The Strategic Initiatives and Partnership (SIP) Directorate recently hosted Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences who has an existing collaboration with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS).

The aim was to touch base with FBMS and to expand the collaboration to other faculties.

“In this regard, the SIP Office was contacted to engage in discussions as to how we can expand on the partnership, in particular there was interest with the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE),” said Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager: International Relations SIP.

The CPUT delegation included SIP director, Prof Judy Peter, Prof Veruscha Fester: Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (FEBE), Dr Fareed Ismail: Senior Lecturer/Researcher of FEBE and Xolelwa Bashala: Office Administrator of Strategic Initiatives and Partnership meanwhile Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences was represented by Veronika Wäninger: Non-EU Mobility of Stabsabteilung International Office.

Peter extended a warm welcome to everyone present in the meeting. Fester conducted a presentation about the FEBE which included the CPUT structure and background:

• FEBE structure and governance
• CPUT V2030 Focus areas applicable to FEBE
• FEBE Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes
• Faculty research focus areas
• FEBE Flagship projects

Peter conducted a short presentation about the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships:

• The CPUT Smart Focus Areas
• SIP Internationalisation role
• Facilitate student leadership and agency
• CPUT active partnerships (Erasmus+, African and International)
• International Education Forum

Singh said the meeting was “very good” as there is great potential for expanding the collaboration constructively.

There were also discussions on potential collaborations around engineering management, staff exchange for Nano and 3D printing fields of research. Singh added that the “successful meeting was a starting point for further engagement with different faculties across CPUT”.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Department of Applied Legal Studies recently hosted a delegation from Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences (MUAS) for a three-day event, which included cultural exchange sessions, engagements during breakaway groups and plenary sessions at which the groups presented their work.

This emanates from last year, following discussions on collaboration between Prof Henrike Weiden from Department of Applied Legal Studies at MUAS and Prof Noleen Leach from the Department of Applied Legal Studies at CPUT. These discussions were on collaboration between the MUAS students on the Business Administration Masters and the exit level students on the Bachelor of Paralegal Studies programme at CPUT.

These initial discussions evolved into a collaborative project on the legal issues occurring in the context of data-driven businesses and to familiarise students with selected legal issues related to trans-border business activities with the focus on the protection of personal information.

The collaboration between MUAS and CPUT students occurred online and culminated into a three-day face-to-face interaction at Bellville campus. This occurred under the guidance of the subject lecturers and specialists, Nolan Martin, Raygaanah Barday, Michelle Mopp, Faizel Jacobs, Kay-Lynn Bailey, Servious Hungwe, Weiden and Leach.

The students had the opportunity to collaborate in person and compare notes in breakaway groups with their German counterparts on legal issues that occur in data-driven business models. Open coaching sessions were also conducted to prepare students for the joint presentations that were conducted in a plenary session on the last day. “At the end of the project, students were also acquainted with problem-oriented strategies in interdisciplinary and multinational teams,” said Hungwe.

He said the feedback received from both staff and students indicates that the visit was a success. “South African and German student teams gained experience in collaborating on the transfer of business activities from a European Union member state to South Africa. They researched the various legal questions related to data-driven business relevant to their individual team-projects and developed legally feasible solutions to the transfer of identified business models.”

Weiden echoed Hungwe’s words, saying she was “extraordinarily grateful” that Leach, Faculty and CPUT members involved showed such great effort not only to make the student project work, but also “to give us a very special time in Cape Town”.

“Students, staff members, faculty members, everyone had to walk the extra mile to make this happen. And everyone made us feel they believed in this cross-continental university project.”

However, she acknowledged that initially they had some challenges and doubts. “But in the end, we were rewarded in the most exciting and fruitful manner. And I personally, but also in the name of all participating students, traveling or non, would like to express my sincere gratitude. This was pioneering at its best. This project is also asking for an encore.”

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