CPUT will highlight Design for Sustainable Development in Africa as it celebrates Africa Day 2013.

In its Research, Technology Innovation (RTI) 10 Year Blueprint, CPUT identifies Design for Sustainability as one of seven Research and Innovation focus areas that will inform its strategies to “strengthen research and foreground innovation and best practices effectively across the institution”.

The RTI blueprint, in support of CPUT’s Vision 2020 is designed to provide the institution with “a strategic frame within which it seeks to produce research and innovation which is relevant and which is aligned to the needs of the province, the country, the continent. This year’s Africa Day’s theme will lend support to the commencement of an institutional discourse of our research focus areas, and on Design for Sustainability in particular.CPUT recognises that design and its associated processes across all disciplines, is a powerful catalyst for change that can enable more sustainable ways of living. Central to this is Design Thinking and practice. Individuals who take this approach to design consider the deeper social, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological aspects of any product, system or service development.  Those attending the Africa Day celebrations will get an opportunity to hear from a renowned advocate of sustainable design - Saki Mafundikwa.The Director of the Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts, Mafundikwa will deliver the keynote address and reflect on sustainable design and its importance for the development of the African continent.The event takes place at the Auditorium on the Bellville Campus from 10:00 – 13:00

Written by CPUT News

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Africa Day celebrations at CPUT marked the launch of the institution’s Design for Sustainability research focus area.

This focus area is one of seven outlined in the institution’s Research, Technology Innovation (RTI) 10 Year Blueprint.The RTI blueprint, in support of CPUT’s Vision 2020, is designed to provide the institution with “a strategic frame within which it seeks to produce research and innovation which is relevant and which is aligned to the needs of the province, the country, the continent.

CPUT recognises that design and its associated processes across all disciplines, is a powerful catalyst for change that can enable more sustainable ways of living. Central to this is Design Thinking and practice. Individuals who take this approach to design consider the deeper social, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological aspects of any product, system or service development.  Prof Saki Mafundikwa, the Director of the Zimbabwe Institute of Digital Arts, who delivered the keynote address at the event, reflected on sustainable design on the Africa continent. Mafundikwa says design has its roots in Africa and must play a role in its development.Respondents to Mafundikwa’s address, which included CPUT Design Thinkers, Prof Mugendi M’Rithaa, Nigel Tapela and Bruce Snaddon, echoed his sentiments, pointing out that sustainable design is the way forward for the development of South Africa and the continent.

Written by Candes Keating
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