Elias Chipofya, a PhD candidate at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), was awarded a prestigious travel scholarship and recently attended the 2nd School on Neuropharmacology Research and Drug Development in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The programme was organised and sponsored by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) through the African Regional Committee (ARC), in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe's Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The school provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental pharmacological principles and practices required for researching potential neuroactive compounds. This knowledge and skillset will empower them to transform traditional natural compounds into potent therapeutic agents or preventive strategies, ultimately contributing to the development of innovative treatments and preventions for neurological disorders.

Elias, who is supervised by Dr Taskeen Docrat and Prof Jeanine L. Marnewick, expressed deep gratitude for receiving the travel scholarship, acknowledging it as a testament to his dedication and hard work in neuroscience research. “This transformative experience allowed me to learn cutting-edge techniques in neuropharmacology and network with leading experts in the field. I am excited to apply this newfound knowledge to my research on Rooibos and its potential neuroprotective effects.”

Docrat, his main supervisor, added: “The scholarship will open doors to new opportunities and collaborations, propelling his research to new heights”.

Elias' research focuses on the protective effects of Rooibos herbal tea, a topic of growing interest. With limited knowledge on how Rooibos affects the brain, his research aims to uncover the neuroprotective mechanisms of its antioxidant compounds to prevent Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. "By understanding these mechanisms, we may develop novel preventive strategies to combat neurodegenerative diseases and improve the quality of life for millions worldwide," said Docrat.

Written by CPUT News
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Business Administration 1 students in the Business and Information Administration Department have donated R85 385 to The Children’s Hospital Trust of the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

The students and their lecturer who is the project’s facilitator, Belinda Berman,  recently handed over to the trust cheques of R45 385, which they raised in 2016, and R40 000 in 2017, towards the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) upgrading and extension.

The department started the initiative in 2009 as a Business Administration 1 live academic entrepreneurship project and has to date donated a phenomenal R376 385 to the trust.

During the handover of the cheques and other donations at the hospital this week, Berman stated that by supporting the expansion of the ICU, more children were provided with a better chance of survival, and in turn this also contributed to providing an enhanced environment for families to support their children and the staff to continue enabling the best care.

She added: “More than 2 000 students had been involved in the project over the last nine years.”  Berman thanked all the students for their time and efforts and expressed how proud she was that they had embraced the spirit of UBUNTU. 

“Not only have the students acquired various entrepreneurship and business skills, but they have made a difference to the lives of many children who require medical treatment in South Africa and Africa,” says the department’s senior lecturer, Mandie Richards.

Loyal sponsors to the project include 7-11, J&M Famous Biltong and Scent Pac. 

Prizes are awarded annually for the team of students that raises the most profit and the one with the best portfolio.  All students receive a certificate of participation and merit certificates are issued to the winning teams.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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In the year that the Hospital Welfare and Muslim Education Movement (HWMEM) celebrates its 75^th anniversary, it again generously supported 35 CPUT students in their endeavours for further learning.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo thanked this long-term benefactor of the institution for its continuous contribution recently when MWMEM officials visited the Bellville Campus to hand over its annual cheque.

“We are deeply humbled by your support. Your organisation is proof that the contributions of ordinary men and women can ensure access [to higher education]. It is my sincere hope that our relationship will grow from strength to strength,” says Nhlapo. Donations to the HWMEM for education come mostly from black communities and not corporate sponsors.

HWMEM President Akbar Khalfe pointed out that the organisation’s first cheque to tertiary institutions in 1972 amounted to only R720. “The initiation of the bursary scheme was encouraged by a few ANC /PAC stalwarts during the heart of the Apartheid years. The theme at the time was Education before Liberation.

"Any deserving student, irrespective of race, creed, religion or colour can apply for a bursary which comes in the form of an interest-free loan,” he adds. Beneficiaries are encouraged to pay back their loans and in so doing to see it as their social responsibility to aid other needy students.

Zulfikar Umar, assistant general secretary of the organisation, found it very rewarding to be on the other side of the table so to speak. “Twenty years ago I was a loan recipient. I am currently also enrolled at the university for a BTech in Mechanical Engineering,” he explains.

Students are encouraged to apply for funding directly to the HWMEM on their website. The closing date for applications is 31 January 2018 and funding is granted based on merit.

Written by Abigail Calata

The South African Research Chair(SARChI) in Work-integrated Learning, Prof Christine Winberg is “extremely” delighted that the programme’s funding will be renewed for another five years by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

The NRF provides R1.9 million per annum to the Chair for a five-year period. The funding provides salaries to the chair, for postdoctoral scholars, bursaries for up to 10 Master’s and Doctoral students, administrative and research support. The modest professor was awarded the Chair position in 2015 and took it up in 2016.  

Winberg says: “This is a renewal for 2021 to 2025. I am extremely pleased that the NRF decided to renew the [funding for the] Chair. The decision to renew was based on a rigorous peer-review process, so the renewal feels like a strong affirmation of my work in this field.”

In the current cycle, her work has focused on six projects that have funding that is separate from the NRF award.  The Chair has a project titled ‘Work-integrated Learning in the Laboratory’, which is funded by a DHET University Capacity Development Grant. She is also concluding a project on STEM Pedagogy with South African colleagues at UWC, Rhodes, Stellenbosch University (SU), and Swedish colleagues from Lund University (this project was funded by the NRF and Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education).    

She adds that a consortium of universities, including CPUT, was awarded a tender to evaluate TVET colleges – this work will continue until 2024. Furthermore, CPUT, UWC, SU, UCT, and Cape Higher Education Consortium are undertaking a dual education project together with the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

Winberg is also a researcher on a joint UCT, UJ, and CPUT project on engineering education, which includes supporting a number of doctoral candidates in engineering education. She is also a participant on the SA/Irish exchange project in which South African and Irish colleagues are conducting research into work-integrated learning – this project is supported by the South African Technology Network.

She says the work done by the Chair, the doctoral and Master’s students, and the Professional Education Research Institute (PERI) at CPUT contributes to the University’s research profile, publication outputs, and research capacity development. “PERI also makes a contribution to practice, providing an evidence-base for practices in work-integrated learning – and ensuring that work-integrated learning maintains equity of esteem with academic subjects,” Winberg explains.

Research Uptake: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Manager, Hunadi Mokgalaka says the Research Chair initiative is one of the “strongest programmatic and practical intervention strategies” for breakthrough improvement in research at CPUT.  Mokgalaka says the University currently hosts 11 research chairs; four SARChI (these are funded by the Department of Science and Innovation and NRF), six CPUT Council-funded, and one SETA-funded.

She says the aim of the initiative is to drive the research agenda through masters and doctoral supervision, research outputs, and grant funding for research activities, partnerships, and conferences. “This is very exciting and good news for CPUT as we continuously strive to source funding for and to increase the number of research chairs within the university.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Applications for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have been formally opened for students from needy and working-class backgrounds with a household income of not more than R350 000 per year.

NSFAS is a public entity that reports to the Department of Higher Education and Training. The entity provides financial assistance in the form of a study bursary to qualifying students who wish to study or are already studying at universities and public TVET colleges.  South African citizens who plan to study in 2021 or are already studying at a university or TVET college qualify for a NSFAS bursary if they meet the following requirements:

• SASSA grant recipients.
• Your combined household income is not more than R350 000 per year.
• A person with a disability with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per year or
• A student who begun their university studies before 2018 and their household income is not more than R122 000 per year.

Applicants who are approved for NSFAS funding are covered for the following:

• Registration
• Tuition

Allowances for:

• Food
• Accommodation or transport
• Learning material
• Personal care

NSFAS may need more information from you to process your application. Check what supporting documents are required and ensure that you have all the relevant information:

• Your own cellphone number and email address
• Copy of your ID or birth certificate
• ID copies of parents, guardian or spouse
• Your proof of income or one year’s IRP5 (if applicable)
• Your parents, guardian or spouse’s proof of income

Certified documents are not a requirement due to COVID-19 restrictions. If you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required. Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability (Annexure A) Form, click here to download.  You can apply online using a cell phone, tablet, or computer. Follow the simple steps to apply on www.nsfas.org.za. Applications close on 30 November 2020.

Contact NSFAS via the NSFAS virtual contact centre:

NSFAS Connect: www.nsfas.org.za and log into your myNSFAS account

Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme

Twitter page: @myNSFAS

Instagram: @myNSFAS

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Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Daniela Gachago, an Associate Professor at the Centre for Innovative Educational Technology is thrilled to have secured a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research in the United States.

In her quest to both broaden and deepen her research and to promote innovation in teaching and learning at CPUT and beyond, Gachago will be based at Pennsylvania State University also known as PennState University. The focus of her research is to understand how innovation happens in institutions of higher learning.

“We are looking at how design thinking has been adopted, used, and adjusted for higher education across different institutions and contexts,” she says.

Gachago is particularly interested in how design thinking can support academic staff development. She is working with eLearning champions across different faculties. In the past, her research, displayed what she calls an ‘eLearning mindset’, which is characterised by a focus on learners’ needs, a desire to collaborate, a penchant for risk-taking and experimentation, and most importantly, a shared concern not to see problems as stumbling blocks but an opportunity to innovate.

“In the project proposal I submitted to Fulbright, I would like to explore whether and how one can promote this mindset in academic staff development…I am excited about the opportunity to spend some time in the US,” Gachago remarks.

The period has been postponed from August 2020 to January 2021. “Let’s hope we can travel by then. It’s difficult to imagine that this lockdown will be over at one point.”

She is going to continue working on her research on innovation and academic staff development by exploring how Pennsylvania State University supports the teaching and learning project, with a particular focus on the integration of technology in teaching and learning. “PennState has a huge network of instructional designers and I will interview and work with them.”

She explains that to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship one needs a number of things, namely, a great proposal, but also letters of support from your institution and two reference letters. “You also need a letter of support from a US institution stating that they will host you. Luckily I was already part of a project with a colleague from PennState University, Dr Laura Cruz, who works at the Schreyer Institute of Teaching Excellence.” Cruz agreed to host Gachago and helped with organising the invitation letter from her institution.

Gachago likes working with people across different institutions. She says that pushes her out of her comfort zone and expands her horizons.  However, she concedes that it’s not easy working without direct contacts, ‘but luckily online video conferencing tools and other online collaboration tools, such as Google Drive, have made it possible to work online across different contexts’.

She says: “This has kept us going throughout the COVID-19.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Prof Chux Gervase Iwu, Acting Assistant Dean: Research & Innovation in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, has added another feather to his cap after a collaborative research team he leads walked away with this year’s Emerald African Management Research Fund Award.

Iwu was recently presented with a certificate and funding for their research project entitled, “The wholesale-retail nexus: An assessment of the role of immigrant African wholesalers in the development of the retail entrepreneurship in South Africa”.

Iwu has won numerous accolades for his outstanding research work and has presented papers at many international conferences.

“Considering that I have received almost similar awards in the past, it sort of validates the necessity of researching emerging economies' socioeconomic matters.”

Emerald Publishing was founded in 1967 to champion new ideas that advance the research and practice of business and management. It manages a portfolio of nearly 300 journals, more than 2 500 books and over 1 500 teaching cases.

Emerald supports researchers through its awards programme which includes various research fund awards among others.

In addition to teaching entrepreneurship to students, Iwu is also assembling a team to gather data for the project.

“It makes me feel good that people are acknowledging the value of immigrant/migrant focused research so that we can start debunking the myths that immigrants are here to take people’s jobs and wives,” he jokingly adds.

“But seriously, the characterisation of migrants as desperate, dirty and dangerous (the infamous 3D euphemism) by the International Labour Organisation seems to represent indigenes' overall perceptions of the average migrant.

“And we can't say that the ill-treatment of immigrants by locals, and please note that this is not unique to South Africa, is not a reflection of the anxiety of locals. So, the value of this study is such that the reader gets to know that immigrants actually add value to mainstream socioeconomic dynamics of any nation.”

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT students are able to extend themselves beyond their own self-interest, with the most recent evidence of this being a R10 000 cheque handed over to a deserving, indebted foreign student by the Wellington Local Student Representative Council (LSRC).

Christian Songwa, a second-year Agriculture student from the Democratic Republic of Congo, experienced financial relief as a result of the fundraising efforts of his fellow students on the Wellington Campus.

“The main criteria for the successful applicant was academic achievement and financial need,” says Jason Rousseau, acting LSRC Chairperson, adding, “Christian’s sterling academic records as well as the fact that he has established a student society put him head and shoulders above all the other applicants.”

Applications were open to students from the Applied Science and Business Faculties. Only foreign students could apply with a motivation letter, international identification, student fee account, housing account and their academic record. The money was raised through, amongst others, an inter-hostel singing as well as theatre competition.

The acknowledgement from his peers energised and motivated Christian as he was preparing for exams. “It couldn’t have come at a better time. This is the last year [of study] before my internship next year. I found my motivation levels lagging, but winning really woke me up to work harder,” he explains.

Christian is the president and founder of the Agriculture Students’ Society, which aims to “bring together all students interested in Agriculture to promote the exchange of knowledge, experience and mutual understanding”.

Written by Abigail Calata

The Applied Sciences Department hosted Fulbright Scholarship specialist and grant advisor Rajgopal Sashti for three days with the aim to entice the brightest students to apply to its United States based learning spaces.

Sashti said he came to CPUT to enhance international opportunities through fellowships and grants for motivated staff and students. He told the audience, which included both staff and students, that he wanted them to apply for funding to study and travel abroad to broaden their prospects. “I am here (South Africa) to help students and institutions that are not in the privileged pedigree to secure external funding through the Fulbright programme to study, travel and conduct research in the US (United States).

“I am here to talk best practises, methods, techniques, approaches, and strategies to secure Fulbright fellowships for students and professors. The message to you is that you must have a passion for what you want to achieve to get the fellowship. CPUT must make sure that overseas studies are one of their top priorities.”

Following his oral presentation, he offered application lessons while he also opened another session for answers and questions. Sashti’s areas of interest include fundraising, collaboration and promoting mutual understanding between the US and other countries.

Bongisiwe Zozo, a Masters student in Chemistry, said the meeting was inspiring, informative and Sashti’s method of delivery was so easy to receive. “I really appreciate the insights that were provided for obtaining the Fulbright Scholarship.”

Department of Food Science and Technology Lecturer, Vusi Mshayisa said: “The session was interactive, vibrant and helpful as it has illuminated more on the opportunities available for staff and PhD candidates. I am glad I attended the session and I will be sharing the information learned [here] with my students.”

Prof Charles Laubscher, Head of Department of Horticultural Sciences said: “It is important that we get more exposure to international scholarships like Fulbright. The way he presented it was very motivational to both students and staff.”

South Africa has been apportioned 15 to 20 scholarships which can vary from year to year, depending on US Government financial plan distributions.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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It started as a student project but an innovative tool, which revolves around one of SA’s favourite pastimes, has become a blazing success, which could soon hit the international market.

The Braai Tool (TBT), is multifunctional and incorporates five key braai utensils into one sleek product.

The idea was born in 2014 during the Industrial Design BTech course at CPUT when students had to design, prototype, manufacture, market and sell a product they created for a net profit of at least R5 000.

The product proved to be a winner and, with the help of CPUT’s Technology Transfer Office, its magnetic hinge and groove system were patented.

“We’ve also done some research into the Australian market because barbecuing is huge in Australia. So, with the help of CPUT’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), we have also filed for a patent in Australia” says TBT’s Sebastian Bosman.

Bosman said The TTO would also subsidise his participation in the LaunchLab - which is designed to take entrepreneurs through the process of building a viable company.

He says the TTO has given him the ingredients to turn a university project into a commercial product.

“The TTO gave us the financing to produce our initial units. They have paid for the patent, both locally and internationally and they’ve given us great legal advice. They also sent us to Design Indaba, funding our first step into the commercial space.”
TBT has just placed an order for another 1 000 units of the product.

• TBT operates from the communal work hub at 75 Harrington Street, Cape Town.

For more details click here

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The day before he graduated as a Doctor of Engineering: Chemical, Dr Lukhanyo Mekuto was in Bloemfontein to receive a Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Originally from Brown’s Farm, Philippi, Mekuto (28) is the only child of a domestic worker and the first one in his family to not only get postgraduate, but also undergraduate degrees. He also has the distinction of being one of the youngest doctoral graduates CPUT has produced.

He arrived at university in 2008 and obtained his BTech in Biotechnology in 2011. He went on to complete his MTech cum laude in 2014. He obtained his postgraduate degrees in record time too, completing his master’s degree in 18 months and his doctorate in two and a half years.

His advice to those who, like him, want to excel in whatever field they choose, is to determine who they are and what they want. “Distinguish yourself from others. The mistake we in the township make is that we want to go with the crowd. I decided in grade 10 that I was not going to do that anymore.

“I tell learners, ‘Define who you are and what you want. Once you’ve done that you have to make a conscious decision to go after what it is that you want,’” explains Mekuto, who on weekends tutors children from his area in maths and physics.

According to Mekuto, the number one excuse people give for not reaching their potential is a lack of funds. “I have come through the NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) system. NSFAS paid for my BTech up to my PhD, so in my view no funding is no excuse.”

His research revolved around the biological treatment of industrial wastewater generated by gold mines. His interest was piqued when he read about cattle deaths in KwaZulu-Natal due to cyanide poisoning in 2012. The cyanide came from their water, which was contaminated by mining activities in the area. Mekuto investigated the use of micro-organism to break up the cyanide into its component elements.

Written by Abigail Calata

The Advancement Department raised R111 million in bursaries in 2019, which benefitted over 3000 underprivileged students.

“We are grateful to our donors who heeded to our request for funding and helped in the fulfilment of our underprivileged students’ dreams,” says Calvin Maseko, Director of the Advancement Department.

This is a significant increase considering that in 2018 the Department secured R71 million.

Maseko adds that the extra working hours put in by the department’s staff paid off. He also expressed a word of appreciation to staff members from other departments who enabled this huge success.

“The bursary application process is too admin intensive, and as a result some students helped out in the processes. I am humbled by this behaviour as they did us proud,” he said.

Maseko had a few words of advice for students whose sponsors have not yet paid out their tuition fees.

“Over 400 students are still waiting for their fees to be paid by their bursary sponsors. For those who experienced delays, the office of the Vice-Chancellor has authorised that they be unblocked and enabled to register in 2020 if they intend to continue their studies at CPUT,” he says. “The department is following up on the outstanding payments and extends its gratitude to students that have been patiently waiting.”

Written by Kwanele Butana
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In a recent communiqué from the Department of Higher Education and Training a few important matters regarding student funding for 2016/2017 was communicated. Below please find the decisions reached by government addressing financial aid concerns.

• All NSFAS qualifying students who were registered in 2016 and meet the academic progression requirements for 2017 will continue receiving funding in the new academic year.
• NSFAS will pay the registration fee for all NSFAS funded students, meaning they do not pay any upfront fee.
• In 2017 students from households with an annual family income of up to R600 000 (the missing middle) will have the upfront or registration fee covered by government gap funding. They will therefore be allowed to register without paying registration/upfront fees.
• All missing middle students with historic debt will be allowed to register in 2017. Universities are required to develop transparent student debt policies for students not covered by the NSFAS scheme.
• Legitimate, peaceful student protests should be supported and the rights of all, including those who choose not to protest (the silent majority) must also be protected.

Written by CPUT News
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The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) has awarded 265 bursaries to CPUT students for the current academic year, making CPUT students the largest group of beneficiaries of this SETA nationwide.

“We pride ourselves as a sector skills and training authority in meeting the needs of students and ensuring that new entrants to the labour market are adequately trained,” Bursary Manager, Basani Sithole, told the students.

“It is your responsibility to pass your studies and enhance the skills of the current workforce and alleviate poverty in our communities.”

The partnership between CPUT and the SETA started in 2015 when 10 students from Khayelitsha were awarded bursaries.  In 2016 another 10 students from Mitchells Plain were funded and in 2017 that number increased exponentially to 265. The SETA says it is eager to continue funding CPUT students in 2018.

The students applied directly to the SETA. The bursaries were awarded to both part-time and full-time students with the former getting a maximum of R35 000, which covers tuition fees and books, while the latter got R60 000 for tuition fees, books, meals and accommodation.

The role of the SETA is to ensure that the skill requirements of the services sector are identified and that adequate and appropriate skills are readily available.  The Services SETA contributes to the improvement of sector skills by ensuring that education and training is provided for the citizens of South Africa.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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A R40 000 bursary donation to six Architecture students will not only have an immediate financial impact but also has long term transformation ambitions.

The South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) made the donation and encouraged the Architectural Technology Department to distribute the funds as they saw fit.

Acting Head of the Architectural Technology and Interior Design Department Nikki Jinka says staff debated the most applicable way to split the money and in the end decided to divide it into two R10 000 and four R5 000 awards.

In order to be considered students wrote motivation letters describing their experience of being disadvantaged and were also assessed on their academic performance and financial need.

First year student Marileen Lamprecht, 23, scooped one of the coveted R10 000 prizes after explaining how she changed universities and courses then job shadowed for a year in a boutique Architectural firm near her home, all in her pursuit of being an architect one day.

Jinka says the ongoing transformation agenda of SACAP was the main consideration when assessing the students.

“It is critical that the industry reflects not only more architects of colour but also that more  females are brought on board,” he says.

The other winning students are Lusenathi Ntsabo; Nyiko Makhubela; Siphiwe Mabaso, Raabeah Floris and Jasmine Zwane. 

Written by Lauren Kansley

Tel: +27 21 953 8646
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

A funding boost of R2.5 m will further strengthen a collaborative research and training project that is addressing water challenges facing South Africa.

Over the past few years, the Centre of Water Research (CWSR) at CPUT together with the Institute of Water Studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have collaborated with the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) on an Integrated Water Resource Management in South Africa project.

The project commenced in 2011 with a four year grant of 1.5 million Euros from Nuffic, a Netherlands based capacity development organization. With the grant period at an end, the Board of BGCMA has approved funding to sustain the research initiatives for the next three years.

Direct of BGCMA, Phakamani Buthelezi, says the funding is in line with the organisation’s strategic plan that advocates collaboration with academic and research institutions that can contribute towards innovative solutions to water problems as well as capacity building.

Director of CWSR, Prof Lagardien, says the first phase of funding was used to build the foundation of the project and to forge meaningful collaborations and partnerships.

He says collaborative ventures are an “efficient way of taking care of important research and development challenges.”

“The collaboration has demonstrated value,” says Lagardien.

To date, Lagardien says they have established a remote sensing and GIS lab at UWC, a Water Quality lab at CPUT, improved data collection and management and acquired catchment instrumentation and vehicles.

They have also made huge strides in capacity building, with four PhD and eight Masters fellowships, three WRC research projects and several seminars. Researchers involved in the project also participated in exchange programmes with the Netherlands to further advance their skills base.

The second phase of the project will focus and drive collaboration in the niche areas of catchment studies, water resource assessments, environment, water and sustainability, water and agriculture as well as water and sanitation services.  

UWC Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Prof David Holdgate commended the project participants and says their area of research is addressing issues that are impacting on South Africa.

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

CPUT will get a cash injection of R21.2 million in accordance with a memorandum of agreement recently concluded with the Construction SETA (CETA).

This brings the total investment by CETA since 2013 to R34.4 million. This latest grant will see a further 90 CPUT students taken up in the very successful Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme and 100 receiving bursaries. The beneficiaries are students qualifying in the Built Environment disciplines. This follows an initial 134 students benefitting from the WIL programme, when the university received R4.8 million in 2013. In the following financial year 88 students participated in the WIL programme to the tune of R3.1 million.

Acting DVC for Research, Prof Marshall Sheldon, encouraged beneficiaries of the grants to “grab these opportunities with everything you’ve got. We will support you in any way we can and want to see you mentoring the students that come after you.”

Raymond Cele, Board Chairman of CETA, remarks that CPUT piloted the WIL programme, which has become the implementation benchmark for the role-out nationwide. “We see CPUT as our strategic partner for education in the construction sector. Its staff members’ passion for their students is matched only by my team’s passion to see the beneficiaries of these grants succeed.”

Future plans divulged by Cele include:

• Integrated tracer studies into the impact of these programmes
• Establishment of a regional stakeholder forum
• Building the next generation of academics in the sector; and
• More service-learning projects and community engagement.

Written by Abigail Calata

The Wholesale & Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&R SETA) has this year awarded bursaries to 316 CPUT students to the value of approximately R30 million.

  The students in the Retail Business Management Department applied for the bursaries after the SETA invited applicants in an advertisement published in national media.

“SETA adjudicates the applications and award based on merit,” says Advancement Director Calvin Maseko.

“The SETA then sends a list of the approved students to CPUT before coming to us for verifications.”

The SETA’s bursaries were awarded to CPUT students as follows:

303 undergraduate students got a maximum of R71 000 each;

Seven continuing students got a maximum of R71 000 each. Previously the SETA funded 96 students and out of the 96 the seven are still continuing with their qualifications;

Four PhD students, got a maximum of R250 000 each and;

12 Masters students got a maximum of R150 000 each.

“The PhD students are CPUT lecturers and this is highly appreciated because it motivates staff members to get higher qualifications,” says Maseko.

The initiative contributes to the university’s targets for the New Generation of Academics Programme.

CPUT has already made books and meals allocation to the students and the invoices were sent to the SETA.

“CPUT highly appreciates this partnership,” he says gratefully.   

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Today CPUT Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr John Volmink accepted an R8 million donation from Absa Bank toward student funding.

Using a combination of academic performance and financial need CPUT’s Financial Aid office has identified 267 qualifying students and will disburse the funds after a verification process has been completed. Many of the qualifying students either have very limited financial resources or fall within the “missing middle” category of students whose parents or guardians can only afford to pay a portion of the required university fees.

Volmink says the donation does not just affect the lucky students but their extended families as well.
“You must take the students you are helping then multiply it by thousands because you are creating thousands of opportunities and in fact you will never really be able to calculate the true cost because what Absa is doing is helping to break the cycle of poverty,” he says.   
“CPUT attracts rural, economically challenged students who are bright. These students desire the same things that other more affluent students want but what they need most is support both emotionally and financially. That is what you are doing here today.”

The donation forms part of Barclays Africa Group’s 2017 CEO Scholarship Fund which aims to disburse R210 million which will impact around 3 000 university students across the continent. Absa Africa Head of Citizenship Sazini Mojapelo says The CEO Scholarship Fund grew exponentially since its inception in 2016 when it was only expected to affect around 200 students.
“When we saw the Fees Must Fall movement we realised that as a large corporate it was important to answer the call to action. We increased the scholarship programme from 200 to 2000 students and this year we expanded it to 3000 across the continent,” she says.

In 2017 the fund expanded to include the peer to peer mentoring programme Elevate Education which, through a series of workshops, equips students with the skills to not only survive university but to thrive too.

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