CPUT is involved in a number of mutually beneficial partnerships with France and could soon be adding several more to this extensive list.

The possibility to further strengthen ties was mooted during a recent meeting with delegates from French universities who visited the institution to investigate the possibility of research collaborations, staff and student exchanges and skill-building programmes.

French Embassy representative, Dr Pierre Lemonde, who led the delegation, says there are many areas of collaboration that will complement the South African government’s goal of developing human capacity in specific areas. 

Currently the majority of collaborations with the French are concentrated in the Engineering Faculty, but Lemonde says they hope to extend this to other disciplines.

Head of the International Affairs Department Merle Hodges says CPUT is fortunate to have such deep ties with a country such as France and to collaborate on so many levels.

The most notable partnership with the French is F’SATI, a joint venture between CPUT and ESIEE-Paris, a graduate school in France. Based at the Bellville Campus, F’SATI leads training in satellite systems engineering in Africa.

“We can see an organic growth with France as a country,” says Hodges.

“The vision for the future is to look at bringing the French industry to CPUT.”

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

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

CPUT’s CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Milling, and Mobile Robotics teams are gearing themselves for the coveted first prizes at the World Skills Competition (WSC) which is currently underway in France and Germany.

CPUT CNC Milling and Mobile Robotics teams have their eyes fixated at being the first teams from the institution to do so.  Vuyani Moni, a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering said the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is sending two teams from CPUT, one to Leonberg, Germany and another to Bordeaux, France to participate in World Skills Competition.  CPUT teams are participating in CNC milling and Mobile Robotics skills in Germany and France, respectively.

This comes after the CPUT competed in the national competition that was held in Durban in June this year where the gold medallists were sent to participate in an international world skills competition.

The Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering recently hosted a send-off ceremony for the two teams at Bellville Campus. Simphiwe Nqabisa, HOD: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, said: “As the department we are very proud of our students, we are proud that we can send students to Europe. Go there and represent the department, institution, and your country, we are proud of you.”

Prof Suresh Ramsuroop, (Acting) Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, said he was hoping for more participation in the future. “Thank you so much for the effort and sacrifice that you have made to represent the country,” enthused Ramsuroop.

Laeeq Jefferies, a Mechatronics Engineering final-year student, said: “The journey to get to where I am today was not easy, it took a lot of discipline, commitment and hard work. Despite all challenges that you are faced with, you have to keep your head up and have a positive outlook in order to overcome all these challenges along the way.”

Mikhail Solomons, who will be graduating with his Advanced Diploma in Mechatronics, said his journey was quite challenging thus far. “Having to manage the workload of completing Mechatronics, while doing additional activities outside my course such as the World Skills Competition. I do believe that I am self-motivated and that is what keeps me going.” 

Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Lecturer, Dr Fareed Ismail, was “extremely” happy to see what was happening. “When you go overseas you will realise that you are top dogs because you are streetwise. You are making us proud. I am so excited. May you do your best.”

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

An outstanding student has scooped top honours in a prestigious international design competition for students.

Jaime Scholz, who entered the competition as an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design student in the Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design, was announced the first prize winner of the Accor Design Awards 2023 during the recent awards ceremony, held in Paris, France.

Jaime said she was incredibly grateful to have been named the winner of the competition.

“Hearing the news felt like a dream turned into reality and I'm deeply honoured to be recognised alongside such talented designers and their incredible projects.
The journey to Paris was an invaluable experience that I can't thank the Accor Team and sponsors enough for making possible. Getting to know the Accor Team, the judges, and the other finalists, as well as their remarkable projects, was an absolute pleasure.”

She said the entire experience had not only been a boost to her personal growth but also a significant steppingstone in her career.

“The sky is the limit and I'm eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to my mentor, Colleen Cocotos, for her unwavering guidance and support. To Colleen, the department, my family, and friends, I'm incredibly thankful for all the support they've provided. For any fellow students who are considering entering similar competitions, I hope my achievement can serve as inspiration for you to take that leap of faith. Success might be closer than you think.”

This year’s theme was: "Imagining Mercure hotels social hub, placing local food and beverage and sustainability at the heart" and Jaime’s entry was titled Mercure Africa Safari Edition.

The win marks the third international award for Jaime. She was among the winners in the renowned International BLT Awards for her Clinic Design and secured another victory in the International LIT Awards.

Head of Department, Rayner Moodley, commended the exceptional achievement, which he said highlighted the dedication and hard work displayed by both the student and staff involved.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.instagram.com/accor_design/
• https://www.instagram.com/accor/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/accor/

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

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo recently hosted Dr Moncef Meddeb and Vincent Perrier, a delegation from the Embassy of France in South Africa, at the Cape Town Hotel School.

Nhlapo said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen CPUT’s current collaboration partnerships with the French, “taking the lessons learnt from the successful F’SATI (French South African Institute of Technology) and expanding to the North and West of France”.  The Vice-Chancellor said: “We want to strengthen staff and student exchanges… How CPUT will participate in the one-week in-person event in France dedicated to promoting the South African higher education and research landscapes.”

The Embassy of France in South Africa is organising the efforts with all French and South African stakeholders to arrange a one-week in-person event in France devoted to advancing the South African higher education and research landscapes between all involved Higher Education Institutions in France.  “The participation of the South African universities is key for a successful week and to achieve the objective of expanding the bilateral scientific and academic cooperation. All South African universities are invited to express their interests and participate in this week-long event in France, to be held between 27 June 2022 and 2 July 2022,” the French Embassy statement read.

The event will include presentations and discussions to showcase the South African academic landscape and current partnerships and “discuss the existing instruments and some relevant ideas and avenues for future partnerships. All French Higher Education Institutions are invited to attend and contribute to the discussions”.

During the event at the hotel school, Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Bongani Ncube and Prof Oscar Philander gave presentations and gave an overview of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. Meanwhile, Prof Joseph Kioko, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, with Prof Jessy Van Wyk, Dr Sune Henning, and Prof Maretha Opperman, provided presentations and an overview of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the event, Nhlapo said: “It was an excellent meeting with great ideas and possibilities being that of including Applied Sciences (Agrifood Technology Station, Chocolate making etc) and Water Research, especially the newly acquired Research Chair by Dr Ncube from Engineering,” he continued.

“As we normally say, ‘collaborate or collapse, we believe in collapsing the boundaries to collaboration’. It means increasing our footprint in France and consolidating the successful partnership we already have with the French. It also means strengthening and monitoring our current programme with the French.”

After a closed meeting, Nhlapo also revealed some of his agreements with the delegation: "We agreed on several initiatives to strengthen and sustain our relations. We agreed on staff and student exchanges. We also agreed with them assisting us in our recruitment drive for a Research Chair in Nano-Satellite”.

Nhlapo also revealed that the University aims to expand the hotel school, “They [French] are also known for the art of French Gastronomy”. “Ferrandi, at the heart of Paris, is known worldwide in culinary arts and hospitality management. It is, therefore, our intention to strengthen this area for our Hotel School.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce