CPUT recently unveiled a banner on the Bellville Campus, outlining the institution’s position on Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Kuselwa Marala, Acting Director: Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity & Social Change, welcomed attendees and said part of the legislative framework relating to GBV in the Post-School Education and Training sector “urges us to be visible and advocate against GBV”.

“So what we are doing today is unveiling a statement by CPUT on our position as we try to fight the scourge against gender-based violence.”

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said the institution’s position on GBV is very clear, unambiguous and unapologetic. 

He said visitors to CPUT should be able to look up at the banner and say, “that is our position”’.

Nhlapo said that as a Higher Education Institution, he expected the university to also look at the impact that “we have made ever since we took this posture”.

“Let’s reflect as academics to say is there any dent, how are our numbers looking, have we seen reduction in terms of the figures that we are getting…”

He added that it was also key to look at whether we were embracing leading practice as far as addressing and facing the scourge head-on.

“It is known in literature that one out of three women experience GBV in their lives. And we are saying one GBV case is one GBV case too many at CPUT.”

In closing remarks, Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, said that as “we unveil the banner, lest we forget those who have suffered and died both in our country and beyond our borders, simply because of their gender or sexual orientation”.

Banners will also be unveiled on the university’s other campuses.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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

The Executive Management of CPUT is responsible for the management of the institution. The Executive Management consists of the Vice-Chancellor, three Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the Registrar, the Executive Director of Finance as well as the Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo was installed as the third Vice-Chancellor of CPUT in 2019. He previously served as the institution’s first Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships in which position he guided the university’s research mandate.

The other members of the Executive Management are:

• Prof Rishidaw Balkaran: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning;
• Dr David Phaho: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships;
• Prof Gilingwe Mayende: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Operations;
• Peter du Plessis: Executive Director: Finance;
• Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer: Executive Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor and;
• Sello Simon Mokoena: Registrar

The Executive Management is supported by the Management Committee, which includes the Executive Management Committee members and Deans of Faculties.

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

In a ground-breaking moment, the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) and Eskom have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to formalise the collaboration to establish a renewable energy training centre at Komati Power Station, to support the implementation of the Eskom Just Energy Transition (JET) Strategy.

In his opening address, Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, said Eskom and SARETEC were to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to formalise the collaboration to establish a renewable energy training centre at Komati Power Station, in support of the implementation of the Eskom Just Energy Transition.

Phaho said the importance of this MoA for South Africa cannot be over-emphasised. “Underpinning South Africa’s inevitable leapfrog to a reduced carbon energy future will be strategies to develop not only the necessary skills to support our renewable energy agenda but also provide alternative employment to South Africans who are involved in the coal industry value chain which has been the bedrock of our economy since the dawn of the industrial age.

In a joint statement, the two parties indicated that Eskom has developed a comprehensive JET strategy, which places equal importance on the ‘transition to lower carbon technologies,’ and the ability to do so in a manner that is ‘just’. In support of this strategy, Eskom has a pipeline of clean energy projects at various stages of development and recognises that there is a dire lack of skills along the value chain.

Speaking at the event, Eskom Chief Executive Officer, André De Ruyter, said the purpose of this venture was to educate, reskill and upskill Eskom’s Komati Power Station staff and qualifying beneficiaries from the surrounding communities in the Mpumalanga region. “It’s all about empowering the community,” said De Ruyter.

This is in line with Eskom’s Just Energy Transition drive and SARETEC’s vision to ensure a pipeline of local skills responding to economic needs and readiness for the inevitable transition.

He said the repurposing of power stations like Komati Power Station was not about ‘destroying jobs but to create jobs”. De Ruyter said that when they scouted for a suitable facility to handle the training, there was really only one option, and that was CPUT.

“We estimate that 300 000 jobs could be created thanks to the transition to renewable energy but of course these are skilled jobs and so that is why it is so important that we engage with a reputable education institution like CPUT to ensure that we can reskill these people who are currently working in the coal value chain to work in renewable energy,” he says.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said the collaboration represents taking the partnership between Eskom and CPUT to a different historic level: (buttressing Focus Area 6): Smart Engagement and strong links with quintuple helix partners. “It represents the formalisation in the form of the MoU which makes explicit reference to roles and responsibilities of each party. It represents contribution to addressing the energy imbroglio in our country – putting to bed hesitancy around renewable energy.”

Nhlapo added: “We are excited about being part of the repurposing of the power stations in ways that support low-carbon footprint, enterprise development and sustainable job creation.

“What is even more exciting is the fact [that] the primary objective is to upskill and reskill the Eskom staff and the surrounding communities on renewable energy skills which among others include battery energy storage, microgrid utilities and a myriad of soft skills.” Nhlapo said that the current electricity challenges in the country are for all of us to provide solutions as they are not only of Eskom’s making.

Nhlapo added that the Institution is looking forward to the signing of the funding agreement to follow at Komati Power Station on 23 September 2022.

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

During a recent event held at the Bellville campus, CPUT’s vision and strategic plans for the next decade were shared with business and industry role-players.

One Smart CPUT: Engaged with Its Critical Stakeholders was the theme of the Vice-Chancellor’s Businesses and Industries Engagement.

Stakeholders were welcomed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, who said the growth and success of CPUT’s academic project are primarily dependent on the development and success of its partnerships with various industries.

“We have built strong links with all spheres of government, the private sector and societal structures, who assist with the intake of Work Integrated Learning and Service-Learning placements and contribute immensely to developing new qualifications through involvement in advisory committees for different disciplines.”

Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo delivered the keynote address and said CPUT could no longer be the best-kept secret.

He said that while much was achieved under Vision 2020, the institution had decided not to rest on its laurels.

These achievements included ground-breaking research, including the launch of CPUT’s very first satellite, which began several ground-breaking research at the institution.

Nhlapo said the institution would move up a gear and learn from the mistakes and shortcomings of Vision 2020.

He said the institution’s aim with Vision 2030 is characterised by three philosophies: ubuntu, ubunye (unity), and ukungafani (diversity).

“In this strategy, we are re-imagining CPUT as a leading university of technology in South Africa, the continent, and indeed the globe. That is why some people refer to it as the reimagining of CPUT as an MIT of Africa”.

Nhlapo said the idea of establishing One Smart CPUT or Vision 2030 was conceived in 2017 – a Smart university focusing on one dimension, oneness, and the other, smartness.

“One Smart University is a concept with two dimensions – it’s both a physical and a virtual environment led by humans coming together to create a more humane, immersive, interactive and automated experience for students, staff, researchers and stakeholders of the institution.”

Nhlapo agreed that the next phase – 2021 to 2030 – should be crafted to build One Smart CPUT.

“The emphasis on oneness is directed at creating one institutional culture, a sense of belonging, an environment in which everyone strives towards the same goal, taking pride in who we are and how we conduct our business as a university, working as teams, taking collective responsibility for our future, breaking down of silos, working across the departments, units, faculties disciplines and research focus areas, evident by a steep sense of caring about the wellness of others in the workplace and the future of CPUT. We are saying everything we are doing is about the people.”

The programme also included presentations by Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, the six faculties, the Advancement Department and other role-players, and a Q&A session.

Prof Lalini Reddy, Director of the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, said the day had been a historic opportunity for the institution to share its new, "extremely vibrant and eloquent vision 2030”.

“We thank you, the public and private sectors, for the valued workplaces over the many years and the SETAs and other funding agencies for the immense funding you have brought to us. You have provided great satisfaction to our students regarding learnerships and internships. We thank our advisory committee members and others who have contributed to shaping our innovative curricula and qualifications.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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

The Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE) recently hosted the Symposium on Teaching for Social Justice: 2023 at Cape Town Hotel School, Granger Bay Campus.

The Symposium’s theme was: In Pursuit of Equity: Disrupting Social Injustice in Higher Education in South Africa in a Post-COVID Era. CITE Director, Prof Zayd Waghid said the symposium was aimed to facilitate the discussion of ideas and perspectives that can transform and re-evaluate the prevailing discourses concerning social justice within education. “It presented a valuable opportunity to engage in innovative discourse, derive fresh insights, and establish collaborative networks,” observed Waghid. The symposium was established in 2023 under the leadership of Waghid, the current interim South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair. It is envisaged that the symposium will be held annually at CPUT.

In his opening address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho revealed that earlier this year, the CPUT Council approved the business plan to turn CITE from a Centre to an Institute henceforth to be called The Global Institute for Teacher Education and Society (GITES). The new entity is envisaged to focus on multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and innovation. “It would be the first of its kind in Southern Africa and aims to generate knowledge in the social sciences with a particular focus on building and promoting scholars and scholarship in the Global South.

“I do not doubt that the newly established institutes will continue to build on the exemplary legacy of CITE and continue to host these types of critical engagements albeit under a different name and a much broader academic agenda,” Phaho remarked.

He added that the drive for access to higher education for all deserving students is topical in South Africa and “beyond our borders”. “If there is one thing the COVID-19 has exposed, is the gross inequalities which not only exist between the Global South and Global North in terms of access to life-saving vaccines and other interventions.”

Prof Kirti Meno from University of Johannesburg provided a presentation on: Pedagogical Continuities in Teaching and Learning in a ‘supercomplex’ higher education system. Meno said demands on higher education in South Africa have resulted in universities having to respond to the multiplicity of needs of the new South Africa while still grappling with the constraints of the apartheid regime.

University of Cape Town Professor, Joanne Hardman’s presentation was on: A Vygotskian approach to decolonial pedagogy: Back to the future. Virtually, Prof Yusuf Sayed from Cambridge University, provided a presentation on: Crises, Education Policy and Teacher Education: Towards a social justice agenda. The symposium was supported financially by the South African National Research Foundation, and it successfully offered critical insights pertaining to policy and practice that included critical perspectives from both the plenary speakers and the audience. “The diverse audience, including academics across various faculties, undergraduate and postgraduate students and certain department officials in the Western Cape government, can further be attributed to the symposium's success,” said Waghid.

Furthermore, Waghid said a significant highlight of the event was the discussion by Phaho concerning the CITE, which would transition into a new entity called the GITES and would house three Chairs, namely the SARChI Chair, and two CPUT funded Chairs. “This is a significant aspect for the university as it corroborates its commitment to further advancing research capacity and output in international teacher education.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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

CPUT recently hosted a landmark virtual symposium titled Never let a Crisis go to Waste:  CPUT Research, Innovation, Teaching and Learning in the Age of COVID-19.

The conference focused on four main themes: Research, Technology Innovation and Product Development During COVID-19; Operational Efficiencies and Effectiveness in a Crisis - Lessons Learned; New Approaches to Teaching and Learning and Leadership and Governance in a Crisis.

Researchers from across the institution presented their research.  

During his opening remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said the symposium was not just a talk shop and noted that during difficult periods in history, such as the Great Depression, several interesting innovations took place.

He said that in challenging times, rapid answers are needed and the solution might well be found outside the status quo.

“Our duty is to turn crisis into opportunity. Crisis and opportunity are two sides of the same coin.”

CEO of Higher Health and keynote speaker, Prof Ramneek Ahluwalia, spoke on the effect of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of staff and students and said when looking at the impact of Covid-19 on students, one can’t just look at the health element.

He quoted from the social impact study on COVID-19 among the Post-School Education and Training sector which showed, amongst other things, that over 65% of students experienced mild to severe psychological distress.

Ahluwalia appealed for an “integration of pandemics”.

“When you are doing Covid services, offer the HIV services, continue the education on sexual reproductive health, prevent GBV, talk GBV, educate GBV, don’t neglect mental health.”

Prof Mellet Moll, Compliance and Risk Officer, Business Continuity and Covid-19, spoke on the topic of: Lessons learnt from the trenches: Responding to COVID-19 in higher education.

He said this included having strategy, structures and systems in place that fit within the organisational culture, innovative communication campaigns and using all members of the community as agents, among other things

Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, said the symposium rightly focused on shared experiences across all CPUT faculties, the lessons learned as well as new ways of living, teaching and working.

“The papers presented served as a vivid illustration that our long-term academic and research agenda must become more pro-active than reactive.”

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

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho and Prof Judy Peter, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) unit Director, recently hosted the French Embassy Delegation, Dr Paul Cavalier and Bertille Daran.

The SIP office coordinated this visit by the French delegation to identify key research teams and projects as well as high level postgraduate programmes, while developing links with French-based companies.  Nhlapho said: “We are very excited as CPUT for the visit by the French Embassy. Our relationship goes a long way and It has been a good to monitor and check the progress that has been made.”

 “In terms of capacity building, staff development and student exchange, we have achieved a lot.”

According to the SIP Unit, the CPUT is living up to its mission statement and cementing partnerships with institutions and agencies, both nationally and internationally. One of its most notable partnerships is that with the French, who during the past few years collaborated with CPUT on several projects.

Most notably is the collaboration with AIRBUS S.A.S, the graduate school Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs en Electrotechnique et Electronique (ESIEE) and the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), a specialised centre at CPUT’s Bellville campus. F’SATI collaborates with ESIEE on the delivery of postgraduate programmes in engineering. On completion of their degrees, graduates receive qualifications from F’SATI and CPUT.

Speaking at the event, Cavalier said: “Thank you for hosting us, it has been a long-time relationship…The aim of this visit was just to connect after two years which were not good [due to Covid-19 pandemic], hopefully next year we will visit again.” He added that it was important for them to know the direction the relationship is taking.

Following the visit, Peter said: “It’s an important visit to entrench the bilateral relationship between the French Embassy, CPUT and the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (FEBE).

In addition, Cavalier said: “It’s good that we have this kind of communication, it’s important that we keep it.”

Amongst the dignitaries, were FEBE Dean: Prof Marshall Sheldon, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Veruscha Fester, F’SATI and Satellite Systems Engineering Manager: Operations, Finances and Communications,Ian Van Zyl, and Director: Technology Transfer Office, Dr Revel Iyer .

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

Ten of the institution’s top researchers were honoured for their excellent work during the CPUT Research Awards.

The small ceremony where the awards were handed over was held at the Granger Bay campus and strictly adhered to Covid-19 protocols.

It was also live-streamed via the CPUT website.

Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, said CPUT has and continues to punch way above its weight in terms of research output on a per capita basis.

“From the positive health effects of rooibos tea to smart energy grids, we should be proud of the work our esteemed colleagues are doing across all our faculties, centres and institutes.”

The Research Directorate awarded excellence in research activities in three categories: Research Output, Research Supervision and External Funding.

Four awards were made in each category, namely, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. If there was a tie for any award, more than one award was given.

A Platinum Award earns a researcher R50 000; a Gold Award earns a researcher R40 000; a Silver Award earns a researcher R30 000 and a Bronze Award earns a researcher R20 000.

The winners per category were as follow:

Research Output:

• Platinum - Dr O Koopman - Education
• Gold - Prof OO Oguntibeju- Health and Wellness Sciences
• Silver - Dr AK Raji - Engineering & the Built Environment
• Bronze - Prof SKO Ntwampe - Engineering & the Built Environment
• Bronze - Prof T Iyamu - Informatics & Design

Research Supervision

• Platinum- Dr AK Raji - Engineering & the Built Environment
• Gold - Prof SKO Ntwampe - Engineering and the Built Environment
• Silver - Prof T Iyamu - Informatics and Design
• Bronze - Prof MTE Kahn - Engineering and the Built Environment
• Bronze - Prof TV Ojumu - Engineering and the Built Environment

External Funding 

• Platinum - Prof KP Findlay - Applied Sciences
• Gold - Prof JL Marnewick- Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute
• Silver - Prof T Matsha - Health and Wellness Sciences

Phaho said the institution could be very proud that colleagues like Prof Matsha, Prof Kahn, Prof Marnewick and many others were doing ground-breaking work. which directly and indirectly contribute to our national well-being.

“The upward trajectory of research outputs, increased number of postgraduate students as well as national and international innovation platforms spearheaded by CPUT researchers over the past decade bears testimony to our drive. Today we honour our colleagues, who not only establish world-class research programmes but continue, albeit with limited resources which bedevil universities of technologies, to drive ground-breaking and high impact research in areas of national priority.”

He said CPUT has also noticed an upswing in the number of National Research Foundation (NRF) rated scholars, NRF funded research chairs as well as an increase in external research grants thanks to the drive and productivity of CPUT researchers.

*To watch the Virtual Research Festival videos, click here

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

The age of big data, open access, social media, transdisciplinary collaboration, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond, demands additional and even new considerations for what it means to be a responsible researcher.

These were the words of Manager: Research Integrity in the Research Directorate,  Dr Hester-Mari Burger at CPUT’s first virtual Annual Research Ethics Day held via Microsoft Teams recently under the theme, “Responsible Research Practices: old and new challenges”.

. “As researchers we are constantly engaging in decision-making, considering the impact of research, the positive as well as the negative, identifying and managing conflicts of values and interests between stakeholders (other researchers, users of the outputs, research participants, society, and future generations), finding the best solutions to these conflicts and carefully balancing harm and benefit in favour of benefit. We need to ensure strong ethical values and conduct to make research trustworthy, reproducible, and sustainable,” added Burger.

 Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships welcomed attendees to the virtual event.

Burger said the responsible conduct of research in general terms is simply good research citizenship, with actions and behaviour reflecting consistent integrity and compliance to ethical principles, professional standards, and legislation.  “However, it also asks of us as researchers to be responsive to changes and challenges. If society is to continue to benefit from and support research, we as researchers should be informed, reactive as well as participants and promoters of the responsible conduct of research.”

The event was highlighted by an international speaker, Anna Bethke, Principal Data Scientist and Head of AI for Social Good, Intel's Artificial Intelligence Products Group, USA on Artificial intelligence, and Ethics. Bethke’s talk described using FATE of AI Ethics to ensure that AI technologies are Fair, Accountable, Transparent, and Ethical. 

She set the tone for the event and the importance of ethical decision-making was emphasised. Director in Adaptronics in the AMTL Unit of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Prof Oscar Philander, shared his personal journey and experiences of ethical decision-making as a researcher involved in emerging and advanced technologies. 

Meanwhile, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills,  Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, presented on the impact of the new Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) that came into effect on  1 July 2021 and its impact on research.

Burger added that the event also allowed “us to identify key participants to join us in developing CPUT own Code of Conduct for Researchers during a workshop session hosted by Prof Dina Burger”.

“Overall, the event was a great success with forty-two online participants and created a platform for learning, lively discussions, and engagement regarding research ethics.”

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

CPUT has one of the most transformed researcher cohorts in the country and we can do even more to boost those numbers.

This was the message from a recent meeting between CPUT Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr David Phaho and the National Research Foundation’s Deputy CEO Dr Gansen Pillay. The meeting was also attended by Prof Judy Peter in her capacity as Director: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at CPUT while The NRF CEO, Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo joined the meeting virtually. 

Pillay visited CPUT to congratulate the institution for its recent win at the 2021 NRF awards, where Research Fellow Prof Moses Basitere won for exceptional performance for an emerging researcher.

The stakeholders discussed strengthening NRF and academia partnerships at CPUT and Pillay encouraged the university’s academics to take advantage of a range of excellent funding opportunities.

“We want to be a listening organization. CPUT has a very transformed research community here, the beauty of CPUT is that you are graduating work-ready graduates and as a university of technology you are closer to the interface for societal benefit,” Pillay said.

Phaho said the university was well placed to tap into the millions of rands of funding available at the NRF and would be implementing a few strategies to do this.

“Active grant management is one way of doing this and we will engage with the office of DVC: Teaching and Learning as well as Faculty Deans to ensure that our students, researchers and scholars derive maximum benefit from the opportunities offered by the NRF,” he says.

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

CPUT recently hosted a high-level delegation from two German Higher Education Institutions – DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe.

The aim of the visit, which was held at the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE), was to strengthen relationships between CPUT, DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe and to engage in further collaboration between the institutions. The visit centred around the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE).

The German delegation consisted of Prof Dr-Ing. Herbert Dreher, President DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr-Ing Stephan Schenkel, President DHBW Karlsruhe, Ingela Lundin, International Relations Officer, DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr Stephan Sauter, Industrial Engineering, DHBW Ravensburg and Prof Dr Thomas Dobbelstein, International Business, DHBW Ravensburg.

“For us it’s very important that we learn from each other,” said Dreher.

The CPUT delegation consisted of Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Prof Judy Peter, Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, FEBE and several other representatives from the Faculty and from Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

Phaho welcomed the delegation and said the university wanted to ensure that it built on already great relationships.

Dobbelstein said his institution already has long-standing ties with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, which includes, among other things, staff and student exchanges.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre

Earlier in the month a delegation from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and KU Leuven in Belgium visited CPUT and was also welcomed to DEECE.

The objective of the meeting was to renew the partnership agreement with CPUT in the areas of research, staff, and student exchange, amongst others.

The Dutch and Belgium delegation, which consisted of Sabine Amft (THUAS) Pepijn van Willigenburg, (THUAS) Prof.ir Annick Dexters (KU Leuven) and Albert van Oudheusden (UNSA) were welcomed by Prof Bingwen Yan (Acting) Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning.

Written by CPUT News

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

Following the successful Sisonke 2.0 Certification and Celebration Day at the Cape Town Hotel School recently, Adjunct Professor in the Education Faculty, Janet Condy, has urged the CPUT community to “please” volunteer to be part of this unique Sisonke 3.0 project in 2024.

“We believe this is a wonderful capacity development programme for novice supervisors,” said Condy. She said supervision remains an academic practice that requires continuous learning and refining, but more can be done to support and capacitate supervisors. Condy said that world-wide supervisors are struggling with two issues of quality and capacity, “they are expected to be supervising and getting more and more PHD candidates through, despite our students lacking the necessary academic skills. Hence building sustainable higher education supervision mentoring programmes is needed to increase completion and prepare them for work in the higher education sector as well as in professional practice”. “There is a general agreement among academics that this process requires a 'special pedagogy'.”

She said since 2021, a few core participants at CPUT have been working on the Sisonke Supervision Mentoring Programme (SSMP). 'Sisonke' in isiXhosa means 'together' or 'to bridge'. This transdisciplinary research project, involving multiple stakeholders, driven by a real-world problem, has the potential to produce transformative and sustainable supervision pedagogies. Condy said supervision practice was the mutually agreed upon point of reference, which provided a basis for shared language.

At the Sisonke 2.0 Certification and Celebration Day, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation Technology and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, welcomed the guests, and provided the opening address where he hailed the “exceptional work” done by the Sisonke Supervision Mentoring programme. The keynote address was delivered by Prof Stephanie Burton and was titled: Supervision and supervisors: Being inspired and inspiring.

Condy said in 2023 there were about 72 volunteer mentors and mentees who attended the 12-week Learning Programme from 4 August to 26 October, every Thursday between 13:00 and 14:30. During this time they included a 40-minute input by an expert in a particular field, then they went to break-away groups with their mentors and mentees. In these smaller groups they discussed the topic they have listened to. Finally in the last 30 minutes they all went back to the main group where the mentors reflected on the discussions in each group.

Reflecting on her overall impression about the event, she said: “For me the best part of the day was meeting face-to-face with all the mentors and mentees. All the speakers spoke eloquently on this very necessary topic and gave us much to think about.

“The activity which Prof Retha De La Harpe did with us was exciting as we worked together reflecting on our past learning and thinking ahead of what we want to achieve. The certificates were a highlight as well - it was wonderful to see how excited people were to receive these.”

She added that in 2020 the Director of the Research Development Directorate, Prof Dina Burger, had invited her and De La Harpe to run with this project. They both wrote the initial proposal and got ethical clearance for this research project. Currently Condy is heading the project with Dr Heather Phillips who manages the Learning Programme. “We have a large research team.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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

The 12 graduands who will receive their doctoral qualifications during the upcoming Summer Graduation Ceremony were recently given a platform to highlight their research findings and possible impact on society.

This was the aim of the first Research Uptake: Doctoral Graduates seminar organised by the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Office and Centre for Postgraduate Studies on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, held at Bellville Campus. Under the theme: Potential Societal Impact of Research, doctoral graduands presented their research on a high level and discussed its impact on society. Manager Research Uptake: SIP, Dr Nelisiwe Maleka, who was one of the organisers, said the doctoral graduands were joined by their supervisors, representatives from the faculties and Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships.

The list of doctoral graduands who attended the event included:

• Michael Agenbag from Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAD).
• Warren Charles from Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS).
• Martha Grewe, FBMS.
• Maryna De Lange from Faculty of Education.
• Howard Fawkes, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE).
• Olukayode Ayodele, FEBE.
• Mohamed Almihat, FEBE.
• Gideon Joubert, FEBE.
• Faeda Mohsam from Faculty of Informatics and Design (FID).

However, there were graduands who couldn’t attend the event due to work commitments:

• Gareth Holtman, FEBE.
• Leo Folifac, FEBE.
• Monica Nehemia, FID.

In his opening address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, said: “Dear graduates there are those who now and, in the future, will express cynicism and doubts about your qualifications and the impact your research endeavours could have on society. It is the nature of existence as researchers and scholars, and this goes back to as far back as Galileo. Remember that this polymath from antiquity promoted the idea that the earth rotates daily and revolves around the sun, and this was met with opposition from within the church and from some fellow astronomers.”

Phaho continued: “Considering the significant societal and global challenges we face in areas such as food security, water and sanitation, energy, climate change, and public health, universities and other publicly funded organisations are expected to do more to address these challenges.”

Maleka said throughout the numerous presentations, attendees had an opportunity to learn more about doctoral research studies that are responsive to societal needs and challenges, their alignment to CPUT Research Focus Areas and Sustainable Development Goals.

Agenbag, a graduand, said the seminar created an initial space for them to share their research contribution to CPUT’s leadership regarding their commitment to CPUT’s research objectives and “how our input from our long research journey focuses on societal challenges and needs”. “It was also great to hear the research from other doctorandi and to be aware of the level of research that CPUT conducts. This seminar should undoubtedly become a regular for all doctoral graduates. The forum creates opportunities to share research done at CPUT and network with each other and different faculties and programmes.

“It was a positive experience and a salute to the organisers for this initiative.”

“Listening to these insightful presentations has renewed our passion, fervour, and enthusiasm for research as we have learnt of different expertise sparking insightful engaging discussions. A heartfelt thanks to our dedicated faculty members, mentors, and advisors who have played a pivotal role in nurturing students, academic and research prowess in the university,” CPGS Coordinator, Dr Thandazile Mhlongo observed.

Mhlongo said: “What a wonderful enlightening and thought-provoking Doctoral Graduate Seminar… It has been a wonderful experience witnessing not only the culmination of hard work through research and dedication done over the years by the doctoral candidates, but also the promise of a future where research becomes a catalyst for positive change in society through the work done in CPUT.”

“My humble advice to all of you as you embark on what I no doubt believe will be great careers, is that you must always be resilient, engender self-discipline, adopt an uncompromising work ethic and self-belief in that what you do now and for the rest of your days,” Phaho remarked.

Mhlongo also acknowledged the contribution made by the “chair Prof Izak [Van Zyl], the organising committee who are the behind-the-scenes heroes who worked so hard to ensure the smooth execution of this seminar”. “Finally, a sincere thank you to all the participants and attendees who have contributed to the success of this event. It is hoped that after this seminar colleagues will foster an environment conducive to intellectual growth and collaboration.”

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.

In a significant stride towards fostering international collaboration in higher education, CPUT and Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences (EhB), based in Belgium, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU signing ceremony marked the formalisation of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing academic cooperation, research collaboration, and student exchanges between the two institutions. Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences delegation came to CPUT to explore opportunities with the Nursing, Urban and Regional Planning, and other departments. “The purpose of the meeting was to explore how they can collaborate not only in terms of student or faculty mobility but also in research (Research Focus Area 5: Human, Health and Social Dynamics and Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute),” Manager International Relations: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships. Dr Tasmeera Singh remarked.

Singh said the collaboration and exchange agreement that was signed on the day allows for the exchange of students and research and that the collaboration was initiated by the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The event was attended by key representatives from both CPUT and EhB, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, along with dignitaries from the academic and administrative spheres.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo said CPUT places a premium on internationalisation. “We believe that problems are now global in nature, that’s why we subscribe to addressing sustainable development goals because problems know no boundaries and higher education do have a role to play in terms of actually addressing the sustainable development goals and other problems affecting the mankind,” said Nhlapo.

Reflecting on the occasion, Singh said: “It was a resounding success as there is a deep commitment by both parties to engage and collaborate. The goals were achieved as the MOU was signed and an invitation to visit Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences was extended to the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The delegation was taken on a tour of the Department of Food Science and Technology laboratories where they witnessed CPUT's chocolate-making in progress and managed to sample some as well. They were also informed about the brewery and the mechanics behind making beer. “It is always the mandate and objective of the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate to ensure that every visit is a success aligned to the objectives of the visit and CPUT's strategic focus areas,” enthused Singh.

It was also revealed that the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor will visit Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences in July to solidify the commitment of the partnership.

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

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, has revealed that the University Management is “socialising” the need for a Third-Stream Income Strategy across the University, considering the decline in government funding for Higher Education through grants and subsidies.

Phaho said an important component of that is closer collaboration with Industry. He was speaking at the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) Interactive Session on New and Active projects. “Throughout its long and storied history, the THRIP programme has been a catalyst to bring universities and industry to pursue relevant research and drive innovation and competitiveness over and above human development outputs such as master’s and doctoral graduates.

“It also pivots university academics to do research and innovation which is relevant to industry,” Phaho remarked. The event was also attended by the representatives from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) - who provided a thorough understanding of the THRIP programme, including its objectives and the KIPP programme for grassroots innovators.

This industry engagement workshop was organised by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to strengthen the relationship between CPUT and the DTIC, “specifically focusing on the THRIP”. “The primary objective was to showcase the THRIP programme to CPUT researchers and industry partners, illustrating the benefits and opportunities it offers, funding for collaborative research, access to advanced research facilities and expertise, skills development and human resource training, commercialisation of research outcomes,” said Jayde Barends, Senior Technology Transfer Officer.

The workshop also aimed to provide attendees with insights into successful projects funded by THRIP, highlight challenges and non-fundable aspects, and outline the application process. CPUT in collaboration with industry partners, presented four potential projects for THRIP funding, demonstrating the range of opportunities for collaboration. “The ultimate goal was to equip participants with an understanding of the THRIP program, encouraging more robust and higher-quality and relevant applications from industry partners seeking collaboration with universities such as CPUT,” Barends stated.

She added that the event was well-received, achieving its purpose of providing a comprehensive overview of the THRIP programme and the presentations and discussions effectively communicated the programme's objectives and the opportunities it presents for industry-academic collaboration. “The workshop successfully raised awareness about the THRIP programme and its benefits, likely leading to increased interest and participation in future applications.”

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