CPUT is partnering with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to host the Western Cape’s first-ever CANSA Relay for Life Collegiate event.

CANSA Relay for Life is a global event that unites communities in the fight against cancer and about 6 000 such events are held worldwide annually.

The theme is Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.

Teams from CPUT, the University of Cape Town, Varsity College and False Bay College will participate in the event which will be held in the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus.

The event will start at 6 pm on Friday, and teams will continue to walk in a relay until 6 am on Saturday morning.

“The idea is to raise awareness and provide education around cancer for student communities. We would like to let our young people know that there is help and support out there should they be diagnosed with cancer. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we find that the statistics for young women with breast cancer are quite high,” said CANSA’s Leillani Geduld.

She stated that participants could also look forward to inspirational guest speakers and exciting entertainment.

CPUT Events Manager, Cathy Cloete said the university was proud to co-host the inaugural event with CANSA.

“Cancer has affected many members of the CPUT family and it is important that we celebrate the survivors, remembers those who have passed and create awareness on fighting back.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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An array of food trucks, that offer something for every taste, recently pulled up on the various campuses.

The food trucks are a temporary measure while the university prepares an enhanced catering model for the institution.

There are five food trucks on the Bellville campus, four at District Six, two at Tygerberg and one at Mowbray campus. The trucks will remain on campus while the kitchens on these campuses receive a much needed upgrade.

“The trucks have only been here for a short while so we are still in a trial and error phase. We will assess the needs of students and staff and amend what we can,” said the Infrastructure and Facilities Management Department’s Jerome Dreyer.

The Marketing and Communication Department’s Cathy Cloete urged the CPUT community to support the vendors and said they could look forward to several specials which would be advertised on the campuses.

Arrangements are being made to allow students to pay with their Fundi cards in the near future.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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FIRST years are getting their second taste of life at CPUT as a full week of orientation kicks off.

Last week three Welcome Ceremonies took place across the Wellington, Cape Town and Bellville campuses where new students and their parents were officially greeted by CPUT management.

This week first-year students will be meeting many of their future classmates for the first time when they participate in a number of fun ice breaker events.

Apart from tours of the various campuses, which will show them popular facilities like the gym and pool, students will also get valuable information on topics like Financial Aid and Student Governance.

Helpful facilities like the clinic, library and student counselling will also be pointed out.

During his Welcome speech, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Anthony Staak encouraged first years to become holistic students who fully participate in all aspects of CPUT life.

“Many lifelong friendships and valuable networks are formed during your time at university. Become involved in the many different facets of student life,” he says.

CPUT Events Manager Cathy Cloete urged students not to miss their orientation.

“If you don’t become familiar with some of the facilities on offer you could spend three years not taking advantage of any of them,” she says.

Orientation Week happens from today through to Friday the 27^th.

Contact the CPUT call centre at 021 959 6767 with any queries.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
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Thanks to CPUT staff members who contributed to the CPUT Gives Back campaign, learners at the Athlone School for the Blind have been gifted with much needed school shoes.

The call for school shoes was made earlier this year, when the university launched the CPUT Gives Back campaign.

Public Relations and Events Coordinator at the university, Cathy Cloete, says the campaign forms part of the university’s 10^th birthday celebrations and will run throughout 2015.

“From blanket drives to collecting canned food for the homeless, the university community is celebrating this year by making a huge difference in the lives of thousands of people,” she says.

Cloete, along with members from the CPUT Marketing and Communication Department, delivered the schools shoes to the Athlone School for the Blind.

Situated in Bellville, the school provides education and residential care for blind and visually impaired children from disadvantaged communities.

The school’s psychologist, Patricia Scheepers, says the donation of schools shoes is much needed.

“The majority of our children are from the poorest of communities,” says Scheepers.

“We really appreciate this donation.”

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

CPUT is taking on the toughest mountain bike stage race on the African continent.

In 2016 CPUT will enter two teams of two participants each into the prestigious Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race.

Earlier this month call for Team CPUT went out, urging students, staff and alumni to represent the University in the world’s toughest mountain bike challenge.

Classified as the “Tour de France” of mountain biking, the Absa Cape Epic attracts more than 1 000 of the world’s elite professional and amateur riders who traverse across nearly 800km of some of the most beautiful routes in the Western Cape.

CPUT PR and Events Coordinator, Cathy Cloete, says a training group will be chosen from applicants and will go through a series of physical and mental tests as well as a training program.

“Upon conclusion of the training program, the final team will be chosen,” says Cloete.

Team CPUT will be led by CPUT Etienne Joubert, a staff member in the School of Sport, Events, Tourism and Hospitality at the CPUT Wellington Campus.

Joubert, who has held national colours in various sporting codes, is no stranger to the ABSA Cape Epic, having competed in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2015.

“To ride the ABSA CAPE EPIC is a once in a lifetime opportunity and anybody interested should consider applying,” says Joubert.

Unlike other professional events where the professional and amateur participants compete separate from each during competition, Joubert says those who join Team CPUT will have the opportunity to race against some of the world’s top mountain bike riders.

“This is also an opportunity to test oneself and see where your potential lies through following a scientific structured program in preparation for the event in 2016,” says Joubert.

To apply, visit: http://www.cput.ac.za/newsroom/epic/team

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

The dedication and loyal service of 178 staff members, who have 3150 years of service to CPUT and its heritage institutions between them, were celebrated during the recent Virtual Long Service Awards ceremony.

“In an age when job-hopping is fashionable, the continual search for better opportunities and new experiences means that staff seldom stay longer than a few years at any company. A Future Workplace survey conducted a few years ago found that the average person born between 1977 and 1997 could expect to have 15 to 20 jobs for their working lives,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo.

“So, in a sense, this group represent a rare breed of employee. During your service, you may have considered other attractive job offers but decided to remain at CPUT. I believe that is a reflection on the level of job satisfaction you must have felt.”

The recipient with the longest period of service was Hilda Haupt who will soon be retiring after 45 years of service.

“She has diligently worked alongside six vice-chancellors, including myself, and I certainly couldn’t do my job without her unwavering support. Hilda Haupt, you are appreciated; 45 years of service is certainly something worth celebrating."

Nhlapo said the recipients’ institutional knowledge was irreplaceable and added to the unique culture of CPUT.

“We salute you for being loyal employees of CPUT. Congratulations again on this career milestone and I look forward to meeting you again at your next long service awards ceremony in a few years’ time.”

The Marketing and Communication Department’s Cathy Cloete said each recipient was surprised at their home with a special and personalised snack pack which they could enjoy with their families while watching the ceremony online.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT Sheroes connected in unity through the rhythmic sounds of the drums during a recent Women’s Month celebration held at the Granger Bay Campus.

Under the theme Heart Beat - The beat of her drum, the event served as a unique opportunity for women staff members from across campuses to come together and enjoy a shared experience.

Various drumming sessions, which were facilitated by an instructor, were held throughout the day, and rhythmic beats echoed through the air.

In addition to drumming, the celebration of women also included poetry and dancing.

The Marketing and Communication Department's Cathy Cloete said the event was a wonderful way to see women from all departments and faculties unite in a carefree experience.

“Most of the attendees have never experienced drumming before so it was a lovely morning of doing something different while bonding with your colleagues,” she said.

“Drumming is a destressing activity that leaves you feeling invigorated and happy.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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