CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo congratulated engineers from the university’s African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) in person when the continent’s first satellite constellation was successfully launched.

The Marine Domain Awareness Satellites (MDASat) have already started successfully transmitting data after they were launched aboard US aerospace company SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

The mission carried 105 spacecraft, including CubeSats, microsats, PocketQubes and orbital transfer vehicles.

On Thursday, the VC and members of his management team joined the ASIC team at the laboratories where the nanosatellites were built in Bellville and watched the launch live with them. The group excitedly tracked the lift-off and then watched the MDASat being deployed about 45 minutes later.

Speaking to members of the media afterwards Prof Nhlapo said it was mission accomplished- for now.

“This was the biggest satellite project to date. Many other projects are in the pipeline, so it is a big niche area. So I say watch this ‘space’,” he said.

“We are a university of technology, and we must dominate in the applied science space; our research must benefit the people of SA. That is why we want to encourage more undergraduate and post-graduate study in this growing field so that the country can keep developing its capacity.”

Acting Chief Engineer on the project, Nyameko Royi, says each satellite will initially make an average of four passes per day, which will steadily increase.

“As satellites eventually drift further apart, we’ll have breaks between overpasses, and as they eventually spread further apart, we will have an average of 12 passes per day. We are also still tracking previously launched nanosatellite ZACUBE-2, which makes it 16 tracking operations per day. We expect an average of 1883k bytes of data to be generated per pass per satellite,” he says.

This data will be used to secure South Africa’s ocean resources, amongst other things.

Written by Lauren Kansley

Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Engineering Education lecturer and consultant (research methodology and qualitative data analysis), Ekaterina Rzyankina, had the immense honour of representing South Africa and CPUT as a delegate at the 8th BRICS Young Scientist Forum and 6th BRICS Innovator Prize Event.

The event with the theme: Building BRICS and Africa Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism was held at the prestigious Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre, Gqeberha. During the event, Rzyankina had the privilege of contributing to the "The Future of Education Mindset and Skillset" track, presenting her groundbreaking research on "Digital Literacy Practices of Reading Engineering E-Textbooks at a University of Technology" as part of her PhD study.

“It was an exciting opportunity to showcase how technology and education can intertwine, shaping the future of learning and paving the way for innovation in engineering education,” Rzyankina enthused.

“It was truly a remarkable experience to engage with some of the brightest minds from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and to collectively envision a future of mutual growth and prosperity for our nations and Africa.”

Rzyankina extended her “heartfelt thanks” to her mentors, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, CPUT and University of Cape Town colleagues, and friends “who have been instrumental in guiding me throughout my academic journey”. “Without your unwavering encouragement and support, this achievement would not have been possible.”

Looking ahead, Rzyankina is excited to further develop and implement her research findings to “revolutionise the landscape of engineering education, bridging the digital divide and empowering students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills”.

“Let's keep working together to build a better, brighter, and more inclusive future for all.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, with his Executive Management recently held an exclusive strategic engagement session to discuss key issues that affect postgraduate students (master’s and PhD), researchers, and postdoctoral fellows.

The session was aimed at bolstering a culture of academic excellence, producing highly renowned graduates who excel in their fields of study. In his welcome address, Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation, and Partnerships, said these stakeholder engagements are of critical importance to “us as an engaged institution”. “Our acclaimed Strategy, V2030 puts a particular emphasis on engagement, focusing on amongst others, Smart student engagement and learning experiences.

Phaho added that Focus Area 3 of the strategy clearly articulates “our strategic intent for Smart Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships Agenda that is relevant and excellent in its knowledge production”. “Without an enabling environment for postgraduate students to succeed and strive, this and other elements of the Strategy will not be achieved.”

He said they have indicated to all the stakeholders to double the number of postgraduate students at Master’s and Doctoral levels by 2030 from “our 2022 baseline”. “Unfortunately, if you look at our current postgraduate enrolment, we are currently not on track to achieve that without specific interventions. Rather than admiring the problem, The Centre for Postgraduate Studies under the leadership of Prof [Izak] Van Zyl and the Research Development Directorate under Prof Dina Burger have set in motion initiatives to address this burning platform,” Phaho remarked.

In his keynote address, Nhlapo said: “Postgraduate students I salute you all on this auspicious occasion of the annual Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate Engagement. What a special community you are. You’re special in the sense that you are a community that you wanted to build as Dr Phaho said we are struggling to ramp up the numbers, so you are special.”

He said it was important for the office of the Vice-Chancellor to make an open opportunity to engage about the future of the Institution and the future of the postgraduate education at CPUT. “I must also say that postgraduate engagement can positively impact the students learning communities. It can promote a sense of belonging and it can also increase positive peer communities.” Nhlapo also shared significant insights into current challenges and available support for postgraduate education, as well as highlighting the Institution’s commitment to research excellence.

Nhlapo also availed himself for the engagement session with postgraduate students which involved comments, questions and answers that were facilitated by Prof Izak van Zyl.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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