The Cape Peninsula University of Technology has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Dr Trevor Manuel as the institution’s first Chancellor.
This historic appointment comes just over three years after the Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon merged to form CPUT.
Addressing more than 400 guests, which included academics, government ministers and business people, Dr Manuel said: “I am indeed honored and privileged to have been called to serve this University as its Chancellor.”
Dr Manuel, who has a relationship with the institution that spans more than three decades, said that as Chancellor he will make an impact on CPUT during his term. He said while chancellors are not involved in the day to day management of institutions, they do have an important role to play.
“My responsibilities are at a higher level,” he said.
Dr Manuel said he will ensure that CPUT stays on course with its mission of producing skilled graduates, who will ensure technological advancement and economic growth in South Africa. However, he said: “If higher education is to play its role in technology changes and supporting economic advancement, then we need to continue to build more direct links between ‘learning’ and ‘doing’.”
These links must be developed through cooperative education, which sees higher education institutions working closely with the industry, in order to ensure students are appropriately skilled and that industry benefits from their expertise.
The newly installed Chancellor said the university already has an “excellent record of partnership with industry” and stands at the forefront of cooperative education practice in South Africa .
“This is a great foundation on which to build, and I believe the economic expansion underway and the skills challenges we face signal that this is exactly where we need to concentrate our planning and investment for the decade,” he said.
Dr Trevor Manuel also urged the institution to widen access to technical skills and applied knowledge, through various long and short courses.
With education being a vehicle not only to improve the economy, but also to uplift individuals, the rollout of programmes to ensure learners who would normally not qualify for engineering and science programmes, must be looked at, said Dr Manuel.
“Without progress in education, without rapid progress in both the quality of schooling and access to higher education opportunities, there is no plausible prospect of rising prosperity or broader participation in the modern economy,” he said.
However, Dr Manuel said he is positive that CPUT can address all the challenges facing higher education and is looking forward to “share in the journey that lies ahead.”
Education Minister Naledi Pandor, who addressed delegates, said CPUT will benefit from having Dr Manuel as their chancellor.
“I know for every graduate that will kneel before your stool, your presence here signifies for them excellence, opportunity and success,” she said.
Vice-Chancellor of CPUT, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, said the appointment of the chancellor is a milestone for the institution.
“This completes the circle of the establishment of CPUT as a university of technology,” she said.
Prof Mazwi-Tanga said the university is now standing on a threshold, “ready to launch itself to greater heights.”
By Candes Keating, Marketing and Communication Department
Written by CPUT News
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