Emergency Medical Services training at CPUT has received a major boost with the opening of a new immersive simulation centre, which can emulate real emergency scenarios to train students to treat patients in life-threatening emergencies.

The state-of-the art immersive clinical simulation centre can replicate emergency scenarios, such as road accidents, and will be used for learning as well as assessment purposes.

EMS lecturer John Meyer says that before students can do their work integrated learning the university has to ensure that they are competent to perform procedures on real people.

“With the simulation based education we provide a hands-on experience, where real life situations are simulated for students to develop their skills. They can practice over and over again without causing any harm.”

A range of different scenarios can be pre-set for students, including for the delivery of a baby.

In this case the EMS Department has a birthing mannequin which can automatically deliver a baby, including having contractions and making sounds.

“At the back-end, the simulation technician will set up the mannequin to a pre-set scenario and the lecturer can watch the student treat the “patient” from the control room and from there also speak to the student. The technology allows the lecturer’s voice to be transmitted via the mannequin as the voice of the patient.

“We also have an observation room to which we can live stream to the rest of the students and where a facilitator can facilitate discussion. Everything is recorded on the server and this allows the students to review the video footage later.”

Meyer said an important part of the training was the debriefing process.

“Students reflect afterwards on how they performed during the scenario and will be given feedback on what went well or what went wrong and how they could better achieve the outcomes and objectives of the scenario. Students are enjoying the immersive training experience and we’ll be able to send out students who are safe and competent.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For the first time in the Western Cape the Deans of Nursing Programmes at all four major universities will be joining forces for International Nurses Day.

Deans from University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and CPUT Health and Sciences faculties will meet at CPUT’s Bellville Campus to address nurses from across the private and public sectors on May 12.

Nurses will network, reaffirm their pledge and light the lamp which symbolises their dedication to nursing, tell stories about their careers and be addressed by the ex-matron of a big city hospital.

International Nursing Day commemorates the birthday of one of the most famous nurses in history - Florence Nightingale.

CPUT’s Dr Hilda Vember says the theme is "Nurses - A force for change - A vital resource for health".

The collaborative effort is hopefully the first of many more events of this nature.

“We decided to collaborate as we are always talking about doing projects together, but up till now, we have not done so. We are so fortunate in the Western Cape that all four universities are in close proximity to each other, unlike our counterparts in the other provinces. So this will be a first, but hopefully it would be the beginning of collaboration amongst all four institutions,” says Vember.

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Experts in the field of wound care gathered at CPUT’s Bellville Campus recently for a seminar organised by the Wound Healing Association of Southern Africa (WHASA).

Faiza Kajee, CPUT’s BTech nursing primary health care coordinator, said the seminar was important as wound care would become part of the programme and is an essential part of improving patients’ quality of life.The day-long seminar was aimed at educating attendees about wound care for the lower leg.

Johlene Sander, WHASA’s regional chairperson, said the list of speakers included doctors, plastic surgeons and an expert in the field of Lymphedema management. Attendees ranged from representatives from CPUT to private companies. The attendees had the opportunity to view a variety of wound care products as several providers were also in attendance and had their products on display.  

“The seminar is also a way of networking and getting to know different people in the industry,” says Sander.

The topics discussed included vascular surgery of the lower leg, hyperbaric medicine in wound healing and lymphedema and wound care therapy. 

WHASA’s purpose is to promote and develop skills and specialised knowledge pertaining to wound management. Its objectives include improving the quality of care to patients through clinical practice, education, and research initiatives, among other things.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT has appointed Prof Thomas Thurner as the new Research Chair for Innovation in Society. 

Over the next five years, Thurner will develop and support research activities in the Faculty of Informatics and Design and the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences. He joined CPUT in April from the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia, where he established himself as a leading researcher in innovation management with a specific focus on state-owned enterprises. His research has been published in leading journals like the International Journal of Innovation Management.

AT CPUT, Thurner will focus on collaborative innovation processes through communities of practice. Such informal communities include a wide number of actors and organisations active in a field and cross over different levels and types of knowledge.
“In Africa, we should not focus too much on the supply side of technological innovations, but rather should study users and their processes of making things work. There is enormous potential in innovation processes outside of organisations.”

The aim is to establish a self-financed research group, which will be connected to international universities and provide a steady flow of research papers on African innovation experiences. Thurner says the first major step towards reaching excellence in innovation studies at CPUT is to identify areas with great strategic potential for further excellence in research and the involvement of relevant stakeholders.
Thurner will also work on building up critical research skills in the faculties and actively engage in the supervision of Masters and Doctoral Students.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The first in a 900 strong class of Health and Wellness Faculty graduates are ready to enter the workforce. Amongst them are the first graduates in the new four year Emergency Medical Care Degree programme.

Dean of the Health and Wellness Faculty Prof Dhiro Gihwala told the graduating class that they are entering the industry as an international global healthcare crisis threatens to cripple the sector.

“There is a shortage of 4.2 million healthcare workers in the world and Africa is the worst hit,” he says.

“So I am glad to be at a university that heeds the call to produce these graduates. You are part of a class of 900 health care graduates who will help improve patient care and make a difference here and beyond.” 

In concluding his address Gihwala reminded the graduates that they would need ample discipline to have a successful career in the healthcare sector.

“Discipline is absolutely critical; a person’s life will rely on your attitude, state of mind and intuition.”

News of CPUT’s extraordinary alumni can be found in our Grad Mag 2016.

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

CPUT is at the forefront of developing highly skilled individuals, each who  are playing a positive role in developing the economy and communities of South Africa and beyond.

From Monday, 11 April up until Friday, 15 April, CPUT will confer 6 807 qualifications, during its annual Autumn Graduation, which will take place on the Bellville Campus.

Those graduating will enter the workforce in the fields of Applied Sciences, Business and Management Sciences, Engineering, Education, Health and Wellness and Informatics and Design.

Of the 6 806 graduates, 74 will be awarded MTech qualifications, while 12 will take to the stage to receive their DTech qualifications.

For more information on the Autumn Graduation, please see:  http://www.cput.ac.za/students/about/graduation

Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

With the Dental Sciences Department based at the Tygerberg Hospital, students have the unique opportunity to hone their skills in industry.

Dental Science students are skilled to design and manufacture dental items such as dentures, bridges, crowns, fillings and braces.

The unique setting at the Parow based hospital allows students to work directly with patients and medical staff.

At the campus, which is housed in the Sarleh Dollie Building, students have access to a library, state at the art laboratories as well as high-tech equipment.

The campuses also houses students who are enrolled in the Dental Assisting certificate programme, as well several offices of lecturers from the Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences Department (previously Radiography).

These lecturers are involved in clinical assessments and demonstrations with their students, who complete their practical training at the Tygeberg hospital.

View Tygerberg Campus maps and contact details

Written by CPUT New
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Student Counselling support does not only mean engaging on an individual psychotherapeutic level – it also plays an important role in holistically developing students.

Dr Charlene Petersen, who has been an educational psychologist for the past 20 years, explains that the Student Counselling Unit’s programmes are also geared towards the development and self-growth of students and “this also further enhance academic development of our students”.

Petersen’s career journey started as a guidance counsellor/ teacher at a secondary school on the Cape Flats. “It is here where my passion for assisting young people to develop their potential started.” Her psychology career started soon after she qualified as a psychologist and “it inspired me to further my passion in developing young people”.

Petersen continued to shine as she moved to a higher level, working for the University of the Western Cape Psychology Department for eight years before moving to the then Peninsula Technikon in 2001.  She was employed on a contract basis until she was appointed permanently as a student counsellor in 2006.  

“I find training and development of young people very rewarding and, as a psychologist, I assist students to further their potential through our training interventions.”

Petersen says 2020/2021 was challenging due to the negative impact of the pandemic on student engagement. “The limitations that the pandemic brought about forced us to become innovative and find alternate and creative ways to support our students’ needs and provide a holistic support service despite our limited contact.”

Reflecting on her career path and aspirations, she says: “Being in the psychology fraternity for more than 20 years I find myself leaning towards applying my knowledge and achievements on a much broader spectrum. Through expanding and applying my knowledge via training and development opportunities I can develop others.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are determined that the direction of your travel is going to be upwards there will be no limit to what you can achieve.

This was the message to graduates from Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, who was the guest speaker at a graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.

He encouraged graduates to learn to reach beyond self-interest.

“In the 21^st century we find ourselves in a world which is becoming more and more selfish, polarised, hateful and fearful. If we are to survive we will need to find a way to reconnect with our humanity. What the world desperately needs today is more compassion,” said Volmink.

“I want to challenge you today as health and wellness professionals to find a way to show compassion and demonstrate solidarity towards your patients, clients, colleagues and society in general. Let us work together to overcome the shortcomings that we see around us and in the health system in particular and show leadership as makers of change.”

An emotional Simone Smith was the Dean’s Medal recipient in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.

Smith, who graduated with a BHSC in Medical Laboratory Sciences obtained distinctions in 17 of her 20 subjects and achieved a final aggregate of 81 percent over the years of her study.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT nursing students have been participating in a mass immunisation campaign, which has helped to manage the outbreak of measles in the Cape Winelands District.

Recently the Western Cape Department of Health announced that there had been nine confirmed cases of measles, and a vaccination campaign was launched in a bid to prevent more people from contracting the illness.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, which can be spread when a person with measles coughs or sneezes. If not looked after properly, it can cause brain damage and blindness.

Third-year and fourth-year BTech nursing students from the CPUT/Western Cape College of Nursing Boland Campus in Worcester lent a helping hand by assisting the Cape Winelands District with the vaccination of learners and children in affected areas in Stellenbosch, Drakenstein and the Breede River.

“Very high vaccination is required to create immunity,” says Liesl Strauss, head of the CPUT/WCCN Boland Overberg Campus.

According to Strauss several objectives were met by assisting the Department of Health in their campaign.

Among other things the students gained valuable work integrated learning experience by working with the health teams in the affected areas while interprofessional collaboration was enhanced. It also enhanced the image of nursing students and the training provider.

Strauss says nursing students need to learn and understand their social responsibility towards communities.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Nursing Science recognised the achievements and dedication of students during a recent awards ceremony.

Students received their distinguishing devices during the ceremony, which was held at the Auditorium on the Bellville campus, while those who have excelled were also acknowledged.

The keynote speaker was Lloyd Christopher, Acting Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.

Head of Department, Prof Karien Jooste, who initiated the awards, said learner nurses deliver person-centered care, keeping in mind developing as “Nurses for the Future”.

The ceremony was an effort to acknowledge the theory and clinical achievements of students and to motivate and encourage all of the students and will become an annual event.

This event also marked a milestone of having the first fourth-year learner nurses (new Bachelor of Nursing), and the fourth-years of the BTech Nursing Degree together to celebrate. The department offered the legacy programme (BTech) and introduced the new bachelor’s degree simultaneously, a first in South Africa.

Awards for outstanding academic performance during 2022 were made to:

• Naseera Salie
• Lazola Penxa
• Carlie Carlson
• Siyanda Ndikandika
• Nokwanda Magagula
• Zethu Katsikatsi
• Lizahnne Jean Fouche
• Shamelah Botha
• Monique Lavern Beukes
• Bongiwe Tshona
• Kelly-Anne Africa
• Etasha Coetzee
• Siyasamkela Hlwatika
• Sebrine Basson

The following outstanding students were also recognised.

• Leticia Da Silva - Displayed great care and compassion (first-year)
• Robyn Anthonie - Displayed excellent leadership qualities (second-year)
• Lizhanne Jean Fouche - Displayed great care and compassion (second-year)
• Sandra Kulondwa - Displayed admirable resilience (second-year)
• Kaylee Mashigo - Displayed excellent leadership qualities (third-year)
• Vuyokazi Mketshane - Displayed great care and compassion third-year
• Phakamani Sithole - Displayed excellent Leadership qualities (fourth-year)
• Thandile Tile - Displayed great Care and compassion (fourth-year)
• Sphamandla Ntshwanti - Displayed admirable resilience (fourth-year)

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First-year Health and Wellness Sciences students were warmly welcomed to the faculty during a fun-filled morning at the CPUT Sports Fields in Bellville recently.

Acting Dean of the Faculty, Dr Nicole Brooks, said having all of the first-year’s together on one campus was a first for the faculty.

“You have made an excellent choice in selecting CPUT for your studies. We are the leading university of technology in South Africa,” said Brooks.

“As a faculty, our vision is to be a proud African, technology-driven faculty, taking the lead in relevant health and wellness education, in research and innovation in response to the provincial, national and global socio-economic imperatives.”

She said an education in the health sciences was an excellent career choice.

“Our programmes are designed to encourage each student to reach their full potential. “

Students were invited to discuss any issues with their lecturers and programme co-ordinators.

“Please don’t allow any problem to become too big. It is our pleasure to help you to succeed,” said Brooks.

The students were introduced to the seven departments in the faculty and were encouraged to reach out to the student assistants as well as to the peer mentors in the faculty.

The guest speaker was postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Cecil Weale, who motivated the students to stay on track and reminded them “that you have what it takes to finish your course”.

The morning concluded with an exciting scavenger hunt before students were treated to lunch.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More than 400 graduants from the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences will be capped this morning, including the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s medal.

Elzane Bishop, who will be awarded a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography cum laude (86%), said it is a great honour to have been selected for the Vice-Chancellor's medal.

She said the secret to her success is consistent hard work “after hours, weekends and even holidays”.

“I set myself a goal at the beginning of the four years of studying and was determined to reach that 80% average goal of mine”.

She is doing her community service year as a diagnostic radiographer at Karl Bremer Hospital.

Community work and upliftment are a passion for her, and she hopes to use her training and skills to better other people's lives. “

Elzane is grateful for the guidance from her Lord and Saviour and for the support of her family and fellow classmates who participated in her journey. She thanks her lecturers and CPUT for providing her with the opportunity to be rewarded for her hard work.

Head of the Department (HOD) of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences (MITS), Dr Merlisa Kemp, said: “As HOD, I am very proud of Elzane and her achievement. She has made me proud, as well as all the MITS staff who walked the BSc journey with her.”

The recipient of the Dean’s medal will also be announced during this morning’s ceremony.

The recipient is Fadzisai Makonyonga, who passed her BTech in Nursing with an average of 82.6%.

She is a Zimbabwean with formal refugee status in South Africa

Makonyonga matriculated at the St Francis of Assisi High School in Zimbabwe in 1998 with eight distinctions out of ten subjects. In 2014, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Research Psychology from the University of the Western Cape, but it was a career in Nursing, which was her ultimate calling and dream.

Makonyonga has three young children and often has to accompany her minor son to the hospital during the winter months, as he suffers from severe asthma. Despite all these stumbling blocks, she diligently applied herself to her studies and patients.

She is a registered nurse in the surgical ward at Vincent Pallotti Hospital.

Another highlight of this morning’s ceremony will be the awarding of a PhD in Biomedical Science to Jumoke Aboyewa, supervised by Prof Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju, with Prof Mervin Meyer.

The thesis title is The Role of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Extracts of Cyclopia Intermedia in the Anticancer Efficacy of Cyclopia Intermedia in the Anticancer Efficacy of Doxorubicin.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Faculty of Health and Wellness and Sciences recently celebrated extraordinary staff members during its annual Faculty Excellence Awards.

At the event, held at the Cape Town Hotel School, Acting Assistant Dean, Lloyd Christopher, said there were many staff members “that go beyond what is expected of them” and excel despite challenges.

“I think today is really a celebration of the work we have achieved in the last year,” he said.

The winners per category were as follows:

• Departmental Teaching Excellence Award - Rizqa Siebritz-Williams (Biomedical Sciences)
• Departmental Teaching Excellence Award - Judy Sheahan (Emergency Medical Sciences)
• Recognition of exceptional contribution to the Faculty Administration: Siyabonga Mntanywa
• Two awards for excellent service of over 30 years upon retirement - Dental administrators Maureen Anthony and Stephanie Isaacs.
• Recognition of outstanding service and contribution in the fields of mathematics, physical science and chemistry in the Faculty - Michael Smith (Ophthalmic Sciences)
• Research Award - Dr Kathleen Naidoo (Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences)

Faculty awardee for Teaching Excellence in 2021, Nkosikho Sogwagwa also received his trophy at the event.

A number of staff members were also recognised for completed Service-Learning projects for 2021/22. They are:

• Llizane McDonald (Emergency Medical Sciences)
• Roxanne Maritz (Emergency Medical Sciences)
• Gerhardus Koch (Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences)
• Heather Hendrickse (Biomedical Sciences)
• Nomfundo Mkhombe (Ophthalmic Sciences)
  Moeneeba Jacobs (Wellness Sciences)

Assoc Prof Kareemah Najaar (Emergency Medical Sciences) was awarded the Faculty Prestigious Achiever's Award for convening the Life Science tutoring project across the faculty.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Four academics from the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences recently presented their research at the 2023 Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE) conference where CPUT won the runner-up spot in the Best Poster category.

The conference was held at the Business School of Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha and the theme was Health is a Key to Life.

The programme included workshops, panel discussions, symposia, knowledge-sharing sessions and keynote presentations.

The academics who attended were Judy Sheahan (Department of Emergency Medical Sciences), Dr Lizel Hudson, Coordinator: Work-integrated Learning and Language and Dr Kathleen Naidoo and Gerhardus Koch, both from the Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences Department.

In addition, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills is a co-author of one of the papers presented but did not attend the conference.

Naidoo and Koch’s research was titled: Medical imaging and therapeutic sciences students’ reflections from a service-learning community project.

According to the two researchers a service-learning component had been integrated into four undergraduate medical imaging and therapeutic sciences programmes. The students had to partner with a community partner of their choice and a service provider to deliver a service to their community partner. As part of an assessment outcome, students were asked to reflect on their individual journeys whilst engaging with their respective projects. The aim of the study was to explore the reflections of students who had undertaken and successfully completed a service-learning community project.

“This was a huge surprise for us as there was a large number of posters submitted. We feel very excited and privileged to have our work showcased on this platform,” said Naidoo about their poster scooping the runner-up spot in the Best Poster category.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Three academics from the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, including the Acting Dean, Dr Nicole Brooks, recently returned from a staff exchange with the Polytechnic Institute of Porto.

Brooks, along with Dr Lizel Hudson, Coordinator: Work-integrated Learning and Language in the Faculty and Yanda Peter, nGAP lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, spent six days in Portugal while Prof Sílvia Fernandes and Prof Mónica Vieira from the Polytechnic Institute of Porto visited CPUT between 17 and 21 July.

The exchange presented an opportunity for strengthening collaboration, networking, and professional development.

“The current aim is to foster research collaboration with common projects housed in the following departments: Biomedical Sciences, Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences and Ophthalmic Sciences. During their visit to the Bellville campus, Professors, Fernandes and Vieira were also welcomed by Prof Marelize Le Roes-Hill and her colleagues at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute, where possible projects were also discussed,” said Hudson.

The visit to the the Polytechnic Institute of Porto coincided with that of Lloyd Christopher, Acting Assistant Dean of the Faculty, who attended the Business School as a postgraduate student finalising his PhD thesis.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A dynamic dance duo recently scooped first prize in their category at the Western Province Majorettes and Cheerleading Association (WPMCA) regional competition. Lithemba Buqa and Liyakhanya Matika took top honours for CPUT in the Performance Cheer, Hip Hop Duo category.

They both joined the CPUT Dance Society in 2022 but the competition was the first time they danced together as a duo.

“We were confident because we had put in the hard work and we were super excited when we won,” said Lithemba.

Sports Management student Liyakhanya said much of their preparation for the competition took place online.

“We did meet a couple of times but it is exam season so we mostly sent each other videos and did our choreography.”

The duo has set their sights on competing in more competitions.

Cherice Mangiagalli, Student Development Officer: Sport, Arts and Culture, said she was extremely proud of Liyakhanya and Lithemba's performance.

“They worked together like a well-oiled machine, expressing pure enjoyment, talent and absolute commitment. What a joy to watch them reap the benefits of their hard work. I look forward to what the future holds for this dynamic duo!"

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences’ Life Science Revision project is growing from strength to strength, with nearly 200 matrics from three high schools joining in a recent revision session at CPUT.

The project was launched in 2018 by the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences’ Prof Kareemah Najaar, to help more learners achieve the minimum requirements to qualify for programmes in the science field.

Matric learners and teachers from Lavender Hill High School, Wynberg High School and Langa High School visited the Bellville Campus for the first revision session of the year, with 43 tutors volunteering to assist the learners.

The tutors included staff and students from all seven departments in the Faculty: Emergency Medical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Wellness Sciences, Nursing, Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, Ophthalmic Sciences and Dental Sciences and, for the first time, tutors from the Department of Medical Biosciences at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

“Over the years, since its inception in 2018, this community project has grown in numbers and evolved in design, efficiency and leadership. What started as a project with myself and 15 tutors and one department supporting one high school with Life Science revision, now has a pool of approximately 100 tutor volunteers from seven FHWS departments as well as volunteers from UWC who are supporting three high schools,” said Najaar.

“I am also now part of a powerful leadership team, with Dr Wendy Solomon and Ms Marnel Germishuys, who work tirelessly to ensure the efficient planning and execution of each revision session. We are very proud of what has been termed as a Faculty Flagship.”

In previous years, a school would serve as the venue for the revision session, but this year learners were welcomed on campus, where they received valuable exposure to the institution.

Plans to expand the project are in the pipeline.

“Before the end of 2024, we intend inviting two additional schools from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Paarl district. We also intend to invite the Medical Biosciences Department, UWC to officially partner with us and continue to increase the number of adopted high schools.”

Najaar said a fundamental component of the project’s success was to use the feedback from the teachers and learners and adapting operations and revision content to their needs.

“I do believe that we have created a tutoring model that is able to adapt to various scenarios, from serious events such as the COVID-19 pandemic (when technology is not available to the disadvantaged) to an unexpected significant decrease in tutor numbers. The ever-adapting model ensures that the matric learners are provided with quality revision sessions in preparation for their final exams.”

Langa High School teacher, Nandipha Mandongana, said the project afforded learners the opportunity to revise topics that they may otherwise not have time for.

“The exposure to CPUT also serves as a motivation. They know what is expected of them in terms of their results if they want to make it (to CPUT) next year.”

Najaar said that in 2021 a significant component was added to the community project, that seeks to empower the young women in matric.

“In support of the national Sanitary Dignity Programme, we provide feminine hygiene products to the female students, in the hopes of making a small difference to the quality of education for young women.”

She thanked all role-players who contributed to the project’s success.

“We would always first give thanks to our tutors who volunteer their time and create a welcoming environment for the matric learners, without whom this project would not be possible. A warm thank you to our colleagues from UWC, who volunteered their time and skills. A heartfelt thank you to our teachers who provide us with the opportunity and guidance during the planning and execution of the revision sessions. We are also in appreciation for the received support from the Dean’s office as well as the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, Service-learning division.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Biomedical Sciences recently collaborated with the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) for the annual Bone Marrow Drive at the Bellville Campus.

The SABMR helps to find matching donors for patients needing a bone marrow transplant and who do not have a match within their own families.

Biomedical Sciences lecturer, Rizqa Siebritz, said the Bone Marrow Drive aims to bring awareness of the importance of being a donor in the hope of giving someone else a better tomorrow.

“My students in the Haematology II Biomedical Sciences Department volunteer to assist in spreading awareness of the bone marrow donation process and how easy it is to become a donor.”

Nadia Chalkley, head of donor recruitment for the SABMR, said drives like the one at CPUT were critical “because it helps us really focus in terms of the demographic we want to recruit to our registry”.

“The South African Bone Marrow Registry , even though we have 78 000 current donors, [they] are predominantly Caucasian, and we really need to diversify if we want to service all our patients in South Africa and in Africa. So, not only diversifying the registry in demographic terms, but giving patients a better outcome, really is what this is about. And it's obviously always wonderful working with CPUT, they're so efficient in the implementation of the service-learning agreement that it makes sense for us to partner with CPUT through events like this, through lectures and hopefully more to come this year.”

The Bone Marrow Drive was followed by a virtual online talk by Canadian partner, Sylvia Okonofua, from Black Donors Save Lives. It was titled: “A needle in a haystack: What are the odds it’s going to be you?”

The aim was to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the donor population in order to increase the chances of finding donors for patients in the same genetic pool.

Other partners in the drive included:

• Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC)
• Organ Donor Foundation (Save Seven Lives)
• Vitanova (Tissue Bank)
• Western Cape Blood Services.
• CPUT Student Counselling
• CPUT HIV/Aids Unit

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Senior lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dr Yvonne Prince, says it is an “incredible honour” to be awarded the prestigious Self-Initiated Research (SIR) Grant from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) for her work on the oral microbiome.

Prince, a researcher with the SAMRC/CPUT Cardiometabolic Health Research Unit, said the grant not only recognises the value of her work but also provides the necessary support to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to improving health outcomes.

“I am excited to embark on this journey and look forward to the positive impact my research will have.”

Prince explained that the oral microbiome is the second largest microbial ecosystem after the gut microbiome, containing more than 700 species of microorganisms. Therefore, the oral cavity is a major gateway to the human body.

“Evidence has shown that any disruption in the diversity of the oral biome can be associated with inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis, diabetes and metabolic syndrome and kidney disease.”

She said the complex mechanisms linking these disorders remain unclear with most studies having been performed outside of Africa.

“Three preliminary studies have been conducted by the primary investigator and supervisors within the research unit. These were carried out on 128 plaque samples, which had been collected between 2014 and 2016. Despite the small sample size, this work demonstrated significant disruptions in the microorganisms residing in the oral cavity of patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome compared to individuals who were normoglycemic or who had no features of metabolic syndrome.

“This implied that disturbances in the diversity of the oral microbiota could lead to an increase in chronic inflammation predisposing patients to low grade inflammatory disorders and the development of cardiovascular traits. Furthermore, factors such as smoking allow certain oral microorganisms to gain dominance and therefore predisposes individuals to the progression of periodontal disease.”

She said the awarding of the SIR grant aims to build on these initial findings by expanding the sample size and investigating other habitats within the oral cavity to fully validate these initial findings. Secondly, it would investigate the effects of lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol on the oral biome. Thirdly, it would investigate if there is an association between the diversity of oral microorganisms and other disorders such as renal disease and the severity of bacterial infections and the final aim would be to translate these findings into improving oral health in the surrounding community.

A primary goal is to enrol and mentor two (PhD and an MSc) candidates who will join the other postgraduate students within the research unit. These students will receive training in the isolation of DNA and RNA as well as expertise in 16S RNA next generation sequencing, and bioinformatics which is a scarce skill in South Africa.

“In addition, CPUT offers several training courses on various aspects of performing research and therefore all students will graduate with the attributes to develop into independent researchers. In addition to training students, young emerging scientists and postdoctoral fellows will be mentored in supervision skills. This will be achieved by involving them as co-supervisors with experienced supervisors.”

A collaboration has been formed with the University of the Western Cape Dental School to contribute to furthering the training of dental and biomedical postgraduate students.

“The cardiometabolic health research unit is committed to transformation and the reduction of gender inequality. This is reflected in the fact that many of the recent graduates are young women of colour. “

Prince will be working with the unit’s director, Prof Tandi Matsha, co-director Prof Glenda Davison while the other collaborators are Prof Manogari Chetty (UWC) and CPUT’s Dr Saarah Davids, Dr Stanton Hector, Dr Shanel Raghubeer and Dr Lisa Graham.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the SAMRC, the SAMRC/CPUT Cardiometabolic Health Research Unit and its directors Prof Tandi Matsha, Assoc Prof Glenda Davison, the laboratory manger and the research staff in the unit.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.