Students and staff members are invited to enter CPUT’s inaugural Choir Festival competition, which will be held on July 28.

Great cash prizes are up for grabs for the winning choirs and the local organising committee has its sleeves rolled up to ensure a successful competition.

The core objective of the competition is to revive the culture of choral music in promoting cultural diversity and social cohesion in a unitary institution. It is also aimed at creating a balance between the academic environment and social activities for the purpose of nation building through music.  

The competition is open to both students and staff members, who have to form a choir consisting of a minimum of four members and a maximum of fifteen choristers.  

All logistical arrangement for the competition are fully funded by the National Lottery Commission.

To enter, interested choirs have to register by July 19.

The Choir Festival competition will be held on July 28 at the Major Sports Hall on the Bellville camps from 6pm to 10 pm.

It will be adjudicated by independent and professional judges that will impartially allocate points according to the quality of presented music.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three choirs. The prizes are:

1st Prize - Trip to Namibia Cultural Festival (All expenses covered)

2nd Prize - R 5000

3rd Prize - R3000

Registration forms are available from DSA offices or can be requested from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) recently hosted its highly anticipated 3rd Annual International Day at the Cape Town Hotel School.

The event brought together students, staff, and international partners to celebrate cultural diversity and academic excellence. The theme was: Unity in Diversity: Engineering a Multilingual Future. The harmonious performance of the CPUT Choir set a celebratory tone with a blend of songs that resonated with the spirit of unity and cultural exchange. Their moving performance created an atmosphere of inclusivity and joy, reminding all in attendance of the powerful role music plays in bridging cultures.

Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships said: "Smart internationalisation is CPUT’s commitment to the strategic value of our internationalisation efforts in achieving and sharing our advancements in technology and innovation. We aim to blur the lines between ourselves and our international partners, creating multicultural communities of practice that foster mutual benefit and sustainability, both locally and globally."

Fester emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving internationalisation both at home and abroad, through active collaborations in technology, innovation, and cultural exchange.

In his keynote address, Prof Gerhard Hillmer, an industrial engineer and leadership professional from the Management Center Innsbruck in Austria, shared his vast expertise in process engineering, leadership development, and human resource management. Hillmer, who also leads the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, stressed the necessity of building bridges between Africa and Europe, underscoring the role of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa Agenda 2063 in uniting the two continents.

"Europe needs Africa, and Africa needs Europe. The students here today are the key to creating a sustainable future. They hold the ideas that will shape our tomorrow, and collaboration is the way forward," Hillmer noted. His message of cooperation resonated with the audience, particularly in the context of sustainability, leadership, and innovation in the global engineering landscape, Fester observed.

The event also provided a platform for students to present technical papers, particularly focusing on sustainable mining practices within their provinces and regions. The technical discussions demonstrated how sustainability, a core focus for both SDGs and Africa Agenda 2063, is embedded in the work of CPUT's students.

The event was not only about academic discourse but also a vibrant display of cultural diversity. South African students as well as students from Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Europe showcased their cultures through poetry, dance, and music. The building's foyer was transformed into a cultural exhibition where international exchange students from Germany and collaborators from Japan added to the colorful representation of different cultures. Participants could also learn how to write in Chinese. This served as a powerful reminder of how diversity enriches the learning environment and fosters deeper connections, Fester noted.

The staff and students participated in language exchange activities, where participants taught each other phrases in their mother tongues, emphasising the role of language as a bridge for cultural understanding.

Fester said the event was a resounding success, showcasing how engineering can transcend borders through the shared goals of sustainability, innovation, and cultural exchange. The unity in diversity theme was brought to life through rich cultural performances, technical expertise, and international collaboration as Fester noted that “smart internationalisation is more than just partnerships—it’s about creating an interconnected global community committed to the sustainable future of our planet”.

The day ended on a high note, with staff and students reflecting on the need to foster unity while celebrating the diversity that makes the world of engineering an ever evolving and inclusive space.

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