The Faculty of Health and Wellness took centre stage at one of the final graduation ceremonies happening this week.

And one of the brightest stars in the faculty, Stephanie Geldenhuys, was honoured with a Dean’s medal.

The award is offered to one student who excelled in all aspects of academic life.

Stephanie received her diploma in Radiography on Wednesday evening and expects to extend her studies to a BTech in Ultrasound.

She was commended for the 16 distinctions she received in her subjects across her entire three years of study.

Her achievements saw her being snatched up for community service training and she is currently

working in her home town of Worcester.

Stephanie is a prime example of the type of student guest speaker Tendani Mabuda urged the graduates to emulate.

Mabuda is the current Registrar and CEO of the SA Council of Nurses and has dedicated his working career toward the upliftment of the profession.

He also implored graduates to work together with their colleagues towards a common goal.

“There is no success in the healthcare environment that is based on a solo effort,” he says.

“It is a team effort.”

Mabuda ended by encouraging the class of 2011 to see their newly acquired certificates as the first step in a long career.

“Don’t just hang your qualification on the wall. Make sure it translates into a skills transfer.”

Graduation continues with the Faculty of Informatics and Design this morning and the first Engineering ceremony in Bellville at 7pm.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

Pictures by CLIVE GALANT

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hundreds of graduates in the Faculty of Informatics and Design received their diplomas and degrees this morning on the Cape Town campus.

In a spirited ceremony, the graduates were told that true satisfaction in the workplace comes from doing great work. And the key to great work is to do what you love.

Guest speaker Rachel Atkinson, Business Unit Manager and Solution Architect at TWC spoke eloquently of the need to find one’s passion in the workplace.

“You will not get the first job you applied for, you won’t start with a huge salary – but don’t give up! As Steve Jobs says – it’s all about connecting the dots. You can’t see the dots looking forward at university, but you can clearly see them looking back, years later. Believing that the dots will connect, will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even if it leads you off the well-worn path - and that will make the difference.”

The loudest of today’s cheers were reserved for Eugene Visser, who was awarded his DTech in Information Technology. Supervised by Prof Melius Weideman, Visser wrote his thesis on Fusing Website Usability Variables and On-Page Search Engine Optimisation Elements.

The Dean’s Medal was also awarded to a graduate of the Information Technology Department. Christoffel Basson achieved distinction in all 12 subjects of his National Diploma, with a final aggregate of 87% over three years of study.

Graduation continues this evening at 7 pm on the Bellville Campus, where the first ceremony of the Faculty of Engineering takes place. On Thursday morning, the Faculty of Applied Sciences ceremony begins at 10am on the Cape Town campus.

By JAN WEINTROB

Photograph by Clive Galant

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are determined that the direction of your travel is going to be upwards there will be no limit to what you can achieve.

This was the message to graduates from Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, who was the guest speaker at a graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.

He encouraged graduates to learn to reach beyond self-interest.

“In the 21^st century we find ourselves in a world which is becoming more and more selfish, polarised, hateful and fearful. If we are to survive we will need to find a way to reconnect with our humanity. What the world desperately needs today is more compassion,” said Volmink.

“I want to challenge you today as health and wellness professionals to find a way to show compassion and demonstrate solidarity towards your patients, clients, colleagues and society in general. Let us work together to overcome the shortcomings that we see around us and in the health system in particular and show leadership as makers of change.”

An emotional Simone Smith was the Dean’s Medal recipient in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.

Smith, who graduated with a BHSC in Medical Laboratory Sciences obtained distinctions in 17 of her 20 subjects and achieved a final aggregate of 81 percent over the years of her study.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cape Town-born Carla Barnard, 25, is the first graduate on the Mowbray Campus to be awarded a Dean’s Medal in the Faculty of Education.

Carla obtained 41 distinctions out of the 42 subjects with a final aggregate of 83, 41% over the four years of study.

She says her achievement has left her at a loss for words as she felt all sorts of emotions at once. She is grateful for this achievement and praises God for allowing it to happen.

“I worked hard I think I deserve it, I feel like the world is my oyster,” she says. “This is the moment I waited four years for. It took a lot of sacrifices.”

According to Head of the Intermediate Department, Dr Cina Mosito, all the previous winners were form the Wellington Campus.

Carla says that the achievement is more meaningful to her as she had a troubled upbringing being raised by her mom and granny whom she considers her inspiration. “This is the first time there's a graduate and a teacher in my family.”

Besides her family she is grateful to her fiancé and lecturers who trained her to be the resourceful teacher she is. “I wouldn't be here if it was not for the lecturers, I am grateful to CPUT and the university will be part of my future professional development.”

Even though she aims to study until the doctoral level she won’t be studying next year. Instead she will be planning her wedding which will happen later in the year.

“I had a lot of other work to juggle with my studies this year such as being a Teaching Assistant, a Peer Educator and a Youth Coordinator for ATR [an Afrikaans project].”

Carla is currently teaching Mathematics, English, Natural Science, History, Performing Arts, Geography, EMS and Life Orientation in Grade 7 at De Vrije Zee Primary School in Goodwood.          

Written by Kwanele Butana
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stefani Swart, who was awarded the Dean’s Medal at today’s Faculty of Business and Management Sciences’ graduation ceremony after obtaining her diploma Summa Cum Laude, says her hard work has paid off.

Stefani obtained distinctions in all 18 subjects and achieved an aggregate of 88.67% over the three years of study towards the National Diploma in Tourism Management.

The 21-year-old grew up in Paarl where she obtained her Senior Certificate at La Rochelle Girls High School in 2015.

She says studying very hard and putting a lot of effort in one’s work is all it needed for her to earn her achievement.

While as part of her Work-Integrated Learning she worked for N-Concepts and Design, a Paarl-based wedding and events management company, Stefani will now work as an assistant teacher at W A Joubert Primary School.     

She will also be studying Education: Foundation Phase through distance learning. “I have always wanted to do tourism and then pursue my passion for teaching children.”

Written by Kwanele Butana
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Six bright young minds, one in each faculty, were honoured with Dean’s Medals during Autumn Graduation 2024.

They are:

Rebekah Maeder – Faculty of Informatics and Design: In 2021, Rebekah enrolled for a Diploma in Architectural Technology. She passed all her subjects with distinctions, with a total average of 81% which qualified her to graduate Summa Cum Laude. Rebekah successfully participated in competitions such as CIFA Homeless and PG Bison 2023 Architectural.

Thomas Pegg – Faculty of Applied Sciences: Thomas registered for the Diploma in Horticulture in 2021, and completed it in 2023, having scored distinctions in all 27 subjects required for the qualification, and an overall average of 88,2%. He is currently completing his Advanced Diploma in Horticulture and would like to pursue postgraduate studies in the near future.

Sushmita Nowases – Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment: In 2017, Sushmita started the National Diploma: Maritime Studies at the Granger Bay Campus. After completing her first year, she went to sea and returned to complete the remainder of her qualification in 2022, before the phase-out of the National Diploma. She obtained an average of 88.9%, obtaining 28 distinctions out of 29 subjects.

Shanai Vos – Faculty of Education (Bachelor of Education: Foundation Phase): Shania Vos obtained 35 distinctions out of the 35 subjects with a final aggregate of 89.22 % over the four years of study, passing summa cum laude.

“Throughout my university journey, I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to my studies. I had the privilege of being awarded the Dean’s Merit Certificate every year. Today, as I reflect on my achievements, I am filled with pride, knowing that I poured all my energy and commitment into my endeavours.

Alida Gouws – Faculty of Business and Management Sciences: In 2005, Alida started her tertiary education journey at North West University, doing a B Com: Economics & Law (2005–2007), B Com: International Trade (2008), BCom Honours: International Trade (2009), and University of South Africa (UNISA) Diploma: Business Management (2011). She enrolled at CPUT in 2021. During her time at CPUT, she exhibited exemplary academic ability, earning a remarkable total of 12 distinctions. Alida’s academic achievements highlight her exceptional intellect, diligence, and perseverance, setting her on a path towards continued success and fulfilment in her future endeavours.

Ameeroh Osman - Facutly of Health and Wellness Sciences: In 2021, Ameeroh registered for the three-year Diploma in Somatology. She obtained 24 distinctions out of 28 subjects. Ameeroh is currently registered for the one-year Advanced Diploma in Somatology, and aspires to work in Advanced Aesthetic Therapies.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.