CPUT acknowledges Industry Partners
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS: The event offered an opportunity for industry partners to connect with Executive management and to strengthen partnerships.
Friday, 20 June 2025
Industry partners who play a key role in CPUT’s success were recently recognised at the Vice-Chancellor’s Business and Industry Engagement, hosted at the Cape Town Hotel School.
Businesses and industry are among the university’s key stakeholders and the event offered an opportunity for these valuable partners to connect with the Executive Management and to strengthen partnerships.
The guests were welcomed by the Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, who said the industry leaders provide placements for students, mentorship programmes, projects, innovation spaces and often careers afterwards.
“Thank you for joining us and thank you for being part of our journey over these 20 years. We look forward to many more milestones together.”
Prof Marshall Sheldon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo.
“Today's engagement underscores the role that business and industry play in shaping the higher education landscape. For us as CPUT, you are more than just employers of our students and our graduates – you are co-creators in knowledge, you are partners in innovation.”
Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, spoke on the impact of industry partnerships and their contribution toward UoTs while Thapelo Letswalo, from the Airports Company of South Africa delivered a talk on the future of work, skills development, innovation and the strengthening partnerships.
Reflecting on the event, the Cooperative Education Unit’s David Haarhoff, who served as project lead, said industry partners from 32 organisations attended the event.
“As project lead, I think what stood out for me was the commitment by CPUT’s research units who showcased research endeavours currently embarked upon by our institution. Another interesting segment was that of the work-integrated learning (WIL) success stories. Students were able to provide real life stories and good experiences during their WIL placement period. The latter is critical as it encapsulates the voice of the student. Most importantly during this event, colleagues and industry partners were able to connect and discuss critical issues aligned to curriculum and industry needs.”
He expressed his sincere appreciation to industry partners for accepting CPUT students into their respective WIL programmes, and gratitude to organisations who contribute to the institution’s success in other ways.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za
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