“It is very unfortunate that South Africans and South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are fixated with tuition fees as a costing mechanism rather than the full cost of studies. If we look at the full cost of studies per year - which could be up to five times more - maybe, just maybe, South Africans earning relatively good salaries will realise that very few students can afford to further their studies without financial aid.”

So says Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of CPUT’s Advancement department. With around 40 % of South African university students dropping out of the higher education system due to financial constraints, new and creative ways of addressing the shockingly low throughput rates of our HEIs need to be found. And so, Advancement have recently launched a facility where staff members can pledge a portion of their salary towards a central fund for student bursaries.

Advancement’s Fundraising Liaison Officer Andile Blaai says however much CPUT wants financial aid for academically-deserving students to be provided, this can’t be fully realised in a world where government funding to higher education is constantly on the decline.“To try and overcome this, Advancement has proposed sustainable ways of supporting students. This also forms part of a mandate declared by the Kresge Foundation, who donated funds to CPUT to build capacity to increase third-stream income, particularly from individuals. We’ve established a bursary fund with the primary aim of serving as a means to appropriately invest bursary donations, in line with CPUT’s investment policies. The investments will be structured such that only the proceeds from the investment will be used for necessary student financial support.”

A rotating committee responsible for the disbursement of funds according to a strict set of criteria will be formed. Representatives from all spheres of the university will sit on this committee. All the applications will be fielded through Advancement’s office and funds will be awarded after a panel has scrutinised the student’s academic performance and financial need.

“We are rolling the project out in phases (currently in its first phase) and some staff may have received a personalised letter detailing this initiative. Staff can expect to hear more about this drive and will be invited to apply to sit on this rotating committee. The fund will also cater for once-off, annual and deferred contributions, and members of CPUT community, alumni and industry partners can contribute as little as R50 per month for a pre-determined fixed period. In return, CPUT will give donors a formal tax exemption certificate. There are various ways to donate, such as debit order, credit card and salary deduction facilities.”

Blaai says members of the Advancement department have already begun contributing to the fund, with donations ranging from R100 - R200 per month. He’s urging staff, alumni and industry partners to do the same. “This initiative offers you a great opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause that will support many generations of deserving students who come through our doors. Please join us in creating a reserve for student financial support. We thank you in advance for your valuable contribution and applaud those who have already pledged.”

By: Thando J. Moiloa

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

More academically deserving CPUT students are set to benefit from additional bursary funding from the Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI) Foundation and Golden Arrow Bus Services.

Bursaries to the value of R1, 520 700 have been made available by the HCI Foundation, while Golden Arrow contributed R37 330 in addition to R98 000 which was announced earlier this year.

The contributions are part of a bursary programme partnership between CPUT, Golden Arrow Bus Services and HCI Foundation aimed at making higher education accessible, as well as contributing to the reduction of skills shortage in the country.

The Golden Arrow bursaries cover tuition and accommodation costs, books and travel expenses as well as a living stipend, while the HCI Foundation bursary covers a large portion of registration and tuition fees only.

CPUT Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen expressed gratitude for the funding on behalf of CPUT.

""This additional funding from HCI and Golden Arrow will ensure that more of our students achieve their academic goals without worrying about funding for their studies,” he said adding that “we are grateful for the generous support and we look forward to a strengthened partnership.”

Speaking on behalf of the HCI Foundation, bursary programme manager Khaya Jack said the Foundation was committed to supporting and encouraging students at tertiary education level, as well as to assisting them to complete their studies in order to increase the number of youth who are qualified, skilled, and employable.

Jack said the bursary programme had retained its focus on providing financial assistance to academically deserving students from historically marginalised groupings whose families were least able to afford the cost of higher education.

“Our financial contribution to student funding is a direct commitment to an educated society which helps to improve the quality of life of its people,” he said.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

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

The lives of five CPUT students were made easier when they were awarded full bursaries to cover their tuition, accommodation, books, travel expenses, as well as a living stipend.

On 22 May 2009, the Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI) Foundation through Golden Arrow Bus Services handed over bursaries to the value of R98 000 to students they identified as academically deserving.

The bursary programme is part of a new partnership between CPUT and Golden Arrow, which will see more students awarded full bursaries, internships and possible employment on satisfactory completion of their studies.

Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Golden Arrow Director for Human Resources Meko Magida, said the partnership was one of the means through which the company was addressing the skills shortage in the country.

He said as the programme continues to grow, more students could benefit.

“If you do well, we would like you to join the company”, said Magida.

Dr Mandla Tshabalala of the HCI Foundation said the students had shown talent and should continue to take their studies seriously.

“Grab this opportunity with both hands and run with it,” he said.

Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen said the opportunity afforded to the five students was phenomenal and should not be taken lightly. He said the students were not the only beneficiaries of the programme but the entire CPUT community.

Dr van Gensen said the university was excited at the partnership and grateful for the generous contribution.

The students, Keenan Brandt (second-year Mechanical Engineering), Zimbini Makunga (first-year Mechanical Engineering), Qaqamba Qauka (second year Human Resource Management) and Lonwabo Mganisa (1st-year Mechanical Engineering) said they were thrilled and relieved by receiving the bursary.

They said it would be easier for them to focus on their studies without worrying about payment of their fees.

The students said with internship and employment placement taken care of, they had one less thing to worry about when they finished their studies. Christian Roberts, a Mechanical Engineering student, who was unable to attend the handover, was also awarded a bursary.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

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

CPUT recently hosted the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Africa Region during an evening of insightful talks and networking at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant.

The IABC is an international association of communications professionals. The event, themed: “Trends shaping the future of communication” provided an opportunity for connection and camaraderie between the communication professionals from different institutions, which included the University of the Western Cape and Nibble Africa.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of Marketing and Communication, delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of CPUT while Jo Eyre from IABC also welcomed the guests. Eyre also provided a brief overview of IABC and its programmes.

Creative Director at Nibble NIBBLE Africa, Glenn Kisela delivered a presentation on content and communication in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Gary Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer · Broadcast Research Council of South Africa, gave insight into the future of the radio. Eyre also provided insight into human connection in virtual workplaces. These presentations were followed by question-and-answer sessions and vigorous discussions.

Marketing and Media Manager: Institutional Advancement, University of the Western Cape, Gasant Abarder, who was amongst the guests, thoroughly enjoyed the event and said “it was most valuable in terms of re-thinking our strategic direction for the media and marketing office I manage”. Abarder was particularly impressed with the AI part of the presentations, and for him it was great to network with friends, colleagues but also to meet new people in the industry.

“I think the lid has been lifted on AI. The chat really demystified some of the misconceptions about this tool for me. In addition, I think many managers and bosses can benefit from the session about flexible working,” Abarder observed.

Reflecting on the event, Van Gensen said it was very insightful to listen to expert opinions on topical matters like AI, the future of radio, as well as the human connection in virtual workplaces. “It provided a lot of food for thought and topics for institutional discourse,” he remarked.

“To me, the setting and timing for the discussions on topical matters was just perfect… cold winters evening, good food, a small but intimate group of people and excellent presentations.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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

CPUT sheroes, many donning colourful costumes, came out in their numbers to participate in the Women’s Month Campus Fun Run/Walk, held at the Bellville Campus recently.

There was an atmosphere of excitement at the Bellville Stadium, with female staff members from different campuses coming together for the annual event, some dressed as fairies, bees and unicorns.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department, welcomed the participants and wished them well before the race’s official start.

In a showcase of unity, many staff members came out of their offices to cheer the participants on along the way, while the CPUT Varsity Shield rugby team also came out to show their support.

The winner was Tharwat Sakier with Octavia Daniels in second place. Dr Bronwyn Swartz crossed the finish line to clinch third place.

The morning concluded with the prize giving event at the stadium where participants also got to show off their dance moves and win some of the prizes on offer.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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

CPUT recently hosted the Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) Directors’ Symposium.

MACE fulfils a leadership role in the higher education sector within Southern Africa by adding value to practitioners in marketing, advancement and communication and the symposium was attended by delegates from Higher Education institutions across the country.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of Marketing and Communication at CPUT, welcomed delegates to the two-day symposium, which was held at the Granger Bay campus.

The event included discussions and interactive workshops covering a range of topics relevant to marketing and communication, branding, alumni and fundraising.

The line-up of speakers included philanthropist Shelagh Gastrow, advisor to the Higher Education, NPO & philanthropy sectors while topics covered included Higher Education readiness for Artificial Intelligence: Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (GPT) and the future of communication and marketing in the digital age.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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

In his pursuit of constantly strategising new ways to reach and cultivate potential students, and to build a pipeline of diverse students, Dr Garth Van Gensen, Director: Marketing and Communication, leads a team of student recruiters in their outreach, and ensures timely delivery of essential information to prospects.

Van Gensen recently took a sho’t left to the revered Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School, which has become a spirited mainstay of the learning landscape in the pulsating society of the coastal city of Gqeberha. The school is a propelling nucleus of intellectual evolution and advancement for a number of learners.

In 2023, the school from Motherwell in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, achieved a 100% matric pass for the fourth consecutive year. In the past, the school was known for all the wrong things, but is now an outstanding example.

It has been reported by Media24 that when Mlungisi Nopote, the school's principal took over the reigns in 2008, he vowed the school would produce pleasant results and to transform its bad name. “When I got here in 2008, we only had about 275 pupils but now we have 1 600 pupils. In grade 12, there were about 22 pupils but now we have more than 300 pupils. It’s because of hard work and discipline. I believe that teaching is God’s work. It is what God wants and we must make sure as teachers that we are teaching the learners,” Nopote was quoted.

Reflecting on his trip, Van Gensen said: “The trip there was a breeze, and the members of the community were very helpful and accommodating.” He held an introductory meeting with the principal, and “[Nopote] was very excited about the prospects of having some kind of partnership with CPUT. “Both his children graduated here [CPUT]. A follow-up meeting is on the cards sooner rather than later.”

For now, there is an eager willingness from the school to have some agreement/partnership with CPUT.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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

The hard work and creativity of staff members who contributed to the success of CPUT Open Day 2024 were recognised during a recent event.

Open Day 2024 attracted an estimated 18 000 learners, parents, teachers and members of the public who were given the opportunity to explore the University’s 2025 course offering and to interact directly with staff and students.

Some departments also offered informative tours of their facilities.

Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department, welcomed the attendees and said the Open Day “was nothing short of brilliant”. He thanked the staff members for their participation.

The winning stalls were also announced and four prizes were awarded as follows:

• Most Informative Stand - Interior Design
• Best Team Spirit - Emergency Medical Care
• Best Faculty Experience - Horticulture
• Best Marketing Concept - Film Production

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