Dr Tasmeera Singh, the newly appointed Director of the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate, exemplifies a profound dedication to the dynamic and transformative field of international higher education.

Singh joined the SIP Directorate in December 2021 as the Manager: International Relations and was appointed as the Director in August 2025. Before her time at CPUT, she excelled as the Principal International Advisor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Singh passionately believes in her role, stating that she “significantly contributed to shaping international partnerships and supporting cross-border collaboration”.

Singh, a dedicated individual who enjoys shopping, dining, and cherishing moments with her family, serves as the Deputy President of the International Education Association of South Africa. Her long-standing commitment to its Management Council underscores her passion for advancing international higher education. In 2019, she earned her PhD, focusing on identity and transformation in South African higher education. Driven by a feminist perspective, her work powerfully advocates for equity and inclusion. As a proud HERS-SA alumna and a COMENSA credentialed coach, she embodies the spirit of leadership and empowerment.

Her leadership style demonstrates a commitment to guiding others through example and creating a supportive and enabling environment. If she could advise her younger self, she would emphasise the importance of being fearless in taking charge and ensuring her voice is heard. Embracing opportunities with confidence and assertiveness is vital for both personal and professional growth, she notes.

Throughout her life and career, she has drawn profound inspiration from her mother, her greatest supporter and a constant source of strength. The unwavering belief her late mother had in her potential and leadership qualities has profoundly shaped her approach to life. One of the most empowering pieces of advice she received from another woman was, "You are your only limitation, so change your lens and things will become clear”.

This intuition has been instrumental in empowering her to overcome challenges and maintain focus on her goals. Singh's journey has opened doors that were once closed to previous generations of women in her family, granting her the opportunity to travel extensively and explore new horizons. This freedom has enriched her perspective and deepened her gratitude for the opportunities that came her way. Her success is grounded in a disciplined, ethical, and patient approach to her work. She exemplifies leadership by embodying the belief in inspiring others through her own actions.

Her advice to young women starting their careers reflects a deep understanding of their journey: “Be brave and venture into new spaces with integrity, seeing each challenge as a valuable opportunity for growth”. For those managing multiple responsibilities, she recognises the struggle and emphasises the importance of mastering multitasking. Though it may feel overwhelming at first, she assures that with persistence and adaptability, success and a sense of routine will eventually follow.

“While it can be challenging at first, persistence and adaptability lead to eventual success and routine.”

Having started her journey in February 2000, international higher education has become an essential part of who she is. What inspires her most is the remarkable evolution of internationalisation itself. She is captivated by the diverse growth of international education, especially with the rise of technology and artificial intelligence, which are opening new doors for equitable and accessible opportunities to students. The recent focus on diversity, equality, and inclusivity fills her with pride, reflecting a transformative shift towards a more inclusive global educational landscape.

Her significant involvement in international higher education has granted her countless opportunities to attend conferences and network. These experiences have enabled her to connect with inspiring individuals, immerse herself in vibrant cultures and learning opportunities, and gain enlightening perspectives. Each journey has not only expanded her understanding but has also empowered her to share valuable knowledge within her professional community.

Her favourite motto is: "Patience is a virtue. Everything happens at the right time, as it should”. This belief in the natural timing of events and the significance of patience inspires her to pursue her goals. This wisdom fuels her professional endeavours and personal life, reminding her that every challenge and triumph is a vital part of a greater journey.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) recently hosted its inaugural Hybrid International Week at the Cape Town Hotel School, Granger Bay Campus.

The event, which brought together international and local universities, businesses as well as government representatives, was aimed at strengthening the faculty’s strategic partnerships. The theme of the event was: Re-imagining internationalisation post Covid-19, focusing on the lessons learned, while navigating the new normal.

Prof Paul Green, the Dean of FBMS, opened the event and welcomed the guests, as well as extended sympathies to the Turkish partners who were forced to withdraw their attendance due to the disaster that recently hit their nation. Amongst the attendees were Prof Judy Peter, Director for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, who delivered a keynote address, Dr Carla Enslin, Head of Postgraduate Studies at Vega School, who spoke about brand resonance, members of the Student Representative Council, President of the CPUT Convocation, Lwandile Socikwa, as well as international visitors from Germany, Slovakia, Finland, Reunion Island and Russia. They all presented an overview of their institutions and countries.

Green commended all attendees for participating in the event, recognising their attendance as a symbol of the shared vision in respect of strengthening collaborations and ending his address with the African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Green said: “I want to wish you a successful event, may the deliberations be invigorating, and provoke your thinking as well as extend your boundaries, I thank you, enkosi.”

Andiswa Mrasi, Acting Manager – Strategic Initiatives and Projects at FBMS, said the positive feedback they received from guests and colleagues was “heart-warming”. “Putting together an event of this magnitude, marking the first of its kind in the entire institution was quite overwhelming. I am beyond humbled that it all went well, and of course I cannot claim the glory alone. We were supported by several individuals and departments within the faculty as well as across the university - we remain grateful,” said Mrasi.

Mrasi said her faculty was committed to producing the policy makers of tomorrow, the game changers of tomorrow, particularly from a developing country and continent such as South Africa and Africa respectively, “where we are still facing inequality and poverty”. “So, we are also at the heart of civil society. We want to ensure that we produce graduates who are not only able to read and wright, but those who will have a broader understanding of the world, and make an impact on those who did not have the opportunity to be a university graduate. ”Reflecting on the event, Acting Head of the Department of Management and Project Management, Nobuhle Luphondo said: “It was very important for us to know what is being offered on the other side so that we can relate that to what we are offering, for us to able to see some areas of collaborations.”

The three-day event also included presentations by international universities and industry partners, excursions and community engagement with township tour to Gugulethu 7 Memorial, Unako Children’s Home, Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre, and a South African lunch at Tee’s Lounge.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Manager: International Relations at the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate, Dr Tasmeera Singh, is “extremely delighted” with the success of the visit by Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU) and the possible outcomes it may yield for the Space Engineering programme at CPUT.

CPUT hosted the visitors, Prof Dr Masayoshi Noguchi – Vice President for International Affairs/Executive Director, International Centre; Hidetaka Masuda – Director, International Affairs Office and Satomi Suzuki, International Partnerships Coordinator at Bellville Campus recently. Amongst the CPUT delegation were Prof Suresh Ramsuroop: Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE); Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships – FEBE; Dr Oluwaseyi Babalola - French-South African Institute of Technology / Africa Space Innovation; Nyameko Roy – Acting Director ASIC; Dr Marco Adonis - Head: Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DEECE); Singh and many others.

The objective of the visit was to explore avenues for collaboration in shared areas of interest, such as space engineering. Reflecting on the meeting, Singh said: “It was an extremely productive visit with tangible outcomes for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment for the Space Engineering programme.”

During the meeting, Singh also provided an overview of CPUT. Fester presented an overview of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. Royi narrated the overview and success stories of the of French-South African Institute of Technology / Africa Space Innovation Centre. As a result of the meeting, two follow-up meetings have been set up and a F’SATI delegate will visit TMU.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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To explore potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities, the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate welcomed the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) at Bellville Campus.

The CPUT delegation was led by Prof Dina Burger, Director of the Directorate of Research Development and Acting Director: SIP, who also welcomed the delegation from North Carolina. Meanwhile, Dr Melody Pierce, Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Prof Tonya Smith-Jackson, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs led the N.C. A&T delegation.

The primary objectives included:

• Advancing engineering education and general education.
• Developing online programs and study abroad initiatives.
• Creating global experiential learning opportunities.
• Enhancing student success and faculty development.
• Facilitating faculty and student exchanges at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

“The end goal was to establish a robust framework for collaboration that would leverage the strengths of both institutions to benefit students, faculty, and the broader academic community,” said Dingaan Booi, International Relations Officer: SIP. The event was highly successful and aligned perfectly with SIP objectives. “The level of engagement from both CPUT and NC A&T was exceptional, indicating a strong mutual interest in forging a long-term partnership,” he said.

At the meeting, Burger indicated that the constructive conversations between the delegates showed enthusiasm and collaborative spirit from both parties. She said the delegates showed great steadfastness in enhancing educational significance and developing innovation.

According to Booi, the key highlights of the meeting were:

The in-depth discussions identified several key areas for potential collaboration, including Work Integrated Learning, Service Learning, youth incubation, micro-credentialing, and philanthropic leveraging for institutional transformation.

Both institutions expressed a strong commitment to formalising their collaboration through an institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Leveraging the US Fulbright Programme for staff and student mobility between the two institutions was identified as a significant opportunity. Amongst the recommendations was to establish an MOU between CPUT and NC A&T at an institutional level to formalise the partnership. The SIP Directorate will engage with NC A&T on developing a Research Impact framework to guide future collaborative research efforts and many others including that the institutions will leverage the US Fulbright Programme and other international initiatives to facilitate the mobility of staff and students, enhancing global experiential learning opportunities.

“We are confident that these recommendations and outcomes will lay a strong foundation for a fruitful and enduring partnership between CPUT and NC A&T,” said Booi.

He added that the SIP Directorate was extremely pleased with the outcome of the meeting. “The level of enthusiasm and the depth of the discussions exceeded our expectations. We feel confident that this collaboration will lead to significant advancements in various academic and research areas, benefiting both institutions immensely.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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