The year 2008 started on a high note at CPUT with the appointment of two Deputy Vice-Chancellors and a Dean of Students. The three senior management staff joined the institution at the beginning of February.

Dr Chris Nhlapo, previously with the National Research Foundation (NRF), has taken charge as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Technology Innovation, Partnerships, Community Engagement and Academic Planning.

Mr Jayanthlal Ramkisson Bhana, who has been attached to the Walter Sisulu University as Interim Registrar, assumed the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Operations. His portfolios are Human Resources (including transformation), Finance (including procurement) and Facilities (including safety, security, cleaning and special projects).

Mrs Cora Njoli-Motale has been appointed Dean of Students. She has been Executive Director: Dean of Students at the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT staff members have once again been noted for their impact on the world of design with two of its members being chosen for Cape Town’s World Design Capital 2014 (WDC2014) board.

Dr Chris Nhlapo - Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and Bruce Snaddon - Chairman of the Cape Town Design Network and Senior Graphic Design lecturer were announced as members of the board. CPUT is the only organization that has two individuals selected from amongst the 103 nominees for the board.

“I am very excited about this great opportunity to represent CPUT. This is an opportunity to contribute to the city’s legacy for 2014 and beyond. This is a chance to showcase how design can be used as a tool to bring about social change,” says Dr Nhlapo.

Speaking on the huge task at hand, board member, Bruce Snaddon says: “At CPUT we recognize how design and innovation are close companions in the way that they foster open and explorative processes that yield results, which are relevant and sustainable in the long term. Design thinking provides us with a theoretical and conceptual underpinning for our faculties’ applied research activity and, we hope, will increasingly provide a framework for projects of a poly-disciplinary nature across our institution as we venture toward 2014.”

Snaddon adds: “May I ask that anyone interested in developing WDC related projects please contact me so that we can start a planning forum around our institutional role over the next two years. We are one year away from the start of 2014 but two years away from the end, so let’s get designing.”

Those interested are urged to please contact Bruce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Munira Allie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By: Nurahn Ryklief

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CPUT Executive Management paid homage to staff members at the annual Long Service Awards.

The event is a highlight on the CPUT calendar and provides Executive Management with the opportunity to recognise staff members who play a vital role in the running of the university.

Held at the Bellville Campus, this year 203 staff members were honoured. Awards were given to those who have been employed at the university between ten and forty years.

During this period, the 203 recipients of the awards had spent a collective of 3 465 years working at the university.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Anthony Staak expressed his gratitude towards the staff members.

“Such loyalty and dedication is something really special in this day and age,” says Prof Staak, who received an award for 30 years of service.

This year, two staff members where recognised for 40 years of service – Cornelius Botha and Michael Sebastian.

Botha, a laboratory technician in the Applied Science Faculty, says working with students has been the highlight of his career at CPUT.

“I enjoy being able to help students. Every day is different at CPUT and I enjoy that,” he says.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo says CPUT will continue to invest in its staff members.

By Candes Keating

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Top water researchers from various SA universities of technology have gathered at CPUT to share experiences and strategies.

Apart from CPUT researchers the high-level meeting also drew academics from the Central, Durban and Tshwane Universities of Technology (UOTs).

This was the first meeting of its kind and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Technology Dr Chris Nhlapo urged delegates to arrange more gatherings to accelerate the pace of water research in the country.

“We are championing this cause together, all UOT’s should be aligned,” he told the meeting.

Some of the topics discussed included pending and current research projects, various specialization areas and improving support mechanisms for postgraduate students in the field.

Director for CPUT’s Centre for Water and Sanitation Research Prof Alvin Lagardien emphasised the importance of adapting a multi-disciplinary approach to water research.

“We have civil, chemical and electrical engineers busy in this field to name a few,” he says.

“We need synergy and clarity on our approach to water. “

By LAUREN KANSLEY

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The third instalment in a series of welcoming ceremonies for the first-year students concluded successfully at the Bellville campus' multipurpose hall on Thursday, 19 January 2012.

Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Anthony Staak, addressed a full house of students, their parents and guardians by extending a warm welcome to the institution. Members of Executive Management, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo and Dean of Students, Cora Motale were also present to welcome the first years.

"For many of you, this is your first experience with tertiary education, which is very different from the high school environment you became accustomed to", he said.

"We hope that in the coming years, you will discover that you made a wise choice to further your education at CPUT and that you'll even consider returning for your postgraduate studies."

"We endeavour to help develop you into mature, well-balanced individuals", he added.

Prof Staak concluded by emphasising a need for students to value the opportunity they have been given, saying: "You as new students carry a huge responsibility to do the best that you can during your time here."

The Orientation programme continues for first-year students until Friday, whilst registration for new and returning students is underway on the main campuses for the remainder of the month.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

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Thousands of first-year CPUT students and their parents were given a personal welcome to the institution this week.

Competition for a space was tough and the university received more than 30 000 applications for only 8 000 available places. 

Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu, presided over proceedings in Cape Town and Wellington, while Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, took the reins in Bellville.

Both men congratulated the students for working hard to clinch a place at CPUT and encouraged them to continue the academic excellence right though to graduation. 

EXCITED: Students from the Wellington Campus are ready to start their classes

At the Wellington Campus, Nevhutalu reminded first-year students of the wonderful opportunity they have to pursue their academic careers at CPUT.

“Remember that you are part of a privileged few - millions of other young people who passed matric do not have the opportunity to study full time and to be part of a university community. So, make use of this opportunity and do not become a statistic of South Africa’s higher education system,” he says.

Staak reflected on some of the recent successes of the institution which included launching a satellite into space, pushing the boundaries of research and design innovations and boasting an international community of students and staff from over 70 countries.

The first years were also introduced to the Student Representative Council at all campuses and were promised their full support in all matters and encouraged to embrace a full student experience filled with sports, culture as well as academics.

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CPUT recently hosted business and industry partners for an engagement session, which provided an opportunity for networking as well as valuable input from stakeholders.

The event was held at the SA Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) and guests were welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, who said the theme for the event was: One Smart CPUT: Engaged with its Critical Stakeholders.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo said the University needs industry partners and members of civil society to achieve the goals set by the institution.

Nhlapo said the key component of a knowledge economy is greater reliance on intellectual capacities and capability than on physical input of natural resources.

He said that if South Africa were to play its role in the knowledge economy space, “it is important that we nurture our relationship with quintuple helix partners”.

“Unfortunately, we have no choice as we can all see the rampant inequality, corruption and poor education standards that continue to impede growth in South Africa. Thus, all of us must contribute.”

Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, said CPUT is being proactive in terms of responding to the change in the job market.

“We are working to develop programmes and courses that prepare students for the job market, not just through a regional lens, but a national lens and also a continental and a global lens. We have to make sure that we identify emerging trends and tailor our curricula to meet the needs of industry.”

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director: Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning (WIL), thanked all the partners and said the university subscribes to the concept of ubuntu.

“We can’t do anything on our own.”

She said the institution appreciated the input from the business and industry partners.

The day included presentations by the WIL coordinators of each faculty as well as an exhibition prepared for the stakeholders.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The remarkable teaching skills of about 28 faculty academics were acknowledged during the recent CPUT Teaching Excellence Awards held at the Granger Bay campus. 

Among the recipients, were Dr Candice Livingston (Education), Dr Trust Matsilele, Alexandra Noble, Amanda Morris,  Dr Sisanda Nkoala, Dr Belinda Verster (Informatics and Design) Dr Oluwaseun Oyekola, Leigh Middleton, Kevin Musungu, Dr Sweta Patnaik (Engineering & the Built Environment), Dr Shirley Le Roux, Johan Van Rooyen, Dr Frans Radloff, Bonita Kleyn-Magolie,  Dr Hanle Theron, Dr Vusi Mshayisa, (Applied Science), Prinesh Bikhani  Raygaanah Barday, Nadia Davids, Frances De Klerk, Dr Ali Almaktoof, Dr Christiaan Hattingh-Niekerk (Business and Management Sciences), Michael Paulse, Dr Yvonne Prince, Roxanne Maritz, Anelisa Motaung, Dr Kathleen Naidoo, Nkosikho Sogwagwa (Health and Wellness Sciences).

In his opening speech, Prof Rishi Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, congratulated the winners. Balkaran said the recipients worked beyond the ordinary to ensure the students learn.

Two awardees were each given the chance to do a short speech. Dr Oluwaseun Oyekola mentioned that as lecturers, they had experienced the #feesmustfall and #Rhodesmustfall protests leading to shutdowns in 2015-2016, and beyond those, there were multiple internal student unrests at CPUT.  Oyekola said all these have presented lecturers with difficulties alongside opportunities for innovation in teaching and learning. “I have been privileged to ride the wave rather than struggle against it,” Oyekola continued.

“While CPUT celebrates our commitment to teaching excellence, I’d like to appreciate those who have been committed to me, making this a reality. I can stand before you today because I stand on the shoulders of giants called my colleagues. My wife has been relentlessly a shoulder to lean on, and God’s hands have upheld me. I am a teacher because of the students. I'd also like to acknowledge the continued support I’ve received from Fundani.

“Behind the scenes of the blessing of this teaching excellence award are bruises, blows and breakdowns. Yet we rise! CPUT, thanks for the opportunities you’ve afforded me. Thank you for giving me such an honour and this special award.”

Dr Candice Livingston said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the DVC for Teaching and Learning, the assessment committee and Fundani for this award. But most of all, I owe this to the students. I am a teacher. I teach teachers how to teach. I particularly love English teaching…”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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