CPUT is saying goodbye to long registration queues. As of January 2012 returning students will be able to register online in just under 10 minutes.

The implementation of the Student iEnabler System will fast-track registration, allowing CPUT to register up to 5 000 students a day.

Acting Registrar Nikile Ntsababa said following the traditional registration method allows CPUT officials to register only 1500 students a day.

“We piloted the system some time ago and all went well. We found it to be a very user-friendly system,” said Ntsababa.

In addition to online registration, students will be able to complete electronic payments, update personal information and view their academic records.

Ntsababa said while students can register from the comfort of their homes or anywhere else where they have access to the internet, they can also make use of computer laboratories at CPUT.

During the registration period, these laboratories will be manned by registration and faculty staff members, who will guide students through the process and assist with any enquiries.

However, Ntsababa pointed out that the January 2012 registration will be a dual process, with all first-year students required to follow the traditional registration process.

Only returning students following certain degree programmes will be allowed to make use of the on-line registration process. Returning students who follow programmes that have not been identified for online registration will also have to follow the traditional process.

Ntsababa said it is envisaged that within the next three years all students will be able to complete a number of administrative processes online, including housing registration and financial applications.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Operations JayanthlalBhana said the implementation of the online registration system is a milestone for the university.

“We are very excited about the progress made in order to ensure that students will find their study at CPUT a rewarding experience, from application, through registration until final graduation,” said Bhana.

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT has taken another significant step towards its stated mission of being at the heart of technology in Africa. For the first time in the university’s history, a highly successful pilot project for online registration has been launched. Acting Registrar Nikile Ntsababa says the whole idea behind this is to save time. On a normal day, CPUT is able to register about 1500 students - with online registration it can register at least 5000.

“This is just the first phase of a much bigger project. Besides the self-service academic registration component, the project will also offer student enquiry and administration, academic application and residence application functions online,” says Ntsababa.

Twenty-four students took part and all were enthused by the ease and simplicity of registration. Noxolo Ngqondela who registered for BTech: Quality says, “Online registration is very helpful and it was really good not to have to stand in the queue as some of us are working and don’t have time.”

Another BTech: Quality student Anna-Marie Witbooi agreed, “The process is very easy and user-friendly and took me five minutes or less.“

Igna Visser, who formed part of the team driving the project said, “We’re very encouraged as it was a very positive day for the students and staff. The feedback we received from students is amazing.” She says that once the project is fully-implemented, the system will allow the students to register anywhere in the world.

Currently, CPUT is in a process of cleaning up its data in order to fully implement the project. “We’re planning on escalating the project in due course. Part of the plan is to either identify a faculty or different departments from various faculties and roll-out a similar project on a bigger scale next year,” concluded Ntsababa.

Meanwhile, latest figures are that by Friday 28 January, there were 18,340 enrolments for the 2011 academic year. More detailed information on the current enrolments is available via CPUT’s MIS portal.

By: Andiswa Dantile

Written by CPUT News
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International students who are still waiting for their study permits to be issued by the Department of Home Affairs will be allowed to register before the cut-off date.

Acting Registrar, Nikile Ntsababa, recently issued a memorandum to staff and students, advising that all international students that have applied for their study permits, not issued by the DHA during the registration period, should be allowed to register during the late registration period from 1 to 24 February 2012. Students, however, will have to provide a valid receipt from the DHA, indicating that they have applied for the study permit.

Quoting a message sent by Acting Chief Director: Permits at the DHA, Jack Shimane Monedi, with regard to the processing of study permits for international students, the Registrar's memo states: “For 2012, the Department of Home Affairs wants to process all work and study permits for universities by the 15th of March 2012 and in order to do that the department is setting-up a dedicated centre to adjudicate these permits centralized in my office in a project management approach.”

The DHA's message further reads: “Applications will still be lodged at nearest home affairs offices but adjudication will still be done in Pretoria. This project starts on the 16th January 2012 and ends on the 15th March 2012.”

Based on the above message, the Registrar's Office, in consultation with the International Office, developed the Memorandum, which spells out the procedure for assisting international students who were accepted at CPUT but are without a study permit. 

Ntsababa explained that he would consult with the Registrars Forum and the DHA to seek permission to provisionally register students with valid DHA receipts should their study permits not be issued during the late-registration period. Thereafter, his office will communicate the outcomes of the consultation to all stakeholders.

"Please be advised that this situation developed due to the centralization of study permit at the DHA and is no fault of the students", says Ntsababa.

OFFERING ASSISTANCE: The Office of International Affairs on the Bellville and Cape Town campuses are currently assisting students who are unable to complete their registration, due to unprocessed study permits. 

International Relations Officer and BTech Management graduate in 2011 has had firsthand experience with registration challenges, having been an international student at CPUT.

"In our time, we have never experienced major problems, but I believe the centralisation of all the issuing of study permits in Pretoria complicate things for international students,” says Ngoy.

The Acting Registrar and Director: International Affairs, Merle Hodges, along with stakeholders from other academic institutions, have been invited to meet with the Chief Director of DHA to discuss this issue. Following this meeting, clear guidelines on a way forward will be communicated.

Those concerned parties are urged to consult the International Office or the Registrar's Office should they require clarity or further information on this matter.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Written by CPUT News
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Anybody still hoping to apply for a course at CPUT has a slim chance of getting accepted.

Many universities around the country have been swamped by thousands of matriculants desperately hoping for a place in a first-year university course.  CPUT alone received almost 30 000 applications.

Acting Registrar Nikile Ntsababa says all available places for the almost 80 courses offered across the six faculties have been allocated.
The next step of the process is the registration of almost 9000 first-year students who have already received their coveted acceptance letters.
“After registration (ending January 30) we will consider wait-listed applicants. We don’t consider walk-ins,” he says.  Ntsababa says anybody hoping for last-minute acceptance into a course is competing against the best of the best who started the application process as early as March of last year.

Many future first-year students have completed rigorous interview and testing processes to get their places.  Faculties like Informatics and Design which offers popular courses like Photography and Journalism are often the first to close applications.  Larger Faculties like Business accept applicants up until October.

Anybody wanting to study at CPUT in 2013 need to prepare themselves by studying their desired course's admission requirements and closing dates.  Course information and electronic application forms are available on this website or alternatively call the hotline at 021 959 6767.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT recently welcomed members of its new council at a gala dinner at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant.

During the dinner Vice-Chancellor Dr Prins Nevhutalu presented the university’s profile, history and organogram as well as its strategic imperatives stressing that council’s role is integral in taking the university from good to great.

His plan includes boosting the current 17% of staff members with doctorates to around 30% in five years’ time. He also outlined the university’s seven Research Focus Areas and announced that five more research chairs have been approved by the previous council.

He said the university’s priorities for the future will be addressing academic challenges, improving the quality of service to staff and students as well as devising more focused fundraising initiatives.

NEW COUNCIL: Outgoing council chairman Mbulelo Bikwani with some members of the new council attended a welcoming dinner at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant  

He said the university should reduce its utility bill, student debt and student drop-out rates, but increase pass and throughput rates.

Registrar Nikile Ntsababa presented an overview of the university’s governance structures and explained their respective functions.

Ntsababa emphasized that the council is the highest decision-making body in the university, while the Senate is the highest decision-making body on academic issues and that the Institutional Forum advises council on issues affecting the institution.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT bade farewell to some of its longest-serving councillors in a gala dinner at the Cape Town Hotel School recently.

During the emotional dinner, speakers thanked the councillors for the passion with which they executed their responsibilities, even during times of disagreement.

Council chairman Mbulelo Bikwani says it is a privilege for anyone to serve in the council and that everyone served the institution with pride.

He added that all councilors were passionate about attending and engaging in robust discussions at council meetings, making important decisions that impacted on well over 30 000 students.

Registrar Nikile Ntsababa says that according to the council’s constitution, members cannot serve more than two terms (eight years) and therefore had to be released.

The longest-serving council member, Gerry Ferry, says the council gave them wonderful memories and he was commended with a standing ovation from the audience.

SRC President Mbongiseni Mbatha thanked the councils’ secretariat for dedicating long hours to keeping documents up to date and councillors abreast of developments.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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