Toward the end of the third semester, the Clothing and Textile Technology (CTT) Department hosted its annual Open Day as part of going the extra mile to bring the classroom experience to prospective students.
Led by Dr Elspa Hovgaard, the department falls under the Engineering Faculty and offers Certificate, National Diploma and BTech qualifications in Clothing Management. The courses aim to equip students to conduct basic research, analyse and implement systems and policies, and combine a wide range of clothing-related technological knowledge, skills and experience with a specialised area of clothing technology.
Around 300 Grade 12 learners from schools across the Peninsula experienced firsthand what CTT has to offer and toured the facilities. Lecturers and students chaperoned the inquisitive learners through the sewing, pattern and scanning rooms and assisted them with fun activities during an introductory lesson about the course.
Worcester High’s Grade 12 teacher, Gizela Noble, said this event not only serves as an educational excursion, but also as an eye-opener for the school’s learners.
“Our school has been attending the CTT open day for the past three years and every year we jump at the opportunity to be apart of it. Teenage pregnancy, unemployment and drug abuse is on the rise in so many communities, so visiting higher education institutions such as CPUT, enables them to be exposed to more opportunities in life other than what they experience and see on a daily basis. The learners always leave feeling inspired to achieve their goals,” Noble said.
Grade 12 learner Lwandile Mputuma from Manzomthombo Secondary School in Mfuleni was one of the many learners who enjoyed practical aspect of the course and said the Open Day motivated him to pursue a career in textile design.
“Although we have done some of the work in class, it was interesting to see the different machines and how it all comes together. After this visit I am really looking forward to my future,” he said.
Department Secretary and Open Day planning co-ordinator, Charlene Parenzee, said the 70 schools who attended came from as far as George, Worcester and Saldanha.
“The schools which attended were particularly invited because of the subjects related to the course, such as consumer studies which they offer at their schools. [I believe] the Open Day was a huge success and the learners showed a lot of enthusiasm; we are extremely pleased with the positive response” said Parenzee.
Edited by: Thando J. Moiloa
Photos by: Sonia Koopman
Written by CPUT News
Email:
