CPUT awarded 711 diplomas and degrees, including 35 Masters degrees and five Doctorates, at the September Graduation ceremony, which was held on the Bellville Campus.
This is the largest number of postgraduate qualifications to be awarded at a single diploma ceremony at CPUT.
Addressing graduates at the ceremony, which took place on 18 September 2009, Deputy-Vice Chancellor: Academic Prof Anthony Staak, said the number of postgraduate qualifications bears testimony to the fact that CPUT is making great strides in advancing research.
“We currently have seven research niche areas at the institution funded by the national research foundation, as well as a number of research projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology and other outside agencies,” he said.
Prof Staak said the institution’s mission speaks of creating and applying knowledge that will contribute to economic and social development in South Africa.
He said as an institution, CPUT is well positioned to live out this mission and make a contribution to knowledge production and development in the country.
He urged graduates, who will go on to become alumni of the institution, to also commit to this mission.
“Many of you will go on to occupy influential position in commerce, in industry and in the public sector. We hope that you will use your special skills and your influence to put something back into those communities and help contribute to their development,” he said.
“Together we hope that you will help us realise our goal of creating futures, not only for our students but for the broader society as well,” said Prof Staak.
He also called on graduates to continue to support CPUT and to further their professional development at the institution.
With the rapid pace of technology, graduates will have to update their skills continuously to ensure that they remain leaders in their fields.
Prof Staak said alumni are ambassadors of the institution and that their future success is important to CPUT.
“We are proud of what you have achieved thus far and sincerely hope that we have helped placed you on a trajectory that will lead you to even greater successes in the future,” he said.
Guest speaker at the ceremony, Bob Pullen, a senior specialist in Water Engineering at BKS (Pty) Ltd, also urged graduates to make an impact in South Africa.
He said once in the workplace, individuals must focus on sharpening their skills.
“It is important to persevere in what you do. South Africa has a need for people with scarce skills,” he said.
Pullen, who was recently awarded the National Science and Technology Award for his outstanding contribution to Science, Engineering and Innovation, said graduates must also focus on becoming competent in their chosen vocation.
“Competent people in the right place can lift South Africa to greater heights,” said Pullen.
Doctorates were awarded to the following graduates:
- Mpiana Kalula: Faculty of Business (Public Management)
- Charles Laubscher: Faculty of Business (Tourism and Hospitality Management)
- Sidney du Plessis: Faculty of Engineering (Electrical Engineering)
- Seteno Ntwampe: Faculty of Engineering (Chemical Engineering)
- Gloudina Hon: Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences (Biomedical Technology)
By Candes Keating
Click here to view a September Graduation 2009 photograph gallery.
Click here to view a photograph gallery of doctoral students.
Written by CPUT News
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