The CPUT Advancement Department is moving from strength to strength in its bid to increase fundraising revenue.

Hot on the heels of the unveiling of its “1st Decade of Prominence and Prosperity” campaign, the department has received a further boost to its coffers of almost half a million rand from the Kresge-Inyathelo joint initiative.

This multi-million rand initiative aims to support the long-term financial sustainability of higher education institutions in South Africa by enhancing fundraising and Advancement efforts.

Advancement Director, Milcho Damianov, says, “We feel not only privileged and proud to be the recipients of further funding from Kresge- Inyathelo, but obliged to continue the furious pace of development of Advancement here at the CPUT.

The latest grant, given to only three universities in South Africa, is not only recognition for our past efforts, but encouragement to take our operations to the next level.”

Damianov has lauded the very powerful role played by Inyathelo as mentor and strategic driver in bolstering Advancement practice in South Africa. A non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening civil society and higher education institutions, Inyathelo’s partnership with the US-based funders, the Kresge Foundation, has helped the CPUT increase fundraising revenue fourfold over the past five years.

“Now we need to roll-up our sleeves and exceed the expectations of our generous funders. This will undoubtedly enhance student access, improve graduation rates and help position CPUT as a world-class facility that embraces the cutting edge of technology.”

By Jan Weintrob

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

CPUT’s Advancement Department has unveiled its strategy to celebrate the university’s first decade as a merged institution.

Dynamic new director, Milcho Damianov has presented the department’s “box of goodies” to Vice-Chancellor Mazwi-Tanga and says he is confident that this blueprint will galvanise the entire CPUT community around the milestone in 2015 that marks ten years of excellence at the institution.

Dubbed the “First Decade of Prominence and Prosperity”, the campaign will be launched in March this year and built upon in the following three years. It will both celebrate the past decade and look confidently to the future – a future where all at CPUT will strive to Create, Prosper, Uplift and Thrive.

“The four words are derived from the acronym of our university - CPUT,” says Damianov.

“This massive friend-raising and fund-raising campaign will create new partnerships and develop sustainable competitive advantages for CPUT. We shall prosper by nurturing our students, and uplift the quality of resources, education, and most importantly, communities in the region. Finally, positioning CPUT as world-class university will undoubtedly enable us to thrive.”

By Jan Weintrob

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

With Golden Arrow Bus Services celebrating 150 years in the business of transporting passengers across the Peninsula, it has partnered with CPUT to bring education to worthy students who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to study at a tertiary level.

For over five years, the Golden Arrow Foundation, through its holding company Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) Limited, has helped students with comprehensive annual funding for the duration of their studies at CPUT worth well over R100 000.

In recognition of this continuing effort, the Advancement Department hosted a luncheon earlier in the term to honour the company for the opportunities given to students in industry-related academic disciplines, such as Engineering and Human Resources.

This year, five students ranging from first-years to seniors, were awarded full bursaries to cover their tuition, accommodation, books, travel expenses, and living costs. They all shared the same sentiment of gratitude to the bursars, promising to act with consideration for the rare gift of ‘free education’.

Speaking at the luncheon, Golden Arrow’s Human Resources Director Meko Magida said the bursaries were an ideal means to contribute towards the positive development of the country’s future workforce. “We employ over 2 500 people with a wide spectrum of skills from across the peninsula and countrywide. We therefore felt it fitting to give back to the pool from which we draw our valued human resources. We believe that if you offer holistic support to a student with great potential, you will reap even greater rewards from them as a member of your workforce”, said Magida.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga encouraged the recipients of the bursaries to make full use of the exceptional opportunity, urging them to pay full attention to their academics in order to succeed. Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen echoed her sentiments, saying the funding was an invaluable gift to their development, adding that the students should use this opportunity wisely.

Past bursary holder and recent graduate Qaqamba Qauka said the bursary changed her life as a student, allowing her to concentrate fully on her studies and not worry about finances. Qauka is now working in the Human Resources department at Golden Arrow.

Other projects supported by the Golden Arrow Foundation include Adventure Bus Trips, support for the Woodside Sanctuary and various educational and youth leadership programmes. 

By: Thando J. Moiloa

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

“It is very unfortunate that South Africans and South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are fixated with tuition fees as a costing mechanism rather than the full cost of studies. If we look at the full cost of studies per year - which could be up to five times more - maybe, just maybe, South Africans earning relatively good salaries will realise that very few students can afford to further their studies without financial aid.”

So says Dr Garth van Gensen, Director of CPUT’s Advancement department. With around 40 % of South African university students dropping out of the higher education system due to financial constraints, new and creative ways of addressing the shockingly low throughput rates of our HEIs need to be found. And so, Advancement have recently launched a facility where staff members can pledge a portion of their salary towards a central fund for student bursaries.

Advancement’s Fundraising Liaison Officer Andile Blaai says however much CPUT wants financial aid for academically-deserving students to be provided, this can’t be fully realised in a world where government funding to higher education is constantly on the decline.“To try and overcome this, Advancement has proposed sustainable ways of supporting students. This also forms part of a mandate declared by the Kresge Foundation, who donated funds to CPUT to build capacity to increase third-stream income, particularly from individuals. We’ve established a bursary fund with the primary aim of serving as a means to appropriately invest bursary donations, in line with CPUT’s investment policies. The investments will be structured such that only the proceeds from the investment will be used for necessary student financial support.”

A rotating committee responsible for the disbursement of funds according to a strict set of criteria will be formed. Representatives from all spheres of the university will sit on this committee. All the applications will be fielded through Advancement’s office and funds will be awarded after a panel has scrutinised the student’s academic performance and financial need.

“We are rolling the project out in phases (currently in its first phase) and some staff may have received a personalised letter detailing this initiative. Staff can expect to hear more about this drive and will be invited to apply to sit on this rotating committee. The fund will also cater for once-off, annual and deferred contributions, and members of CPUT community, alumni and industry partners can contribute as little as R50 per month for a pre-determined fixed period. In return, CPUT will give donors a formal tax exemption certificate. There are various ways to donate, such as debit order, credit card and salary deduction facilities.”

Blaai says members of the Advancement department have already begun contributing to the fund, with donations ranging from R100 - R200 per month. He’s urging staff, alumni and industry partners to do the same. “This initiative offers you a great opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause that will support many generations of deserving students who come through our doors. Please join us in creating a reserve for student financial support. We thank you in advance for your valuable contribution and applaud those who have already pledged.”

By: Thando J. Moiloa

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

Tucked away on the fifth floor of the Admin building on CPUT’s Cape Town Campus, you’ll find a small unit, the Advancement Department, which packs a mega-punch. Tasked with supporting all who teach and learn at the University by raising funds, in cash or kind, the Department’s new Director, Calvin Maseko, has been in the fundraising and business development field for 16 years.

His last role was at Thembalethu Development, which was linked to the mining industry and implemented community development projects across the SADC region. Maseko also has extensive experience of business development in the non-profit sector, including Child Welfare, Lifeline, and the African Medical Research Foundation.

Maseko is enthused by working in academia and believes that fundraising, or business development in the social sector is the same, regardless of whether one is in an academic institution or working for a non-profit organisation.

“Funders and donors are approached in a similar manner and there are certain principles of relationship building and procuring funds that never change. Whether working on a community outreach project, or raising funds for one of CPUT’s strategic initiatives, similar approaches and interventions can be employed as one adapts to new environments.”

Maseko adds, “Meeting the fundraising targets we have committed to in our strategic plan, and synchronising the activities of the department to ensure we are always focussed on the bottom line of fundraising and friend-raising is key. In every organisation I have worked for, I have always exceeded fundraising targets, and am confident the same can be done here at the CPUT.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Advancement Department welcomes its new director Dr Garth van Gensen.

Dr Van Gensen joins CPUT from the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State where he was employed as Senior Director: Advancement & Marketing for four years. Before that he worked as Senior Director: Corporate Relations at the same institution.

Prior to his stint of eight years at CUT, Dr van Gensen was the Regional Manager of Prestasi Brokers (now Indwe Risk Services). His region covered the Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape.

Under his leadership, the Advancement department will strive to excel and to achieve greater heights. “We are in a good position despite the current economic climate, my plan is to take the Advancement department to the next level,” Dr Van Gensen said.

Dr Van Gensen holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration from CUT, an MBA from the University of Wales and a BA (Hons) from the University of the Western Cape. He describes joining CPUT as coming back home because although he was born in Cradock, Eastern Cape, his career began when he worked as a teacher at Bishop Lavis High School in Cape Town.

Asked about his views on the current state of higher education in South Africa, Dr Van Gensen said the country’s higher education institutions’ throughput rate needs intervention.

He added that initiatives like the CPUT’s newly launched Centre for Multi-Grade Education were much needed. “It is such interventionist programs that are needed and fortunately donors are also keen to give support as these programs are in line with their own corporate social investment policies,” he said.

Dr Van Gensen looks forward to adding value at CPUT through his studies, experience and expertise in the higher education and private sector. He has researched, delivered papers locally and internationally and published articles on branding practices in a new South African higher education landscape.

His wife, Dr Dawn van Gensen and two children, Gareth and Megan are still in Bloemfontein and the family hopes to be re-united permanently in Cape Town next year. Dr Van Gensen agrees with findings that Cape Town is the best city in Africa and the Middle East in which to work and stay

By Noloyiso Mchunu

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

29 of CPUT’s academically deserving students studying Civil Engineering, Building Surveying and Architectural Technology are the latest recipients of bursaries, each valued at R60 000.

The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), who support training, education and skills development in the construction industry is the donor of the funds, which total a whopping R1.74 million.

This is the latest agreement between CPUT and the various Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) brokered by the Advancement Department. Major donations in the form of bursaries, research and Work Integrated Learning opportunities have also been received from BANKSETA, (Banking and Micro-Finance SETA) AgriSETA, (Agricultural SETA), CATHSSETA, (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports SETA), CHIETA (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority) and the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&R SETA).

CETA may fund the students until they finish their courses, but are committing for one year at this stage. A continuation of donor funds will depend on the students’ performance and the availability of resources within CETA.

Female-focussed: A minimum of 40% of the CETA bursary recipients are women.

Coby Greef, Provincial Coordinator of CETA says he’s delighted to see so many female faces amongst the bursary recipients. The CETA has stipulated that a minimum of 40% of beneficiaries of the bursaries must be women.

“CETA is committed to providing a conducive environment for learning and artisan development, with a special focus on youth, women and our military veterans,” says Greef. ‘We’re working closely with institutions of higher learning to ensure quality learning to equip professionals and artisans with the necessary skills needed to build our nation.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Due to robust interest from CPUT supporters and alumni, the deadline for the closing date for nominations for alumni to serve as Executive members of the CPUT Alumni Association (CPUT AA) has been extended until this Friday 29^th July.

The elective AGM of the CPUT AA is scheduled for Friday 12 August 2016, on our Bellville campus in Science Lecture Theatre 2.Before the AGM, we invite interested parties to nominate alumni to serve as Executive members of the CPUT AA for a period of 3 years (36 months).  
 
Please consider the constitution of the Association to nominate appropriate alumni candidates on the official nomination form, as well as the following requirements.

Candidates must show leadership experience and be a role model for alumni and pre-alumni. Our AA execs are expected to be willing and committed to serve as an ambassador for the University in building communities and have a collaborative approach and energetic spirit.Candidates must have graduated at CPUT (includes the historical institutions, Peninsula Technikon and Cape Technikon) and must commit to attend meetings in person at least twice a year in Cape Town and to participate on committees. In addition, candidates must expend time throughout the three years as Executive member of the Alumni Association to work with Advancement department staff to advance the institution.Fully completed nomination forms can be submitted electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - subject heading: NOMINATIONS or hand deliver forms to: 

Alumni Office, Advancement Department, Room 5.1, 5^th floor, Administration Building, Cape Town campus. Before submitting your nomination, please note again that:

• Closing date is FRIDAY 29^th JULY
• Ensure you and the person you nominate fully complete the nomination form (acceptance signature, legible contact details, etc.)
• Nomination forms must be accompanied by a recent head-and-shoulder photo, in colour, of the nominee in jpeg format;
• Please submit a brief resume of the nominee (maximum 3-page document)

Once nominations close on 29^th July, information on the electronic voting process will be communicated to the university community at large.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

My School is celebrating their 17th birthday at the end of September, and for the 17 days leading up to their big day, from 14 - 30 September 2014, for every new card issued with CPUT as the beneficiary, they'll give the university’s Bursary Fund R17 cash.

That means if we sign up 10 new users in the next ten days until the end of the month, we'll receive R170, 100 new cardholders translates into R1 700 and should we sign up 1000 new cardholders, our Bursary Fund will receive a whopping R17 000.

Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu has led the campaign to get as many CPUT staff, students and supporters as possible to buy-in to the My School Card Campaign.

It is one of South Africa's biggest community support programmes which raises funds to improve education and social development.

“This is one of the initiatives introduced by CPUT’s Advancement Department to bolster our Bursary Fund”, says Nevhutalu.

“It’s a simple and effective way to ensure that many more bright and deserving students denied an education due to financial constraints are given the opportunity to shine.”

If you don’t already have a My School card;

1. Apply for a free card at www.myschool.co.za or call 0860 100 445. You can also get a card at any Woolworths store.
2. Nominate CPUT as your beneficiary
3. If you already have a My School card, please nominate CPUT as your beneficiary. To do this log onto www.myschool.co.za/supporter/update/

When one swipes one’s card at any participating retailer, the partner donates a percentage of your purchase to the CPUT Bursary Fund.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Over 150 lives have been saved by staff and students of the CPUT who recently donated blood on the Cape Town campus.

The August Blood Clinic, a bi-annual drive by the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) in partnership with CPUT, saw 92 donors in attendance, 20 of whom were new donors.

“We’re delighted with the attendance figures, having expected about 80 people to attend,” says Alanna Kondo, Promotions Officer for the WPBTS.

“There’s no doubt that the support of the Advancement Department in this drive swelled our numbers somewhat, and we thank all who participated for making a remarkable difference.”

The Western Cape has a population of over 6 million people, 75% of whom will require a blood product at some point in their lifetime. With only 70 000 people donating blood in the Western Cape on a regular basis, the Advancement Department decided to join in and lend their support.

Kondo says that considering that a single donation can save over three lives, donating blood is really a selfless and relatively easy way to make a difference.

“The whole process from start to finish only takes half an hour. A potential donor completes a form of lifestyle & health questions, gets their iron levels tested to qualify for a donation, sits on a bed for the donation and then rests for a few minutes thereafter with refreshments at hand.“

For more information please contact Alanna Shingirai Kondo at the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service.

The next Blood Drive will be held on the Cape Town campus in March 2015.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Full scholarships worth close to a million rand have been awarded to 11 first-year students by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). The delighted students, drawn from the IT, Food and Beverage, Hospitality Management, Tourism and Mechanical Engineering Departments, will now have the privilege of concentrating solely on their studies, without worrying about any financial pressures.

Advancement Department Director Calvin Maseko and fundraiser Khumo Sebola have expressed their gratitude to the NYDA for their generosity and say they hope to strengthen the partnership with the agency in the years to come.

NYDA Senior Manager, Innocentia Mphayo says the agency believes that comprehensive support to a young person is critical to help ensure their years of study are as stress-free as possible.

“So many of our talented young people drop-out due to a lack of funding, a situation that is detrimental both to themselves and to our economy. We hope these comprehensive bursaries give these students the boost they so richly deserve, so that they can become successful in the careers of their choice.”

Mphayo is also urging any CPUT students who might need guidance to take advantage of their services. The NYDA have a full service Youth Advisory Centre in Adderley Street where students are welcome to access reliable and up-to-date information to make informed choices about their futures.

Written by Janyce Weintrob

Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It has been a bumper quarter at CPUT’s Advancement Department, who have helped raise millions in bursary funding for needy students.

Director Calvin Maseko has extended heartfelt thanks to all donors, and says their support is life-changing for so many academically deserving students who face financial challenges.

“Here at the Advancement Department, nothing makes us happier than money – the kind donated to our students in the form of bursaries. A bursary is, quite simply, the gift that keeps on giving. It is much more than a sum of money – it gives dignity and hope to talented students who struggle to afford their education and contributes to nation-building in South Africa and beyond.”

These students have a lot to smile about – they have just made history as the very first recipients of bursary funding from The Motsepe Foundation in the Western Cape. Established by one of Africa’s most successful business leaders, Patrice Motsepe, and his wife Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the Foundation have given full bursaries to these achievers. The bursaries will be renewed for each year of study if the students show proof of excellent academic results.

From left: Agriculture students Beatrice Kola, Mvuselelo Dalicuba, Agriculture HOD Dr Frances Lewu, Azuke Ntapane and Lunga Sobambela

These winemakers, fruit exporters and agricultural researchers of the future are all recipients of bursary funding from the AgriSeta. Dr Lewu says that the generosity of the Seta has made a big difference both to the Department of Agriculture and the students’ lives, allowing the Department to retain top academic achievers who would otherwise have dropped out or struggled due to financial constraints.

“These are but two of many other donors who are making such a tangible difference for our students. We trust that they will be pleased to see how much their support counts and continue funding the CPUT Bursary Fund”, says Maseko.

He has also acknowledged the generous support of the Ackerman Family Educational Trust, Collaboration Concept Design Reality, the EJ Lombardi Trust, Garden Cities, Golden Arrow Bus Services, Infiniti Legal Sense, The Mauerberger Foundation, Rane Corporation (Pty) Ltd, Revel Fox & Partners, the South African National Zakah Fund, The Isidore, Theresa & Ronald Cohen Charitable Trust, the National Youth Development Agency and most importantly, CPUT staff and alumni.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu, is leading the bid to get as many CPUT staff, students and supporters as possible to buy in to the My School Card Campaign.

My School /My Village /My Planet is South Africa's biggest community support programme which raises funds to improve education and social development.

The programme partners are South Africa’s favourite retailers, including Woolworths, Waltons, Reggies, Toys R Us, Engen, SupaQuick and Kalahari.com.

As an added bonus, cardholders get exclusive discounts and special offers such as WRewards at Woolworths. They also receive monthly statements via email showing transactions and how much has been raised for the Fund, simply by swiping the card when shopping.

“This is one of the initiatives introduced by CPUT’s Advancement Department to boost our Bursary Fund”, says Nevhutalu.

“When the Department approached me to lead this campaign, I jumped at the chance. It’s absolutely critical that our Bursary Fund strengthens and grows in the months and years to come, so that many more academically-deserving students denied an education due to financial constraints are given the opportunity to shine.”

To boost the CPUT Bursary Fund swipe your card when you shop at any partner store.

If you don’t already have a My School card;

1. Apply for a free card at www.myschool.co.za or call 0860 100 445. You can also get a card at any Woolworths store.
2. Nominate CPUT as your beneficiary
3. If you already have a My School card, please nominate the CPUT as your beneficiary. To do this log onto www.myschool.co.za/supporter/update/

The partner donates a percentage of your purchase to the CPUT Bursary Fund.

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Staff from the fundraising arm of CPUT are delighted to have not just met, but exceeded their fundraising targets for 2015.

Advancement Director, Calvin Maseko, says this is particularly significant given the events of late 2015, in which student frustration at the high cost of tertiary education resulted in nationwide protests.

“We are thrilled to have achieved our fundraising goals, and extend our warmest thanks to Vice Chancellor Nevhutalu for championing our cause and helping us exceed our targets. Our department is tasked with raising millions to support those who learn and teach at CPUT, and with the visible and vigorous support of the VC, we’re doing just that.”

Maseko says there are many ways to support CPUT and its students, from our My School Card initiative, to safe and swift online donations for our Bursary Fund, as well as companies providing Work Integrated Learning opportunities for students.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor is calling on the broader university community to accept the challenge of raising funds for our academically gifted but struggling students.

“I’d love to see students, staff, alumni and members of Convocation all pitching in to truly transform the lives of those who are so deserving of an education,” he says.

“ I’m hopeful that our SRC and Convocation members, in particular, will spearhead fundraising initiatives. In doing so, the university community can unite as never before and work collectively to truly take CPUT from good to great.”

Written by Janyce Weintrob
Tel: +27 21 460 3514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Advancement Department Director, Calvin Maseko handed out certificates to 37 students who graduated from SAP S4 HANA in Sales and Distribution, Human Capital Management, Financial, Accounting and Project Management during the SAP graduation ceremony.

The event was hosted by the Centre for Enterprise, Research, Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA) at District Six campus.

CERPIA Manager, Jerry Ansen, said CERPIA is a multidisciplinary business design competency centre. It is built on the success of the ERP initiatives in the Faculty of Business and Management Science (FBMS).

Ansen said their goal was to educate and build next-generation talents with SAP skills for the intelligent enterprise and the experience economy, engage with SAP events, build industry partnerships, launch graduates into the SAP ecosystem, and “inspire young thinkers”. Ansen said the programmes purely depend on funding from the SETAs for the students and individual funding. He added that there were no selection criteria and “It all depends on funding and individual affordability”.

In this programme graduates get to learn the 21st century ICT digital skills, are empowered to take current job opportunities, and be competitive in the market space. “Since the launch of SAP at CPUT in 2009, it has been very successful,” Maseko observed. He said CPUT shared its expertise with nine other countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia, etc. This includes other universities in South Africa. Maseko said the programme had improved the employment opportunities of CPUT graduates. “In one group, for example, all the 10 graduates were hired by the Cape Metro and provincial government, shortly after graduation.

Over 5000 students have graduated from the programme since its launch in 2009. The programme cuts across every faculty and the Advancement Department provides about 50 pre-funded students to the programme per annum.

Maseko told the graduates that they have made a right choice and that an extra SAP certificate will improve their employability chances. “SAP skills are still at infancy stage in South Africa. The world is moving to digitalisation, technology and data driven decision making. “Therefore, academics who want to be SAP facilitators can be trained starting in 2023 to facilitate SAP skills program in their curriculum.”

Speaking to the graduates, Ansen said: “Congratulation!! And wish you all the best in your professional careers.”

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

This year more than 170 CPUT students have been awarded bursaries worth over R6 million by the Mining Qualification Authority (MQA).

The bursaries were awarded to students in the fields of Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Health, Jewellery Design, Environmental Management as well as Electrical, Mechatronics, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. The bursaries cover tuition fees as well as allowances for meals, books and accommodation.

The successful students recently attended an induction workshop hosted by the Advancement Department in partnership with the MQA on the Bellville Campus. Some of the students have been receiving MQA bursaries since 2016.

Tebogo Thankge, a Bursary Officer from the MQA, confirmed during the workshop, that the MQA is committed to helping young learners from disadvantaged communities who are in need of bursary support in mining-related fields.

The students’ academic progress is closely monitored by the authority as it pays only half of the tuition fees in the first semester and the other half in December after the students complete their modules, while students doing semester courses receive the second half in June.

Sinalo Grangxabe, an Environmental Management student, has been receiving bursaries from the MQA since last year. Sinalo’s family of four relies on a small spaza shop to make a living, as there is no one working in the family, and her cousin and brother are also studying.

Prior to being selected for the bursary, she took loans from the NSFAS to finance her studies. “I feel very happy and overwhelmed about the support of the MQA and CPUT. They give us dates and times to get things such as book vouchers and meal allowances and deliver on time as they promised,” she said

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

This year more than 170 CPUT students have been awarded bursaries worth over R6 million by the Mining Qualification Authority (MQA).

The bursaries were awarded to students in the fields of Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Health, Jewellery Design, Environmental Management as well as Electrical, Mechatronics, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. The bursaries cover tuition fees as well as allowances for meals, books and accommodation.

The successful students recently attended an induction workshop hosted by the Advancement Department in partnership with the MQA on the Bellville Campus. Some of the students have been receiving MQA bursaries since 2016.

Tebogo Thankge, a Bursary Officer from the MQA, confirmed during the workshop, that the MQA is committed to helping young learners from disadvantaged communities who are in need of bursary support in mining-related fields.

The students’ academic progress is closely monitored by the authority as it pays only half of the tuition fees in the first semester and the other half in December after the students complete their modules, while students doing semester courses receive the second half in June.

Sinalo Grangxabe, an Environmental Management student, has been receiving bursaries from the MQA since last year. Sinalo’s family of four relies on a small spaza shop to make a living, as there is no one working in the family, and her cousin and brother are also studying.

Prior to being selected for the bursary, she took loans from the NSFAS to finance her studies. “I feel very happy and overwhelmed about the support of the MQA and CPUT. They give us dates and times to get things such as book vouchers and meal allowances and deliver on time as they promised,” she said

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

The Advancement Department raised R100 million in bursaries, work-integrated learning, internships and community engagement in 2022, benefiting more than 2 700 financially needy students. The funding was received from various government and private donors, including CPUT staff members.

“2020 and 2021 were very difficult years for us, due to COVID, over and above our ailing economy. We are grateful to our donors who headed our request for funding and helped realise the dreams of our underprivileged students. Thousands of CPUT students are struggling with paying their study fees. The extra working hours that the department’s staff put in has paid off. We also appreciate staff members from other departments who enabled this success. They did us proud,” said Calvin Maseko, Director of the department.

Some of the funding raised directly benefited over 300 high school learners. These learners are from the feeder schools of CPUT. CPUT implements maths, science and digital literacy support to these learners as part of community engagement.

“We are slowly getting to pre-COVID times. We could have done more but 30 of our donors owe us R137 million. This is affecting over 900 students. We are following up on the outstanding payments. We extend our gratitude to students that have been patiently waiting for their bursary payments. I have approved for the unblocking of these students so that they can register in the 2023 academic year. Whilst I note that our donors are delaying in paying us, we also must speed up project implementation from the university side”, said Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

Written by CPUT News

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

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo hosted a group of alumni from the 1970s and 1980s during a recent a breakfast reunion.

The event, held at the Granger Bay campus, was initiated by the group who has remained in contact for over 40 years and was facilitated by the CPUT Alumni Office. Group coordinator, Valda Van Heerden, indicated that the close-knit and diverse group, meet as often as possible.

The group includes CPUT alumni spanning over three generations, former hostel roommates, spouses, retired academics/staff members as well as siblings. In addition, several children of the group members have also become proud alumni, following in the footsteps of their parents.

Among the guests, was an alumna who was financially supported by the group to attain her qualification amidst extremely circumstances. She had an opportunity to thank the group during a heartfelt speech. She is not the only CPUT student who has benefitted from the commitment of this group to CPUT and they will continue to do so, where possible, in future.

Nhlapo expressed his privilege to address the special group of alumni, whom he described as those who laid the foundation which enabled CPUT to grow in becoming the largest university in the Western Cape. During his address, the Vice-Chancellor touched on various successes attained and challenged faced over the years, explained key aspects of Vision 2030, and invited alumni to support the vision through engagement with CPUT.

Nhlapo emphasised that CPUT can benefit immensely from the wealth of knowledge and experience that this group has to offer. Alumni were given the opportunity to make suggestions on how they can contribute to the success of the University moving forward and to raise issues of concern.

Alumnus Faiek Abrahams expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the Advancement Department for hosting them at their alma mater and providing them with an opportunity to reconnect with each other and build new networks. Furthermore, he suggested that he is more than willing to assist in the expansion of CPUT’s footprint in the USA where he resides and invited the Vice-Chancellor to explore networking opportunities which he will facilitate.

Another alumnus, Dr Muava Gallie, a seasoned education specialist, provided critical insights into the basic and higher education sectors and vouched his support to the University. The versatility of alumni also come under the spotlight through the attendance of Education alumnus, Gameeda Henry, who has become a well-known South African poet.

Nhlapo welcomed this form of engagement and thanked alumni for their valuable input and reiterated his commitment to alumni and actioning their feedback.

Director of Advancement, Calvin Maseko, recognised the group of alumni as our most important ambassadors and thanked the alumni for taking time out over a weekend to attend the event and for their support to their alma mater for so many years.

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

The Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, recently heaped praise on a celebration of academic achievement, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by the CPUT staff members and students who have completed the SAP S/4 HANA course as well as candidates from our industrial partner Shoprite.

Green was speaking at the SAP S/4 HANA graduation ceremony, recently organised by the Centre for Enterprise Research Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPiA) and the Advancement Department and held at the Cape Town Hotel School. “It is with great pleasure that we gather here today to honour the dedication and hard work of our graduating students who have successfully completed their SAP S/4 HANA certification under the auspices of the Centre for Enterprise Research, Partnership, and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA),” said Green.

CERPIA is an institutional centre established by Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo. CERPIA through CPUT is a member of the SAP University Alliance (UA) since 2009, which seeks to transfer theoretical and practical scarce digital business systems skills to university students in preparation of entering the job market. These digital business systems skills are driven by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) principles using SAP Software as a tool. CERPIA education partners are SAP University Alliance, University Competent Centre (UCC) and the industry partners.

CERPIA SAP education manager and trainer, Jerry Ansen, said the purpose of these courses was to equip student and staff with the knowledge and skills required to effectively use SAP software for managing business operations and processes. Ansen added that the courses are for students and staff to master SAP ERP skills, and enhance their digital business skills and to enhance students employability.

He said BANKSETA sponsored 38 students of which 31 graduated and ETDPSETA sponsored 29 staff of which 23 graduated. The SAP programmes were introduced to CPUT by Ansen, and he has been the pillar behind the skills development of staff and students since 2009.

All students are welcome to attend the courses as there is no selection criteria, “We depend on funding for students from Advancement Department”. “Graduates get to learn 21st-century ICT digital skills, be empowered to take current job opportunities and be competitive in the market space.” Addressing the graduates, Ansen said: “Congratulations!! And I wish you all the best in your professional digital business skills careers.”

31 CPUT students graduated from SAP S4 HANA in:

• Human Capital Management
• Financial Accounting
• Materials Management
• Master Data Management
• Project Management

There were three staff members in SAP S/4 HANA – TS410 and eight candidates from Shoprite Group ltd and SAP S/4 HANA- Materials Management. CERPIA, as the driving force behind advancing digital business skills, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of “our students and the broader community,” Green remarked. “As part of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences… We are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields.”

He added that through the FBMS integration of SAP skills into their curricula and the provision of certifications, “we empower our students to stand out in a highly competitive industry”. “This strategic focus on SAP not only enhances graduate employability but also ensures that our students are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the digital economy. It is this emphasis on practical, industry-relevant skills that makes our graduates more marketable and sought after by employers.”

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