The stage is set for Autumn Graduation 2023 with more than 6 600 graduands set to graduate during 15 ceremonies.

A total of 30 doctorates will be awarded during five days of celebrations at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville campus.

The first ceremony is scheduled for this morning when more than 400 graduands in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment will be capped.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo congratulated the Class of 2023.

“All your sacrifices along the way have culminated in this day and we are very grateful that you chose CPUT as your academic partner. You made a wise choice because today you graduate from the top University of Technology in South Africa. You have achieved what many covet, a qualification from a respected university that sets you up for future success. I hope that during your time with us you identified your unique strengths and will now use those to have a meaningful career that enriches our beautiful country.”

All ceremonies will be livestreamed via the CPUT YouTube channel

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Teamwork between the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Representative Council (SRC) culminated to the first ever Institutional Student Parliament (ISP) at CPUT.

The milestone launch of the CPUT Institutional Student Parliament, under the theme: Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Student Governance. was recently held at Bellville Campus. The establishment of ISP reaffirms the University's position on inculcating and institutionalising an ethos of transparency, fairness and accountability in both student governance and institutional governance.

Njabulo Maphumulo, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, said it’s important to note that the ISP was not a body that will replace the SRC and its work, nor is it a creation of an extension of the SRC, “as it has its sole mandate that is to instil and preserve the principles of sound governance, accountability, transparency and efficient service delivery for the benefit and betterment of the greater CPUT community”.

“The objective of the ISP is to promote good governance, responsible citizenship, and ethical leadership at all levels. This milestone initiative demonstrates the University’s commitment to co-governance and interest in leadership development.” The ISP composition consists of the Central and Local Student Representative Council Members, delegates from the political, religious social and civil structures, delegates from the international student and differently abled communities and academic faculty representatives. The interim membership of the parliament amounts to 40 delegates among them, the executives such as the speaker, deputy speaker, secretary and campuses conveners.

Speaking at the launch, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said: “After years of hard work, grit and sheer determination, our dream came true. A dream that has been unnecessarily deferred or perhaps for far too long... We are brave, curious determined to overcome the odds… It can be done. Nhlapo added that the student parliament will hold the SRC accountable and transparent. “[It serves as an advisory body to the SRC on policy matters, propel CPUT to majestic heights of knowledge vanguard, consciousness, and brotherhood/sisterhood.

“[ISP] keeps the SRC and its substructures accountable, transparent and rooted in the principles and values enshrined in the SRC constitution.”

In his keynote Address: Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Student Governance, Chairperson, Student Services Committee of Council and Council Member, Dr William Mapena, said the aim of the university accountability process should be to guarantee universities maintain the principles and ethical practices that protect the university population. He said the University students' involvement in student governance is an essential prerequisite for constructing a contemporary higher education community and undoubtedly, students play a crucial role in governance as participants. “To maintain their reputation and trustworthiness, student leaders are expected to act responsibly, transparently, and with integrity in the eyes of their constituency. The qualities of student leadership should include vision, respect for the law, transparent management, ethical values, and a sense of social responsibility.”

SRC president, Sinelizwi Notshikila, said the ISP will provide a structured platform for student representatives from different student formations, societies, and various faculties to come together raise and address concerns, shape ways forward and advocate for students interests effectively. “It signifies commitment to democratic principles within our university. The ISP will encourage the active participation in governance, fostering a sense of responsibility and ownership among students towards their academic and social environment.”

The interim selection process consists of the election of delegates by various affiliated student societies and SRC substructures.

The swearing-in of MPs and election of the executive is scheduled for 17 May 2024, which will be followed by a series of training and capacity development sessions in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. The interim parliament will be focusing on the foundations of student parliament establishment through the development of rules, regulations and policies governing the body. The ordinary seating will alternate between Chambers of the CPUT Council, City of Cape Town Council and Provincial Legislature.

Maphumulo said: “The launch of the ISP concept was a massive success and significant to our efforts towards ethical leadership, good governance and responsible citizenship.” The launch was attended by the previous SRC presidents with their messages of support. “The student parliament project has long been on the agenda of the University, and this was confirmed through their messages of support as they pledged their support,” said Maphumulo.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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“There is a new man at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.  A man who takes responsibility for his actions.

A man that will not participate in, approve of or remain silent about any form of violence.”

This is the introduction of the commitment pledge that was recited at the launch of CPUT’s Men’s Forum yesterday (August 16).

The Forum aims to involve men to be part of the solution in the fight against gender-based violence.

At the function, which also saw the launch of the Institutional Gender-Based Violence Position Statement, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Chris Nhlapo said the institution wants to produce graduates who are good citizens.

“We don’t want to produce people with PhDs but they are not good human beings.”

The university has already started a campaign, called the Amajita Men’s Campaign, and a number of discussions amongst and about men have taken place.

“We’re discussing as men issues about treating our ladies. We are going to ensure that we take care of them,” said Nhlapo.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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To strengthen the Wellington Campus and CPUT’s presence, image, contribution and impact in Wellington and its immediate environment, the Campus recently formed an Advisory Committee, comprising strategic stakeholders and community leaders.

The purpose of the Wellington Campus Advisory Committee is to receive advice from strategic stakeholders within the community to contribute to the future of the Wellington Campus, increase its footprint and enhance its relevance and sustainability, as well as ensure the safety of the Wellington community at large. The committee is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo and members comprise of deans of faculties represented in Wellington (Faculty of Applied Sciences with Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences with Tourism and Business Administration departments and Faculty of Education), heads of departments of these faculties, and senior staff members from the campus.

Members from the Wellington community include representation from Wellington schools, museum, the Breytenbach Centre, agriculture sector, safety and security, local government, and local communities.

“This is still a work in progress and we are learning as we go along,” said Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education, Prof Hanli Dippenaar.

Dippenaar said the meetings are held twice annually, in the first and fourth terms of a particular year, on the Wellington Campus. “Particularly interesting at the recent meeting was the official signing of a Service-Learning Agreement with our project partners, Drakenstein Correctional Services. “

“This was an auspicious event and the beginning of further collaboration between CPUT and our correctional Services.”

She said seven years ago (2016), a seed was planted, ironically during the fees must fall campaign.

“Drakenstein Correctional Services (DCS) was approached by Dr Chris Hattingh and Dr Ivan November to offer off campus facilities for Education students to write their exams. From that first collaboration, grew an exciting future partnership, despite the backlash of COVID 19. Currently students are tutoring at the Hawequa Correctional Facility and more projects are in the pipeline with Human Movement Studies and reading programmes.”

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT will be rolling out the red carpet for more than 7 000 graduates during next week’s autumn graduation series.

The University will be celebrating the success of 6 373 undergraduates and 735 postgraduates during 14 ceremonies, which are scheduled to start on 22 April and conclude on 26 April.

On Thursday, an honorary doctorate will be conferred on Desiree Ellis, whose significant achievements as a professional sportsperson and Head Coach of the South African women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, has positioned her at the top of the African and global sport fraternity.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said graduation ceremonies are the highlight of the academic year because they are an opportunity to celebrate your years of hard work.

“You have made a success of your time at CPUT and now you are an inspiration to others who may consider a university education because they saw you succeed. Your CPUT family is very proud of you. For many, the road to this point has been challenging, and it will have taken immense grit to not only finish your course but excel.”

The ceremonies will be broadcast live via CPUT’s YouTube channel.

Written by CPUT News
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The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) wrapped up Africa month with a celebration at the Granger Bay Campus, including an exhibition of African artifacts.

Guests proudly donned their diverse tradition attires while information sharing about the importance of the Africa Day was also on the agenda.

The DSA’s intention with hosting Africa Day was to commemorate and affirm the Division’s commitment to the CPUT vision 2030, in promoting the ‘oneness and smartness’. Commemorating Africa Day was crucial given that it allowed a platform for conversations. “In our quest to partner with relevant stakeholders to build relationships and enhance strong relationships between local and international students, Africa Day provided a platform to engage on common continental issues, this was done through conversations, exhibitions, learning from each country and providing opportunities that can benefit students and staff,” said Njabulo Maphumulo, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs.

The outdoor festivities included performance by a marimba band, African traditional dance groups and African countries craft stalls and exhibition. There was a screening of the “Preserving Khwe/Xam Heritage, a creative expression.

In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said Africa Day was an exciting annual event where the institution joins other Africans in celebrating the mother continent, its rich resources, its astonishing beauty, and its profound cultural diversity. “This is an important day to us as it gives us a very rare opportunity to reflect and to talk about issues affecting us as Africans. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work collectively with other institutions on the continent and promote responsible internationalisation.”

Prof Simphiwe Sesanti from the Faculty of Education, University of the Western Cape, also took to the stage and shared his views on: Contextualising Africa Day and its meaning in the Higher Education Context. There were also messages of support from the diplomatic community, which included Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola.

The keynote speaker, Honourable Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister, International Relations and Cooperation, delivered his presentation on celebrating Africa Day through education, innovation and culture”. Alfonce Ngasirmoi from Kenya and Milka Bazeka, a Democratic Republic of Congo native, both shared their experiences of students and staff in a higher education context.

Reflecting on the event, Maphumulo said it was a major success, given that it was a unique project that combined the academic project by the Cape Town Hotel School Hospitality students who showcased their culinary skills as they prepared African cuisine during the day. “The event was further a success as it showcased the rich culture and diversity of our students who displayed their talents through music, traditional dance and cuisine.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Many of CPUT’s top students come from important feeder schools, especially in the Western and Eastern Cape, that produce quality students who easily adjust to the academic demands at the Institution.

As such, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor recently hosted a breakfast engagement with high school principals and community leaders from the feeder schools. The event was held at the Bellville Campus. This annual event is one of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo’s initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships with “our stakeholders” and facilitating dialogues to identify areas of support and collaboration.

It was attended by the Western Cape Education Department Council, high school principals and community leaders. The event was a resounding success that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, and the discussions were lively, coupled with meaningful connections for mutual benefit.

In her opening address, Prof Henriette Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am so excited to see that community, university, the Western Cape Education Department chair and deputy chair are here because we also want to share with our story and our passion, particularly in making a difference in our surrounding schools. And more importantly, specifically, in terms of STEM [ Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics]. We are all very concerned…The fact that our children do not want to take maths and we must turn this around. It’s very often, a small group of people that come together like us that can say enough is enough. We must turn the point.”

In his keynote address, Nhlapo said there was a looming teacher crisis especially with regard to teachers in Maths and Science. “We want to produce engineers…So the dream is to make sure that we can actually have the STEM institute and help all the students at this region of the country. We have had a number of interventions across the Peninsula and outside the province.”

The guests were also taken on a tour of the Clothing and Textile Technology labs and Food Technology Station.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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