What started as a favourite pet name inspired a CPUT staff member to enroll towards a doctoral degree. Senior caretaker at Mowbray Campus, Nyaniso Zonke (50), defied hardships to register for the DTech degree in Public Management.

In 2016 Zonke registered for the D-Tech degree but unfortunate circumstances forced him to deregister in 2017. He reregistered in 2019 but the Covid-19 pandemic and its accompanying lockdowns came about in 2020 and he could not collect data for his research and deregistered again.

“When l was growing up my parents use to call me Doctor and l knew when they use that name l would get tea. So that's why l am interested in becoming an official Dr to reclaim what my parents have been saying,” says Zonke.

Born in a remote village in rural Centane, Eastern Cape, Zonke was not born jn hospital. “My mother could not reach hospital,” he says. He adds that a nearby home was used to deliver him instead. He is a member of a family of ten children. “l come after twins, l still have both parents who depend on me for everything,” he says.

He passed matric in 1992 with exemption at Ncedisizwe Senior Secondary School in Centane. “I had to travel an hour on foot to and from school,” remembers Zonke.

“I was motivated by the need to put bread on the table for my family, in order to do that l needed education,” he continues. He then worked as a security guard but his monthly income of R1 500 did not meet his home’s needs. “One day l decided to the quit security job wherein l was paid R1500. 00.I could not take it anymore and decided to take my monthly salary to pay my school fees,”. One other aspect that motivated Zonke to further his studies is that he hoped that one day something better would come his way and get a better salary as he was the only one working at his home.

“I grew up in an area where education was not a matter of interest and that kept me focused and wanted to make a difference,” murmurs Zonke. “My parents were always telling me to study, so they are my pillar of strength. Suffering is what makes me continue.”

He enrolled towards a Diploma in Public Management at CPUT in 2009 and proceeded to a B-Tec degree in Public Management in 2012. Forced him to deregister in 2017. In 2013 Zonke did an M-Tech in Public Management and in 2016 he registered fora D-Tech degree but unfortunate circumstances.

“In 2019, l again registered but Covid-19 came in 2020 and [I]could not collect data from my research” area and had to deregister again, until now which l will register next year,” he said.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Two academics from the Media and Communication Department recently presented their work at the Annual South African Communications Association (SACOMM) Conference, hosted by the Departments of Journalism and Visual Arts at Stellenbosch University.

Lecturer Dr Adelina Mbinjama presented on her National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka grant project, which ran from 2021 to 2023. Her presentation was titled: An Investigation of Cyber-Ethics among Digital Media Marketers in a changing Media Landscape: A Case Study on Black-owned SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upasna Maharaj, nGAP Lecturer in Film Production, presented her research article: Decolonising Film Education in South Africa: A Review of Approaches and Challenges, as part of the New Pedagogies panel at the Conference.

Mbinjama, who is the Chair of the Media Department Research Committee at CPUT, where she chairs the master’s proposal defences, also serves as a mentor on the Sisonke 3.0 Mentorship Programme, where more experienced supervisors give support and advice to CPUT employees who are new to postgraduate supervision.

Through a qualitative approach, her study investigated the use and practices of cyber-ethics among digital media marketers and employers in 50%-100% black-owned Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs). The study revealed the ethical and moral behaviour-related challenges that black businesses encountered during the period of COVID-19. Limited technological and legal infrastructures proved challenging for SMEs considering their loss of revenue during the pandemic.

“Due to my work on cyber-ethics for Thuthuka, I noted certain topics that emerged from my study but need to be expanded on, so I have a call for book chapters with Emerald Publishers, which I am working on with two other editors with research interests in the digital world, Dr Janelle Vermaak-Griessel (Nelson Mandela University) and Prof Bianca Wright (Coventry University in the UK).

She is also part of the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) CPUT Cohort as a supervisor to master’s and doctoral students.

Mbinjama recently attended the Humanities International Spring School at North West University, where postgraduate supervisors and students are capacitated to do research.

“The exposure to research is important to me as an emerging scholar and postgraduate supervisor. Through conference presentations and attendances, I believe that I will be able to enrich my knowledge and speciality in cyber-ethics and digital media. I also feel that my research activities will expand from an interdisciplinary approach to a more multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach.

Maharaj joined CPUT in November 2023.

“My presentation explored the ‘decolonisation’ of film education in South Africa, attempting to address questions of how to make film education more relevant, accessible, and context-specific in the post-colonial university. Decolonisation in film education involves interrogating and decentring Western and dominant theories, methodologies, and assumptions. It requires experimenting with curriculum design, teaching delivery, and shifting power relations within the classroom, where new approaches are underpinned by a desire to make education more relevant and accessible to students.

“The study synthesises existing literature and insights from South African film educators to investigate how ‘decolonisation’ translates to tangible efforts and specific actions that assist in equipping students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in our current globalised/glocalised mediascapes. Additionally, the research explores barriers and challenges faced by academics and institutions attempting to engage meaningfully in context-sensitive pedagogy.”

She will be presenting an updated version of this research at the CPUT Research Festival on 31 October 2024.

Maharaj serves as an editorial intern for Intellect's Journal of African Cinemas and freelances as a story consultant in the film industry.

She holds an MA in Media Theory and Practice from the University of Cape Town and is currently pursuing a PhD in Film Studies.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) staff members pride themselves in their contribution to the 2020 World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF) and the Global Engineering Dean’s Council Virtual Conference (GEDC) held recently.

The conference is a prestigious annual event in furthering the mission of the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) to bring together the global community to build excellence in engineering education.  The CPUT staff members who participated in the conference in 2020 include; Cheryl Belford, Tafirenyika Madzimbamuto, Dr Bronwyn Swartz, Dr Sweta Patnaik and Prof Daniela Gachago from CIET.

The event was supposed to be the first one on the African continent at Cape Town International Convention Centre but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was held virtually.  The theme for this year’s conference was: Disruptive Engineering Education Amid Global Challenges.

Academics, industry leaders, researchers, students and governmental organisations were all invited to the conference.  Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Prof Marshall Sheldon, says CPUT gave its support to this conference as part of the bid for it to be held in Cape Town. Sheldon was part of the initial local organising committee when the international organising committee visited Cape Town in 2019, with CPUT hosting the delegation for an evening event.  FEBE is also a member of the GEDC and wants to congratulate Prof Sunil Maharaj, Dean of the University of Pretoria, who was the general conference chair on his appointment as the chair-elect for the GEDC.

Swartz wrote two papers for the conference: “Assessment as Learning” to prepare Engineering students to solve ill-defined problems in industry and Ethics in Engineering Education 4.0.

She says the conference was fantastic but that initially, she felt “out of sorts” because of not knowing what to do or was expected of her because of the lack of traditional chat rooms.

“But once I figured it out, it was pretty cool. I personally believe that our own learner management system, Blackboard, is really powerful and that the software would be the best software to use to host a virtual conference,” adds Swartz. “But my experience at this conference was really good.”

She felt virtuous after her research findings were well-received by other delegates. “I’m really grateful that I was given the opportunity to participate. It’s most rewarding when one gets the impression that one’s research adds value, and other people might get ideas or benefit from the research that one has done,” she raves.

Patnaik, who worked with Gachago, says the conference speaks about engineering education and it covers many aspects that are close to “my heart, e-learning, blended learning sustainability and curriculum development”. Through her two papers, Patnaik highlighted two things, that are very relevant to this year. The first paper is about the role of e-learning champions within FEBE and their roles and responsibilities within the department during COVID 19.

The second paper highlighted the need for sustainability within the Engineering curriculum and its need and relevance in the current world,” she explains.

Belford is very happy that she made the final cut (42 of 100 papers) and that people found her research relevant.  “I took a lot of practical advice away from the experience and have a new idea around students, creating learning material for students for next year,” she remarks.

Her research was about designing integrated knowledge projects which was assessed solely by graduate attributes.  “I communicated the journey as well as realisations of principles and pedagogies which really need to be in place to create the student experience where competencies can be measured.”  Her research seemed very popular and resulted in quite a few discussions.

Madzimbamuto explains that his joint presentation with Prof Tunde Ojumu was titled: “An Innovation in the Teaching of Thermodynamics – A Constructivist Case Study using a Pilot Plant Facility”. The paper provided a version of a constructivist theory to the teaching of thermodynamics which is based on pilot plant operation experience for senior undergraduate students.

“Innovation in the teaching and learning of thermodynamics is evolving incrementally,” Madzimbamuto pronounces.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Alumni from across the globe recently tuned in for the Advancement Department’s first Alumni webinar, which placed the spotlight on Staying alive in the current labour market crisis.

Alumni officer Valerie Deelman said the lockdown which followed the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic had affected the lives of most people and forced people to adapt to the “new normal”.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has rocked the foundations of the world – economies are struggling, unemployment figures have escalated as a result of companies closing down, staff are being retrenched, demand for products/services shrunk and the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths continue to rise. So, we decided to engage with our alumni through hosting a webinar on ‘Staying alive in the current labour market crisis’”. 

The Alumni Office invited Dr Liiza Gie, Head of Department: Human Resource Management at CPUT, SA Board for People Practices Master HR Professional in Learning & Development and an alumna, to collaborate in hosting its first alumni webinar.

Along, with Gie, two other alumni, communication professional and entrepreneur Kim Webster and the founder of Red Village, a 3D printing technology company, Luvuyo Ndiki completed the list of guest speakers.

Gie’s presentation centred on Employability in I4.0 (Industry 4.0) while Webster’s talk centred on:  Coping with the new normal/Surviving Covid-19. Ndiki, whose company was recently featured on BBC world news for its innovative biodegradable products made from sugarcane and corn-starch, delivered an inspirational message.

Participants in the event received a virtual welcome from Calvin Maseko, Director: Advancement Department, while Deelman officiated as programme director with the support of colleagues Helena Pietersen and Nadine Waterwitch. 

“Our guest speakers connected well with the audience in the virtual space and their presentations were well received.  Our participants eagerly posed their questions and comments on the chat platform,” Deelman said.

A second webinar is planned for later in the year.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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As required by the Council on Higher Education (CHE), the Quality Management Directorate at CPUT, together with the Faculty Coordinators, have compiled the interviewees’ list ahead of the planned virtual visit from 19 to 22 October.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in CHE conducting this year’s Doctoral Review online and interviews will be conducted through Zoom meetings. The aims of the interviews include the gathering of additional clarity and information on what institutions included in their Institutional Self-Evaluation Report submitted earlier this year.

“The panel will triangulate the interviewee responses, together with their different opinions and views, and draw their own conclusions from the process,” says National Review of Doctoral Qualifications Institutional Coordinator is this at CPUT, Dr Siyanda Makaula. “The identified interviewees are expected to answer truthfully and honestly, and as a result the process is confidential, and anonymity is respected.” 

Interviewees can expect to be asked about their experiences of the processes involved in the doctoral qualifications. “The interviews will be managed by the chairperson of the panel and will not take more than an hour for each group. An invitation will be sent out by the CHE, inviting interviewees to join the panel in Zoom sessions,” adds Makaula. “These questions should be open, concise and clear, not rhetorical or infused with explicit or implied comments of the processes involved.”

He advises that during the interviews the chairperson has the right to intervene should there be any deviation from interview questions and processes, while the CHE observer may also confidentially advise the chairperson on occurrence of deviation, biased behaviour and possible unfairness. He confirms that there will be no audio-recording of interviews as this may compromise the honesty of the interviewees and that they should feel comfortable about voicing their views openly.

As the review process is scheduled for four days, the panel may need clarification on certain matters. “Interviewees will be asked to remain available for panel interviews throughout the site visit,” warns Makaula. “If the panel needs to talk to an interviewee again, they will indicate this to the Quality Management Directorate (QMD) and the interviewee will receive a call from the unit.”

In separate sessions the panel members will interview the university’s senior management, staff members from the Centre for Postgraduate Studies, Research Unit and QMD as well as supervisors, examiners, administrators, students and alumni to verify some of their inputs. He insists that the panel’s lines of enquiry will come out of the Self-evaluation report developed by the University and submits the following guide of the interview sessions as what can be expected:

Interviewees can expect to be invited by the QMD to a briefing session the week before the panel visit, where some more details will be discussed and all questions and queries from the interviewees answered. The CHE will then invite interviewees to their hour-long session during the week of 19-22 October. 

“Immediately following the CHE session, a Teams meeting invitation from the QMD will be waiting for the interviewees of that session,” says Makaula. “This will be for a short, half-hour debriefing session in which open discussion is invited from the interviewees on their experiences of the interviewee session.”

He adds that all thoughts and ideas are welcome during this debriefing session and the QMD will note them for future improvements.

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Written by Kwanele Butana
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Academics from the Design Department participated in the recent World Interaction Design Day (IXDD) - an annual event which highlights how interaction design improves the human condition. 

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s edition of IXDD took the form of regional livestreams from around the world. The theme was Culture and Sustainability and three staff members in the Design Department, Bruce Snaddon, Dr Vikki Eriksson and Wayne Coughlan were involved.

“I am always finding ways to connect industry with design education and believe this was an opportunity to give exposure to the CPUT brand on a global stage. Last year we ran a physical IXDD event where students from the CPUT Design Department shared the stage with Interaction Design industry speakers,” said Coughlan.

Coughlan, a lecturer in the Visual Communication Design programme and the Africa & Middle East regional co-ordinator for the IxDA (Interaction Design Association), said his responsibilities included co-ordinating speakers, discussion groups and creating the content for the IXDD. 

He said IxDA Cape Town, Cumulus and CPUT teamed up for Cumulus P-R-E (Practitioners, Researchers and Educators) Day for IXDD. Erikkson chaired a Practitioners, Researchers and Educators discussion panel while Snaddon, among other things, chaired a panel discussion on the topic of Culture and  Sustainability.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Head of the Biomedical Sciences Department, Associate Prof Glenda Davison, has been named as one of the Mail & Guardian’s Powerful Women for 2020.

Every year during August the Mail & Guardian profiles the transformative work done by women.  According to the publication, the 50 women on this year’s list are not only excelling in their chosen fields but have also made it a priority to use their positions to fight for the betterment of our society. 

“I am feeling overwhelmed and grateful for the recognition, but at the same time completely humbled, as I know that there are many powerful women in this country who are doing amazing things without getting the acknowledgment. I certainly don’t feel powerful but am happy that I am able to make a difference,” said Davison, whose focus area is Haematology.

Graduations and working with an amazing team of academics and staff are what she enjoys most about her work.

“I have so many highlights and have enjoyed every moment of my career, which has involved working in a diagnostic laboratory, performing research and of course teaching. I have been given so many opportunities throughout my career which have led to me being able to obtain a PhD, a huge milestone and to achieve an NRF rating which was another personal highlight. My biggest highlights are seeing our students achieve. I then know that I have had made a difference.”

In 2011 she received the BridgeMohan award for her research contribution to Haematology

Davison said she was nominated for the Mail & Guardian’s Powerful Women for 2020 by Quote this Women (https://quotethiswoman.org.za/).

“I was included on their database following my two articles which were published in The Conversation earlier this year. Both articles focussed on the Covid-19 pandemic and so were topical over this period. This led to a number of newspapers and other media outlets asking for my opinion on laboratory testing, Covid-19 and even the Spanish flu which happened in 1918.”

In terms of research Davison is involved in a number of projects with Prof Tandi Matsha and the Cardiometabolic Health research unit.

“I also collaborate with the Division of Haematology at UCT and am involved in a study investigating HIV associated lymphomas. But currently my focus is on assisting in the preparation for the Council on Higher Education doctoral review which will take place in October. This project has again allowed me to work and connect with a fantastic team of professionals and academics.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT is still receiving a high volume of applications for admission despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operational processes.

With the theme, Building South Africa’s future by creating yours, applications for admission to study at CPUT in 2021 opened on 8 June and the university has already received more than 59 202 academic programme choices from 25 540 applicants.

Admissions and Registrations Centre Manager, Sonja Swanich, said the application rate is higher than last year. “It is an increase of 9 314 application choices from 2 619 applicants in comparison with 15 July 2019 figures.”

Swanich also urged prospective CPUT students to apply as soon as possible as spaces in programmes are limited. Whether you aspire to work in clothing and textile technology, town and regional planning, nursing, engineering or information technology, the institution has you covered with numerous career-focused courses to choose from. The university has six faculties offering more than 80 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the fields of Applied Sciences, Business and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering and the Built Environment, Informatics and Design, as well as Health and Wellness Sciences.

The admission requirements for current Grade 12 learners will be based on their final Grade 11 marks only, together with any additional programme specific requirements (where applicable). Final acceptance to the programme will still be based on the final Grade 12 results.

Swanich also advised the applicants to only submit their applications if they are 100 percent certain that they meet the entrance requirements (validate against 2021 prospectus), and that they have obtained all the necessary supporting documentation as outlined on the CPUT website.

“Always submit your first choice as your first career choice, followed by your second and third career choices. Always submit your online application together with required documentation,” Swanich said.

She urged the prospective students to first read all the relevant application-related information as outlined in each step. “Once you are certain of which programmes you are interested in applying for...first check for any programme specific requirements as outlined [on the website].”

Applicants can go to https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-2-gather-your-documents-or-upload-further-outstanding-documents.

Get the documents ready and submit together with the application. Read the online step-by-step application guides obtainable from the CPUT website.

Submit your application as soon as possible and avoid last-minute submissions.

Please visit the CPUT website for further details and closing dates:

https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Residence Business Unit is continuing its drive to improve residential services to students within the bounds of lockdown protocols.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on plans for 2020, the Residence Management team says it remains dedicated to providing excellent service and enhance the image of CPUT residences.

The Residence Business Unit’s Phillip Chibvuri said some of the projects currently in progress are:

• The replacement of beds and mattresses, which began in late 2018. To date, CPUT has replaced almost 60% of beds and mattresses. The next batch of 1 000 is expected between July and December and speeds up the roll-out of the three- year planned project.
• Since the start of this project in 2018, more than 3 000 leased beds have been added to the residence system seeing the university accommodating 38% of its total student population compared to 29% in 2019.  The target by 2021 is 40% and with the current pandemic, CPUT is assessing the appetite as the impact of Covid-19 may change demand and supply trends.
• The recently refurbished Freedom Square will see a revamp and replacement of all its student rooms study chairs while a first of its kind wall mounted foldable desk for space management will be installed in the second semester.

Residence Business Manager Johnny Basson said: “We are on a path to creating sustainable systems and enhance the image of CPUT residences and our living and learning spaces. The task requires embedding a culture of sustenance, cost outlook, preservation of infrastructure and behaviour from both students and the immediate staff. We are striving to rebrand the CPUT residences and its systems to provide a conducive environment for stimulating ideas and have these spaces be a hub for growth in many disciplines of our future graduates as is the purpose of an institution of higher learning”.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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As the global community continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, our health workers have emerged as the heroes of this crisis. Among them are many of our very own CPUT students who are working selflessly to help others. Some are risking their own lives at the frontlines.

Students from the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences have heeded the call for help by health authorities by manning ambulances and the recently erected temporary hospitals. Others have volunteered to assist in various non-clinical roles such as manning the telephones in the call-centre.

Over the next few days, they will be telling their stories in their own words. The first story is from a Fourth-Year Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care student:

“I am a CPUT student on the Bachelor of Emergency Medical care programme and I am also an emergency care technician at Emergency Medical Services. I am currently working permanently on the designated COVID-19 vehicle at my base. This means that every call I do on every shift is either a confirmed positive case or a suspected case of coronavirus.

I have to vigorously wipe my ambulance down after every single call and allow my vehicle to air for 30 minutes. I have to wear uncomfortable personal protective equipment for every call I do – this consists of an apron, a visor, a mask and gloves. All of which are currently in short supply within the EMS system. This means that I, all too often, have to reuse and recycle PPE, which is most unhygienic and unethical towards my patients.

 Every day, I change into other clothes in the parking lot at the base so as to avoid contaminating my personal vehicle and possibly infecting my family. I am constantly fighting with my colleagues about COVID-19 calls as everyone is refusing to do them as they are scared. My call volumes are reaching levels that are impossible for one vehicle alone to do.

I am being pushed to my limits. I have regular fights every day at hospitals regarding correct PPE and procedures when it is not my fault. I have to fight at hospitals just to give me an apron because I am only issued one for an entire shift and it needs to be changed after every patient I touch. I am expected to wear an N95 mask for seven days straight.

When I air my vehicle for 30 minutes, I sit with my laptop and try my best to complete some studies as there is simply not enough time. I am a father of two small children, a fiancé to an amazing woman and a dad to four dogs – all of whom, I can possibly infect and harm. This places enormous stress on me every single day of my life.

On top of this, I am participating in full-time studies for my degree. Something I have been dedicating my life to for the past three years. I have not failed a single subject in my time at CPUT. I have been dreaming about becoming an Emergency Care Practitioner since 2013. My shift cycles interfere immensely with my studies. I am expected to put in 10-15 hours a week into my studies, whilst working 168 hours on the ambulance.

Being a final year on this degree is hard enough under normal circumstances, but now it is next to impossible. I refuse to give up or quit and I will push until I physically and mentally cannot anymore. It is my dream to serve my community in every way that I possibly can, and I will not let anything stop me.”

*Name has been withheld to protect identity.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Prof Oluwafemi Oguntibeju’s research on medicinal plants and chronic diseases is not going unnoticed and has earned him a nomination in the Data for Research Award category of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) -South32 Awards.

The category deals with the availability of a person’s research data (publications) and usage by other researchers and scientists on different platforms such as Google Scholar, Figshare, LiveDNA, Pubmed, and university repository. It also relates to the citation and impact of such publications.

The Phytomedicine and Photochemistry Research Group Leader has been nominated for the first time and his research focus has been on medicinal plants and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and HIV/AIDS. “It shows that other researchers are reading and making use of my scientific publications.

“It provides some kind of motivation to contribute more to the scientific community in terms of scientific publications,” he divulges.  

“[It’s] recognition of my research publications and it indicates that CPUT researchers are actively involved in significant research activities that are of relevance nationally and internationally… It takes hard work, focus, and perseverance…I am not sure about the number of [my] competitors, [I am] not worried by the number at all... I see my work as a service rather than a competition.”

He attributes his academic achievements to, ‘focus’ coupled with support from his colleagues and management. “I cannot attribute my success to a single person or factor. [It] is a combination of factors and other contributions from others including my family, colleagues, and CPUT management.”

Oguntibeju aspires to “continual contribution to the knowledge economy and postgraduate training”. Asked about his feelings about his academic achievements and impact of his research in the community, the researcher who likes reading Christian books and listening to music says, “[I am] happy but could still do more; my aim is to do more”.

He always tries not to take academic work home except if it’s extremely necessary. “Of course, with the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I have to work from home. It’s a bit challenging.

“My children think that the only thing I do is writing papers… However, they also know that I do have time for them. They like teasing me. We laugh a lot.”

Oguntibeju was recently admitted as Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, a recognition that was based on his scientific publications. In his busy schedule, he also collaborates with colleagues on specific projects at the University of the Western Cape, University of Ibadan, and other universities in South Africa and other countries.

“I would like to say thank you to CPUT for the opportunity to contribute to the scientific community and train postgraduate students. To my colleagues/collaborators, I also want to say thank you, you mean so much to me.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Department of Biomedical Sciences is pulling out all the stops to ensure that its students and those at other institutions continue receiving excellent training amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Glenda Davison, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, said one of the main challenges was how to continue teaching in an abnormal situation while ensuring that students complete the year while maintaining physical distancing and safety.

“This was particularly important for the final fourth-years who are required to complete clinical practice in an accredited laboratory before being able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The laboratories in the Western Cape are under severe pressure and so students were not allowed to continue their training and have been at home throughout the lockdown.”

Davison said the solution was to work together with all other universities of technology offering this programme and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS).

“Because our qualifications are dependent on HPCSA accreditation and approval, the various universities decided to put together a proposal for the HPCSA on how we could, as a united group, continue with both third- and fourth-year clinical practice,” she said.

“After an online meeting, we drafted a document which proposed that the requirements to register be supplemented with offsite training. This could include training in a simulated clinical practice laboratory, online videos which would demonstrate relevant laboratory procedures, online tutorials and learning material.”

Davison said the NHLS had partnered with the university and had already set up online sessions using Zoom.

“The proposal suggests that with the supplementation of training with these alternative methods, students will be able to achieve the competency needed to register. The joint proposal is to serve at the next professional board meeting.”

She added that CPUT was fortunate to have a simulated clinical practice laboratory situated at the NHLS in Green Point. This laboratory is able to provide training to students in an environment which is similar to the workplace but in small groups and in a focussed way.

“The laboratory is run by Ms Theresa Van Jaarsveldt (clinical practice co-ordinator)  and a team of clinical practice instructors who are in the process of preparing the laboratory to ensure that students are able to obtain the practical training, yet maintain all the physical distancing required to ensure safety.”

One of the alternate methods of teaching is making videos of laboratory procedures taking place in a real diagnostic laboratory.

“These would also include videos for the third-years in which students can get an idea of how a busy medical laboratory operates. The making of the videos will be driven by our clinical practice instructors in partnership with the NHLS who have agreed to facilitate these in their laboratories.” 

Davison stated that once the videos have been completed it will be shared with other universities in order for them to supplement their Clinical Practice training.

“It is really heartening to experience how everyone, both in the higher education institutions and the employer sector, has pulled together in such a positive way. Everyone has been willing to assist and make sure that our final years complete the year. I am really positive that we will complete the academic year,” she stated. 

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Department of Student Affairs has gone the extra mile to assist students since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Dean of Students, Tulani Nkuntse, said that from 1 March to 18 April, the university has initiated a number of programmes, including Health Cluster activities, busing students home ahead of lockdown, accommodating students who could not go home, student counselling and general residence activities. When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that SA would go into lockdown, it was decided that it would be in (residence) students’ best interests if they returned to their families for the duration of the lockdown period.

Nkuntse said 941 students were transported by CPUT chartered buses and 9 719 went home voluntarily. A total of 1853 students chose to remain on campus.

“There is good provision of services to ensure the hygiene of residences [such as] procuring and securing protective equipment, sanitisers and gloves, good containment with no positive cases reported thus far.”

The Student Health Clinic works in tandem with the Western Cape Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Cape Town as they follow the World Health Organisation, National Department of Health and NICD Protocols in the management of suspected and confirmed Coronavirus cases. “All suspected, confirmed cases and close contacts at CPUT campuses can be reported telephonically to the student health clinic with the following detail:

• Name and surname of suspected case/patient
• Contact number and alternative number
• Date of start of symptoms

The deputy dean added that anti-microbial (antibiotics) treatment is not advised for COVID-19 cases unless there is good reason to do so e.g. secondary bacterial infections.   He said the university has increased access to staff members for students in all activities and that students can send emails to request counselling. Student counsellors can call to follow up.

Nkuntse said students have been adhering to lockdown rules as required and there has been greater access control at campus gates.

“This period has challenged us to look deeply and we fast-tracked the thinking around the services we provide as student affairs and how we need to reimagine student affairs for the university of the future. We have acted in the best way possible. We continue to look for ways to improve during this uncertain time but in all we do; we have our students at the centre of it all. [We are] quite happy with the progress made thus far. We were able to really, in a short space of time [we] come up with and implemented concrete plans to ensure that we respond in a responsible manner. We continue to make more strides to ensure that our interventions yield the desired results,” Nkuntse said.

Emergency contact person is Andries Slinger; *60247 or 076 229 0298

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The CPUT HIV/AIDS Unit recently held its annual Peer Education Awards ceremony, the first face-to-face ceremony after the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was held at the Cape Town Hotel School and was hosted by the Unit’s interns, Siphelele Maseko and Nthabiseng Maake.

“The purpose of the event was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the 2022 Peer Educators throughout the year. They have given themselves entirely by ensuring that each campus and campus residence had new condoms, students were aware of what was going on in the Unit and that discussions were held on crucial topics that students faced. They showcased their leadership skills by actively promoting the CPUT Vooma Vaccination Drive earlier in the year. These incredible young minds were celebrated through a state-of-the-art Classic and Vintage theme event titled “Celebrating a Vintage Heart, with a Vintage Mind”,” said Melanie Swanson, Head of the HIV/Aids Units.

The Peer Educators were awarded with a certificate of completion and there were various categories of awards such as Covid warrior of the year, Social media influencer of the year, Role model of the year, Junior peer of the year, Senior peer educator of the year, Campus leader of the year, Peer mentor of the year, Condom distributor of the year, Most discussion of the year, Change agent of the year, and Campus of the year with monetary prizes awarded to the 1st , 2nd and 3rd place prizes according to their work recorded through a monthly log sheet.

Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Drieke Hay-Swemmer, shared a message of support with the Peer Educators to encourage them to keep doing great work and to be great mentors to others. Andile Xolo, who represented the Central SRC, said: “I wish that the HIV/AIDS Unit will continue recruiting peer educators to join the programme and I hope that all students come and participate in the programme. All in all, the HIV/AIDS Unit is doing a great job and I enjoyed myself”.

Here’s what some of the winners had to say:

“The experience I got in this programme, it will forever stay with me. It has inspired and motivated me to want to do more and seeing my fellow peer eds getting awards/certificates for what they have done during the year. That sparked my interest to be more active in everything I want to achieve”

“I enjoyed those team building games we had in our refreshers training and the discussion we had that day. Also, this programme has helped me to gain my confidence back.”

“The ceremony was amazing and congratulations to all who won and those that are motivated to do better next year. For as long as we support each other the world is a better place”

“My thanks go to the HIV/AIDS unit and their sponsors. Office bearers and peer educators on the ground.”

“We are CPUT and once a peer educator, always a peer educator.”

“Everyone came out looking gorgeous and stunning and they truly enjoyed themselves, indeed, it was a spectacular event as the awards winner had nothing but great things to say and the guest left thrilled. We wish to thank the management of CPUT, Higher Health and Fundani Centre for their generous support of our programmes,” said Swanson.

If you wish to be a 2023 Peer Educator, send your brief CV and motivation letter to the Peer Education Officer, Miss Nonhlanhla Ndabeni, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Written by CPUT News
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