Advancement Department Director, Calvin Maseko handed out certificates to 37 students who graduated from SAP S4 HANA in Sales and Distribution, Human Capital Management, Financial, Accounting and Project Management during the SAP graduation ceremony.

The event was hosted by the Centre for Enterprise, Research, Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA) at District Six campus.

CERPIA Manager, Jerry Ansen, said CERPIA is a multidisciplinary business design competency centre. It is built on the success of the ERP initiatives in the Faculty of Business and Management Science (FBMS).

Ansen said their goal was to educate and build next-generation talents with SAP skills for the intelligent enterprise and the experience economy, engage with SAP events, build industry partnerships, launch graduates into the SAP ecosystem, and “inspire young thinkers”. Ansen said the programmes purely depend on funding from the SETAs for the students and individual funding. He added that there were no selection criteria and “It all depends on funding and individual affordability”.

In this programme graduates get to learn the 21st century ICT digital skills, are empowered to take current job opportunities, and be competitive in the market space. “Since the launch of SAP at CPUT in 2009, it has been very successful,” Maseko observed. He said CPUT shared its expertise with nine other countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia, etc. This includes other universities in South Africa. Maseko said the programme had improved the employment opportunities of CPUT graduates. “In one group, for example, all the 10 graduates were hired by the Cape Metro and provincial government, shortly after graduation.

Over 5000 students have graduated from the programme since its launch in 2009. The programme cuts across every faculty and the Advancement Department provides about 50 pre-funded students to the programme per annum.

Maseko told the graduates that they have made a right choice and that an extra SAP certificate will improve their employability chances. “SAP skills are still at infancy stage in South Africa. The world is moving to digitalisation, technology and data driven decision making. “Therefore, academics who want to be SAP facilitators can be trained starting in 2023 to facilitate SAP skills program in their curriculum.”

Speaking to the graduates, Ansen said: “Congratulation!! And wish you all the best in your professional careers.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The family of a CPUT student who tragically passed away just a month before her graduation made sure she was there in spirit this week.

Despite battling lymphoma cancer, Nontombi “Thami” Mapundu applied herself to her studies and was excited to graduate in the CPUT Autumn Grad series. She also had plans to continue her studies into Project Management, however she passed away at the age of 30 leaving behind her grief stricken mother and three siblings.

On Thursday evening, Thami’s mother, Phelokazi Mapundu, and brother, Mpumelelo Mapundu, attended her graduation ceremony, with her brother symbolically wearing his sister’s graduation gown and sash. The family were seated in the front row along with other family and friends.

Phelokazi says Thami was her last born and the light of her life.

“We wanted to commemorate her dedication to her studies and thank God for the victory he gave her in being able to graduate.

She was a beloved child and made me very proud,” she says.

Mpumelelo says it was important for his mother and himself to attend the graduation because his sister looked forward to attending.
“We believe and know that Thami is here with us in spirit,” he says.

Written by Lauren Kansley

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

The Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, recently heaped praise on a celebration of academic achievement, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by the CPUT staff members and students who have completed the SAP S/4 HANA course as well as candidates from our industrial partner Shoprite.

Green was speaking at the SAP S/4 HANA graduation ceremony, recently organised by the Centre for Enterprise Research Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPiA) and the Advancement Department and held at the Cape Town Hotel School. “It is with great pleasure that we gather here today to honour the dedication and hard work of our graduating students who have successfully completed their SAP S/4 HANA certification under the auspices of the Centre for Enterprise Research, Partnership, and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA),” said Green.

CERPIA is an institutional centre established by Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo. CERPIA through CPUT is a member of the SAP University Alliance (UA) since 2009, which seeks to transfer theoretical and practical scarce digital business systems skills to university students in preparation of entering the job market. These digital business systems skills are driven by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) principles using SAP Software as a tool. CERPIA education partners are SAP University Alliance, University Competent Centre (UCC) and the industry partners.

CERPIA SAP education manager and trainer, Jerry Ansen, said the purpose of these courses was to equip student and staff with the knowledge and skills required to effectively use SAP software for managing business operations and processes. Ansen added that the courses are for students and staff to master SAP ERP skills, and enhance their digital business skills and to enhance students employability.

He said BANKSETA sponsored 38 students of which 31 graduated and ETDPSETA sponsored 29 staff of which 23 graduated. The SAP programmes were introduced to CPUT by Ansen, and he has been the pillar behind the skills development of staff and students since 2009.

All students are welcome to attend the courses as there is no selection criteria, “We depend on funding for students from Advancement Department”. “Graduates get to learn 21st-century ICT digital skills, be empowered to take current job opportunities and be competitive in the market space.” Addressing the graduates, Ansen said: “Congratulations!! And I wish you all the best in your professional digital business skills careers.”

31 CPUT students graduated from SAP S4 HANA in:

• Human Capital Management
• Financial Accounting
• Materials Management
• Master Data Management
• Project Management

There were three staff members in SAP S/4 HANA – TS410 and eight candidates from Shoprite Group ltd and SAP S/4 HANA- Materials Management. CERPIA, as the driving force behind advancing digital business skills, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of “our students and the broader community,” Green remarked. “As part of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences… We are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields.”

He added that through the FBMS integration of SAP skills into their curricula and the provision of certifications, “we empower our students to stand out in a highly competitive industry”. “This strategic focus on SAP not only enhances graduate employability but also ensures that our students are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the digital economy. It is this emphasis on practical, industry-relevant skills that makes our graduates more marketable and sought after by employers.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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