29 of CPUT’s academically deserving students studying Civil Engineering, Building Surveying and Architectural Technology are the latest recipients of bursaries, each valued at R60 000.

The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), who support training, education and skills development in the construction industry is the donor of the funds, which total a whopping R1.74 million.

This is the latest agreement between CPUT and the various Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) brokered by the Advancement Department. Major donations in the form of bursaries, research and Work Integrated Learning opportunities have also been received from BANKSETA, (Banking and Micro-Finance SETA) AgriSETA, (Agricultural SETA), CATHSSETA, (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports SETA), CHIETA (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority) and the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&R SETA).

CETA may fund the students until they finish their courses, but are committing for one year at this stage. A continuation of donor funds will depend on the students’ performance and the availability of resources within CETA.

Female-focussed: A minimum of 40% of the CETA bursary recipients are women.

Coby Greef, Provincial Coordinator of CETA says he’s delighted to see so many female faces amongst the bursary recipients. The CETA has stipulated that a minimum of 40% of beneficiaries of the bursaries must be women.

“CETA is committed to providing a conducive environment for learning and artisan development, with a special focus on youth, women and our military veterans,” says Greef. ‘We’re working closely with institutions of higher learning to ensure quality learning to equip professionals and artisans with the necessary skills needed to build our nation.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
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In a vote of confidence for the quality of the university’s training, skills training authorities have this year disbursed millions of rand in bursaries to CPUT students.

The Safety and Security Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) and Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) recently visited CPUT to confirm the bursaries.

SASSETA has awarded R10 million as bursaries to successful students who are studying Nursing as well as Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering. This year the Seta funded 128 students at the maximum of R80 000 each, with the allocation covering expenses for registration, tuition, accommodation, books and meals.

Sibusiso Zondo, a first-year Mechanical Engineering student from Mbalenhle, Mpumalanga said his mother relies on piecework to provide for their family of seven.

“She gets assisted by my brother who works at Sasol as a general worker since he is the only person working. So, I got help from my church, Alliance Community Church, which sent me here to pursue my studies,” said Sibusiso. “I want to obtain honours here at CPUT and my message to SASSETA is that they must continue doing what they do because back home I left some of my friends in the same situation I was in. When I go back to them again I will tell them about such opportunities so that they can come and study too.”

CETA has increased individual bursary allocations to CPUT students by R20 000 which brings the total value of this year’s bursary to R80 000 per student.

Forty first-year students in the Engineering Faculty received funding in the 2018 academic year. This brings the total number of CPUT students funded by CETA to 113.

“I have come here to listen and so has the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. After this workshop we will sit down and look at what it is that we can do to influence and continue to sustain such a good correlation,” said Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo at the induction workshop the CETA held for the students.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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