• Professional Cookery student, Saudiqah Gelandt, won the Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year. She will be going to La Creuzette in France as one of the prizes. 
• Second-year Food and Beverage student, Liyanda Madakane, won 2nd Place/ Runner-Up Beverage Student of the Year.

CTHS was invited to join the event in March 2021. The team started practising in May, after attending a briefing session hosted by One&Only and Showcook explaining the rules of the competition:

The requirements were as follow:

•  Starter Pasta dish using Bio-Wheat Flour.
•  Main course vegetarian meal working with Denny Mushrooms and incorporating Rio Largo Olive oil
•  Dessert working with Lancewood Dairy Products and LemonGold Lemons
•  Butter cake using Lurpak butter, ClemenGold Mandarins and Lancewood dairy.
• Three loaves of bread using Bio-Wheat Flour (Ciabatta, Seed Loaf and Baguette)

Once the rules were established Barkhuizen and the three participants, Jadon Lee Harilall, Afika Xashimba and Saudiqah Gelandt started the process of creating innovative and current ways to incorporate these elements. 

“We were paired with Neethlingshof Wine Estate and we had to best pair their wine with our menu to showcase their excellent wine. We invited Neethlingshof to the Cape Town Hotel School after finalising the menu and asked them and industry partners for their feedback to see if what we created showcased their wine and our food.  The importance of pairing these two is very important,” said Barkhuizen.

Heidi Janse van Rensburg, Acting Operations Manager of the CTHS, headed up the training for the Beverage students.

“The One&Only Hotel made us feel extremely special and important with the help of the beverage students that were finalists of the competition. In the midst of this pandemic, this prestigious event carried on and was so well organised and hosted,” said Barkhuizen.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A junior lecturer at the Cape Town Hotel School has been named one of Microsoft’s Innovative Educator Experts 2021-2022.

Information Systems 1 lecturer Anwyn Hawkings says the award is not only relevant to her roles and responsibilities, but the knowledge gained will be to the benefit of CPUT and her students.

 According to the Microsoft website Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts for 2021-2022 “are self-driven educators who are passionate about teaching and learning. They inspire students with creative thinking and work in a collaborative spirit to share their learning with the world. Resourceful and entrepreneurial, they relish the role of change agent, and work to achieve excellence in education using Microsoft technologies paired with innovative teaching”.

Hawkings said she spent many hours studying online via Microsoft Educator and taking the tests.

“I was self-nominated with support from CPUT. I also had to motivate with numerous essays as to why the award is appropriate to my effort,” she said.

She said the knowledge she gained may also open doors with other training opportunities or contacts from other award winners in her field.

“It connects me globally to fellow award winners where teaching and learning can be discussed at an international level. As I learn from my fellow award winners and gain other perspectives on teaching computers, I am hoping my skills and teaching ability will not only improve but it will assist me to keep abreast of the latest developments in the industry.”

Asked what she enjoys most about her job, Hawkings replied that she loves meeting new people and helping them in their studies and seeing them grow as people. This applies to both staff and students of CPUT.

“I  love learning and improving my own ability to teach something I am very passionate about, so being given this opportunity to both improve my level of skill and my ability to teach as well as forming global contacts have all been a great source of excitement to me.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships recently hosted the first Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) hybrid-sponsored forum on the continent at the Cape Town Hotel School.

This thematic forum, titled  Equity-sensitive Strategies of Higher Education in South Africa Internationalisation @home in Post-Pandemic Times, was conceptualised and hosted by the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships in collaboration with their counterparts from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The forum addressed Higher Education internationalisation strategies and focused on one of the phases of “internationalisation@home>,” which includes collaborative online international learning (COIL).

“The case study presented by the host aims to advance institutional practices at universities in the Western Cape and technical universities throughout South Africa.”

The forum also served to launch, pilot and thus validate the research agenda of the new research project to be established at CPUT, embedded within the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, said: “I have the distinct privilege to welcome all of you on behalf of CPUT Executive Management to the AIEA Forum hosted proudly at our beautiful Granger Bay Campus and seat of our world-class Hotel School.”

Phaho said the Forum’s theme could not be timelier. “It is held when academic institutions both at home and abroad are looking at developing and implementing mutually value-adding internationalisation strategies,” he continued.

“Amidst these deliberations, COVID-19, like a thief in the night, came and upended our lives like nothing the world, at least in my lifetime, has seen: every hamlet, village, town or city is and continues to  be directly and indirectly affected by the most devastating and consequential black swan event in a generation.”

Phaho said the unprecedented challenges brought by COVID-19 “is already forcing us to rethink and re-engineer our ways of working, teaching, research as well as engagement be it in the classroom, places of work and/or leisure”. “The biggest casualty is obviously our collective internationalisation agenda where the global travel bans severely constricted student and staff mobility over the past two years or so,” he continued.

“Despite these challenges and the unimaginable hardship and sorrow resulting from the pandemic, we are turning a corner and adapting to a new normal. We are now in a post-pandemic mode as reflected in the theme of today’s Forum.”

Director Of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, who is also the Transnational collaborations and centring the periphery chair, Prof Judy Peter, said: “We are grateful to have the opportunity to meet in person and virtually as we navigate a fluid and changing world order. We look forward to a productive day of deep engagement to contribute to the growing body of the complex discourses of the internationalisation of global education and the revaluation of internationalisation as practised at our various institutions.”

The programme included a virtual keynote address by Prof Emmet Woldegiorgis from the University of Johannesburg,  a session on Sustainable Development goals- Gender, education and collaborations in Africa, which Tracy Beckett chaired from UWC, and the keynote address by CPUT’s Dr Michael Twum-Darko. Nichola Latchiah chaired another session on stream income, global learning, and digitisation from the University of Cape Town, and the keynote address was by Dr Upasana Singh, an Academic Leader In the discipline of Information Systems and Technology from the University of Kwazulu-Natal.

Another case studies session, Internationalisation Policy and Strategy Development, was chaired by Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager of International Relations at CPUT. Chief Directorate: Higher Education Policy Development and Research at the Department of Higher Education and Training, Mahlubi Mabizela, also addressed the forum.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Home to more than 30,000 students, CPUT is the largest university of technology in the region and has several campuses and satellite sites, stretching from the Cape Town city centre to as far as George in the Southern Cape.

Each campus boasts unique characteristics and functions.

Bellville Campus

This campus is the administrative hub of the institution and is home to the following:

• The world renowned French South African Institute of Technology, which produced and launched Africa’s first nanosatellite.
• The Electrical Engineering Building, which is CPUT’s largest teaching and research facility.

Cape Town Campus

The city’s most popular landmark, Table Mountain, is a backdrop to this campus. It accommodates the following:

• The university’s largest faculty, the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences.
• The Faculty of Informatics and Design.
• A select number of courses offered by the Faculties of Applied Sciences and Health and Wellness Sciences are offered on the campus.

Wellington Campus

This campus is situated in the centre of the Boland town and has become known for:

• Producing teachers trained in the Afrikaans medium.
• Training the next generation of leaders in the agriculture sector.

Mowbray Campus

The Faculty of Education recently expanded is facilities with building work completed last year. This campus is renowned for:

• Annually producing the largest number of teaching graduates in the Western Cape.
• The state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory and the Centre for International Teacher Education.

Athlone Campus, Worcester and George satellite campuses

• These three campuses produce nursing staff for the country’s health sector.

Granger Bay Campus

The stylish Hotel School Restaurant is the main attraction of this campus, which overlooks Robben Island. It also houses the following:

• The renowned Cape Town Hotel School.
• The Maritime Engineering Department and the Survival Centre.

Groote Schuur and Tygerberg Hospital

• The Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences is located on the premises of Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory.
• The Dental Sciences Department is based at the Tygerberg Hospital and gives students the opportunity to work directly with patients and medical staff.

Roeland Street Building

• Students and staff from Journalism, Photography, Public Relations and Multimedia call this campus home.

Media City

• Media City is based on the Foreshore and accommodates students and staff of the Architecture, Town and Regional Planning, and Interior Design schools.

For campus contact details see: http://www.cput.ac.za/about-cput/cput-at-a-glance/contact-details

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Journalists and editors from various broadcasters and media houses across the city gathered at the Cape Town Hotel School recently for the annual Media Mingle.

The attendees included former Press Ombud, Pippa Green, Chairperson of the CPUT Council, Dr Laurine Platzky, Deputy Press Ombud, Tyrone August and several proud alumni of the Journalism Department, many of whom hold prominent positions in their newsrooms.

The event, which was organised by the Marketing and Communication Department, presented an opportunity for networking as well as discussion between the University and the media representatives.

Guests were welcomed by Media Liaison Officer, Lauren Kansley, before Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department introduced guest speaker, John Bailey.

The eNCA Managing Editor and former China Bureau Chief shared his perceptions on leadership and some of his life experiences before a question and answer session with the audience.

This included the importance of teamwork, leading with empathy and having a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

“I think that as leaders …you have to embrace the power that you have as the leadership but you also have to be comfortable taking those uncomfortable decisions as to what you want to achieve for your organisation because you have to be able to challenge the status quo,” he said to the leaders in the room.

“As the fourth estate you have to push the boundaries all the time. If you’re not going to push the boundaries you are not going to make any differences or any change.”

In his address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said journalism was under increasing threat from Artificial Intelligence, social media and regressive governments, amongst other things.

“However, I urge you to continue working in the challenging sector as many ordinary South Africans like myself rely on you to continue to hold power to account or as we normally, say holding their feet to the fire.”

He said this included holding leaders of higher education institutions to account.

Nhlapo took the opportunity to “welcome home” the journalism alumni present.

“I know that the majority of you in the room are either products of the told Pentech or trained here at CPUT. The Department of Journalism here at CPUT is widely recognised as one of the best providers of premium media education.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Dr Sweta Patnaik, lecturer in the Department of Clothing and Textile Technology, received institutional recognition for her teaching style and dedication after winning the Institutional Award at the distinguished Institutional Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA) 2023 ceremony held at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The awards recognise learning and teaching support programmes and services that make an outstanding contribution to the quality of student learning and the student experience. They also recognise and reward individuals who make a significant contribution to student learning in a specific area of responsibility and who are acknowledged for their achievements within a faculty or the wider university community.

Among the recipients, were Prof Sjirk Geerts, Rache Hanekom, Dr Anthony Obilana, Dr Courtney Puckree-Padua, Faraaz Omar, Nizaam Peck, Dr Naseema Shaik, Dr Senthil Krishnamurthy, Prof Asis Patnaik, Dr Mohammed Pourbehi, Mukove Ratshitanga, Dr Vipin Balyan, Carike Abrahamse, Judy Sheahan, Rizqa Sibrietz-Williams, Johan van Rooyen, Dr Liiza Gie, Dr Janice Hemmonsbey-Lodewyk, Prof Pieter Boer, Dr Ali- Mustafa Almaktoof, Dr Bruce Snaddon, Dr Blessing Makwambeni and Alexandra Noble

The biggest winner of the night, Patnaik, said: “I felt happy, recognised, praised and motivated… Hard work pays off.”

She continued: “I still am over the moon since the awards ceremony, I will continue to feel so as it will motivate me to keep doing my best. I will have more engaging sessions with my students, do more research work and collaborate more with colleagues within and outside CPUT.” 

Patnaik attributed her academic achievement to a combination of skills, “organisation, time management, prioritisation, concentration, flexible and open mindset to change and motivation to achieve academic success”. She said to reach her milestones, one needs to, “cultivate learning agility. Be comfortable with embracing significant and ongoing change. Learn to deal with failure. Have a strong philosophical foundation.”

“Awards for me are not only recognitions but also validating the work I am doing, the path I am on and a motivating factor to keep excelling out of my comfort zone. They are a great way of gaining recognition and respect among my peers.”

Patnaik holds a MBA in Fashion Management as well as PhD in Textile Science. So far, joining CPUT has been the biggest highlight of her career as through the institution “I earned all these accolades”. She is also a NRFY2 rated researcher and other than that Patnaik is a recipient of NRF Innovation Doctoral Scholarship (2015), Nelson Mandela University Alumni Rising Star of the Year Award, 2020, first recipient at CPUT for the DAAD UNILEAD scholarship 2021; winner (3rd position) of the eLearning excellence award held in the United Kingdom in 2022 at the 20th European Conference of eLearning.

During the ceremony, which was hosted by Fundani CHED, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho welcomed the guests, and said: “This is a great privilege for us to be here again recognising excellence.”

In his opening address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran said: “This whole event is a symbol of quality in various aspects.”  Cape Higher Education Consortium Executive Officer, Prof Eugene Cloete, delivered a keynote address. Director at the Fundani CHED, Dr Xena Cupido delivered the closing remarks.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa recently hosted the 7th International Conference (ICTR) on Tourism Research which served as a vital platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and industry experts from around the world to converge and engage in meaningful dialogue on the multifaceted field of tourism at the iconic Cape Town Hotel School.

The participants came from 22 countries. In person attendance included delegates from Canada, Portugal, Nigeria, Poland, Tanzania, Australia, India, USA, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and South Africa. Virtual attendees included participants from Brazil, Bulgaria, Oman, Italy, Finland, Peru, Vietnam, Cyprus, Sri Lanka and Austria. On the first day, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, provided the welcoming address and said: “Welcome to you…Thank you very much, I am looking forward to the presentations, all the best, please have fun at the same time, enjoy Cape Town. Colleagues online I wish you well as well.”

Dean: Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, opened the second day of the conference, and said: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey of exploration, collaboration, and innovation in the realm of tourism. Today's event promises to be a captivating odyssey, as we delve into the multifaceted landscapes of tourism across various streams. Our agenda is thoughtfully curated to offer insights, provoke discussions, and inspire actionable ideas for the advancement of tourism research and practice…

“Thank you for joining us on this exhilarating journey. Let's ignite the flames of discovery and innovation together!” Amongst the keynote speakers were:

• Dr Kamilla Swart, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar: The Future of the Olympic Games - When will it be Africa’s turn?
• Prof Kaitano Dube, Vaal University of Technology: Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tourism and Hospitality Research.
• Prof Ike Ezeuduji, University of Zululand: Bleisure Travel Reimagined: Implications for Research.
• Prof Catheryn Khoo, Torrens University, Australia: Contested HIStory: Representation in HERitage Tourism.

Swart said presenting at the ICTR was a rewarding experience, with valuable exchanges that enriched “my perspective on global tourism trends and research while at the same time highlighting perspectives from the global South”.

The Programme Chair, Dr Chris Hattingh-Niekerk, who is also a Senior Lecturer: Event Management, said the conference sought to foster a collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of cutting-edge research, innovative ideas, and best practices in the realm of tourism. Hattingh-Niekerk said through its diverse range of sessions and presentations, this conference aimed “to advance our understanding of the complex dynamics within the tourism industry, explore emerging trends and challenges, and develop sustainable solutions.”

By bringing together a global community of experts, he said the conference not only promoted knowledge dissemination but also facilitated networking opportunities and interdisciplinary collaborations. “Ultimately, the International Conference on Tourism Research played a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism by promoting research-driven insights that can enhance the industry's resilience, sustainability, and positive impact on local communities and economies.”

Throughout the conference, there were vibrant discussions on various topics, including the importance of sustainable tourism practices in mitigating environmental impact, the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences, and strategies for preserving cultural heritage while promoting tourism. Prof Catheryn Khoo from Torrens University in Australia, whose research on “Contested HIStory: representation in HERitage tourism” sparked an interesting debate around how tourism places have traditionally privileged certain men’s (white, heterosexual, masculine) travel experience.

“As the host of the conference, I was particularly struck by the diverse range of perspectives and innovative approaches shared by participants. Witnessing the exchange of ideas and the collective commitment to advancing responsible and sustainable tourism practices reinforced the importance of such gatherings in driving positive change within the industry,” Hattingh-Niekerk remarked.

He added that hosting an international conference showcased the FBMS’ commitment to academic excellence. “It demonstrates our institution's ability to convene leading experts, researchers, and scholars from around the world, creating a platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas and research findings.”

Hattingh-Niekerk continued: “The decision to host the 7th ICTR in Cape Town, South Africa, was not only an opportunity to advance The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa and CPUT's academic standing but also a chance to bolster our country's reputation as a leading destination for research, innovation, and sustainable tourism practices.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, recently heaped praise on a celebration of academic achievement, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by the CPUT staff members and students who have completed the SAP S/4 HANA course as well as candidates from our industrial partner Shoprite.

Green was speaking at the SAP S/4 HANA graduation ceremony, recently organised by the Centre for Enterprise Research Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPiA) and the Advancement Department and held at the Cape Town Hotel School. “It is with great pleasure that we gather here today to honour the dedication and hard work of our graduating students who have successfully completed their SAP S/4 HANA certification under the auspices of the Centre for Enterprise Research, Partnership, and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA),” said Green.

CERPIA is an institutional centre established by Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo. CERPIA through CPUT is a member of the SAP University Alliance (UA) since 2009, which seeks to transfer theoretical and practical scarce digital business systems skills to university students in preparation of entering the job market. These digital business systems skills are driven by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) principles using SAP Software as a tool. CERPIA education partners are SAP University Alliance, University Competent Centre (UCC) and the industry partners.

CERPIA SAP education manager and trainer, Jerry Ansen, said the purpose of these courses was to equip student and staff with the knowledge and skills required to effectively use SAP software for managing business operations and processes. Ansen added that the courses are for students and staff to master SAP ERP skills, and enhance their digital business skills and to enhance students employability.

He said BANKSETA sponsored 38 students of which 31 graduated and ETDPSETA sponsored 29 staff of which 23 graduated. The SAP programmes were introduced to CPUT by Ansen, and he has been the pillar behind the skills development of staff and students since 2009.

All students are welcome to attend the courses as there is no selection criteria, “We depend on funding for students from Advancement Department”. “Graduates get to learn 21st-century ICT digital skills, be empowered to take current job opportunities and be competitive in the market space.” Addressing the graduates, Ansen said: “Congratulations!! And I wish you all the best in your professional digital business skills careers.”

31 CPUT students graduated from SAP S4 HANA in:

• Human Capital Management
• Financial Accounting
• Materials Management
• Master Data Management
• Project Management

There were three staff members in SAP S/4 HANA – TS410 and eight candidates from Shoprite Group ltd and SAP S/4 HANA- Materials Management. CERPIA, as the driving force behind advancing digital business skills, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of “our students and the broader community,” Green remarked. “As part of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences… We are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields.”

He added that through the FBMS integration of SAP skills into their curricula and the provision of certifications, “we empower our students to stand out in a highly competitive industry”. “This strategic focus on SAP not only enhances graduate employability but also ensures that our students are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the digital economy. It is this emphasis on practical, industry-relevant skills that makes our graduates more marketable and sought after by employers.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Following the successful Sisonke 2.0 Certification and Celebration Day at the Cape Town Hotel School recently, Adjunct Professor in the Education Faculty, Janet Condy, has urged the CPUT community to “please” volunteer to be part of this unique Sisonke 3.0 project in 2024.

“We believe this is a wonderful capacity development programme for novice supervisors,” said Condy. She said supervision remains an academic practice that requires continuous learning and refining, but more can be done to support and capacitate supervisors. Condy said that world-wide supervisors are struggling with two issues of quality and capacity, “they are expected to be supervising and getting more and more PHD candidates through, despite our students lacking the necessary academic skills. Hence building sustainable higher education supervision mentoring programmes is needed to increase completion and prepare them for work in the higher education sector as well as in professional practice”. “There is a general agreement among academics that this process requires a 'special pedagogy'.”

She said since 2021, a few core participants at CPUT have been working on the Sisonke Supervision Mentoring Programme (SSMP). 'Sisonke' in isiXhosa means 'together' or 'to bridge'. This transdisciplinary research project, involving multiple stakeholders, driven by a real-world problem, has the potential to produce transformative and sustainable supervision pedagogies. Condy said supervision practice was the mutually agreed upon point of reference, which provided a basis for shared language.

At the Sisonke 2.0 Certification and Celebration Day, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation Technology and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, welcomed the guests, and provided the opening address where he hailed the “exceptional work” done by the Sisonke Supervision Mentoring programme. The keynote address was delivered by Prof Stephanie Burton and was titled: Supervision and supervisors: Being inspired and inspiring.

Condy said in 2023 there were about 72 volunteer mentors and mentees who attended the 12-week Learning Programme from 4 August to 26 October, every Thursday between 13:00 and 14:30. During this time they included a 40-minute input by an expert in a particular field, then they went to break-away groups with their mentors and mentees. In these smaller groups they discussed the topic they have listened to. Finally in the last 30 minutes they all went back to the main group where the mentors reflected on the discussions in each group.

Reflecting on her overall impression about the event, she said: “For me the best part of the day was meeting face-to-face with all the mentors and mentees. All the speakers spoke eloquently on this very necessary topic and gave us much to think about.

“The activity which Prof Retha De La Harpe did with us was exciting as we worked together reflecting on our past learning and thinking ahead of what we want to achieve. The certificates were a highlight as well - it was wonderful to see how excited people were to receive these.”

She added that in 2020 the Director of the Research Development Directorate, Prof Dina Burger, had invited her and De La Harpe to run with this project. They both wrote the initial proposal and got ethical clearance for this research project. Currently Condy is heading the project with Dr Heather Phillips who manages the Learning Programme. “We have a large research team.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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In a bid to delve into the intricate intersection of health and technology, the SAMRC/CPUT Cardiometabolic Health Research Unit recently held a symposium under the theme: Cardiometabolic Disease in the Technological Era.

Guests and scholars convened at the Cape Town Hotel School to explore the symposium's focal point. The keynote address was delivered by Prof Faadiel Essop, Director of the Centre for Cardiometabolic Research in Africa (CARMA) at the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI), based at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University. Essop's talk, which was titled: Enhancing Cardiometabolic Research Care: Innovations for a Healthier Tomorrow, set the tone for an intellectually stimulating day.

The symposium unfolded through four distinct sessions, each delving into critical facets of the field, namely: artificial intelligence, point of care and medical devices, e-health, and personalised medicine. Distinguished national experts and academics, among them Dr. Ashlin Rampul, a representative of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) young scientist task team; Prof Annalise Zemlin, Head of Division: Chemical Pathology at Stellenbosch University; Prof Kotsedi Monyeki from the Department of Physiology and Environmental Health at the University of Limpopo; and James Ross, Co-Founder and CEO of BixBio, a biotech company that is disrupting global healthcare by unlocking the power of African genomes for drug development, generously shared ground-breaking scientific advancements and practical experiences. Their collective insights not only expanded the horizons of knowledge but also fostered a deeper understanding of cardiometabolic health within the dynamic landscape of rapid technological evolution.

What set the symposium apart was the active participation of young emerging researchers in pivotal organisational roles. The organising committee, consisting of Dr Saarah Davids, Dr Shanel Raghubeer, Dr Cecil Weale, Dr Dipuo Motshwari and Dr Don Matshazi, who played a central role in the event. All members of the organizing committee are affiliated with the South African Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (SAACB), falling under the auspices of the African Federation of Clinical Chemistry (AFCC) and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). Guiding this dynamic team of emerging researchers are esteemed figures in the field : Prof Tandi Matsha, Prof Glenda Davison and Prof Rajiv Erasmus. These seasoned scientists have provided mentorship, fostering an environment conducive to innovative research in the realm of non-communicable diseases.

This dynamic blend of established expertise and emerging talent underscored the commitment to advancing cardiometabolic research and heralded a promising trajectory for the future of healthcare in the technological age.

Davison, who is the Head of CPUT’s Department of Biomedical Sciences and co-director of the SAMRC/CPUT Cardiometabolic Health research unit, said:

"For me two current themes were highlighted across all the sessions. These were the power of collaboration and the move to toward interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary partnerships. If we are able to work together, I believe the future is bright for South Africa and Africa."

Written by CPUT News
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The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, recently hosted the Annual Faculty Review of Learning, Teaching and Assessment Practices.

The event marked a significant stride in realising Vision 2030 and the institutional strategic imperatives.

The comprehensive review convened at the Cape Town Hotel School. 

Through interactive presentations and collaborative feedback sessions, Deans, Directors and other institutional stakeholders delved into the current practices with a critical lens for the enhancement of the academic project. 

The annual event is reflective of the collective commitment towards academic excellence.

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT recently hosted business and industry partners for a productive engagement, which also served as a platform to launch the Institutional Industry Advisory Forum.

The Forum will seek to advise on job market trends, as they relate to work-integrated learning, future-proof curricula, research and innovation.

The event, held at the Cape Town Hotel School on the Granger Bay campus, provided valuable opportunities for networking while some of the cutting-edge research conducted at CPUT was also showcased.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said cooperation in research development and innovation between universities and industries plays a fundamental role in the economic development of any country.

“Industry benefits from state-of-the-art laboratories and technology from academia, while higher education institutions learn about business reality and market needs.”

Prof Dina Burger, Director: Research Development, said the event was a significant day and milestone on the calendar for the CPUT community.

Burger said one of the university’s focus areas is smart engagement and strong links with quintuple helix partners.

“A partnership between us will take us far, and today we will solidify our commitment to partnerships in launching the institutional industry forum.”

The keynote speaker was PRASA acting regional manager, Raymond Maseko, who said PRASA was the beneficiary of a partnership with CPUT. He outlined the important role CPUT students had played in the recovery of PRASA’s rail network.

Maseko said that when the train service resumed after the hard lockdown in 2020, PRASA had to recover much of its network, which had been destroyed during the lockdown.

“Because we were planning now to recover the service, we increased our intake from CPUT in 2021 to about 36 students from the electrical engineering school, from mechanical engineering and also we took some operations management students.” Some of the students worked as project managers.

He said 21 of these students were now permanent PRASA employees.

“We have recovered all of the stations with the people that we have been working with, from industry, of course other contractors, but specifically from people that we have sourced from partnering with CPUT.”

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director of the Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), said it had been an honour for the Centre to co-host the event.

“In launching the Institutional Industry Advisory Forum, we commit to offering our future-proof curricula in preparing them for the future world of work.”

Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, said the idea was to ensure that CPUT made learning relevant for our students but there were also benefits for industry, including from the cutting-edge research conducted at the institution.

David Haarhoff, Project Lead, Community Engagement and WIL, said events of this nature aligned with the institution’s vision of being an inclusive university that constantly strives to collaborate and innovate with industry partners.

“The focal point of the event was essentially to recognise the dedication and efforts of industry partners in affording our students opportunities to develop professionally. I am extremely happy with the engagement and networking of industry partners who also recognise the university’s research efforts and provide current trends within industry which align to the curriculum.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Radiate Resilience: Revitalise your Spirit, Rejuvenate your Mind and Rebalance your Soul was the theme of a recent Women’s Month celebration hosted by the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS).

The event, held at the Cape Town Hotel School (CTHS), commemorated women in the Faculty and in the broader community.

The celebration engaged women in a panel discussion focused on “real issues” which impact women, as well as a social element which included pamper sessions by the CPUT Somatology students, a self-defence demonstration by a 7th Dan black belt, bingo and spot prizes, cooking sessions by Chef Asi Ndamase of the CTHS, financial advice by Old Mutual, beauty and a literary session and a conversation with award-winning author and entrepreneur, Samantha Adams, who launched her new book Justice for a Warrior.

Mandie Richards, Senior Lecturer and the Transformation Forum chairperson, shared her insights on the theme and highlighted how important it is for women to find a balance, and stated: “As women we play various roles as mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, friends, mentors, lovers, and perform endless chef duties, and often face many challenges as we try to navigate our journey”.

She added that resilience did not mean not seeking help, as that is the first step in healing and dealing with the stress women face, and that “it is okay to not be okay”. She continued: “It is important that we make the time to find our happy spaces or moments which provide a surge for us as women, to revitalise our spirits.”

Prof Desireé Scholtz, Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning, shared a message from the Faculty’s Acting Dean, Prof Renitha Rampersad, who acknowledged the resilience of women and that part of resilience required mindfulness, and humility.

Taryn Kroukamp, Acting Head of the Human Resources Management Department and a member of the Faculty Women’s Day organising team, stated: “The theme encapsulates the essence of the women we strive to be”. Kroukamp reminded the audience, that a balanced soul is the foundation for a resilient spirit.

The panel, moderated by Candice Oliver, a lecturer in the Marketing Department, included Dr Jade Riley and Dr Caylyn Mopp, both medical doctors, Dorothy du Plooy, a CANSA health care specialist and Larnelle Vogel, a Human Resources Specialist focusing on financial education and job creation for women. The celebration provided a safe space for women to ask questions on issues affecting them or family members.

Du Plooy shared crucial information about breast and cervical cancer and responded to a barrage of questions from women as to fears and uncertainties. Mopp shared information as to hormonal therapy and recognised the fears which women have pertaining to cancer. Riley and Mopp also advised women to have regular checks and that it was essential to have pap smears.

Some of the questions posed related to women being scammed of their money by men or falling in love with unemployed men. Vogel emphasised the importance of women being part of the financial discussions with their partners and stated: “If it is not sitting well with you, call it out and see it as a red flag, and do not take on projects.”

Mopp was emphatic as she stated: “Stop working on men’s potential and work on our own potential, because as women we are powerful”. Du Plooy added her pearls of wisdom by sharing her perspective and concluded the panel conversation to loud applause from the audience, with this final comment: “You are losing the battle if you have to groom the man, as he is not your child. Not my circus, not my money”

The celebration continued with musical performances by vocal artists, all graduates in performing arts, and had the women joyously celebrating being women, in dance and song.

Written by CPUT News

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