Department of Clothing and Textile Technology Lecturer and Curriculum Officer, Dr Sweta Patnaik, and Manager - Technology Station Clothing and Textiles, Shamil Isaacs, have won an international e-learning Excellence Award at the ECEL 2022 21st European Conference on e-Learning.

The awards ceremony was conducted at the University of Brighton, United Kingdom, where they we were presented with their certificate.

The award is to showcase innovative examples of e-Learning use. These examples are presented through case histories which can be written by academics, teachers, business professionals or students. The pair have created an integrated project around sustainability in clothing and textiles and entrepreneurship for exit level third-year students. The students worked around the project throughout the semester and there were multiple activities they had to achieve and meet their learning outcomes, e.g. surveys, market research, polls, creating an artefact, multilingual digital storytelling videos, final report and presentation which was assessed by the community. They were expected to create sustainable consumer preferred products out of waste i.e., clothing offcuts and fabric swatches which were freely handed down by retailers… “For this award category we created a google sites page from scratch where all the information shared within is of low-tech data for anyone to access and learn. This is the link to the website with embedded YouTube videos,” Patnaik remarks.

She continues: “We had to create all this and go through three stages to be finally invited as a finalist and then there at the conference through two rigorous processes to be shortlisted, therefore this winning came as a big surprise, and we enjoyed every moment of it along with our students. We had 12 strong competitors from all over the world, Microsoft USA being one of them who have been shortlisted as finalists for two consecutive years. Overall, the project has augmented learning in various forms:

• Self-directed learning
• Peer to peer learning
• Collaborative and constructive learning
• Creating a community of practice
• Building in entrepreneurial knowledge.”

Reflecting on this feat, Patnaik says: “Milestones are accomplished over time from achievement after achievement. I feel very accomplished to have achieved this milestone in my life. It took a lot of work, but I am grateful that we not only achieved this but also touched on a very important aspect which speaks to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) goals such as sustainability. Not only this, but it has also helped in putting our department, faculty, and institution on the global arena all over again.”

Patnaik, who’s the first recipient within CPUT to win the DAAD UNILEAD Germany leadership course for the year 2021 and NMU rising star for the year 2020 adds that her students are the reason for her success “so all credit goes to them”. “If you ask me about my attributes to success then that must be the following: passion, optimism, persistence, creativity, self-discipline, a desire to Improve and a commitment to Learning.”

Issacs says they are using an e-learning platform and mode of delivery to teach students about Entrepreneurship within the framework of environmental sustainability, “in this case, adding value to waste material”.  “At the same time transferring this knowledge to disadvantaged communities as a means for them to generate an income,” Isaacs continues.

“Hopefully through these, students are spurred on to entrepreneurial endeavours and at the same time have an awareness of sustainability both from an environmental perspective and social /community perspective.  This award gives recognition to the role universities can play in transforming society.”  

Patnaik says the award gives her recognition and a platform globally to take the work to another level. “To the department of Clothing and Textile Technology as well as to the Technology Station, Clothing and Textiles it showcases the kind of work that we do and how it adds and enhances student exposure and knowledge. We are contributing towards CPUT’s Vision, its seven focus areas and its emphasis on SGDs, which we portray through our work.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Department of Clothing & Textile Technology Lecturer and Curriculum Officer, Dr Sweta Patnaik, is ‘honoured’ to be the first CPUT recipient of the prestigious German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) UNILEAD Scholarship to enrol for a DIES UNILEAD Course at the University of Oldenburg in 2021.

The course brings together the topics of Project Management, Strategic Management & Academic Leadership and Human Resource Management for young managers at higher education institutions in developing countries. One of the key criteria is that applicants should have been holding a university management position with managerial and personnel responsibilities

There were over 150 applicants from over 17 countries and out of which around 25 made it.  “Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, however when I got the outcomes, I couldn’t believe it,” Patnaik divulges.

“I am happy about it. But with this, comes a sense of responsibility to not only give my best for myself or department or faculty but for the institution.”

The course is broken down into four phases two online and two face-to-face visits at the University of Oldenberg, which inspired Patnaik to consider four aspects such as Internationalisation, Sustainability of the Curriculum, 4IR and Academic Leadership into the picture and complete a project out of it.

Patnaik's professional career in SA began in 2016 when she joined CPUT as a lecturer in the Department of Clothing and Textile Technology. Due to her positions as a Teaching and Learning Coordinator and also the Curriculum Officer of her department, Patnaik had the opportunity to develop two qualifications which are the Advanced Diploma in Clothing and Textile Technology, the first batch started in 2020. The second one is Post Graduate Diploma in Clothing and Textile Technology, ‘of which we are waiting for our SAQA ID’. Currently, she is working on developing a Master’s degree for the department. 

Her research interests are Waste Management, Sustainability, E-learning and Blended Learning, Teaching and Learning in the higher education sector.

Patnaik has few publications in her name and conference proceedings. One of her accolades is receiving a ‘Best Paper Award’ at a conference in the year 2020.

Her passion for teaching has led her to research innovation in teaching and learning in the higher education sector. She also won the Nelson Mandela University Rising Start Alumni Award for the year 2020, for her contribution towards the field of her expertise. Patnaik is also an external examiner for the University of Pretoria. In addition, she has been a reviewer of various journals, conference papers and session chair at conferences. 

Patnaik says ‘this learning will not only be for me to keep it, but I will share this expertise earned within the CPUT community through various platforms possible’.

“My work is my passion, if I have agreed to some commitment [then] I give my 100%. I always want to give my best, no matter how big or small the job is…I aspire to see myself as a good academic, to constantly push boundaries that always restrict us”.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Dr Sweta Patnaik, lecturer in the Department of Clothing and Textile Technology, received institutional recognition for her teaching style and dedication after winning the Institutional Award at the distinguished Institutional Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA) 2023 ceremony held at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The awards recognise learning and teaching support programmes and services that make an outstanding contribution to the quality of student learning and the student experience. They also recognise and reward individuals who make a significant contribution to student learning in a specific area of responsibility and who are acknowledged for their achievements within a faculty or the wider university community.

Among the recipients, were Prof Sjirk Geerts, Rache Hanekom, Dr Anthony Obilana, Dr Courtney Puckree-Padua, Faraaz Omar, Nizaam Peck, Dr Naseema Shaik, Dr Senthil Krishnamurthy, Prof Asis Patnaik, Dr Mohammed Pourbehi, Mukove Ratshitanga, Dr Vipin Balyan, Carike Abrahamse, Judy Sheahan, Rizqa Sibrietz-Williams, Johan van Rooyen, Dr Liiza Gie, Dr Janice Hemmonsbey-Lodewyk, Prof Pieter Boer, Dr Ali- Mustafa Almaktoof, Dr Bruce Snaddon, Dr Blessing Makwambeni and Alexandra Noble

The biggest winner of the night, Patnaik, said: “I felt happy, recognised, praised and motivated… Hard work pays off.”

She continued: “I still am over the moon since the awards ceremony, I will continue to feel so as it will motivate me to keep doing my best. I will have more engaging sessions with my students, do more research work and collaborate more with colleagues within and outside CPUT.” 

Patnaik attributed her academic achievement to a combination of skills, “organisation, time management, prioritisation, concentration, flexible and open mindset to change and motivation to achieve academic success”. She said to reach her milestones, one needs to, “cultivate learning agility. Be comfortable with embracing significant and ongoing change. Learn to deal with failure. Have a strong philosophical foundation.”

“Awards for me are not only recognitions but also validating the work I am doing, the path I am on and a motivating factor to keep excelling out of my comfort zone. They are a great way of gaining recognition and respect among my peers.”

Patnaik holds a MBA in Fashion Management as well as PhD in Textile Science. So far, joining CPUT has been the biggest highlight of her career as through the institution “I earned all these accolades”. She is also a NRFY2 rated researcher and other than that Patnaik is a recipient of NRF Innovation Doctoral Scholarship (2015), Nelson Mandela University Alumni Rising Star of the Year Award, 2020, first recipient at CPUT for the DAAD UNILEAD scholarship 2021; winner (3rd position) of the eLearning excellence award held in the United Kingdom in 2022 at the 20th European Conference of eLearning.

During the ceremony, which was hosted by Fundani CHED, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho welcomed the guests, and said: “This is a great privilege for us to be here again recognising excellence.”

In his opening address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran said: “This whole event is a symbol of quality in various aspects.”  Cape Higher Education Consortium Executive Officer, Prof Eugene Cloete, delivered a keynote address. Director at the Fundani CHED, Dr Xena Cupido delivered the closing remarks.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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A senior lecturer in the Department of Clothing and Textile Technology, Dr Sweta Patnaik is among the young researchers under 40 years of age who have received a Y2 rating from National Research Foundation (NRF).

This is in recognition by all reviewers as having the potential (demonstrated by research products) to establish herself as a researcher with some of them indicating that she has the potential to become a future leader in her field. Patnaik says the NRF rating system is a benchmarking system whereby individuals who exemplify the highest standards of research, as well as those demonstrating strong potential as researchers​​, are identified by an extensive network of South African and international peer reviewers. She believes the rating is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of “my research against the best in the world”.

“For me personally it will enhance career prospects, increase opportunities for funding and collaboration, and provide a measure of credibility and prestige within the research community. Receiving a research rating can hold significant meaning for CPUT. It signifies the institution's research productivity, quality, and impact within the academic and scientific community.” She says the rating system encourages researchers to publish high quality outputs in high impact journals.

“This is what I will be focusing on.”

Reflecting on her achievement, Patnaik says: “There is a sense of happiness and joy. It validates my hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. There is gratitude towards those who supported me. I am motivated and inspired to continue excelling in my work. And lastly, I was surprised and humbled at the same time for being recognised.”

Amongst Patnaik’s job responsibilities are teaching and learning coordinator, curriculum officer and supervisor to her master’s and PhD students. The happy-go-lucky kind of person who takes life as it comes every day, says proper planning is the key to juggling between her busy academic schedule and family. “I try and plan my days in advance. I prioritise and delegate as per job requirements. My family, of course, comes first. At the same time, I am passionate about what I do. Taking care of myself is essential to maintaining a healthy balance between work and family.” The plant lover spends a lot of her spare time in her garden which has now turned into a “mini forest” and at times she browses social media.

Every little highlight of her career has positioned her a bit higher in her world of work so each of them is special. “If asked of highlights – getting placed at a prominent brand like NIKE post my MBA could be one. NRF Outstanding Doctoral Scholarship was another feather in the hat. Being the first at CPUT to acquire the DAAD UNILEAD scholarship 2020 could be another, NMU Alumni Rising Start award 2020 would be a great recognition from my alma mater and winning the Institutional Teaching Excellence Award 2022 as well as the eLearning Excellence Award at the European Conference of eLearning 2022 were confirming my passion and dedication towards my work.

“Last but not the least NRF Y2 rating came to [me] at a point where I least expected it. I was on my way to spend the December holidays with my family and this news couldn’t have come any better.”

Sweta learns from her mistakes on a daily basis and follows a lot of leaders’ footsteps who have excelled in adverse conditions. “If they could then anyone can”. Her family has been a constant source of motivation to her. She acknowledges her parents for a good upbringing to the best of their ability and her husband for always supporting “me inspires me to give my best”.

All that she has achieved so far since she joined CPUT “has been a communal effort”. “Be it my department, my students, or my colleagues who I work very closely with have played a vital role in shaping me the person that I am. They have constantly supported, motivated and at times been critics to mould be well. Fundani, DRD [Directorate Research Development] and CIET [Centre for Innovative Educational Technology] thank you so much to each and everyone who have always supported me in every way possible.”

Her aspiration is to make her students proud of her. “By that I mean the knowledge I have acquired and shared with them or the work that I do brings an impact on their lives. Personally, I aspire myself to reach a managerial position that will allow me to make crucial decisions while applying my leadership skills.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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