CPUT staff never miss an opportunity for their students to learn and network with industry partners.

The massive construction taking place at the Bellville campus, where the new engineering building is being built, is the perfect training ground for a number of courses on offer at the institution.

A 43-metre crane on site created the perfect chance for Emergency Medical Care staff and students to practice their rescue training.

VERTIGO: Lecturer Schalk van der Merwe on top of the 43 metre high crane

The invitation was also opened up to industry partners like the military health services, airport fire rescue, metro rescue and the fire department.

Lecturer Schalk van der Merwe thanked the construction company Stefanutti Stocks for their willingness to allow the rescue simulation to happen on site.

“We simulated the crane operator having a heart attack up there as well as an electrical accident. The purpose of the simulation is to keep our rescue training abilities in top form,” he says.

“It is also a great chance to network and build common practice techniques between the various rescue units.”

Despite a slight drizzle volunteers from the various units took it in turns to ascend the crane then descend using ropes.

Justin Ventzke from Stefanutti Stocks says the construction site has been attracting students from a number of courses like quantity surveying.

“A few have come to ask for work shadowing opportunities and we have been happy to oblige,” he says.

Written by Marick Hornsveld

The CPUT Faculty of Business recently held its graduation for students who had obtained the National Higher Certificate in Accountancy. Ceremonies took place on the Bellville, Wellington and Cape Town Campuses. Approximately 550 Accountancy students received the certificates.

The National Higher Certificate in Accountancy ceremonies are held separately from the main April graduation due to the size of the Business Faculty. It is the largest of the six Faculties and therefore produces extremely high numbers of graduates.

Bellville Campus held its ceremony on 9 May 2008 in the Auditorium. The Faculty awarded about 162 certificates. The keynote speaker was Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Business Schalk van der Merwe. The ceremony attracted 300 spectators.

Wellington Campus awarded about 23 certificates during its ceremony on 22 May. Cape Town Campus held its ceremony on 23 May. This ceremony attracted about 800 spectators and awarded about 365 certificates.

According to Student Administration Assessment Co-ordinator (Cape Town Campus) Tiffany Williams, the National Higher Certificate in Accountancy graduation is held once every year and students must pass all their 13 subjects over a period of two years in order to receive certificates. Ms Williams confirmed that the number of recipients has increased compared to the previous years.

Accountancy Head of Department Willem Lotter said that the graduation does not mark a formal exit point to a student's Accountacy studies but is an acknowledgement of the completion of a two year certificate that helps students gain access to the main stream of Accountancy and its related fields.

Business Faculty Director Llwellyn Appel has confirmed that almost all of previous certificate recipients have continued to study towards their third year (Diploma level) which he views as very encouraging.

By Ruth Chisesa, Marketing and Communication Department

Written by CPUT News
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The Department of Emergency Medical Sciences has heeded the global call for humanitarian assistance in Nepal.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal more than a week ago killing more than 7 000 people and leaving thousands displaced.

Lecturers Mustafa Zalgoanker, Schalk van der Merwe and Ryan Matthews were among the hundreds of international volunteers who provided relief to those that have been left destitute following the earthquake.

HELP AT HAND: CPUT lecturers Ryan Matthews, Mustafa Zalgoanker and Schalk van der Merwe and are currently in Nepal and are using their skills to assist earthquake victims

The lecturers returned from Nepal this week where they formed part of the Gift of the Givers Rescue team. The team is made up of highly qualified search and rescue personnel as well medical teams.

The team spent 10 days in Nepal assisting with search and rescue efforts and setting up of a field hospital.

“Since CPUT is the only institution who are trained in advanced life support and advanced search and rescue we were able to provide relief that some of the other volunteers couldn’t like assisting in the hospitals with medical care like cleaning wounds,” says Matthews.

“That gave the doctors some relief and let the other rescue teams get on with searching for bodies.”

Llyold says in 2003 the department also heeded the call for assistance when an earthquake struck Iran. Lecturer Navin Naidoo was part of the rescue team that traveled to Iran.

Written by Candes Keating
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