Career Fair prepares students for workplace
The Faculty of Business and Management Sciences partnered with PAWA Africa, resullting in the Shaping Futures Career Virtual Fair, which is part of the Transformation Conversations in the Faculty. The platform was shared with industry leaders from All4Youth, Nestlé, NielsenIQ South Africa and ABB South Africa who shared information as to bursaries, internships, differently abled internships, apprenticeships and graduate programmes.
Mandie Richards, a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty and the programme facilitator, indicated that as many students are often unaware as to the direction of their careers, the Faculty then assists in shaping futures by partnering with organisations who are able to guide students through available possibilities and opportunities. Richards further stated that that many positions do not even exist as yet, and as the future is being driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), 5IR and the evolving 6IR it is imperative that students explore opportunities, adapt to change and remain relevant as this is key to their future success.
The virtual fair was attended by over 200 students and staff members, who engaged in an interactive session with leaders in industry who shared their insights and provided guidance to students as to what awaits them in the world of work. The partners shared Information which included enhancing students’ skills and talent, building their career portfolio and emphasising the necessity of integrating 4IR and 5IR skills.
Alesimo Mwanga, executive director at PAWA Africa, posed the following question to students “Have you started working on your career plan?” and elaborated on the need for students to engage in career mapping and networking so as to work towards achieving their career goals and objectives. Mwanga added that the importance of problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking and innovation and technology skills would be required to add value to organisations.
Noxolo Mnisi, the Youth Initiative Lead at Nestlé, raised concerns about the “Triple Gap”, namely Poverty, the Skill Gap and Unemployment, and said the All4Youth movement is a business-driven programme meant to assist youth transition from education and training to employment and was created to address youth unemployment and employability.
Oluwadamilola Adeyinkat, the Human Resources Leader at NielsenIQ, South Africa shared information as to the role of big data and the relevance to industry. She further informed that their organisation was attracted to graduates who were self-starters, team players and were emotionally intelligent and the Talent Programme afforded opportunities for development via the training curriculum.
Refilwe Mocumi, the Human Resources Services Specialist: Learning & Development at ABB South Africa, engaged students on the breaking down of gender stereotypes and equal opportunities being afforded via Young Talent Programmes.
Ortem Callaghan, a Businesss Information and Administrator Advanced Diploma student, shared her insights as to the importance of having a passion for what you do and to continue to develop skills, whilst volunteering at organisations.
All partners also advised that recruitment for positions in industry has changed and that interviews have taken the format of gamification and case studies, as it allows for organisations to identify the problem-solving and analytical abilities of potential employees.
Richards added that the importance of peoples’ skills is key to ensuring success in organisations, and that should opportunities not arise, students’ tenacity and innovation will require that they be creators of employment and afford opportunities to youth.
Double victory for FNB CPUT
FNB CPUT scored two victories this past weekend, triumphing over the FNB TUT Vikings on Friday and beating FNB DUT on Sunday.
On Friday, the defending champions outclassed the FNB TUT Vikings to claim a 47-10 bonus-point victory in round three at Tuks Stadium.
FNB CPUT were in cruise control for much of the contest. Their scrum and maul fired, and they managed to convert that dominance into a 19-3 lead inside 20 minutes.
Flyhalf Mauritz Maritz converted his own try on the stroke of half-time to give FNB TUT some hope. At that stage, FNB CPUT skipper Siyasanga Ngubelanga was in the sin bin, and the Vikings were in a position to cash in on their numerical advantage. A reckless piece of play by wing Wandile Shabalala, however, resulted in a yellow card for FNB TUT. FNB CPUT touched down after that transgression to secure the four-try bonus point and reassert their dominance.
They went on to score another three tries, including an end-to end effort in the final minute.
On Sunday FNB CPUT made wholesale changes to the team that outplayed the FNB TUT Vikings on Friday yet were still able to claim a comfortable 36-3 win against FNB DUT.
Outside centre Iwaan Bloys and left wing Keenan Williams scored first-quarter tries for the defending champions. However, FNB DUT dominated the next period of play and deserved more than just a penalty goal from flyhalf Minenhle Siwela for their efforts. Having survived a lengthy onslaught on their tryline, FNB CPUT finished the first half with a flourish as Bloys’ second try gave them a 17-3 lead at the break.
The third quarter was a scrappy affair, with both teams losing players to yellow cards (FNB DUT replacement prop Pernel Ngubo and FNB CPUT fullback Keano Cookson). It was still 14 on 14 when replacement flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders scored FNB CPUT’s bonus-point try in the left corner.
With both teams restored to 15 men, the Cape Town students crossed for two more tries to add some gloss to the scoreline.
FNB Varsity Shield Round 3 results and scorers:
FNB CPUT 47 (19) – Tries: Iwaan Bloys, Joshua Paris, Siyasanga Ngubelanga, Roland van der Heever, Darren Alexander, Keano Cookson, Christopher Andrews. Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (6).
FNB TUT Vikings 10 (10) – Try: Mauritz Maritz. Conversion: Maritz. Penalty: Maritz.
FNB Player That Rocks: Joshua Paris (FNB CPUT)
FNB Varsity Shield Round 4 results and scorers:
FNB DUT 3 (3) – Penalty: Minenhle Siwela.
FNB CPUT 36 (17) – Tries: Iwaan Bloys (2), Keenan Williams, Feghon-Leigh Snyders, Hugan Engelbrecht, Keanan Solomons. Conversions: Keano Cookson, Feghon-Leigh Snyders (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Iwaan Bloys (FNB CPUT)
FNB CPUT will take on the FNB UFH Blues at the CPUT Sports Stadium at 19h00 on 1 April.
Written by Varsity Shield
FNB CPUT ready to rock this weekend
FNB CPUT will go head to head with the FNB TUT Vikings in a Varsity Shield round 3 match at the Tuks Stadium today.
The match is scheduled to start at 17:00 and fans can follow the action live on Supersport.
The defending champions will play two matches this long weekend and will also face FNB DUT at the Tuks Stadium on Sunday at 15:00. This match will also be broadcast on Supersport.
FNB CPUT cruised to victory in their first match on March 4, beating FNB Rhodes 38-7.
Their first home game is scheduled to take place on April 1 when the team is set to take on the UFH Blues at the CPUT Sports Stadium.
Fixtures and logs are available here.
CPUT hosts first AIEA Hybrid sponsored forum in Africa
The Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships recently hosted the first Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) Hybrid sponsored forum on the continent at the Cape Town Hotel School.
This thematic forum titled Equity-sensitive Strategies of Higher Education in South Africa Internationalisation @home in Post-Pandemic Times, was conceptualised and hosted by the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships in collaboration with their counterparts from University of the Western Cape (UWC). The forum addressed Higher Education internationalisation strategies and focused on one of the phases of “internationalisation@home” that includes collaborative online international learning (COIL).
“The case study presented by the host has the objective to advance institutional practices at universities in the Western Cape and technical universities throughout South Africa.”
The forum also served to launch, pilot and thus validate the research agenda of the new research project to be established at CPUT, embedded within the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, said: “I have the distinct privilege to welcome all of you on behalf of CPUT Executive Management to the AIEA Forum hosted proudly at our beautiful Granger Bay Campus and seat of our world class Hotel School.”
Phaho said the Forum’s theme could not be timelier. “It is held at a time when academic institutions both at home and abroad are looking at developing and implementing mutually value adding internationalisation strategies,” he continued.
“Amidst these deliberations, Covid-19 like a thief in the night came and upended our lives like nothing the world, at least in my lifetime has seen: every hamlet, village, town or city is and continues to be directly and indirectly affected by the most devastating and consequential black swan event in a generation.”
Phaho said the unprecedented challenges brought by Covid-19 “is already forcing us to rethink and re-engineer our ways of working, teaching, research as well as engagement be it in the classroom, places of work and/or leisure”. “The biggest casualty is obviously our collective internationalisation agenda where the global travel bans severely constricted student and staff mobility over the past two years or so,” he continued.
“In spite of these challenges and the unimaginable hardship and sorrow resulting from the pandemic, we are turning a corner and adapting to a new normal. We are now in a post-pandemic mode as reflected in the theme of today’s Forum.”
Director: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships who is also the Transnational collaborations and centring the periphery chair, Prof Judy Peter said: “We are grateful to have the opportunity to meet in person and virtually as we navigate a fluid and changing world order. We look forward to a productive day of deep engagement to contribute to the growing body of the complex discourses of the internationalisation of global education and the revaluation of internationalisation as practised at our various institutions.”
The programme included a virtual keynote address by Prof Emmet Woldegiorgis from University of Johannesburg, a session on Sustainable Development goals- Gender, education and collaborations in Africa, which was chaired by Tracy Beckett from UWC, and the keynote address by CPUT’s Dr Michael Twum-Darko. Another session on Third stream income, global learning, and digitisation was chaired by Nichola Latchiah from the University of Cape Town, and the keynote address by Dr Upasana Singh an Academic Leader: Discipline of Information Systems and Technology from the University of Kwazulu-Natal.
Another case studies session: Internationalisation policy and strategy development was chaired by Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manger: International Relations at CPUT. Chief Directorate: Higher Education Policy Development and Research at the Department of Higher Education and Training, Mahlubi Mabizela also addressed the forum.
Piazza abuzz with animated students during orientation
The Faculty of Business and Management Sciences resumed Face to Face Orientation sessions for first-year students on the District Six Campus recently.
“The number of students who attended the face to face sessions surpassed numbers expected as well as orientation sessions pre-Covid-19, as most departments had approximately 80% of the registered students attending orientation in 2022,” said Mandie Richards, Business Information and Administration (BIA) senior lecturer. Richards added that seeing the piazza abuzz with animated students laughing and chatting, was a “heart-warming moment” as students are the life and energy of the institution. “The enthusiasm and excitement exuded by students to be on campus definitely added to the atmosphere, as students quickly connected with lecturers and their peers and [had] an exciting start to their academic journey.”
Richards said although most departments concluded the orientation sessions on Friday, 25 Febreuary, a few departments further engaged first years in face to face sessions during the remainder of the first term.
The departments were introduced by Faculty Dean, Prof Paul Green, by means of a welcome video (hyperlink https://youtu.be/vXroQY20GhE)
The BIA department, as did most departments, invited various speakers from industry, alumni, and service departments to engage with students. Students were also welcomed from the outset by the BIA student assistants at the entrance of the campus Administration Building and escorted to the orientation venues. Lively discussions with an external organisation, Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM), took place, and issues of gender based violence (GBV), sexual harassment and students’ rights were discussed. The sessions provided students with contact details of various organisations that will assist and counsel them should students require such help.
“Many questions emanated from the students and the Faculty will continue these conversations as part of the First Year Experience , as GBV is a mandatory module for first years in the Faculty, and integrated into the curriculum,” said Richards. The Financial Aid Office presented relevant information about NSFAS (write in full), and shared vital information regarding financial issues, that are uppermost on many students’ minds who require financial assistance.
The Cape Town Hotel School engaged vendors and suppliers to meet with students at the Granger Bay Campus, and the Campus turned into a mini-expo with tasty treats available for students to purchase and a good introduction to cuisine offered at the Hotel School, which was recently awarded a 4-star rating.
Students in all departments were treated to a campus tour so as to familiarise themselves with the campus, and attended sessions held in the computer laboratories to allow them to login to their emails, activate their accounts and gain assistance to navigate on Blackboard. Departments also invited the Disability Unit, Student Counselling Unit, the Library, the HIV/Aids Unit and Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development to engage with students and advise on various support structures in place at CPUT to assist students.
Bright student wins award
A hardworking Opticianry student has been recognised with an award for academic excellence from the South African Optometric Association (SAOA).
Precious Ndlovu said she was shocked when she was told she was the recipient and initially thought it was a mistake.
“I thought I would be informed the next day that they had made a mistake but overall I am truly happy and honoured to be acknowledged for my hard work but not as much as my mother is, she has probably told the whole town by now.”
She said that it was during the lockdown that she figured out how to study effectively and not “to only memorise to forget things”.
“My secret is putting in the effort to the extent that going through the work feels like listening to my favourite song.”
She said she also promises herself rewards for studying and has learnt to get enough rest.
“My last secret is that I know every time I look at my marks, I literally imagine the joy I feel every time my mother says 'I am so proud of you'. To add, I live by the quote that states that procrastination is an arrogant assumption that God owes you another chance to do something you already had time to do.”
Precious said she would not have received the award without the help of her lecturers, “who patiently answered all the questions posed by my curious mind.”
Angelique Walbrugh, Head of the Department of Ophthalmic Sciences said: “We are proud of Ms Precious Ndlovu's achievement and wish to extend our gratitude to the South African Optometric Association for recognising and celebrating the role of academic excellence in growing the profession of Opticianry”
Harry Rosen, CEO of the SAOA said that every year academic institutions are asked to nominate students with the aim of recognising academic excellence.
He said the award was made during the recent virtual Annual General Meeting of the SAOA.
Learn how to be a champion
It's a big period coming up for the CPUT Boxing Team, which is ranked number four by the University Sports South Africa (USSA).
The team put in “blood, sweat, and tears” in preparation to take on boxers from universities across the country at the University of Mpumalanga at the end of April.
“We have already started with our programme and we have participated in two tournaments already – one in Durbanville on 26 February and another one in DuNoon, on 5 March. On the 12th of March we will be fighting in Khayelitsha,” said Mvemve Mdingi, the team manager.
Mdingi who is also the Faculty of Education Senior Phase Lecturer and Further Education and Training write out Co-ordinator said they welcome every student interested in becoming a world champion one day and that they accept both starters and experienced boxers.
“We would like to welcome all students, both males and females, to join our sport of boxing. Boxing is one of the sporting codes that encourages discipline and self-determination. It is good for self-defence and fitness. Come let us help you learn how to be a champion. We have a very busy calendar this year our boxers participate in district, provincial and national SANABO [South African National Boxing Organisation] championships. Some of our boxers have been selected to participate in the Western Cape Open Boxing Champions League that will commence on the 21 March 2022 until 17 December 2022.”
The team trains from Monday to Friday from 17:00 to 19:00 at the Bellville campus Stadium Club House.
In the USSA 2021 games held in December in Richards Bay, the team performed very well coming home with nine medals, one gold, five silver and three bronze. Lumka Mswelanto received the best Female Coach of the Tournament medal while Aphiwe Ntluzwana was elected to be in the national executive of USSA.
Mdingi boasted that a B Ed (Intermediate Phase Teaching) student, Likho Nxele competed in the SANABO National Youth and Elite Championships and received a gold medal. “She then went on to represent South Africa in the international African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games held in Lesotho where she received a silver medal.”
AUSC is composed of 10 African Countries in the SADC region. Mdingi added: “There is a great potential that she will be going to England to compete in the Commonwealth Games in July this year. Mdingi expressed his gratitude to the support given to boxing by the Head of Sport Department, Siyabulela Mkhwalo.
“CPUT has great potential and talent and once the Covid-19 pandemic lets go of us, a lot can be achieved. The plan is to grow boxing into other campuses like Mowbray and District Six in year 2022 to increase level of competition,” Mdingi continued
“Boxing is one of the best sports in helping anger management which is one of the reasons that we have lots of people in prisons. Boxing also teaches students the importance of practicing and preparing to achieve goals.”
