CPUT welcomes young inquiring minds for a debut campus tour

For the first time in CPUT’s history, the institution hosted 235 primary school learners for an educational campus tour in early August. Staff members of eight departments namely - Marketing; Jewellery, Fashion, Industrial and Graphic Design; Somatology; Environmental Health and Management; Food Technology; Civil Engineering; Horticulture and Analytical Chemistry - on both the Cape Town and Bellville campuses, welcomed Grade 6 and 7 learners from the Sun Valley Primary School, Fish Hoek into their lecture rooms and laboratories.

During the visit, learners were exposed to the different teaching environments of the various departments and were given an overview of each course. Student Recruitment Officer in the Marketing and Communication Department, Thandokazi Mtshekisa, said this new initiative serves as a great starting point for CPUT to target younger learners and possibly influence their choice of a tertiary institution and career path. 

“This is the first time that CPUT hosted a primary school for a campus visit and it is definitely the start of many more. I believe that it will motivate them to make an educated and more informed decision when they eventually start thinking of career options. We also wish to instill the value of higher education at an early age.”

Food and Technology lecturer at the Bellville campus, Anthony Obilana, was one of many staff members who welcomed this new initiative.

“I was very impressed with the learners’ enthusiasm. They seemed really keen to learn more about the course and also interacted very well with the staff. I think it is important that children get this kind of exposure from a young age.”

The Grade 6 learners have enjoyed a practical in the Food Technology lab on the Bellville campus.

Dean of the Informatics and Design Faculty, Professor Johannes Cronje said campus tours, such as these, serve as a great way to market the Faculty and the Institution.

“The learners showed much interest in the courses. They were very inquisitive and asked a lot of questions. As a faculty, we encourage learners to come and visit to see what we have to offer and how our students work within our environments,” he said.

The school’s Grade 6 and 7 Head, Allison Nuttall, who accompanied the learners on the tour said: “The girls especially enjoyed visiting the Civil Engineering, Horticulture and Food Technology departments, which helped them realise they have other career options.”

One learner, who particularly enjoyed the tour, was Grade Seven learner, Jaimie Kruyer. She said although she is still undecided about her future career path, the visit to CPUT helped her to realise more options.

“It was a really good educational experience. I learnt a lot about all the different courses, especially within the Technology sector, which I never knew one could study for. It was a lot of fun,” she enthused.

By: Sonia Koopman

Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za