Open Day 2009 proved to be a huge success, attracting close to 8 000 learners from across the Western Cape
This annual event is the largest student recruitment drive undertaken by the institution.
It provides Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners with the opportunity to obtain first-hand information regarding the more than 70 programmes on offer at CPUT.
This year’s event, which was held in the Major Sports Hall at the Bellville Campus, kicked off on 14 May and ran over three days.
School Liaison Officer and organiser of the Open Day, Grant Barends said: “We had an amazing response to this year’s event.”
Barends said schools turned out in large numbers, with some bringing more than 200 learners to visit the Open Day.
“We also had a large number of individuals visiting the Open Day,” he said.
This year, departments pulled out all the stops in designing and putting together their exhibition stands.
The Faculty of Engineering exhibition stands allowed learners the opportunity to explore engineering equipment and get a behind the scenes view of the latest technological innovations
Engineering lecturer, Vuyani Moni, who manned the Mechanical Engineering stand said: “The learners were impressed with what they saw.”
Departments within the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences also showcased what students could expect if they follow one of the programmes the department has to offer.
Students at the Somatology stand put their skills into practice by providing free treatments, while students at the Dental Sciences stand performed demonstrations on how to manufacture dentures.
The Faculty of Education and Social Sciences promoted teaching while the Faculty of Applied Sciences gave learners the opportunity to view live experiments.
Departments within the Faculty of Business promoted the exciting world of Marketing, Events Managements, Tourism and several other programmes.
Eye-catching displays at the Faculty of Informatics and Design area highlighted the creativity of the staff and students behind the scenes.
Public Relations lecturer, Ayesha Toyer, who coordinated the faculties’ stands, said they enlisted first year Public Relations students to come up with a concept for the various departments.
Information Technology covered the wall of its stand with neon green ciphers, reminiscent of the film “The Matrix"".
The Interior Design stand was transformed into an elegant lounge area, while the Public Relations stand took on a circus theme, providing learners with goodie bags and popcorn.
Visitors to the event were also entertained by Radio Good Hope FM, who broadcasted their shows from CPUT.
School Liaison Officer, Marilyn Cloete, said: “The departments really went out of their way to make their stalls attractive.”
Cloete said CPUT students also “done the institution proud” by promoting the courses.
Stands at the Open day were judged by a panel of independent judges. The Judges looked at creativity, innovation and if they stand represented what the course was about.
The following departments clinched top prizes for their stands.
- First Prize – Interior Design (Faculty of Informatics and Design)
- Second Prize – Public Relations (Faculty of Informatics and Design)
- Third Prize – Emergency Medical Sciences (Faculty of Health and Wellness)
By Candes Keating <
Written by CPUT News
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