There are lots of reasons to consider studying Somatology at CPUT.

Somatology is the study of health and skincare and CPUT graduates are eagerly sought after by industry because of their intensive training in all aspects of health and wellness.

CPUT’s Somatology offering is considered one of the best spa training facilities in the country with the course constantly adapting to meet the latest international wellness treatment offerings.

Far from being simply beauty therapists, experienced Somatology graduates can go on to work alongside dermatologists and plastic surgeons in health and skincare clinics around the world.

Head of Department Dr Nicole Brooks says a Somatology student is 100% guaranteed to find a job after graduation.

“We are the only institution in the Western Cape offering a B-Tech degree which is internationally recognised,” she says.

Students are trained in a state-of-the-art spa facility and spend a significant portion of their second and third year doing Work Integrated Learning.

Some of the intensive courses on offer include anatomy and physiology, nutrition and business practice.

The course is on offer at our Cape Town campus and during term time a wellness clinic is offered twice a week where the public can experience luxurious treatments at a drastically reduced price.

Applications for Somatology close at the end of September.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Fairies, unicorns and even a minion were among the participants of this year’s CPUT Women’s Day Fun Run.

The rain couldn’t deter scores of CPUT women and a few men from participating in the event, which started at the stadium on the Bellville campus.

The participants joined in a warm-up session before Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, officially started the race.

Dr Nicole Brooks, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, was the winning runner while Francis Koordom from Cleaning Services was the first walker to cross the finish line.

The winner in the Craziest Outfit category was Deidre de Jongh from the Department Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering who made quite an impression with her Christmas-themed outfit.

The winners and all participants who dressed up in costumes for the event received prizes.

The event was made possible through the co-operation of the following departments: Marketing and Communication, Human Capital, Infrastructure Development and Facilities Management, The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Health and Safety, Somatology and the Cape Town Hotel School.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Somatology students recently gave residents and staff members of St Anne’s Homes in Woodstock a special treat as part of a community service event centred on Women’s Day. 

St Anne’s provides shelter and support for pregnant, abused and homeless women with young children.

Dr Nicole Brooks, head of the Department of Wellness Sciences, said the students spent a day at St Anne’s earlier this month and spoiled the women with a range of treatments.

“The students gave the residents head, neck and shoulder massages as well as manicures. Our community service events are an important opportunity for our students to learn to give back and this time we chose St Anne’s Homes as August is Women’s Month.”

Residents enjoyed the treatments and expressed their gratitude to the students.

“I felt really good getting treated by the women of CPUT. They made me feel that I don’t need anyone to tell me that I am beautiful,” said one St Anne’s resident.

“Doing our nails and massaging us really relaxed me and made me feel good. I am truly grateful. Thank you,” said another.

About 100 women with their young children benefit from St Anne’s services every year.

It was established in 1904 by the Anglican Church.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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First-year Health and Wellness Sciences students were warmly welcomed to the faculty during a fun-filled morning at the CPUT Sports Fields in Bellville recently.

Acting Dean of the Faculty, Dr Nicole Brooks, said having all of the first-year’s together on one campus was a first for the faculty.

“You have made an excellent choice in selecting CPUT for your studies. We are the leading university of technology in South Africa,” said Brooks.

“As a faculty, our vision is to be a proud African, technology-driven faculty, taking the lead in relevant health and wellness education, in research and innovation in response to the provincial, national and global socio-economic imperatives.”

She said an education in the health sciences was an excellent career choice.

“Our programmes are designed to encourage each student to reach their full potential. “

Students were invited to discuss any issues with their lecturers and programme co-ordinators.

“Please don’t allow any problem to become too big. It is our pleasure to help you to succeed,” said Brooks.

The students were introduced to the seven departments in the faculty and were encouraged to reach out to the student assistants as well as to the peer mentors in the faculty.

The guest speaker was postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Cecil Weale, who motivated the students to stay on track and reminded them “that you have what it takes to finish your course”.

The morning concluded with an exciting scavenger hunt before students were treated to lunch.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Three academics from the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, including the Acting Dean, Dr Nicole Brooks, recently returned from a staff exchange with the Polytechnic Institute of Porto.

Brooks, along with Dr Lizel Hudson, Coordinator: Work-integrated Learning and Language in the Faculty and Yanda Peter, nGAP lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, spent six days in Portugal while Prof Sílvia Fernandes and Prof Mónica Vieira from the Polytechnic Institute of Porto visited CPUT between 17 and 21 July.

The exchange presented an opportunity for strengthening collaboration, networking, and professional development.

“The current aim is to foster research collaboration with common projects housed in the following departments: Biomedical Sciences, Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences and Ophthalmic Sciences. During their visit to the Bellville campus, Professors, Fernandes and Vieira were also welcomed by Prof Marelize Le Roes-Hill and her colleagues at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute, where possible projects were also discussed,” said Hudson.

The visit to the the Polytechnic Institute of Porto coincided with that of Lloyd Christopher, Acting Assistant Dean of the Faculty, who attended the Business School as a postgraduate student finalising his PhD thesis.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The provincial Ministry of Health and Wellness recently joined hands with the Department of Nursing Science in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences to host a Reproductive Health Jamboree at the Bellville campus.

February signals the start of Reproductive Health month and Provincial Minister for Health and Wellness, Prof Nomafrench Mbombo, engaged with first-year Nursing students during the event.

Mbombo was welcomed by Dr Nicole Brooks, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, whereafter a number of health stakeholders spoke on various topics related to sexual and reproductive health and the crucial role it plays in fostering a healthier society.

Stakeholders included Higher Health, the HIV/Aids Unit and Campus Health Clinics and other role-players.

The speakers included Nursing Science lecturer, Amy Williams, who spoke on why sexual and reproductive health matters while Sr Caroline Maarman provided an overview of the available services from Student Health.

The Provincial Department of Health and Wellness also provided an overview of provincial reproductive health and various stakeholders, including students were given a chance to provide their input.

Students and staff members were also given an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the Minister as well as with the Acting Dean, Acting Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Lloyd Christoper, Head of the Department of Nursing Science, Dr Odilia Sehume and invited stakeholders.

“It was an important opportunity to discuss all things youth matters and to remind all in attendance about how sexual and reproductive health not only impacts one's physical wellbeing, but also one's emotional, social and economic health,” Mbombo said in a social media post, following the event.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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