First-year students who have secured a coveted spot in one of CPUT’s programmes can be assured of gaining relevant skills in their respective fields of study.

This assurance was reiterated by CPUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, who addressed thousands of first-year students during a series of Welcome Ceremonies, held this week on the various campuses.

SUPPORT: CPUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga encouraged students to work hard

“Our main business is to achieve academic success,” says Mazwi-Tanga.

At CPUT, first-years will have access to internationally recognised academic programmes, which have been specifically designed to ensure they gain relevant knowledge and training.

The university also boasts an impressive array of laboratories and lecture halls, well-stocked libraries and first-rate computer facilities. First-year students will also have access to academic support programmes as well as sporting and cultural activities.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga encouraged first-year students to work hard and make the most of their time at the university.

“Seize this opportunity,” she says.

Dean of Students, Cora Motale, who also addressed the students, used the opportunity to urge students to make use of resources on campuses, which will play a role in ensuring their academic success.

“You all have the ability to do well. Do your best.”

*For additional information on the registration processes for first-year students, please see the notices on the CPUT homepage

By Candes Keating

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Celebrations at CPUT are in full swing.

This week, CPUT will celebrate and recognise the achievements of thousands of students, who have successfully completed academic programmes at the university.

Graduation week kicks off this morning on the Cape Town Campus where students who completed programmes in the Business Faculty will take to the stage to receive their qualifications.

This evening hundreds of parents, spouses, partners, guardians and other supporters of graduates are expected to attend the second Business Faculty graduation at the Bellville Campus.

These ceremonies will be followed by nine others scheduled to take place during this week, with celebrations culminating on Saturday afternoon on the Cape Town campus.

During Autumn Graduation a total of 6712 qualifications will be conferred. Of this total, 66 are Master of Technology qualifications and six are Master of Education qualifications. Fifteen doctoral degrees will also be conferred.    

CPUT’s Vice- Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga will preside over the ceremonies.

All Graduation Ceremonies will be streamed live at www.cput.ac.za/live

By Candes Keating

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 Graduates from the Faculty of Business were encouraged to read the classics and history of the continent’s leaders and capital cities by guest speaker Nils Flaaten during the faculty’s Third Graduation Ceremony at the Cape Town Campus.

Flaaten, who is a Chief Executive Officer at Wesgro, commended the graduates for their achievement which he said is a product of toil, endeavour and courage as some of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He warned graduates that their achievements come with a great responsibility because they are a select few who have achieved academic excellence. He said the day marked the beginning of a new journey for the graduates.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, conferred diplomas, B-Tech and M-Tech degrees on hundreds of students. Fourty-four graduates obtained their qualifications cum laude.

A moment of silence was observed when a National Diploma in Event Management was awarded posthumously to Anathi Tshandu, who passed away recently.  

This evening will see graduates, their friends and families converge at the Bellville Campus for the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony, while the Faculty of Informatics and Design will hold its graduation ceremony tomorrow morning at the Cape Town Campus.

By Kwanele Butana

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CPUT Libraries played host to one of the leading conferences on library management in the world - the 34th International Association of Scientific and Technological University Libraries (IATUL) Conference.

It is the second time that this conference has been held in South Africa.

This year’s event, themed “Doing it Together: Collaboration in Scientific and Technological University Libraries,” took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and ran over four days.

Vice-Chancellor at CPUT, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, who officially opened the event, says the conference plays a key role in the development of libraries.

She says the university will support IATUL's mission to advance science and technology librarianship on the African continent and elsewhere in the world.

Underlining the importance of science and technology within libraries, the conference featured many topics aimed at addressing policy makers in library management. Discussions and presentations centered on e-science strategies and beyond, e-learning, cloud computing as well as other university-focused topics. 

A leading international role-player, the IATUL provides a forum for the exchange of ideas relevant to librarianship in technological universities throughout the world.

It also provides library directors and senior managers an opportunity to develop a collaborative approach to solving common problems.

By Nurahn Ryklief

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Higher education must lead the way of empowerment for women researchers, said CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, at the recent launch of the institution’s Women in Research Association (WIRA).

Currently the research sector is dominated by men, with recent national figures indicating that research output is predominantly male. But CPUT plans to soon change these figures.

With the launch of WIRA, women researchers at the institution will be provided with all the necessary support structures to advance their research activities and careers.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga, who addressed delegates at the launch of WIRA at the Bellville campus, during Chancellor’s week, said women must be given the opportunity to develop.

“Women constitute more that 50% of the country’s population. If therefore they are not given the opportunity to function and be productive optimally in all spheres of development, it means half of the population is rendered dysfunctional,” she said.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga said CPUT is on a path that seeks to build our research capacity and post graduate offerings, not only in numbers but in quality.

“This initiative therefore speaks directly to that objective. Research output can only grow if we unleash the potential of everyone,” she said.

CEO of the Council of Higher Education, Professor Cheryl De la Rey, who was the keynote speaker at the launch, backed Prof Mazwi-Tanga and said: “I’m confident that CPUT is on a growth path. This initiative verifies this.”

Prof De la Rey said initiatives such at WIRA are vital in the higher education sector, to ensure the advancement of women research activities. While strides have been made in the sector through the implementation of various polices at universities, much more still has to be done to ensure increased women participation at all levels, said Prof De la Rey

“The legislation has taken us as far as it can, we now have to do more,” she said.

Prof De la Rey also urged women researchers to change their mindsets and find a balance between lecturing and their research activities. She said because women are nurturers, they often spend large amounts of their time concentrating on the needs of their students.

“You have to spend your time teaching and meeting responsibilities to the students. But we also have to meet our responsibilities to generate research,” she said.

“Research is an opportunity for not only empowering ourselves. But research empowers the community,” she said.

Women researchers were also urged to re-examine current anti-discrimination policies in place at CPUT and also monitor the implementation of them. Prof De la Rey said with WIRA supporting women researchers and driving their agenda at the university, the higher education sector and CPUT will “grow from strength to strength.”

Director of Research Development at the university, Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi, who is one of the driving forces behind WIRA, said she is positive that it will make an impact on the CPUT environment.

By working together, women researchers will be able to increase and improve the quality of research ouput at the institution,” she said.

By Candes Keating, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, and CEO of the Council of Higher Education, Professor Cheryl De La Rey, who was keynote speaker at the launch of the Women in Research Association

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CPUT is set to provide researchers with support in a bid to convert research into commercial products or services.

With the establishment of an Innovation Board Fund, the institution will identify research areas, which can be commercialised.

Recently, the board held its first working session, which took place over two days and was attended by various members of the Executive Management.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, who briefly addressed stakeholders at the working session, said innovation had not been an area pursued “rigorously” pre the establishment of CPUT.

“If we do this correctly, it will set us apart from other universities of technology,” she said.

She said the conversion of research into sellable products, “whether services or goods” will also address the needs South Africa ’s economy currently faces.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo, who chairs the Innovation Board, said it is vital for the institution to support innovation.

During the two-day working session, 13 CPUT researchers, who are heading up various units at the institution, delivered presentations on their research activities to the board.

Director of Contract Research at the institution, Dr Shaheed Hartley, who is responsible for the Innovation Board process and a member of the board, said they called on researchers and innovation centres to submit proposals, highlighting their innovation capacity.

Once proposals had been submitted, researchers where then each asked to deliver a 15 minute presentation. They also had to field questions from the board.

“We received a number of very good proposals,” said Dr Hartley.

The board is in the process of identifying research and innovation that can be commercialised and present their findings to Executive Management.

The areas identified for commercialisation will then receive substantial funding from CPUT. Dr Hartley said the board will then closely monitor and support the centers that will be awarded funding.

Other members of the board include, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, Commercialisation Manager at the Innovation Fund, Duncan Raftesath, Ms Julia Long, CEO of HBD Venture Capitalist and Stellenbosch University academic, Dr Johan Gorgens.

There are also two representatives from the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Trade and industry on the board.

By Candes Keating, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: (left to right) CPUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships Dr Chris Nhlapo; Commercialisation Manager at the Innovation Fund, Duncan Raftesath; CPUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Anthony Staak; Stellenbosch University academic, Dr Johan Gorgens and Director of Contract Research at CPUT Dr Shaheed Hartley.

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CPUT recently welcomed a delegation from the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) to the Bellville campus. This was the first HEQC visit to the institution.

The purpose of the HEQC’s visit was to discuss the nature of the upcoming quality audit, agree with the institution on the scope of the audit, explain the audit methodology, discuss the preparation of the self-evaluation review document, confirm the audit schedule and generate a common understanding on the audit.

The delegation was made up of Dr Lumkile Lalendle, Director: Institutional Audits; Luyanda Ndabankulu, Project Administrator and Belinda Wort, the Manager of Institutional Audits.

Representatives from the CPUT Quality Management Department, Senior Executives, the Deans of the six faculties and the Heads of Units attended the HEQC meeting held at the university’s Council Chambers.

Prior to meeting the senior management, Dr Lumkile Lalendle, and his colleagues briefly met Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga in her office.

CPUT Quality Management Director, Dr Dan Coetzee, said: “The HEQC’s advice on preparing for an audit was a helpful guide on undertaking our own self evaluation.”

Among other things, the meeting was intended to provide an opportunity to consider the connection between quality assurance, transformation and fitness of purpose and how these will be examined during the audit visit.

Dr Lalendle also highlighted the fact that while the audit is principally developmental, “accountability issues are not excluded”.

The institution was made aware of the preparation of an institutional profile which involves information from official sources both within and outside CPUT. The HEQC delegation also confirmed the audit schedule for CPUT, which would take place from 18 to 22 October 2010.

Luclaire Airey, the CPUT Quality Management Manager, said: “Over the past year, tremendous effort has gone into developing the quality management systems that support the quality activities needed for good academic practice. The audit has now been launched by the HEQC and it will be interesting to find out what benefit we give to the students and the CPUT community at large.”

According to Dr Lalendle, one of the things that the audit looks at is the issue of transformation.

“Transformation in this instance is not just about getting the numbers right, but also looking at how the institution contributes to the student and how it contributes in producing students that will go out there and be proud that they studied at CPUT,” said Dr Lalendle.

CPUT Quality Management Director, Dr Dan Coetzee, said: “The HEQC’s first visit has helped in setting boundaries for the audit and has given an overall introduction to what the audit will be about.”

By Andiswa Dantile

Photograph: CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga welcomes the HEQC delegation Dr Lumkile Lalendle, Director: Institutional Audits; Belinda Wort, Manager and Luyanda Ndabankulu, Project Administrator.

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“New students help us recharge our antique ways of thinking and how we empower young minds to become productive citizens of this great country, South Africa.” Those were the words of welcome of Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, as first-year students and their parents and guardians gathered on the Cape Town, Bellville and Wellington campuses of CPUT at the start of Orientation Week. “Students are very important members of the CPUT family, as it is through their best performance that the university is regarded as successful, stable and sustainable.”

Extending a special word of welcome to parents and guardians, Prof Mazwi-Tanga stressed that CPUT is very aware of the huge responsibility the institution has to teach and empower their children. She urged students to make learning a priority and make the most of their time in the robust learning environment that a University of Technology presents. “We are in a unique position to produce graduates who have a strong sense of work-integrated learning, so build networks during your studies and ensure that you become a well-rounded adult”, she said. With the welcoming ceremonies spread over 3 days and 3 campuses, here are some of the highlights of the start of the 2011 academic year.

The “house-father” and house committee of Murray Hall, Wellington campus.

The house committee are charged with welcoming new students to the residence and to campus, with fun activities planned to ease the homesickness of first-years in their new lives as students. With the student housing challenge always on the priority list, CPUT presently offers around 2500 beds for residence students. However, a new residence, Caledon, near the Cape Town campus, will be handed over in March, providing an additional 500-plus beds.

Llewellyn Fortuin is studying education and will be living in residence.

“I have mixed emotions,” says Llewellyn. “On the one hand, I’m glad to be away from home, but I also miss my family. On my first day here, I just wanted to go home because I didn’t know anyone, but then we went on the first year’s camp and things started to ease as I made friends. All I want to do for now, is to focus on my studies and do well this year. I’m from Vredendal, so it’s not that far from home.”

Angelea Smit is also studying Education and will be living in residence.

“It’s been exciting, especially meeting new people who are just as new as you to this environment. I haven’t really worked out my emotions of being away from my parents, but I guess later when everything has settled, I will be a bit homesick. I did set a goal for myself and that is to pass well this year.”

Coleen Jones will be staying at home while studying education.

Colleen says, “I thoroughly enjoyed today. It was a nice experience and the speeches were good, but I’m actually looking forward for the classes to start. I won’t be staying on residence, which will make it that much easier for me to focus on my studies, instead of being homesick. And I think this is the reason why I chose to study at CPUT.”

Robyn Leigh Marks, the first female chairperson of the Wellington Student Representative Council.

“Language barriers and diversity needs to be prioritised on campus this year, and we’ll be focussing on change in a big way. We’d like to move away from the notion that only English and Afrikaans are spoken on the Wellington campus. Students need to know that we are going into a South African working world with 11 different languages.”

First-building students at the Bellville campus, Nomazizi Rabula and Nkateko Hlungwane say they felt a mixture of emotions during their first few days of orientation.

“I feel very excited to be at this tertiary institution, even though I didn’t really enjoy the first few days of orientation. Although I felt a little lonely at first, I eventually made new friends and I realized that the people are actually very welcoming. Academically, all I desire is to pass all my subjects and of course have some fun!” said Rabula.

While Hlungwane, from Pretoria who’ll be staying in residence says “I feel excited, nervous, happy and scared, I think it’s because I know that this is not going to be like high school. I’m prepared to do a lot of studying and since I’ll be staying in res the prospect of being independent is so exhilarating, even though I already miss home. But I guess it is all part of preparation for the real world.”

Sisonke Cekiso, who will be studying Horticulture says he hasn’t experience any problems during orientation.

“I had no difficulties, everyone was very helpful and I truly enjoyed my first week here. My short-term goal is to improve my mathematics and biology. Long term, I think I just want to finish my course in record time. I’d also like to join some extra mural activities like certain sports codes, as well as become a member of the SRC.”

Compiled by Jan Weintrob, Thando Moiloa, Andiswa Dantile and Mariette Adams.

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CPUT management once again paid homage to staff members who have served the institution for several years at the annual Long Service Awards. The event was held on 6 June 2008 at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Milnerton and was also attended by family and friends of the recipients.

Those awarded had served the institution between ten and thirty-five years. During this period, the 160 recipients of the awards had spent 2 685 years of service with an average of 16, 7 years of service contributed by each. They were amont others couples, professors, heads of department, lecturers, administration staff and service staff.

Welcoming the guests, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, Vice-Chancellor of CPUT, thanked the spouses of the awardees for attending the function. She said many of the awardees have sometimes worked till late at night over the years and thanked them for their perseverance and supporting their spouses. She mentioned that CPUT appreciates hard work and thus the awardees were honoured on that night. Prof Mazwi-Tanga also announced that it was Mrs Stoffels’ last day at work as she was retiring. Mrs Stoffels, who ‘had taken care of us’ had served the institution for 25 years.

Mr Jayanthlal Bhana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Operations, said the awards were recognising those who have served CPUT for the better part of their lives. He said each and every person had in his or her way contributed to making the institution a better place. “No person is an island. A lecturer can only teach in a lecture hall that is clean” and whose electricity has been properly connected,"" he said demonstrating how each job fits to the whole. Mrs Ingrid Coetzee received the award of her late husband, Mr Adriaan Coetzee who passed away in February, posthumously. The late Mr Coetzee was in the twenty years category. Only one recipient, Mr J.A.D. Human, electrical engineering, braced the thirty-five years service category.

In his vote of thanks, Prof Anthony Staak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, said the awardees were a ‘rare breed’ with a different set of aspirations. He thanked and reminded them that they were very special people who have been loyal and committed to CPUT. After the formalities the guests danced to the music of the Gary Hendrickse Trio.

By Thami Nkwanyane, Marketing and Communication Department

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In 2010, when the soccer player players of the world are aiming for the goalposts, CPUT will be hoping to achieve a few goals of its own during an Institutional Quality Audit site visit from the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).

The HEQC is tasked with promoting quality assurance, auditing quality assurance mechanisims and accrediting programmes at institutions of higher education. All institutions are audited by the HEQC at least once within a six-year cycle. The auditing process relies heavily on a self-evaluation report submitted by the institution under review. A site visit by the HEQC confirms whether the results of the self-evaluation are accurate, so that the effectiveness of the institution's quality management can be assessed.

Gathering information for the self-evaluation report is a University-wide activity that will be part of campus life for the next two years. The Quality Management Directorate kicked off this process at a launch for the Institutional Audit on 17 June 2008 at the Bellville Campus.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga opened proceedings by discussing the purpose of the institutional mission, goals and objectives. She also spoke about the links between planning, resource allocation and quality management. “CPUT quality is about providing a footprint of excellence in higher education teaching and learning, research, technological insight and development and community engagement,” she said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Academic Anthony Staak then discussed quality issues surrounding teaching and learning, research and community engagement. “While some of us may be rather anxious about what the next two years may have in store,” he said, “ I much prefer to view the Institutional Audit preparations as a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our own internal quality processes, to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and to put in place plans to improve the way we do things.”

Finally, the Director of the Institutional Audit Dr Daniel Coetzee spoke about what the CPUT community can expect in the upcoming two years and the various drafts of the self-evaluation report that will need to be generated and circulated. “Every member of staff and every student is urged to participate in the audit,” Dr Coetzee said, “This is our chance to put in place a quality management system that meets with your requirements as well as those of external stakeholders.”

The Institutional Audit’s training program is already under way. The first training session, “Reflective practice – how to do a self-evaluation,” presented by Prof Jan Botha of the University of Stellenbosch, was held on 19 June 2008. The session was attended by working group convenors and members. Further training sessions are scheduled for the third term.

The Quality Management Directorate will also be distributing Qan (pronounced “can”), a regular newsletter that aims to keep the campus community up to date with the progress of the Institutional Audit. Qan will be available to CPUT staff as a printed publication and to the wider public in electronic format.

To learn more about the Institutional Audit, and the other activities of the Quality Management Directorate visit http://www.cput.ac.za/units/quality

By Ilana Abratt and Ruth Chisesa, Marketing and Communication Department

Photograph: CPUT community gets ready for 2010. Left to right: Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Prof Anthony Staak, Vice-Chancellor Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, Dr Daniel Coetzee and Ms Luclaire Airey, both of the Quality Management Directorate, Mr Norman Jacobs of the Marketing and Communication Department.

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Welcome ceremonies for the 2009 first-year students marked the beginning of what promises to be another exciting academic year at CPUT.

Addressing new students and their parents at the amphitheatre area on Cape Town Campus on 19 January 2009, CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga introduced herself and reminded the audience of the crucial role that new students play in the continuing growth of the University.

“To have first-year students is an assurance that our institution has a future,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the students for choosing to further their education at CPUT.

“It is not every day that an individual leaves the comfort zone of a familiar high school to venture into the unknown territory in higher education,” she said.

“I, however, would like to assure you that coming to Cape Peninsula University of Technology has been the best and wisest decision of your life.”

The Vice-Chancellor reminded the students that while the University provides the environment in which they can build their academic careers, it will be up to each of them to work diligently and take advantage of the opportunities the institution has to offer.

She encouraged the students to remember to balance professional development with holistic development by participating in extra-mural activities such as clubs, associations and sports. She noted that such activities provide opportunities for interaction and engagement and expose students to diversity.

The Vice-Chancellor drew the audience’s attention to the threat of HIV/AIDS. She urged students to be aware of the reality of the disease and to protect themselves against infection. She also cautioned students to take care of their physical safety, particularly in urban settings, and to obey security regulations.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga thanked the parents of new students for supporting the institution.

She concluded by wishing the first years “a successful 2009.”

The Vice-Chacellor’s address was followed by words of welcome from Dean of Students Cora Motale. Acting Head of Student Affairs Kenneth Rinquest then introduced Central SRC President Anda Bici, who in turn presented his fellow SRC members.

The Cape Town ceremony was the first of the three welcoming ceremonies that are highlights of CPUT’s annual Orientation Week. The second ceremony took place on Wellington Campus on 20 January 2009 and the third, on Bellville Campus on 21 January 2009 .

By Ilana Abratt, Marketing and Communication Department

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The Co-operative Education Department hosted its bi-annual Excellence Awards to acknowledge the organizations that have partnered with CPUT to provide students with experiential learning opportunities.

Experiential learning opportunities is key to the development of all CPUT students as it provides them with an opportunity to apply what they learnt in class in real-life situations under the supervision of experienced mentors in the work place.

The work that is covered during this period is monitored and assessed according to requirements set out by specific departments.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, thanked the organizations for providing students with opportunities to hone their skills in industry.

She says partnerships with industry are valued by the institution.

This year a total of 50 organizations were presented with certificates, while five SETAs received institutional recognition for their contribution towards the creation of training opportunities for students.

Nominations for the awards are made by the university’s faculties based on the quality of training that the organization provided, the number of students that they hosted and their involvement in CPUT activities.

The winners that walked away with floating trophies are as follows:

Faculty of Applied Sciences: Rheinmetall Denel Mution, Stodels Nurseries and Wellington Wines

Faculty of Business: Western Cape government, Mount Nelson Hotel and the University of Cape Town Schools

Faculty of Education and Social Science: Bernadino Heights High School, Observatory Junior School and Blouvlei Primary School

Faculty of Engineering: SANRAL, FFS Refiners and Permoseal

Faculty of Health and Wellness: NHLS/Pathcare, Khayelitsha Community Health Centre and Drs Schnetler, Corbett and Partners Inc Radiologists

Faculty of Informatics and Design: Independent Newspapers, Silicon Overdrive and Panavision

Written by Kwanele Butana

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South Africa’s first nanosatellite has made its way into space and is orbiting Earth at an altitude of 600km.

ZACUBE-1, which was renamed as Tshepiso, took off on Thursday morning from the Yasny Launch Base in Russia and moments after 9am made its first pass over South Africa. By 12pm the Ground Station at CPUT had made its first contact with the nanosatellite.

This historic event was celebrated at a launch ceremony on the Bellville Campus that was attended by government officials, local and international members of industry and CPUT staff and students.

NAME: ZACUBE-1 was renamed as Tshepiso, which means promise, by learner Chachane Kgothalang, from Bethel Junior Secondary School in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The renaming was part of a competition run by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement

CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga says the university has made history on the African continent for being the first to develop and launch a nanosatellite.

This innovative device was built by CPUT postgraduate students at the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) in collaboration with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). Over the next few years it will monitor space weather.

LEADERS: Chief Engineer at F’SATI, Francois Visser and Prof Robert van Zyl hold an example of a nanosatellite. Visser was instrumental in the building of the device

South African National Space Agency (SANSA) CEO, Dr Sandile Malinga says the data gathered on space weather, which will be used by the organization, is integral to the understanding and monitoring of solar activity during this period of solar maxima, when the sun is currently at the peak of its 11-year solar weather cycle.

“This is a phenomenon that can have critical implications to the functionality of our technology and electricity on Earth as well as the operation of satellites,” says Malinga.

The launch of Tshepiso also affirms CPUT’s place as a leading institution in the development of human skills capacity for the space science industry.

CELEBRATE: CPUT Vice-Chancellor Designate Dr Prins Nevhutala and Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga applaud as the nanosatellite takes off into space

Chief Director of Space Science at the Department of Science and Technology, Humbulani Mudau says F’SATI graduates will be critical for the successful implementation of the country’s space programme.

Mudau says the DST, which sponsored the development of the nanosatellite, will continue to support the activities of F’SATI.

Interview with F'SATI by News24

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

CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga has been appointed to serve on the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC).

South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe recently confirmed the appointment.

The council, which was launched on 30 March 2010 by the Deputy President in Pretoria, is a national multi-tiered and multi-sectoral body.

The council is chaired by the Deputy President to facilitate conditions that promote optimal participation of all stakeholders in the planning, stewardship, monitoring and evaluation of human resources development activities in the country.

The primary aim of the HRDC is to contribute to human resource development in South Africa.

The high-profile membership of the council includes Government Ministers, civil society sectors, business, professional bodies, higher education, research communities and co-opted members.

According to the report featured on the Presidency’s website, when delivering his speech during the launch, Motlanthe said: “I am confident that as a collective through this council, we will together make a significant impact on improving the human resources of our country.”

The role of the council includes advising the Deputy President on the need for the implementation of policies and strategies. The council will also provide a medium for a constant dialogue among stakeholders on all relevant matters.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training is also closely involved with the Council as he will be setting up the Secretariat which will support the Council and its sub-committees – the most important of which is the Technical Working Group.

The invitation of the Vice-Chancellor to the HRDC is a singular honour and recognition.

It also carries the challenge and responsibility to raise the voice of the higher education sector including the provision and extension of post-schooling training and the development of South African youth.

By Andiswa Dantile

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CPUT researchers have had an excellent year - from clinching top research grants to inventing new products, our researchers have established themselves as leaders in their respective fields.

Their sterling work was recognised and celebrated at the institution’s annual Research Day, which took place at the Cape Town Campus.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga commended the researchers for their contribution to growing research at the university.

Several years ago, the institution had fewer than 10 National Research Foundation-rated researchers and today boasts more than 30 rated researchers and a thriving research environment.

The university has also established a large number of specialised research centres and boasts three Research Chairs. A large number of researchers have also invented new products.

Mazwi-Tanga says CPUT researchers can be assured of continued support from the university.

An annual event, Research Day allowed researchers to network and also to listen to various presentations on research being carried out by their colleagues. However, the highlight of the day was the coveted research awards.

Awards were given in the following areas – Research Publication, Postgraduate Supervision and Industry Funding.

Research publication

Postgraduate supervision

Industry funding

By Candes Keating

Photograph by Clive Galant

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Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga recently hosted the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangeni at the Department of Maritime Studies on the Granger Bay Campus.
“We are pleased at how Minister Mosibudi Mangena has shown passion and commitment in developing Science and Technology in South Africa,” said Prof Mazwi-Tanga.

The Head of Maritime Studies, Captain Dr. Ed Snyders told Minister Mangena the plans and activities of the department. Once the formalities were completed, the Minister, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Oswald Franks, Dean of Engineering and the other guests were given a tour of the campus.

Maritime Studies is a niche area offered by only two higher education institutions in South Africa. The department offers formal education in marine navigation and marine engineering, and non-formal training in offshore safety and survival. The Department boasts the only Offshore Survival Centre in Africa and trains 2 500 students from Africa and beyond.

“Our private Granger Bay harbour houses a number of lifeboats/crafts, fast rescue craft and an indoor, heated swimming pool. It is envisaged that a new floating laboratory (training vessel), a first for Africa, and marine engineering workshop on the Bellville campus shall be operational in the near future”, Captain Dr Snyders told the Minister.

The Department of Maritime Studies is also an important role player in the Eastern Cape Maritime Awareness Project (EC-MAP) that was launched in August 2005.

“EC-MAP is a partnership formed by the CPUT, the Eastern Cape Education Department and the National Ports Authority to reverse the high levels of unemployment and crime. Eight Eastern Cape schools were identified with the view to making learners and educators aware of their maritime heritage and the job opportunities the maritime industry provides. We’ve enrolled eight students from EC-MAP and their progress has been satisfactory. The idea is to roll this project out into the Western Cape Province next year, “said Capt Dr Snyders.

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After 18 years at CPUT outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga bid staff a sad farewell at an emotional ceremony on Monday.

Hundreds of staff members, many of whom have been working at the institution since before the merger, converged on the sports field to say good-bye to the woman who led the province’s largest university successfully for almost 8 years.

Mazwi-Tanga, who is one of South Africa's first female Vice-Chancellors, reflected on her time at the institution saying it had been extremely hard but ultimately worth the struggle.

“I am leaving CPUT at a time when I believe it is at its peak. I am leaving CPUT at a time when the university has achieved so much. I am leaving at a time when I am starting to see a united university community and not PenTech and CapeTech anymore,” she says.

She then went on to thank her core team personally for making sure her vision was carried out throughout her term and acknowledged the hard work put in by every staff member.

“I was always so scared of leaving behind an entity that was dysfunctional. You all built CPUT by giving your time, commitment and by supporting our vision,” she says.

Mazwi-Tanga’s successor Dr Prins Nevhutalo officially takes up the reigns in 2014.

Watch Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga's tribute video below.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

CPUT is making history as it prepares to launch the continent's first cubesat, ZACUBE-1.

Developed by students and staff members ZACUBE-1 will be launched in mid-November from a Russian launch base.

But before it enters space, ZACUBE-1 will have to undergo a few more processes.

Next week the CubeSat will be sent to an institute in the Netherlands where it will be integrated with other CubeSats from across the world.

SEND-OFF: Researchers and government representatives watch on as a CPUT staff member and student package ZACUBE-1.

Once this process is completed, it will then be sent to Russia and injected in space at an altitude of 600km.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony, CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga says the development of the device is a milestone for the institution.

“We are making history as a university of technology in South Africa,” she says.

“What makes this more significant is that this work was not done by scientists out there, but by students and staff.”

Deputy Director for Research, Development and Innovation at the Department of Science and Technology, Dr Valanathon Munsami commended CPUT for its hard work.

During the past few years, F’SATI has received financial support for the development of the cubesat from the DST and the National Research Foundation.

Dr Munsami says the institution lived up to their expectations and delivered an innovative device.

The CubeSat’s main mission will be to collect information on space weather that will be used by the South African National Space Agency.

F’SATI Deputy-Director, Prof Robert van Zyl, says they are positive ZACUBE-1 will deliver on its mandate.

By Candes Keating

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Lance Witten a CPUT alumnus who is making his mark in the media industry returned to CPUT to encourage graduates to “build their brands”.

Witten, a sports anchor for eNews, told graduates that companies spend years building reputations and brands, which are their most valuable assets.

Referring to pop stars and celebrities, Witten says people too can be brands.

“As a graduate, each of you are your own brand.”

Witten encouraged graduates to go out into the working world and set out what they would like to stand for. He urged the class of 2011 to embrace qualities such as loyalty, integrity and to work hard in whatever industry they may find themselves in.

Whether graduates were making films, taking photographs or putting together garments, Witten says the quality of the product, will reflect your brand.

“At the end of the day it is your name that is attached to your brand.”

Witten says it will not always be easy build and grow your brand, but that graduates will reap the rewards.

“Go out there and establish your brand.”

CPUT Vice Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga also encouraged graduates to play a meaningful role in the South African economy.

The fourth Business Faculty graduation ceremony continues in Cape Town today.

Tonight, the Faculty of Health and Wellness will confer diplomas and degrees on graduates at the Bellville Campus.

By Candes Keating

Picture by CLIVE GALANT

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CPUT recently held its first International Mother Tongue Day event that celebrated language diversity.  The event was held in honour of the United Nation’s International Mother Language Day, celebrated earlier this month.

This momentous commemoration resulted from the killing of four Bengali-speaking students in Bangladesh, as a result of their campaigning to use their mother tongue for official purposes.

These celebrations have since become a tradition, with activities aimed at acknowledging the importance of language diversity organised across the globe during the month of February.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga described the event, which took place at the Bellville Campus, as a milestone for CPUT.

“This is an important day that marks how the university is beginning to mature, as we’ve battled for so long with issues of multilingualism.”

CLICK TO IT: Guests learn how to make use of the translation devices that were set up, offering translation in Afrikaans and Xhosa, to accommodate multilingualism.

The full-day event was attended by language coordinators and linguistic scholars from our sister institutions, as well as representatives from government agencies and the local community.

Fundani’s Acting Director, Prof Christine Winberg officiated the day’s proceedings, whilst recently appointed Institutional Language Coordinator, Dr Monwabisi Ralarala chaired the first session. Topics of discussion included multilingualism, sign language, mother tongue education and promoting academic literacy.

ALL INCLUSIVE: A sign language interpreter translates what is being said to the hearing impaired guests at the event.

Long-time linguistic scholar, Dr Neville Alexander and acclaimed bilingual author, Dr Sindiwe Magona, delivered riveting talks that left delegates with much food for thought on mother tongue issues. Dr Nomfundo Mali from the Pan South African Language Board highlighted their activities in promoting languages.

Dr Alexander questioned the role of universities on the development of African languages, suggesting that we ‘try to rehabilitate mother tongue based education on our country’.

Dr Magona looked at the benefits of enforcing mother tongue learning, as it inculcates a culture of pride and creates for easier scholarship for second-language English speakers in the South African context.

“There is a misconception that speaking the English language means having knowledge. The children of today should become proud of their mother tongue in order to have a good linguistic grounding to develop from”.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Photo:  Clive Galant (Fundani CHED)

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