Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Trend forecaster and tech humanist Jared Molko was the keynote speaker at the annual Media Conference where the topic of Facing Disruptive Technology came under the spotlight.

The conference, hosted by the Media Department, highlighted how the various innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have impacted the media landscape and explored how to face these changes.

The impressive line-up of speakers included editor, director and videographer Richard Hughes, 2018 Vodacom Young Journalist of the Year, Robin-Lee Francke, music video director: Mpendulo Mabindisa, who is also known as Motion Billy and photographer, writer and filmmaker Stephanie "Kenyaa" Mzee.

Molko, who worked at Google for seven years, told the audience of first-year students that the world is moving from an information age to a conceptual age where humans need to be able to see the bigger picture.

“We need to be able to connect different dots from different domains and make interesting new combinations of ideas and things.”

Prof Nirvana Bechan, Head of the Media Department, said it is the duty of the media and communication professional to ensure that whatever communication is crafted remains true and ethical in order to keep a balance of truth and sensibility and promotes progress in the world. 

“It is imperative that we tell stories that are authentic and that matter to people and the planet and technology must be a means to this purpose. This is why we’re highlighting the role of the tech humanist “

Insights into bridging the gender gap between men and women were discussed at a recent Gender Transformation Symposium held at the Granger Bay Campus.

Department of Maritime Studies is inviting members of the public to its Open Day, with the mission of educating them about careers in the industry.

The Education Faculty has recently launched the Mowbray Language Lab to provide additional language support to teacher trainees.

The lab, which is housed in the Barkley Davies Building, has 23 computers and caters particularly for first year students who need additional language support. The on-line reading programme, Readers are Leaders, has been uploaded for students to work individually on the activities.

Academic Writing activities uploaded on Blackboard can also be accessed from the facility, said Dr Nomakhaya Mashiyi, the Faculty’s Language Co-ordinator. Mashiyi added that more language-focused on-line resources will be made available in future and that lecturers are encouraged to share language resources with their students using the lab.

The lab was launched during the Education Faculty Day held to celebrate the Faculty’s rich history and achievements. The theme of the celebration was It takes a village.

The Faculty’s Dean, Prof Thobeka Mda, said while for many years the focus was on teaching and practical development, a lot of research work is now being carried out in the Faculty.

“In the CPUT 2018 Annual performance report, our Faculty showed that 42% of our academic staff have doctorates, which is much higher than the university average of 30% - we’re second only to Applied Sciences. Our research output per capita in 2018 was the highest amongst the six Faculties.”

Addressing the celebrations, Vice-chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said students should appreciate the unique chance to network with each other, the Faculty’s staff and their Western Cape Education Department partners.

“The two campuses have distinct personalities but I hope Wellington will get to know Mowbray and vice versa,” said Nhlapo. “You may have different ages, races and languages but ultimately you will all be CPUT graduates in the near future. The networks you make at varsity will be the same networks you use throughout your career.”

Nhlapo added that CPUT’s Vision 2030 strategy is a roadmap for the institution’s coming decade. “And key to that strategy is Oneness, we call it One Smart CPUT, and in essence it aspires to use our collective strengths and differences to anticipate the coming decade and prepare our students for it,” he said.

The Faculty’s students entertained the audience with songs, dance, poetry and drama while various displays were shown and presentations were given by lecturers.

The newly-elected Convocation president, Saziso Matiwane, is very excited about his victory however he is mindful of the fact that, there is a weight of expectations imposed by it to deliver.

Matiwane said: “I also have a responsibility together with the leadership collective to reach out to all members of the convocation irrespective of whether they supported us or not. The elections are now over and therefore; the real work has to start immediately.”

He was elected at the CPUT Convocation AGM that was held on Saturday on the Bellville Campus. The other elected executive members of the Convocation are, Athenkosi Nyangiwe, Zoleka Mdingi, Likhaya Mqukuse, Asanda Hlamandana, Zingaphi Mbanga, Nqabayomzi Nkwankwa, Sonwabile Fisa, Andiswa Mrasi and Prof Mellet Moll.

Two days after he was elected, Matiwane said it still has not sunk in that he is leading the convocation. “I am still processing it. “[I am] trying to wrap my head around many and nuanced issues that have to be dealt with by the convocation. But my attitude in this regard is that, it is members of convocation that have to come up with a plan of action for Convex [convocation executive] so that whatever the convex does, represents the collective thinking of the convocation of CPUT. We will of course initiate this process as convex,” he said.

He added that the most important task is “to connect all the live wire”. Matiwane’s vision is for the institution is to be a trailblazer in public discourse, particularly as it relates to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “Ipso facto that, we are a university of technology… If we get this right, it has a potential for more positive spinoffs, including but not limited to improving the employability of CPUT graduates as well as attracting funding or investments.”

During his acceptance speech, he told the audience that men should be ashamed of the ongoing wave of gender-based violence.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

The eagerly awaited Annual General Meeting of the CPUT Convocation will take place tomorrow and its highlight will be the election of the new president.