The Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate recently hosted high-profile delegations from three esteemed international universities: The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) from the Netherlands, along with Hainan University and Sanda University from China.

The delegation from Hainan University was here with a clear mandate to establish strong partnerships between the two institutions, focusing on collaborative opportunities for faculty and student exchanges, as well as joint research initiatives in critical areas such as agriculture, food sciences, and engineering.

Sanda University’s objective was unequivocal: to forge an intercollegiate relationship with CPUT, facilitate meaningful student exchanges, and promote research cooperation. Simultaneously, THUAS aimed to solidify collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment and explore further opportunities with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences.

Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager of International Relations at the SIP Directorate, highlighted the significance of THUAS’s visit, which included productive discussions at Newlands Stadium and plans to actively pursue a joint Erasmus project. The potential for collaboration with both Sanda and Hainan universities is substantial, and follow-up meetings with CPUT academics are already underway to advance these initiatives.

Singh is delighted that there will “be future meaningful collaborations with these partners in the near future”. She continued: “We are extremely positive about the future developments of these visits. We look forward to collaborations in terms of the internationalisation of research and internationalisation of the curriculum.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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A senior lecturer in Energy Management Systems, Dr Khaled Aboalez, has been awarded a National Research Foundation (NRF) C3 rating.

According to Aboalez, the C Rating is awarded to established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in the field and who are recognised by their peers as having produced quality work, the core of which has coherence and attests to ongoing engagement with the field.  “As a C-Rated Researcher, I will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers whom I supervise for Masters, and Doctorate degrees, along with Post-Doctoral research fellows,” he said.

Aboalez who was awarded a PhD in Electrical Engineering degree by the Mansoura University in Egypt in May 2011 has been a Post-Doctoral fellow at the University of Pretoria in 2012 and CPUT in 2015. “I specialise in renewable energy systems optimal operation and control. My research is also extended to the artificial intelligence-based forecasting methods of the power produced by wind and photovoltaic systems…,” he added.

He is currently supervising research projects for Masters and Doctoral students at CPUT which revolve around the smart grids, microgrids, energy management, optimal operation and control of renewable energy systems. Aboalez sees the rating, which will be valid from January 2020 as a great boost to his academic and research career. “It will put me in good stead for funding applications to support my research in the field of smart grid and renewable energy systems.

“It was a long research and learning journey from Cairo to Cape Town, but it was a rewarding long walk for success,” the Egyptian national concluded. 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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