Graduates from the Faculty of Business were encouraged to read the classics and history of the continent’s leaders and capital cities by guest speaker Nils Flaaten during the faculty’s Third Graduation Ceremony at the Cape Town Campus.

Flaaten, who is a Chief Executive Officer at Wesgro, commended the graduates for their achievement which he said is a product of toil, endeavour and courage as some of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He warned graduates that their achievements come with a great responsibility because they are a select few who have achieved academic excellence. He said the day marked the beginning of a new journey for the graduates.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, conferred diplomas, B-Tech and M-Tech degrees on hundreds of students. Fourty-four graduates obtained their qualifications cum laude.

A moment of silence was observed when a National Diploma in Event Management was awarded posthumously to Anathi Tshandu, who passed away recently.  

This evening will see graduates, their friends and families converge at the Bellville Campus for the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony, while the Faculty of Informatics and Design will hold its graduation ceremony tomorrow morning at the Cape Town Campus.

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

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Top achieving students took centre stage at this year’s Health and Wellness Faculty graduation.

The faculty acknowledged the more than 40 national diploma and degree graduates who achieved top marks in their fields of study.

These graduates, who received the recognition of cum laude, passed all their subjects at first try with 75% or more. They also achieved 75% or more in the final level.

ACHIEVERS: CPUT conferred two doctoral degrees at the Health and Wellness Faculty graduation. The recipients were Ademola Ayeleso and Olawale Ajuwon

The faculty also recognised the top achieving student - Radiography graduate Lee-Ann De Kock, who was awarded the Dean’s Medal.

This medal is offered to one student in each of the six faculties who excelled in all aspects of academic life.

Lee-Ann obtained distinctions in all her subjects and an aggregate of 88% over the three years of study.

These top achievers along with the rest of their graduating class were commended by guest speaker Rhoda Kadalie for successfully completing their studies.

Kadalie, who is the Executive Director of Impumelelo Social Innovations Centre, urged graduates to play a key role in the improvement of the South African health sector.

Kadalie says graduates must think out of the box, push the boundaries against all odds, take risk and be passionate about what they are doing.

Graduate who obtained Dean’s medalists include Daylene Onkruid – Faculty of Business; Munowar Harneke – Faculty of Education and Social Science; Zachari Blazic – Faculty of Informatics and Design; Charles Salmon – Faculty of Applied Sciences and Alexander Ebben-Esser Christian.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News

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Graduates at today’s Informatics and Design graduation at the Cape Town campus were left inspired by guest speaker Eran Eyal, CEO and founder of Springleap, a website that hosts design enthusiasts. 

An entrepreneur and pioneer in the Internet, Social Media and Crowdsourcing space, Eran encouraged students to have a career as opposed to a job.

“I see a career as a pathway that is never ending. A job however, I see as a dead end. It’s something that someone tells you to do and that’s it,” says Eran.

Voted by the Mail & Guardian as one of South Africa’s top 200 youth, Eran describes himself as being an unreasonable man, and encouraged graduates to be the same. He explains: “Being unreasonable means doing what others say is impossible. Always have a curious mind, ask yourself the who’s, what’s and how’s.”

The morning’s graduation conferred qualifications on students who completed programmes in the Faculty of Informatics and Design and included several MTechs and a Doctorate in Informatics awarded to Ping Ping Yang. A Chinese citizen, Ping Ping completed her B-Tech in 2005 in Financial Information Systems, and her MTech in Business Information Systems in 2006, both at CPUT.

Greatness: A Doctorate in Informatics awarded to Ping Ping Yang

A special mention was given to Dean’s Medalist, Zachari Ivan Blazic who graduated with a National Diploma in Information Technology. Zachari obtained distinctions in all 12 of his subjects, with a final aggregate of 90% over the three years of study.       

As graduation week continues, hundreds of graduates, and their loved ones will gather at the Bellville campus for the first Engineering Faculty graduation this evening.

By: Nurahn Ryklief  

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT is playing a key role in the skilling of South Africa’s future workforce.

During one of CPUT’s final graduation ceremonies, the university conferred national diplomas and degrees on a large number of graduates who completed programmes in the Engineering Faculty.

These graduates will play a crucial role in the development of the country’s engineering sector. While some have already been snapped up by industry, others will remain at CPUT to further their studies in specialised areas.

Guest speaker, Biza Majugwana, urged those set to join the country’s workforce to use their skills and knowledge to make a difference in industry.

Majugwana, who is the Manager of Engineering Learning and Development at Eskom says graduates must not be afraid to think out of the box and take risks.

“Innovation in engineering has been done by people who have been told that their ideas will not work,” he says.

He also encouraged graduates to keep in touch with CPUT and to play a role in the university’s future growth.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News

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A record-breaking 6 712 diplomas and degrees were conferred on graduates during this year’s Autumn Graduation.

On Friday morning, Technology Innovation Agency CEO, Simphiwe Duma, urged graduates from the Faculty of Applied Sciences to use their newly-acquired skills to create new opportunities, as the country’s future depends on them. Duma recounted the nation’s achievements in the field of Science and Technology Innovation in creating jobs as well as improving the health and welfare of South Africans by discovering medicine for new ailments. “South Africa has an ability to produce world-class scientists and its future depends on you for it to be competitive globally,” he said.

Graduates from the Faculty of Engineering took the stage on Friday evening. Guest speaker Dr Makhapa Makhalo, General Manager of Research and Development at Mintech, a global leader in metallurgical innovation, reminded students that “Patience and perseverance will ensure that you’ll be the best”.

Festivities reached their peak on Saturday as graduates from the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences received their diplomas and degrees. Guest speaker, Acting Deputy Director General in the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Diane Parker applauded students for their dedication and offered them advice for their future as teachers: "Remember to give yourself time to mature in your profession; be not a teacher who breaks careers instead of building them. Be patient, love your work, love your subject, and love your kids."

Top achievers were rewarded for perseverance. Charles William Salmon received the Dean’s Medal for his achievements while studying towards a National Diploma in Agriculture, while Alexander Ebben-Esser Christian received the Dean’s Medal for his hard work while studying towards a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering.

Vice Chancellor’s Medalist, Marguerite Ester Stoffberg

The Vice Chancellor’s Medal was awarded to Ester Stoffberg, who graduated with a B-Tech in Clothing Management. A dedicated individual, Marguerite, completed her degree while working part-time; her final aggregate mark over the four years of study was 85.23%. She had also received a Deans Medal for Engineering in 2012 for her National Diploma in Clothing Management.

CPUT graduates were encourage to maintain a relationship with CPUT. Deputy-Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof Anthony Staak who concluded Graduation Week underlined the importance of improving skills and keeping current in an ever-changing world.  He urged students to continue their life-long learning at CPUT.

By Kwanele Butana, Nurahn Ryklief and Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News

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SOUTH Africa’s dire shortage of nurses was given a welcome boost yesterday when CPUT and the Western Cape College of Nursing celebrated their post-basic graduation ceremony.

The 129 nurses graduated in a variety of specialty courses including Operating Theatre, Critical Care, Trauma and Emergency, Midwifery and Psychiatric Nursing.

Provincial Minister of Health Theuns Botha welcomed the graduates into his department which already boasts a healthy 11 762 nurses working across the Western Cape.

“You will most probably work 20, 30 or 40 years for this Department,” he informed the audience.

“You will be treated accordingly because you are a scarce skill. The people of the Western Cape deserve the best therefore we train the best.”

Keynote speaker Prof Karien Jooste who enjoys a successful career as an editor and writer of medical journals and textbooks, reminded the graduates of the importance of striving for success and lifelong career passion.

ESTEEMED GUESTS: Keynote speaker Prof. Karien Jooste sitting alongside Provincial Health Minister Theuns Botha at the graduation ceremony of 129 nursing students.

“We need nursing leaders who rise above and use their power to motivate others,” she says.

“Every person has the need to succeed. Climb your career ladder with passion.”

Dean of the Health and Wellness Faculty Prof Dhiro Gihwala congratulated each graduate personally and highlighted the strides CPUT is making to fill the demand for nurses while also complying with new higher education qualifications frameworks.

He also urged the graduates to remember where they came from.

DON’T FORGET: Health and Wellness Dean Prof. Dhiro Gihwala reminded graduates to remember the communities they came from.

 “I am confident you will use your special skills and your influence to put something back into those communities,” he says.

“We also hope you will continue to support CPUT and the College.”

 By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT together with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape are taking the lead in addressing skill shortages in the South African Health Sector.

On 15 April 2010, 60 students were awarded the Diploma in Nursing during the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences graduation ceremony. The course is offered in collaboration with the Western Cape College of Nursing (WCCN).

During the ceremony, the nursing graduates cited the traditional nursing pledge which is accompanied by the lighting of the lamp. The lamp is symbolic of the one which was carried by Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in nursing during the 1800’s. This tradition is practiced at universities and nursing colleges across the world since 1893.

Currently, in the Western Cape, this tradition is only taking place at CPUT and the University of the Western Cape, which are the only two institutions offering the four year undergraduate nursing qualification.

The other higher education institutions in the province only offer the postgraduate nursing programmes while some Nursing Schools at the hospitals offer the two year diploma course.

Addressing graduates at the ceremony, keynote speaker Sage Pillay, CEO of the National Health Laboratory Services, said South Africa desperately needs skilled health professionals who can make an impact in the health sector.

Pillay said many graduates will take up careers in the public health care sector, which is currently viewed by many South Africans as an uncaring sector. He challenged the graduates to change this poor image and provide a quality service to those in their care.

“Remember, the people you will care for cannot afford health care. Treat patients like you would want anyone to care for a member of your family. Put people first and above narrow and selfish needs,” he said.

He also drew their attention to the challenges of the sector, which include lack of resources, working conditions and remuneration.

He urged graduates to take up these challenges with their employer, but to do so in a “professional manner.”

Pillay called on students to embark on life-long learning and improve their educational qualifications.

During the ceremony 97 Bachelor of Technology Degrees in Nursing were also conferred.

CPUT’s postgraduate nursing programme, which allows qualified nurses to specialise in various areas of nursing, is one of the most successful programmes in the country, drawing students from across Africa.

By Candes Keating

Photograph: Newly qualified nurses, holding lamps, take the nursing pledge.

Written by CPUT News
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A total of 5 788 diplomas and degrees will be awarded to CPUT graduates during the March Graduation Ceremonies.

At these twelve ceremonies, which will be held on both the Cape Town and Bellville campuses, the institution will also award 56 master degrees and ten doctorate degrees.

Six graduates will be awarded Dean’s Medals for outstanding academic performances, while one graduate will receive the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Medal, which recognises the top CPUT graduate of the class of 2008.

This year’s graduation commenced on 23 March 2009 at the Cape Town campus and saw graduates from the Business Faculty take to the stage to receive their academic qualifications.

The Business Faculty is the largest faculty at CPUT and five of the twelve ceremonies have been set aside for this faculty.

The remainder of the ceremonies will be used to confer degrees in the Faculty of Education and Social Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health and Wellness and the Faculty of Informatics and Design.

Addressing graduates and their family members at the first graduation ceremony, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Prof Anthony Staak said during the next few days the institution will celebrate the success of those graduating.

“We are proud of what you have achieved thus far and sincerely hope that we have helped to place you on a trajectory that will lead you to even greater success in the future,” he said.

Prof Staak said the institution’s mission speaks of creating and applying knowledge that will contribute to economic and social development in South Africa .

He said the graduates, who will go on to become alumni of the institution, must also commit to this mission.

“Many of you will go on to occupy influential positions in commerce, in industry and in the public sector. We sincerely hope that you will not forget the communities from which you come,” he said.

Prof Staak urged graduates to use their “special skills and influence to put something back” into their communities and to help contribute to their development.

He also called on graduates to continue to support CPUT and to further their professional development at the institution.

With the rapid pace of technology, graduates will have to update their skills continuously to ensure that they remain leaders in their fields, said Prof Staak.

Prof Staak said CPUT will continue producing graduates who will be able to contribute to the development all sectors in South Africa .

With funding of close to R300 million from the National Education Department, CPUT is set to increase its undergraduate and postgraduate activities in scarce skill areas.

A portion of the funds is also earmarked for infrastructure development, which includes new academic buildings and residences.

Guest speaker at the first graduation ceremony, Dr Ivan Meyer, a senior lecturer in Public Policy and Local Government at Stellenbosch University, said CPUT is living up to its mission of being at “the heart of technology and innovation in South Africa.”

He said CPUT academics, students and graduates are making an impact in various fields in South Africa.

“CPUT is delivering on its mandate of producing a new generation of leaders,” he said.

Dr Meyer urged graduates to do their best in the working world and be ambassadors of CPUT.

Photo: Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga and Chair of the CPUT Council, Dr Rev Lionel Louw, congratulates Marketing Doctoral graduate Darlington Onojaefe.

By Candes Keating

Published online: 24/03/2009

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT awarded 711 diplomas and degrees, including 35 Masters degrees and five Doctorates, at the September Graduation ceremony, which was held on the Bellville Campus.

This is the largest number of postgraduate qualifications to be awarded at a single diploma ceremony at CPUT.

Addressing graduates at the ceremony, which took place on 18 September 2009, Deputy-Vice Chancellor: Academic Prof Anthony Staak, said the number of postgraduate qualifications bears testimony to the fact that CPUT is making great strides in advancing research.

“We currently have seven research niche areas at the institution funded by the national research foundation, as well as a number of research projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology and other outside agencies,” he said.

Prof Staak said the institution’s mission speaks of creating and applying knowledge that will contribute to economic and social development in South Africa.

He said as an institution, CPUT is well positioned to live out this mission and make a contribution to knowledge production and development in the country.

He urged graduates, who will go on to become alumni of the institution, to also commit to this mission.

“Many of you will go on to occupy influential position in commerce, in industry and in the public sector. We hope that you will use your special skills and your influence to put something back into those communities and help contribute to their development,” he said.

“Together we hope that you will help us realise our goal of creating futures, not only for our students but for the broader society as well,” said Prof Staak.

He also called on graduates to continue to support CPUT and to further their professional development at the institution.

With the rapid pace of technology, graduates will have to update their skills continuously to ensure that they remain leaders in their fields.

Prof Staak said alumni are ambassadors of the institution and that their future success is important to CPUT.

“We are proud of what you have achieved thus far and sincerely hope that we have helped placed you on a trajectory that will lead you to even greater successes in the future,” he said.

Guest speaker at the ceremony, Bob Pullen, a senior specialist in Water Engineering at BKS (Pty) Ltd, also urged graduates to make an impact in South Africa.

He said once in the workplace, individuals must focus on sharpening their skills.

“It is important to persevere in what you do. South Africa has a need for people with scarce skills,” he said.

Pullen, who was recently awarded the National Science and Technology Award for his outstanding contribution to Science, Engineering and Innovation, said graduates must also focus on becoming competent in their chosen vocation.

“Competent people in the right place can lift South Africa to greater heights,” said Pullen.

Doctorates were awarded to the following graduates:

• Mpiana Kalula: Faculty of Business (Public Management)
• Charles Laubscher: Faculty of Business (Tourism and Hospitality Management)
• Sidney du Plessis: Faculty of Engineering (Electrical Engineering)
• Seteno Ntwampe: Faculty of Engineering (Chemical Engineering)
• Gloudina Hon: Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences (Biomedical Technology)

By Candes Keating

Click here to view a September Graduation 2009 photograph gallery.
Click here to view a photograph gallery of doctoral students.

Written by CPUT News
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Six hundred diplomas and degrees, including three Doctorates, were awarded at the September Graduation Ceremony, held on 19 September 2008.

The Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus was abuzz with excitement as graduates gathered to have their qualifications conferred. This was the pivotal moment that each of them had anxiously awaited since successfully completing their studies in 2007 and 2008.

Supported by proud parents and friends, graduates looked their finest dressed in formal and traditional attire and covered in their graduation gowns. The soon-to-be alumni prepared themselves for the momentous occasion.

A hush of silence fell on the hall as the choir began to render an item accompanied by ceremonial music, to which the academic procession, including members of the Council, members of Senate and Faculty Deans, entered the hall. The procession members then took their places for the formalities to begin.

After the choir had rendered their item, Vice-Chancellor of CPUT Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga declared the graduation ceremony officially open. Prof Anthony Staak (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic) took to the podium to welcome guests, graduates and parents and requested the observation of a moment’s silence. Prof Staak ended with a vote of hearty congratulations to the graduates and wished them well in their endeavors.

At this point, the master of ceremonies handed over to guest speaker Prof Elias Links to address the audience. Having obtained his under- and postgraduate qualifications in Commerce both locally and abroad, Prof Links currently serves as professor extraordinaire at the University of Stellenbosch ’s Graduate Business School (USB).

He shared his vast experience on the subjects of Business and Economics, attributing the demise of major financial corporations in the US to the changing landscape in a “world of chaos and uncertainty”. Prof Links encouraged graduates to draw from this experience, saying that integrity, conservativeness and being grounded were tantamount to being successful in the dynamic world of work.

With these words of wisdom, the graduation ceremony proceeded and the ecstatic alumni left not only with their formal certificates but useful advice to continue on their journey of hard work and achievement.

By Thando J. Moiloa, Marketing and Communication Department

Written by CPUT News
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The class of 2012 can expect to get some insight into the realities of the world of work from one of South Africa’s top businessmen.

Group Chief Executive of Alexander Forbes Equity Holding, Edward Kieswetter, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Spring Graduation ceremony today.

And who better to inspire South Africa’s future workforce than Kieswetter, who was voted South Africa’s top boss, twice during the past decade.

Kieswetter has held key positions in the South African energy and financial sectors. He is also well aware of student life, having also spent several years working as an academic.

He boasts three masters’ degrees from local and international universities and is the current Vice-Chair of the University of the Free State.

Other guest at this year’s ceremony will include graduates’ family members, friends and partners, who will watch on as close to 700 students take to the stage to receive their qualifications.

The qualifications that will be awarded include Diplomas, Bachelor and Master of Technology Degrees as well as Doctoral of Technology Degrees.

Qualifications will be awarded in the faculties of Business, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Applied Science, Education and Social Sciences and Informatics and Design.

By Candes Keating
Written by CPUT News
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CPUT will be conferring diplomas and degrees on 440 graduates during our SMART graduation on 16 December 2020.

While the Summer Graduation series usually takes place at this time of the year, the restriction on mass gatherings brought about by the national lockdown means that the ceremony can only take place digitally.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch. Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of a blanket conferral of all qualifications.

Graduates will be invited to upload a photo and personal message onto our portal. These messages and photos will be displayed on the screen along with the name, qualification, and, where applicable, cum laude status when the Faculty Dean announces the graduates’ name.

Graduates and their families will be able to watch the ceremonies on several platforms.

A special SMART Graduation website will also be created that will enable the graduates to download the ceremony video, a personalised slide with photo, message and qualification and official graduation programme.

“Graduation is one of the most important events on the university’s calendar but, like tertiary institutions around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the institution to find an alternative to a traditional ceremony,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo. “As such, we are planning an online celebration of 2020 graduates so that they can remotely share this moment with their family, friends, and community.”

The graduates include 43 Master’s graduates and nine who have earned their doctorates.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Academic Florence Davidson says she has learnt valuable lessons on how to become a better supervisor for her own students while completing her doctoral studies.

Davidson, an academic in the Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences Department, will graduate with a Doctor of Radiography degree during the SMART Graduation ceremony on December 16.

Her thesis is titled: Body fat distribution and cardio-metabolic risk factors in South African men and women.

She was supervised by Prof Tandi Matsha while her external supervisor was Professor Julia Goedecke

“This study sought to validate dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as a method of quantifying central adiposity, explore the relationship between body fat distribution and cardio-metabolic risk and determine the ability of DEXA compared to anthropometry to identify participants with metabolic syndrome,” says Davison.

 She explained that the main findings were that: “Central fat was the most significant correlate of cardio-metabolic risk and lower body fat was associated with reduced risk. Novel DEXA body fat distribution correlations were demonstrated with computed tomography, anthropometry and cardio-metabolic risk”.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT will celebrate the success of more than 400 graduates during today’s SMART graduation ceremony.

The graduates include 43 Master’s graduates and nine who have earned their doctorates.

As a result of the restrictions on mass gatherings brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, the institution has opted for a digital ceremony.

Graduates and their loved ones will be able to tune in for the digital graduation ceremony from 10 am.

For graduates who registered, the SMART Graduation will feature a picture of the graduate and a personalised message, which will be displayed when their name is read out by the Dean of their faculty.

The slide, Graduation booklet and video broadcast will be available on the SMART Graduation web page: https://virtualgrad.marchingorder.com/capepeninsula/126/i

The video will remain on the page to allow graduates and their loved ones to view it at their convenience. They will also be able to view the ceremony at: https://youtu.be/IPo3HbGALxU

Please use the hashtag #CPUTSMARTGrad2020 on all your social media posts.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) has joined forces with the Research Directorate for a series of online workshops aimed at helping postgraduate students on their journey to graduation.

The workshops are facilitated by experts and the hope is that it will contribute to Masters and Doctoral students developing the skills and competencies required to successfully complete their studies.

Workshops for supervisors, co-supervisors and post-doctoral fellows are also available.

Dr Patricia Smit, Manager: Capacity Development, said the first few workshops were well attended. She said postgraduate students often have very busy schedules as many are employed full-time and therefore workshops are repeated during the year to allow as many students as possible to attend.

Wendal Koopman from CPGS, who is also a workshop facilitator, said participants had indicated that the workshops were helpful and that they were grateful for the support.

The list of workshops includes: Proposal Writing, Research Methods, The use of online library resources and reference tools, Research methods, Data Collection and Analysis, Fieldwork in practice and Writing for Publication. 

Smit encouraged postgraduate students to make use of the workshops and said the Research Directorate and CPGS welcomed recommendations and feedback from participants.

For more information on the workshops please send an email to Hlengiwe Nzama on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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“Never, ever stop learning!”

These were the words of Casper de Villiers, founder and Operations Director at Clickatell, the world’s most trusted mobile messaging platform.

He was speaking at the Second Ceremony of the faculty of Business held on the Cape Town campus of CPUT this morning.

Hundreds of students received their National Diplomas and BTech degrees in Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting, Financial Information Systems, Internal Auditing and Office Management and Technology.

Guest speaker De Villiers, an alumnus of CPUT, completed his studies in Retail Business Management in 1994. He’s now responsible for Clickatell’s complete global messaging supply chain and has played a key role in developing the world-class service centre that currently services customers around the globe.

He gave an inspiring speech to the packed auditorium, spelling out several key pointers to success in today’s ever-changing business world. “Don’t let the opinions of others cloud your inner voice, and when you make a mistake, get up, and start over again until you get it right. Don’t live somebody else’s dream and be excellent in your job –if you don’t enjoy your job, you can never excel at it.”

To rousing applause, de Villiers implored his audience to put products and people before profits, to draw on one’s family and friends for support and to give back to the community once success has been achieved.

Graduation ceremonies in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Education and Social Sciences and Information and Design continue this evening on the Bellville campus, while the third and final ceremony of the Business Faculty takes place on Wednesday at the Cape Town campus at 10am.

BY JAN WEINTROB

Picture by CLIVE GALANT

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CPUT will be celebrating the dedication and hard work of 1 209 graduates during our first-ever digital graduation on June 25.

The Autumn Graduation series traditionally takes place in April but the restriction on mass gatherings and the lockdown meant that the ceremony could not take place.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch. Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of a blanket conferral of all qualifications.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said great effort was made to make the graduation more than just a blanket conferral.
“We wanted to ensure that all graduates were recognised properly,” he said.
“Graduations are one of the highlights of the academic calendar and we wanted to celebrate it appropriately.”    

The ceremonies will be customised with a picture of the graduate and a personalised message. The slide will the downloadable and sharable.

The ceremonies can be viewed on the CPUT YouTube channel, under the Digital Graduation 2020 playlist from 10 am. It can also be viewed on the Digital Graduation web page: https://bit.ly/3euT7BV

The graduates include 113 Masters graduates and 21 who have earned their doctorates.

Graduates can use the hashtag #CPUTDigitalGrad on social media posts.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT will be celebrating the success of hundreds of graduates during two digital graduation ceremonies later this month.

Graduation is one of the most important events on the university’s calendar but, like tertiary institutions around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the institution to find an alternative to a traditional ceremony.

The two ceremonies will be held on 25 June 2020, with the first scheduled for 10:00 and the second for 14:00.

Digital graduation ceremonies differ from virtual graduations by lending a more personal touch.

Individual students will be recognised by having their qualifications conferred upon them instead of blanket conferral of all qualifications.

“Actual ceremonies will be taking place but with no graduates or audience present. This is due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and a prohibition on events of more than 50 people.

“Students will be invited to upload a photo and personal message onto our portal. These messages and photos will be displayed on screen along with the name, qualification, and, where applicable, cum laude status when the Dean reads out the graduates’ name,” said Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department.

Graduates and their families will be able to watch the ceremonies on several platforms. Details will be announced closer to the time.

A special Digital Graduation website will also be created that will enable the graduates to download the ceremony video, a personalised slide with photo, message and qualification and official graduation programme. More details will soon be announced.

Students can register their details at https://tinyurl.com/r5uk4ck before June 15 or check your @mycput mailbox for an email from Marching Order. The support email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Hundreds of qualifications were conferred during the CPUT Spring Graduation on the Bellville Campus today.

The event is one of the highlights of the CPUT academic calendar and provides the university with an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of students from all faculties.

During this year’s Spring Graduation CPUT will confer 989 diplomas and degrees, including 45 Masters and Doctoral degrees, in two ceremonies on the Bellville Campus.

This was the first graduation which Chancellor Thandi Modise presided over since her installation as CPUT chancellor, and marks a new era for the university.

Modise, who is also Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, has succeeded former Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, who was the inaugural chancellor at CPUT.

The morning ceremony saw qualifications being conferred to students who completed academic programmes in the faculties of Applied Science, Business and Management Sciences, Education, Health and Wellness Sciences as well as Informatics and Design.

Acting Vice-chancellor, Dr Chris Nhlapo, told the audience that the day represents several years of study which required sacrifices not only from the graduates but also from their partners and family members.

“The number of our graduates show that we are making great strides in research and innovation,” said Nhlapo.

In the afternoon ceremony graduates in the Faculty of Engineering will be capped, including 21 Masters and Doctoral degrees.  

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT made history today when it awarded its first honorary doctorate in the field of Environmental Health.

This honour was bestowed on Dr Selvanathan Mudaly, a trailblazer in the field of Environmental Health in South Africa.

Mudaly is the third recipient of an honorary doctorate from CPUT. Earlier this year, the university awarded honorary doctorates to Dr Brigalia Bam and Dr Christo Wiese, for their contributions to education and business respectively.

On acceptance of his honorary doctorate at the university’s Spring Graduation, Mudaly encouraged the graduating class to serve South Africa and to each play a role in developing the country.

He also urged the audience not to forget the communities they came from and to plough back.

“It is left to us to make a difference in South Africa,” he says.

An expert in Environmental Health, Mudaly made history in 1972 when he became the first black individual in South Africa to obtain the National Higher Diploma in Public Health from the then Natal Technikon.

Mudaly also carried out the first Municipal Health Services survey in South Africa and drafted a set of MHS by-laws.  However, Mudaly’s greatest contribution to the field of environmental health is his development of the ‘Scope of Practice’ for the profession of environmental health, which was approved by the Health Professions Council of South Africa and gazetted by the National Minister of Health in June 2009.

He was also recently elected as the President of the International Federation for Environmental Health.

Written by Candes Keating
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