We have spent the weekend working very hard, with the assistance of skilled mediators, to reach an agreement with the stakeholders below to ensure the return to normal operations on our campuses.

The statement below outlines the conditions for this to happen. I realise that we have made some principled comprises in order to "buy peace"' at our University. I want to apologise to you for the terrible impact that this agreement may have on the extensive planning that has already gone into the scheduling of examinations, but I can only appeal to you to assist in whatever way you can to implement these decisions. Please understand that if there was any other way to bring about stability we would have done so.

Joint Statement agreed by University Management, #FMF activists, SRC representatives, NEHAWU, CPUEU and #OutsourcingMustFall Representatives

The University in consultation with the above stakeholders has reached an agreement to postpone exams by 1 week until 21 November 2016. This will create an environment conducive to learning so that students who choose to write exams in the Nov/Dec sitting may be able to do so. In addition, students who choose not to write exams in the current sitting, will be allowed to choose to write in January 2017. Both examination sittings will have equal status and will have the normal supplementary examination option subject to the normal rules.

The examinations for final year students in Education and Health Sciences that have already commenced shall continue as previously communicated.

Special Notes:
1. An environment conducive to learning shall include:
a. The normal academic support including access to tutors and all academic staff.
b. Access to all learning amenities on campus including the library.
c. Access to wi-fi.
2. In order to restore an environment conducive to learning:
a. All staff will return to their workstations on Tuesday 15 November.
b. The withdrawal of private security needs to take place from Tuesday 15 November.
c. A task team will assess the readiness of on campus examination venues so that they can be utilised for examinations from Monday 21 November.
3. Management and student leaders undertake to ensure that there are no disruptions at venues that are needed for the preparation for exams or the writing of exams.

Kind Regards
Acting Vice-Chancellor
Dr John Volmink

Written by CPUT News
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During a recent event held at the Bellville campus, CPUT’s vision and strategic plans for the next decade were shared with business and industry role-players.

One Smart CPUT: Engaged with Its Critical Stakeholders was the theme of the Vice-Chancellor’s Businesses and Industries Engagement.

Stakeholders were welcomed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, who said the growth and success of CPUT’s academic project are primarily dependent on the development and success of its partnerships with various industries.

“We have built strong links with all spheres of government, the private sector and societal structures, who assist with the intake of Work Integrated Learning and Service-Learning placements and contribute immensely to developing new qualifications through involvement in advisory committees for different disciplines.”

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo delivered the keynote address and said CPUT could no longer be the best-kept secret.

He said that while much was achieved under Vision 2020, the institution had decided not to rest on its laurels.

These achievements included ground-breaking research, including the launch of CPUT’s very first satellite, which began several ground-breaking research at the institution.

Nhlapo said the institution would move up a gear and learn from the mistakes and shortcomings of Vision 2020.

He said the institution’s aim with Vision 2030 is characterised by three philosophies: ubuntu, ubunye (unity), and ukungafani (diversity).

“In this strategy, we are re-imagining CPUT as a leading university of technology in South Africa, the continent, and indeed the globe. That is why some people refer to it as the reimagining of CPUT as an MIT of Africa”.

Nhlapo said the idea of establishing One Smart CPUT or Vision 2030 was conceived in 2017 – a Smart university focusing on one dimension, oneness, and the other, smartness.

“One Smart University is a concept with two dimensions – it’s both a physical and a virtual environment led by humans coming together to create a more humane, immersive, interactive and automated experience for students, staff, researchers and stakeholders of the institution.”

Nhlapo agreed that the next phase – 2021 to 2030 – should be crafted to build One Smart CPUT.

“The emphasis on oneness is directed at creating one institutional culture, a sense of belonging, an environment in which everyone strives towards the same goal, taking pride in who we are and how we conduct our business as a university, working as teams, taking collective responsibility for our future, breaking down of silos, working across the departments, units, faculties disciplines and research focus areas, evident by a steep sense of caring about the wellness of others in the workplace and the future of CPUT. We are saying everything we are doing is about the people.”

The programme also included presentations by Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, the six faculties, the Advancement Department and other role-players, and a Q&A session.

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director of the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, said the day had been a historic opportunity for the institution to share its new, "extremely vibrant and eloquent vision 2030”.

“We thank you, the public and private sectors, for the valued workplaces over the many years and the SETAs and other funding agencies for the immense funding you have brought to us. You have provided great satisfaction to our students regarding learnerships and internships. We thank our advisory committee members and others who have contributed to shaping our innovative curricula and qualifications.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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