The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Department of Defence (DoD) together with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently visited CPUT.

The visit was a fact-finding mission to assess the state of the African Space Innovation Centre’s capability and potential to provide satellite and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) short courses to the defence department.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, who welcomed the high-level delegation says the well-organised event “was very successful” and that CPUT is already a major player in space and the building of nanosatellites. “Therefore, CPUT will have an opportunity to contribute and exhibit her prowess to many stakeholders and a broader platform for the benefit of the Republic of South Africa,” Nhlapo boasts.

Prof Veruscha Fester: Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Dr Angus Brandt and Chief Engineer, Nyameko Royi provided an overview of activities in African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) and Royi later facilitated a tour of the space facilities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, who outlined CPUT’ sustainability plans for ASIC, was impressed by the interest shown by DoD brass to “our Research, Innovation” as well as training in the Space Science and Technology Initiatives. “The appreciation they showed to CPUT as an engaged university focusing on the needs of society is noted,” Phaho observes.

He continues: “We regard ASIC/F’Sati as a continental flagship programme hence management has committed resources (human resources, equipment) to ensure sustainability as well as overall transformation of the emerging space industry by training students who reflect the country’s demographics.”

In his observation, Humbulani Mudau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology, Department of Science and Innovation says the University shared their impressive achievements with the visitors. “The University produced seventy-four satellite engineers from all over the continent with 43% as South Africans over a period of twelve years and five satellites from 2009 to 2021, one launched in 2013, the other one in December 2018 and constellation of three launched in January 2022,” Mudau remarks. He adds that in the current cycle the University admitted 58 students with 81% being South Africans.

“We achieved the purpose of the visit, since Dr Phaho also shared the future plans to sustain the ASIC,” he says.

In his remarks, Brigadier General Lance Mathebula voiced his happiness with the CPUT visit and said their mission was to see how CPUT can assist his department in making sure “that we can have our people that are qualified in air and space”. “We prefer to start with short courses first to improve their skills before they start with long courses.”

Reflecting on the event, Phaho says: “It was a high-level delegation who are aware of our footprint in the space sector. They showed an interest in working with CPUT in advancing the sector in the greater national interest.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Students and staff are receiving a warm online welcoming to the largest tertiary institution in the Western Cape this year.

While Covid-19 regulations prevent the institution from hosting the traditional welcoming events, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo is still delivering a message of welcome, albeit on an online platform.

“Traditionally this semester would be one of many welcome ceremonies. First Year Welcomes are (traditionally) hosted across the various campuses, and for staff we would be gathered together on the sports field of the Bellville campus to celebrate the start of the new year. These events are special because we are able to connect and put names and faces to our colleagues, SRC leadership, Management and of course our fellow classmates. Considering we are a community of just short of 40 000 staff and students, Welcome events unify us,” Nhlapo says in this year’s recorded message to students.

“While most of us are not physically on campus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work to maintain these buildings continues. We have multi-million rand building works and renovations planned for this year and we have already used the quieter period to forge ahead with these.”

Nhlapo encourages the CPUT community to find the time to do a life and career review and “plot where it is you want to be on this day in 2022.”

“The institution offers a wealth of self-improvement opportunities because we benefit from you reaching your full potential. Similarly though we also need your support to help us get CPUT to its full potential. I am certain I can count on you for that.”

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the importance of staff and student accountability in terms of COVID-19 safety precautions.

“We are grooming future leaders in our student population and it is imperative that we lead by example with the correct use of face masks, social distancing and hand sanitising. If you see someone not doing what they should be, then challenge them. A university has the potential to be a super-spreader environment and we cannot afford to relax. CPUT was previously identified as a low-risk institution for the potential for spreading the virus, let us continue to respect the protocols that earned us that mention.”

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/2pBMnjiZejc

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Academic excellence and determination were at the centre of the recent Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards ceremony where the new cohort of recipients were celebrated.

The ceremony, held at the Cape Town Hotel School on the Granger Bay campus, also celebrated the success of four awardees who have graduated.

The awards programme was started in 2018 and is bestowed annually on deserving Master’s and Doctoral students who have shown academic excellence and an embodiment of the CPUT graduate attributes.

The 2022 awardees are:

• Oritonda Muribwathoho (completing a Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering. Her research title is: Development of metal matrix composites suitable for hulls and ship decks.
• Murendeni Nethengwe (completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences) Her research title is: Evaluation of antioxidant potential and mechanism of action of phenolic compounds from South African indigenous plants used in the management of diabetes-related male infertility.
• Shaun Mgoma (completing a Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering). His research title is: Recovery of valuable compounds from agricultural food using green technologies: Process design and Techno-economic analysis.
• Bongisiwe Zozo (completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry). Her research title is: Purification and characterisation of the native black soldier fly larva Protein.
• Mzoxolo Ntabeni (Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering. His research title: The influence of academic and industry-specific project management qualifications on the effectiveness of project managers in the construction industry.

The four recipients who have graduated are:

• Dr Yvonne Maphosa (Doctor of Food Science and Technology)
• Dr Imisioluseyi Akinyede (Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering)
• Sivenathi Jayiya (Master of Public Relations Management)
• Sihle Ngxabi (Master of Horticultural Science)

Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Prof Joseph Kioko, said the recipients have the potential to achieve great things.

Kioko said that too often, such excellent potential is extinguished by a lack of funds or resources, resulting in many brilliant, possibly life-changing dreams being deferred, often forever.

“Fortunately, humanity has in itself the ability to provide the spark or the fuel that would keep those lights shining all the way to a brighter future. For a fitting example of what we can all do, one needs to look no further than people and entities like the Mauerberger Foundation Fund and its chairperson, Advocate Diana Yach. The foundation has been generously supporting these awards and has ensured that the spark in many bright minds at CPUT has been kept alive. On behalf of the committee, I’d like to express our deep gratitude to Advocate Yach.”

Recipient Oritonda Muribwathoho said she was immensely thankful for the award, adding that it would mean “less stress” and allow her to focus on her studies.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo saluted the recipients and said he hoped that some of the recipients would become professors and vice-chancellors at the institution.

Yach said she was pleased to announce that the amount allocated to CPUT was being increased this year.

She said the awardees had fulfilled the dreams set out when the awards programme was first established.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo has commended outgoing Council members for assisting in stabilizing the institution and ensuring that CPUT is strengthened for future generations.

Outgoing Council members were inducted in 2018 and saw CPUT through challenging periods like Fees Must Fall and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nhlapo says one of the key success markers, was Council assisting with the selection of individuals in Executive Management positions. The placement of these competent people saw an immediate turnaround in portfolios like Finance, Infrastructure and the Academic offering.

“We learned our lesson from Vision 2020 when we didn’t put people at the centre of what we do, because no unity means no victory,” says Nhlapo.

“That is why I was clear that the two issues we were going to push is Oneness and Smartness. At the end of the day we speak the same language as Council which is ethics, morality and fairness.”

Chair of Council Advocate Zuko Mapoma says he is leaving his position confidently because CPUT is better today than when he joined.

“I am happy to say that at CPUT the systems were there. We had a duty to give the Executive the space to fulfill their duties, because the last thing you want is a Chair who is in competition with the VC,” he says.

“CPUT is a well-oiled machine, and a respected institution, because you have management who are ethical and creative.”

Registrar Sello Mokoena said the 26 outgoing Council members were at the forefront of heralding a new era for CPUT and left a legacy.

“That is the integral question we should be asking ourselves as we embark on this journey- it is what kind of a legacy do I want to leave.”

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Outgoing Press Ombud Pippa Green was the guest speaker at the recent Media Mingle event, hosted by the Marketing and Communication Department.

The event, held at the Cape Town Hotel School, was testimony to the calibre of journalism graduates produced by CPUT, with many of the editors and journalists in attendance having graduated from the institution.

It was also attended by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, other members of the Executive Management, the Deputy Chairperson of Council, Dr Laurine Platzky and Deputy Press Ombud, Tyrone August.

Green’s address centred around the shared responsibilities of public institutions. like CPUT, as well as the media and how working together benefits both.

“Ethics is not a nice-to-have. It’s an essential part of the free media, we can’t survive without it. And, if our currency is trust … then the public needs to know that there are transparent standards and checks and balances. Otherwise, with the financial crisis that the media faces at the moment, there will be no distinction between who’s reliable and who’s not,” Green stated.

* The Press Council, the Press Ombud and the Appeals Panel are an independent co-regulatory mechanism set up by the print and online media to provide impartial, expeditious and cost-effective adjudication to settle disputes between newspapers, magazines and online publications, on the one hand, and members of the public, on the other, over the editorial content of publications.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Fairies, unicorns and even a minion were among the participants of this year’s CPUT Women’s Day Fun Run.

The rain couldn’t deter scores of CPUT women and a few men from participating in the event, which started at the stadium on the Bellville campus.

The participants joined in a warm-up session before Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, officially started the race.

Dr Nicole Brooks, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, was the winning runner while Francis Koordom from Cleaning Services was the first walker to cross the finish line.

The winner in the Craziest Outfit category was Deidre de Jongh from the Department Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering who made quite an impression with her Christmas-themed outfit.

The winners and all participants who dressed up in costumes for the event received prizes.

The event was made possible through the co-operation of the following departments: Marketing and Communication, Human Capital, Infrastructure Development and Facilities Management, The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Health and Safety, Somatology and the Cape Town Hotel School.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Prof Anthony Staak, is retiring from the institution after 36 years.

Staak has enjoyed a stellar academic career spanning from the time he was a top learner at South Peninsula High School to later having the distinction of being awarded both the coveted Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships. It was this academic prowess that first caught the attention of former Peninsula Technikon Rector Prof Brian Figaji who head-hunted him while Staak was completing the Rhodes scholarship in Oxford. “I am particularly proud because I actually recruited Staak. I called his mother and then contacted him in England. I told him 'Staak you have a job when you get home' and many years later this is the result,” said Figaji at a farewell dinner recently hosted for Staak.

Figaji also praised Staak for being selfless in his academic achievements because despite his earlier undergrad and post-grad qualifications in Engineering he opted to do a Masters in Economics to expand his world view. Staak later made another unconventional career choice when he was awarded the Fulbright scholarship and opted to do a Masters in the still relatively unknown area of Technology Transfer at MIT. “So it wasn’t about Anthony but it was about what he needed to do his job better and what would serve the institution,” he says.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo says Staak’s legacy is imprinted into the DNA of CPUT and that his foresight into intellectual property and policy meant the former Peninsula Technikon was ahead of its time. “Prof Staak understands exactly what we are trying to achieve here at CPUT which is reviving the dream of being the MIT of Africa and of course he speaks from experience having been a student there. Thank you very much Prof Staak, it is indeed sad to have someone of your stature leaving the team,” he said.

In his farewell speech Prof Staak had the crowd in stitches recalling how memo pads and typewriters were preferred to the first generation computers in the 1980s. He also reflected on Peninsula Technikon’s role in the anti-apartheid struggle of the time. “We refused to implement the quota system and accepted students from across the country and neighbouring states as well. In fact we battled to keep the police off our campus,” he said.

Staak, who joined Peninsula Technikon as the Head of Electrical Engineering Department in 1982 and later became the Dean in 1998 says he was always very proud to be part of the Engineering Faculty which spearheaded much of the innovation taking place at the institution - this included early internet connections and unique laboratory style learning spaces. “It was also quite unique at the time to have laboratories as classrooms because the norm at the time was office space, classroom space and laboratory space. We did everything in the labs.”

He is looking forward to indulging his passion for running and enjoying his three grandchildren.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Next week jubilant friends and family members will travel from far to witness the capping of their loved ones on the Bellville Campus. 

The campus will be buzzing with excitement when the 2018 CPUT Summer Graduation ceremonies take over the Major Sports Hall from Monday to Friday.

There will be three ceremonies every day at 09H00, 14H00 and 19H00.

Over the course of next week 6 599 students will graduate, 104 with Masters’ degrees and 13 with Doctorates.

Vice-Chancellor, Dr Chris Nhlapo, said graduation ceremonies are one of the highlights of the university’s academic year as they provide the CPUT community with an opportunity to celebrate the graduates’ achievements.

Nhlapo added that the graduates have made a success of their time at CPUT and the university is very proud of them.

In the Faculty of Engineering, only students who completed their studies in June will graduate in December, while the following students who will complete their qualifications in the second semester will graduate in April 2019:

• National Diplomas in:
  • Cartography
  • Chemical
  • Civil
  • Industrial
  • Electrical
  • Mechanical
  • Mechatronics
  • Surveying
• B-Techs in:
  • Cartography
  • Electrical
  • Civil
  • Surveying

**For more information on graduation check http://www.cput.ac.za/students/about/graduation and you can watch the graduation on the day at http://live.cput.ac.za

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achiever Award was recently launched and has already identified its first recipient. The annual award will be bestowed on deserving students who have shown academic excellence and embody the CPUT graduate attributes.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo says the purpose of the award is to financially aid CPUT students who have achieved excellent results throughout their academic studies and can make a contribution to society by completing their Masters and/or Doctoral studies.
“This award is not a replication of existing interventions. Rather it is a way of ensuring that Dean and Vice-Chancellor medallists remain connected to CPUT and come back to complete their Masters and Doctorates with us, later becoming professors,” says Nhlapo.

The first recipient of the award is Mechanical Engineering Doctoral candidate Zamavangeli Mdletshe whose research topic is developing and testing a renewable energy-based thermal desalination system. Zamavangeli was identified by her supervisor Dr Velaphi Msomi who encouraged her and her mother to allow the talented student to continue on to Masters and later her doctoral studies.

“She wanted to go to work and was so shocked when I asked her to consider doing her Masters. She received funding from the NRF and started in 2016 and within 14 months she was completed and graduated with Cum Laude,” he says.
“At her graduation, I asked her mother to give her another three years to complete her doctoral degree and she agreed.”

Unfortunately the previous funding opportunity was no longer on offer and Zamavangeli was in danger of dropping out until Msomi responded to a staff email about the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award.
“I wrote to the VC and I was so shocked when he wrote back to me almost immediately. We discussed Zamavangeli and her situation,” says Msomi.

The event was also attended by former VC and Dean Medallists and their loved ones. 

Former VC Medallist Anthony Ezeonwuka thanked Nhlapo and CPUT for investing in talented students.
“More financial support can make things easier, it would motivate more students to be like Zamavangeli and be the best they can be,” he says.

Click the following link to apply now -http://www.cput.ac.za/…/le…/vc/vice-chancellors-bursury-fund

Written by Lauren Kansley
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The Chairperson of the CPUT Council, Ms Nogolide Nojozi, has announced the appointment of Dr Chris Nhlapo as the new Vice-Chancellor of CPUT. 

The university embarked on an extensive and robust selection process, which was transparent, inclusive and credible, in order to guarantee a fair outcome. This process included the appointment of an external executive recruitment specialist, a public presentation by the shortlisted candidates to the university community and an intensive interview conducted by a diverse panel representing stakeholders from various constituencies at the institution.

On conclusion of the above processes, the Search and Selection Committee for Senior Appointments thoroughly debated the appointability of the candidates as well as the merits of the appointment. Ultimately, the committee recommended the appointment of Dr Nhlapo on a 5-year fixed term contract.

The CPUT Council is confident that the Process for the Appointment of Senior Management was conducted in a fair and transparent manner, having due regard to the relevant and applicable prescripts, hence the recommendation was unanimously endorsed at Senate and also unanimously accepted by Council.

“Council unanimously supported Dr Nhlapo’s appointment and looks forward to working with him to implement the CPUT Vision 2030. I also call on all university stakeholders to give Nhlapo the necessary support during his tenure as Vice Chancellor,” said Nojozi.

Dr Nhlapo has been serving as acting Vice-Chancellor since August 2017.

“As Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Nhlapo did an excellent job stabilising campuses and ensuring the continuation of the academic programme under very trying conditions in 2017,” said Nojozi.
He previously held the position of the first ever Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships at CPUT. During that tenure he authored the Research, Technology and Innovation Blueprint for the institution that underpins the university’s Vision 2020. This blueprint is based on 7 focus areas based on the university’s strengths which are bio-economy and biotechnology, space science and technology, energy, climate change and environment, human and social dynamics (including issues related to service delivery), economic growth and international competitiveness and design for sustainability.

Dr Nhlapo has occupied a number of senior positions at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Science Councils. He was the Head of Chemistry at the Universities of the North and the Free State before joining the National Research Foundation (NRF). One of his many highlights whilst employed by the NRF was the development of various strategic documents and guidelines on strengthening the HEIs Management and Leadership Capabilities in establishing research collaborations support and sustaining existing research collaborations.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be appointed as the third Vice-Chancellor of CPUT. The task I face is complex. During my acting period, I started with the conceptual underpinning of Vision 2030 for the institution. I am looking forward to completing this plan and rolling it out to enable the institution to respond to the challenges such as the 4th Industrial revolution, known as Industry 4.0, sustainable development and South Africa’s National Development Plan,” said Dr Nhlapo.

Written by CPUT News
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Financial constraints nearly frustrated him out of the doctoral degree programme, “Glory be to the almighty God for an open door of opportunity to be a recipient of Vice-chancellor Prestigious Achievers Award twice”.

Here, Dr Imisioluseyi Julius Akinyede shares his story.

Akinyede was born into a polygamous family in Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State of Nigeria to the family of the Akinyede-Asamo dynasty. 2013, he registered for MTech in Construction Management at CPUT and graduated in 2015. He then worked as a project manager from 2015 to 2016. Akinyede commenced his DEng degree in 2016. His work experience manifested in his research on affordable, sustainable housing delivery, and his role as a research assistant, mentor and lecturer helped him “tremendously with research outcome”.

His mother, Felicia Akinyede, a trader, made Akinyede understand that the road map to success is through education, and she encouraged him to achieve his set target in education morally and financially. The primary factor that helped him to get to the present position is his endurance and perseverance “through God's guidance.

“And I always set a target for myself and focus on the achievement.”

Akinyede received the Vice-Chancellor Prestigious Achievers Award in 2019 and 2020.  “It helped me greatly to complete my doctorate within the record time as scheduled by the university. I was a debtor to the university, and registration became difficult due to the debt I owed the school [CPUT]”. Immediately, I received this award, and after that, I could register in 2019 and 2020, respectively.”

“The Vice-Chancellor Prestigious Achievers Award impacted my career and life significantly. I was on the verge of dropping out of school because of financial challenges, but the monetary value attached to the award helped me pay the fees and accommodation expenses.”

Akinyede, the construction management and quantity surveying lecturer, passed his master’s degree at CPUT. During the master’s degree programme, he presented and published nine conference papers accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for subsidies. His excellent work manifested in his doctoral degree programme, consequently, Akinyede published an article in an international journal accredited by DHET and presented five conference papers at local and international level. His thesis focussed on affordable housing delivery, based on the challenge of housing affordability and availability in South Africa.

Reflecting on the support he received from CPUT staff during his studies, Akinyede says: “My departmental staff are virtuous people, ready to assist at all times. The love and kindness shown to me by the academic staff of the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying during this study was wonderful and appreciated.”

Akinyede also pays tribute to the Vice-Chancellor and the awards committee. He acknowledged the support of the Vice-Chancellor for skill development at CPUT. “I am one of the beneficiaries. The formation of the Vice-Chancellor Prestigious Achievers Award is a good initiative by the CPUT management team. My appreciation goes to the award committee for nominating me as one of the recipients.”

“I will forever be grateful to the Vice-Chancellor and the awards committee for the financial value attached to the award. Furthermore, I appreciate the Vice-Chancellor for the letter he sent to me on my graduation. I am willing to continue my academic career at CPUT about the content of the letter sent to me by the VC to join a group of talented academics at CPUT.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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In a follow-up engagement on potential collaboration projects, a CPUT delegation recently hosted South African Weather Service (SAWS) delegates at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre.

The Executive Director, Dr Jonas Mphepya, led the meteorological service delegation, while Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, led the CPUT delegation.   This was a follow-up from a virtual preliminary engagement, which took place in February 2022, between SAWS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) and Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP).

In his brief welcoming speech, Phaho expressed the Institution’s eagerness to have an “engaging conversation”, and SIP Director, Prof Judy Peter, provided the background concerning the February engagement. Dr Nelisiwe Maleka, Manager of Research Uptake at SIP, said the engagement aimed to explore potential research collaborations, student development, and skills enhancement training.  All representatives agreed to review the current Memorandum of Agreement and identify possible research collaboration projects. 

Mphepya indicated that the work at SAWS cut across all sectors. Furthermore, SAWS values the input of academics in the South Africa Value Chain, which includes observations, numerical weather prediction, forecast generation, issuing official warnings, tailored services, and business data integration. “There is a need to expand the value chain and strengthen capacity building in meteorology, aviation, and marine,” said Mpheypha. He also highlighted the importance of partnership in the “global front and African countries”. In addition, the Director of the Technology Transfer Office, Dr Revel Iyer, emphasised the importance of translating research solutions to the market and ensuring uptake. 

Potential research collaboration projects identified during the first engagement are:

• Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to explore the development of genuine Apps for big data
• Use of ICT for experimental learning
• Sensor development (low-cost sensors) and satellite development, where we can conduct collaborations and capacity building.
• A key component of the ocean economy for ocean gathering relates to reacting to and building risk modelling.
• Student development (select three or four career-studentship Masters and Doctoral programmes where they will work and be supported by SAWS)
• Create opportunities for exchange programmes for staff and students

Below are possible areas of collaboration that were explored and consolidated.

SAWS

• Observations/Met Equipment
• Infrastructure/Software Development & Applications
• Weather & climate knowledge value chain
• Training (RTC)
• Product/Services/Research
• Opportunities – Student Opportunities

Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment

• Satellite for weather monitoring and sensor development

Faculty of Applied Sciences

• Marine Sciences, Ocean Economy
• Student development (bottom-up approach from undergraduate to postgraduate)

These should be aligned to CPUT V2030

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Product Design student Tatenda Marwa’s portrait of Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo earned him the first prize in the Faculty of Informatics and Design’s (FID) first-ever Dean’s Drawing Award.

The competition winners were announced at a special handover ceremony shortly after Father’s Day, where the portraits were handed over to the Vice-Chancellor as a token of appreciation from the Faculty.

The competition attracted 35 entrants and students were required to create a portrait of the Vice-Chancellor.

Dean of the Faculty, Prof Tembisa Ngqondi, said the students were given a picture of the Vice-Chancellor and the material needed to complete the portrait.

The event was kept a secret to the Vice-Chancellor, who said he appreciated the gesture.

“Thank you so much for this. I am humbled,” he said.

The runners-up were Mahle Noyo (second) and Mukelwa Sishi (third).

The three winning students received vouchers.

Tatenda said he was surprised that he had won. “I’m glad I put in the effort and very happy I won.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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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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CPUT recently hosted business and industry partners for an engagement session, which provided an opportunity for networking as well as valuable input from stakeholders.

The event was held at the SA Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) and guests were welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, who said the theme for the event was: One Smart CPUT: Engaged with its Critical Stakeholders.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the University needs industry partners and members of civil society to achieve the goals set by the institution.

Nhlapo said the key component of a knowledge economy is greater reliance on intellectual capacities and capability than on physical input of natural resources.

He said that if South Africa were to play its role in the knowledge economy space, “it is important that we nurture our relationship with quintuple helix partners”.

“Unfortunately, we have no choice as we can all see the rampant inequality, corruption and poor education standards that continue to impede growth in South Africa. Thus, all of us must contribute.”

Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, said CPUT is being proactive in terms of responding to the change in the job market.

“We are working to develop programmes and courses that prepare students for the job market, not just through a regional lens, but a national lens and also a continental and a global lens. We have to make sure that we identify emerging trends and tailor our curricula to meet the needs of industry.”

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director: Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning (WIL), thanked all the partners and said the university subscribes to the concept of ubuntu.

“We can’t do anything on our own.”

She said the institution appreciated the input from the business and industry partners.

The day included presentations by the WIL coordinators of each faculty as well as an exhibition prepared for the stakeholders.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Strategic Initiatives and Partnership division recently launched the Sisonke Supervision Mentoring programme, which offers opportunities for capacity building to grow CPUT’s cohort of skilled PhD-qualified staff to supervise and mentor novice researchers.

This is due to the steady increase in Master’s and Doctoral post-graduates seen across Africa, and at CPUT, many more well-prepared supervisors are needed. Building sustainable higher education supervision mentoring programmes is necessary to expand the number of doctoral post-graduates who work not only in the higher education and research sector but also in the industrial sector.  

In his presentation, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, outlined the CPUT Postgraduate Roadmap to 2030.   “It’s been a long time coming, but the efforts have been fruitful, and we have an opportunity here to do great things for this institution.”

His talk outlined the following:

• Postgraduate education and CPUT Vision 2030.
• CPUT Postgraduate enrolment trends: 2011 to present.
• CPUT research output trends: 2011 to 2021.
• Postgraduate enrolment in the Covid-19 world. Current state of play.
• Strategic levers to increase postgraduate students: 2021 to 2030
• How do we measure progress and Watchouts?

Phaho said the drive to enhance postgraduate success at CPUT will be primarily informed by the following Vision 2030 Focus areas.

• Innovative teaching and learning and learning environments.
• Smart Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships (RTIP) that is relevant and has an impact.
• Smart internationalisation.
• Innovative engagement and strong links with quintuple helix partners
• And brilliant student engagement and learning experience.

Director of the Research Directorate Office, Prof Dina Burger, said: “What is clear to me is that it’s important to have a system in place, but  it has to do with the soft issues, it has to do with the supervisors and the postgraduate students, predominantly, that journey, that relationship  that is what lies at heart, I think of successful postgraduate education.”

Burger said there was a need to improve the number of postgraduates and academic staff in terms of doctoral degrees.

The guest speaker, Prof Johann Mouton from the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University, said it’s widely recognised that South Africa needed more highly-skilled academics and scientists – both for their reproductive capacity (to train and mentor the next generation of scientists) but also their knowledge productive and innovative capacity.

“What we have witnessed over the past 20 years is a steady increase in demands placed on our universities to grow and transform this capacity. And most of the ‘indicators’ show that the sector has responded admirably – both as far as quantitative outputs (graduates and publications), are concerned, as well as qualitatively (through creative and novel initiatives such as the Sisonke programme).”

In his closing remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said he hoped that the Sisonke programme would assist CPUT to navigate the challenges and ensure that all the challenges that result as a consequence of not having the capacity and not having an adequate programme around the training of the supervisors themselves.

“And you are right, Prof Burger, that to a large extent, we rely on how we supervise. So, if my supervisor were not good, I would likely perpetuate that. So I hope that the Sisonke programme is going to draw the line to say henceforth, we will have to build the capacity of our novice researchers, build the capacity of our mid-career researchers, build the capacity of our established researchers because, at every level, there is a need for development… So we are looking forward, as an institution, to say  from the executive management  point of view, we are fully behind you…”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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The Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, has been re-elected for a third term to serve on the Board of Directors of the Golden Key (GK) International Society.

Golden Key International Honour Society is the world's largest collegiate honour society for graduate and undergraduate students and has strong relationships with over 400 universities worldwide.

“I feel indeed honoured as it does not often happen that one is elected for three terms of office. There are so many good people out there who have a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to contribute. Like in the previous terms of office, I learnt a lot about best practices in international corporate governance, the judiciary responsibilities of non-executive directors, especially serving on a non-profit organisation, and the importance of ethical and service leadership. By interacting with colleagues across the globe, I hope to learn more from them,” said Hay-Swemmer.

She became an honorary member of Golden Key in 2007, based on merit and her contributions towards building students' leadership skills. 

At the University of the Free State, she served with great distinction for six years as the Golden Key Chapter Advisor.  During this period, the Free State Chapter received several golden awards based on their contributions to excelling in leadership, academics, and community engagement.

In 2015, she was elected to serve as a member of the Golden Key board, and her consequent re-election for three full terms – a total of 10 years, will terminate in 2025.  

She currently represents all universities in South Africa and occasionally serves as a sounding board for the SA Regional Director.

Being involved in service activities has always been a significant part of her life.

Hay-Swemmer said her experiences, from serving in advising capacities on the national and international board, taught her the importance of proper governance principles, ethical lead institutions, and never compromising herself.

“I am the kind of person who would like to see individuals and communities’ lifestyles improving, that they are well looked after and that they have hope.”

She believes that the more you get involved, the more you gain.

“Undoubtedly, involvement in the chapter committees leads to special experiences and opens processes of thought and learning that would otherwise not be possible in an ordinary academic programme.”

She added that experiences like the service activities offered through Golden Key leave an indelible mark on the thinking of the bright young people who join.

“Two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, GK held an international summit there. Our service project was to help the elderly whose houses had been completely flooded and who had lost all their possessions in the flooding. When they were forced to return to their old homes, which had been lifted off their foundations and shifted by five to 15° by the power of the water, they were too poor to recreate what they had lost. The GK participants at that summit descended upon the area in various working groups. The 600-plus students and a few advisers restored overgrown gardens, carried out essential maintenance inside houses, painted and rebuilt damaged parts of homes, but above all, their enthusiasm and warmth gave those left in this area a new sense of hope.”

She encourages students to join Golden Key.  

“Membership entitles students to include that they are in the top 15% of performing students in the range of degrees for which they are registered. This marks them out as potentially high-performing future employees. In addition, their involvement in the activities of the GK chapters helps to imbue them with the ethos of service, the importance of leadership, and the beauty of enriching their minds through their academic excellence.

Hay-Swemmer said she dreamed that CPUT students would use the opportunity, “and I would love to get involved as a mentor for our Chapter Advisor”.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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First-year students and their parents received a warm welcome at the Bellville campus this morning, where the last of three welcoming functions for the week were held.

The new cohort, who filled the Bellville Stadium, were in for a treat as CPUT alumna and former Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, delivered a special motivational talk.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, welcomed the first-years and said the new students had made a wise choice in selecting CPUT – South Africa’s leading University of Technology.

“Each year we graduate thousands of industry-ready students, many of whom were already earmarked for jobs. CPUT has thus far received 414 000 applications for study in 2023. Keep in mind that we only have 8721 first-year places, so that indicates how coveted a spot at our university is.”

Nhlapo said he, together with his management team were endlessly revolutionising processes and asking the critical question: ‘How can CPUT take full advantage of the opportunity that technology presents’.

“You will experience this technology first-hand in our high-tech laboratories, research facilities, IT facilities and well-resourced libraries. All of these tools will be at your disposal now. Use them and flourish.”

Tunzi, who received a standing ovation from the excited crowd, said it was while she was at CPUT that she learnt some of her biggest lessons.

“This is where I learnt to fail and where I leant to succeed.”

She encouraged the students to invest in their futures.

“Welcome to CPUT. It is a wonderful school and you’re going to love it here.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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With the all-embracing aim of promoting and celebrating the academic reputation of professorial staff, the second of two inaugural professorial lectures in 2023 to take place at the Faculty of Applied Sciences was delivered recently at the Bellville Campus.

The series began with the Inaugural Professorial Lecture of Prof Vernon Somerset and the second one was delivered by leading academic, Prof Learnmore Kambizi, who discussed his academic experiences and working across both the public sector and academia. This prestigious Inaugural Professorial Lecture by Professor in Horticultural Sciences, Kambizi, was themed: “Sustainable Utilisation and Conservation of Medicinal Plants; A Panacea for Human Health".

The event was attended by the CPUT Executive Management led by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, Kambizi’s family, community leaders, staff members and students including some from the neighbouring institutions, alumni and invited guests who came along to discover internationally significant research, to exchange ideas and be inspired. The Zimbabwean-born father of three has published over 75 research articles, 10 book chapters and has edited “the first book of its kind” titled: Sustainable Uses and Prospects of Medicinal Plants in 2023 while his second one is under preparation. The recently published book is designed for use by both undergraduate and postgraduate students besides various stakeholders at different levels.

On his academic journey, Kambizi, who is a National Research Foundation C3-rated researcher, completed his PhD in Botany at the University of Fort Hare, has hosted Postdoctoral fellows and he has supervised five PhD students, two from CPUT, 18 master’s students, and numerous Honours students. He has served in various capacities at many universities locally and internationally. Of note, he was appointed as the first Director of the African Centre for Herbal Research based at the University of Ilorin in Nigeria under the banner of the U6 Plus Consortium.

In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nhlapo said the institution was blessed to have someone like Prof Kambizi who has demonstrated excellence through his research, teaching and community services. He said: “As we gather here today, it behoves us to acknowledge the urgent need to preserve these precious resources, to protect them from overuse and exploitation and to work towards sustainable utilisation. We must recognise that these plants are not just a source of medicine but play a crucial role in maintaining a delicate balance of our ecosystem, providing food at times, shelter and habitat for countless species.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that these plants are not lost to future generations, and we must work together to develop innovative solutions that balance conservation with the need of human health. We must also recognise the role of traditional knowledge in the preservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants and work towards integrating this knowledge into our modern practices.”

The Dean of Applied Sciences, Prof Joseph Kioko, who read the citation, highlighted that Kambizi has received numerous awards that include research grants within the university and externally and that he is registered with many professional bodies both nationally and internationally. “Worth mentioning, I think is the fact that in the history of CPUT, the first student to graduate with a Doctoral degree in Horticulture was supervised by Prof Kambizi and graduated in 2021. And I think I can say Prof Kambizi has blazed a trail in Horticultural Sciences that I believe will help move the department and the faculty to a higher-level, well done Prof.”

In his inaugural address, Kambizi acknowledged the support he received from the funding agencies, CPUT staff, the Vice Chancellor, the Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho for providing a conducive environment for him to develop and thrive in all tiers of his career. He also acknowledged the fact that he couldn’t have achieved what he achieved all by himself, saying that he was grateful to his mother who despite not being educated, realised the importance of sending Kambizi to school. He gave special appreciation to his wife Mercy who has been with him when his career started and kept on encouraging him when faced with some challenges during his journey.

Kambizi also applauded the support that he received from the faculty staff, Assistant Dean, Prof Karabo Shale, his doctoral master’s and doctoral students, Postdoctoral fellows. Both Kambizi and Nhlapo acknowledged the excellent work that was done by Prof Antony Afolayan who supervised and groomed Kambizi from the initial stages of his research career. “Prof Afolayan took me step by step through an interesting and rigorous academic journey, and inculcated great values that are required to achieve academic excellence. Through this experience, I realised that double efforts pay off”.

He also acknowledged Prof Ahmed Mohammed who has been mentoring him in the areas of research particularly in Phytochemistry. “Thank you for going as far as even assisting with hosting in your laboratory my guests from abroad on exchange programmes.” Mohammed also delivered a response to the inaugural address by Kambizi, while Phaho acknowledged Kambizi, his family and the guests.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Due to excellent work from the Mathematics and Physics Department, the Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) understands the needs of their passengers and knows areas where they need to improve their service offerings.

This was revealed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Francois Meyer, during the official handover ceremony of the Customer Satisfaction Survey Report for Golden Arrow Bus Services, held at Bellville campus recently.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, highlighted that Golden Arrow had contracted the Department of Mathematics and Physics five times (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022), to conduct a customer satisfaction survey with its customer base. “Handover events for the project's technical report have taken [place] many [five] times in the past! And thanks to Mr John Farmer! – Community Engagement,” Nhlapo remarked.

He stated that the purpose of the ceremony, over the years has been and still is:

• To offer the University an opportunity to recalibrate its social ownership.
• Offers GABS an opportunity to know its customers better and adjust the services accordingly,
• To offer CPUT students an opportunity to train and learn about Research Methodology and Research Ethics (Human Subject - Ethical Clearance).
• It is really about who owns these universities?
• Do they know their communities?
• How do they treat them and relate to them?
• What do they teach them?
• What is the future of these universities?
• Can our universities provide credible solutions to our communities?
• African universities MUST fulfil some of these societal expectations.

Nhlapo enthused: “To say I am happy to be part of today’s handover event, will simply be an understatement, an oversimplification in terms, and not a sincere and fair depiction of the magnitude of this occasion and a complete betrayal of my feelings. CPUT has a standing contract research relationship with Golden Arrow Bus Services going back ten years.”

In his acknowledgement of the report, Meyer said: “This survey has helped to inform many strategic decisions over the last many years. It helped us to serve our passengers as it provides such invaluable performance gage and give us insight into who are our passengers are and what they need from us. The survey is therefore such a handy tool in running a business.”

In his remarks, Prof Joseph Kioko, Dean: Faculty of Applied Sciences, said for the past 10 years or so when “this partnership has run, it has been a wonderful, almost unique, platform for us to work towards the three main pillars of Higher Education: Learning and Teaching, Research and Scholarship, and Community Engagement – our golden triangle”.

Kioko said: “For an enterprise such as Golden Arrow Bus Services or a Metropole such as the City of Cape Town or the Province of the Western Cape, which must necessarily have an eye on a prosperous and sustainable future, this has to do with using data to leverage effective marketing, to build and provide better products and services, to strategise and to design solutions for our customers and our people, and so on. This also applies to universities such as ourselves. And whereas this partnership has sought to advance those goals, when I think about us, as a faculty, the impact of this partnership goes even deeper.”

Acting Head of Department of Mathematics and Physics, Dr Thomas Farrar, provided the presentation of survey results. Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships handed over the survey to Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape MEC for Mobility and Prof Gilingwe Mayende, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Operations, delivered a vote of thanks.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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