CPUT shared its best practices with a delegation from the College of The Bahamas who recently visited the institution.

The College of The Bahamas was established in 1974 but is now on track to become the national University of The Bahamas.

The delegation from the Bahamas visited CPUT to learn about its curriculum and the transition from technikon to university.

The college’s team leader, Prof Olivier Saunders, says she is charged with the responsibility of devising a roadmap detailing how the college will achieve university status.

Saunders says they have consulted with communities on the various islands of The Bahamas as well as with universities in Jamaica and West Indies.

“It’s the first time we’re going outside the region and we’ll continue visiting other institutions in various parts of the world,” says Saunders.

She says the college would like to develop in the areas of engineering and technology.

CPUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, presented the university’s history and profile to the guests.

Senior managers from various departments also addressed the guests about their programmes and mandates and replied to questions about merging tertiary institutions, quality management and the assessment of students’ academic performance. 

By Kwanele Butana

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT has committed R2 million to the Khula project, a bold initiative aimed at developing young academics.

The initiative, whose title means 'to grow or develop' in Nguni languages, aims to address the skills gap universities face as a result of retiring academics.

The project was initially launched in 2007 following funding from the Department of Education. However, CPUT recently renewed its commitment by investing over R2m into the project.

The investment sees two candidates placed on a three-year work/study contract in each of CPUT’s six faculties. On completion of their Masters or MTech qualifications candidates are considered for permanent appointment in their respective departments.

Speaking at the re-launch, which took place at the Granger Bay campus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, emphasized the importance of such a project.

“Although the programme is not new to CPUT, we still prioritise it in our planning for staff development. It supports the vision to replenish academic staff and helps us meet our equity targets in a progressive way,” said Prof Staak.

He further alluded to the need to pay greater attention to issues of transformation and diversity, and challenged faculty representatives to mentor Khula candidates.

GROWING A FUTURE: Guests at the re-launch of the Khula project, which supports the development of young academics.

Transformation Unit head, George Mvalo, who is spearheading the project, said this is ‘an exciting initiative which proves that CPUT is serious about the advancement of young academics’.

Mvalo said following a review of the programme in 2009, a number of recommendations by the Steering Committee were adopted, including expanding the programme from two years to three and reducing the departmental workload of Khula candidates in order for them to focus on their research.

The audience heard a personal reflection of a Khula candidate, Jacob Moroe, a Sports Management lecturer and an MTech student.

 “Some of the greatest challenges I faced were finding balance between all my responsibilities and initially having no lecturing experience, even though I came from industry and had the support of my department,” said Moroe.

Head of the Biomedical Sciences Department, Prof Johan Esterhuyse, gave an account of his experiences as a mentor, saying that the programme works well when candidates have good support and mentorship.

“This is one initiative where we can really congratulate ourselves for being forerunners; it’s a wonderful project when instituted properly”, said Prof Esterhuyse.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Photos by Clive Galant (Fundani: CHED)

Written by CPUT News
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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.

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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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An academic initiative that started 13 years ago is still benefiting CPUT staff and students well over a decade later.

In 1998 Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Prof Anthony Staak helped spearhead an initiative to make engineering textbooks more user-friendly for a disadvantaged South African audience.

Under the auspices of the Tertiary Education Linkages Program (TELP), the initiative saw no fewer than 13 titles being published, many of which are still in use today.

Prof Staak explained the significance of the textbooks at a Juta relaunch of the titles held at the Bellville IT centre recently.

“At the time Engineering was, and still is, one of the scarce skills,” he says.

“We faced tremendous challenges and one of the problems was that textbooks, many of which were published abroad, were inappropriate for our students.”

Prof Staak says SA students needed a simpler option with a South African context to help them understand complicated engineering theories.

After collaborating with five other SA Technikons and four US universities the project got under way and ended up being one of the most successful TELP projects ever.

In a second phase of the project the textbooks were supplemented with 7 CD’s which lecturers could use in the classroom- an early example of multi-media use in classrooms.

Juta’s Mthunzi Nxawe urged the gathering of engineering specialists to consider adding to the body of work by publishing their own titles.

CPUT Chemistry lecturer Andre Spies and former staff member Alphonso Hendricks along with Ronald Engelbrecht were given a special commendation for their work on the Physics for Engineering textbook.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

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After a two-year price freeze, CPUT has raised the cost of its upfront payment for new and returning students.

This year an amount of R3500 will be levied to all students with it increasing by R1500 to R5000 for those staying in residences.

These amounts include first-year registration fees and still make CPUT one of the most affordable tertiary institutions in the country.

CPUT management agreed on the increase after exhaustive meetings throughout 2011 with the student body.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Anthony Staak told a meeting of students and staff that the increase was needed to maintain CPUT’s reputation as a premier Higher Education provider.

“We need to ensure this university is here for future generations, not just our current students,” he said.

Dean of Student Affairs and Services, Cora Motale, says processes are in place to ensure academically gifted students with financial difficulties are picked up early in the registration process and assisted.

“We know our business is Higher Education. Never has a gifted student been denied an education with us because of lack of money.”     

The first week of the CPUT academic year kicks off on Monday, 16 January with the registration of roughly 32 000 new and returning students next week.

Students who are unable to pay the full upfront fee will be channelled to the institutions Credit Management Unit for a means test.

Information on Financial Assistance will also be available to everyone throughout next week.

To avoid the queues many returning students can take advantage of the convenient online registration process which will become live on the homepage on Monday.

This will enable students to pay accounts, update records and view their results.

Visit the homepage for more information on the online registration process and a full explanation for the fee increases.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

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It was a warm welcome in more ways than one for the hundreds of students and parents at CPUT’s Cape Town Campus.

They braved soaring temperatures to attend the first year Welcome Ceremony which kicks off a series of orientation events at the institution.

The crowd was addressed by Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Anthony Staak who, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, thanked the first years for choosing CPUT.

WELCOME: Heads of Departments and CPUT Management attended the first-year Welcome Ceremony.

"Thank you for selecting CPUT as your institution of choice. We endeavor to provide you with an opportunity to make a success of your studies and become well-balanced individuals to take your place in the working world,” he says.

"Today, you are being inducted into an exciting environment that will help shape your future."

Staak told the students that career success involved being more than just a diligent student.

"Your success at CPUT will depend on how committed you are to your development. Your learning will not stop when you leave university,” he says.

"You are amongst the chosen few given an opportunity to study; don't misuse it."

HOTTING UP: Students and their parents gathered under umbrellas and the trees while attending the Welcome Ceremony.

Tomorrow the Welcome Ceremony takes place at the Goodnow Hall at the Wellington Campus and the Auditorium at the Bellville Campus on Thursday.

By: Thando J. Moiloa and Lauren Kansley

Written by CPUT News

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CPUT’s Wellington campus played host to the second Welcome Ceremony of the orientation week.

WELCOME: Deans and members of Executive Management attended the ceremony.

Eager first years and their parents took their seats under the shade of a huge tree in the Murray House gardens and Campus Manager Ben Turner wasted no time welcoming them to their first official CPUT gathering.

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Anthony Staak took to the podium next and called the Wellington campus CPUT’s “gem in the countryside” which offers a range of programmes including Education, Business and Science.

“You will find your experience here is very different from what you were used to,” he says.

“There will be much more emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking and independent work. It is important you develop the skills to become independent thinkers.”

Staak also encouraged the first years to become active participants in student life.

“Discuss, debate, socialize and befriend. An important resource is your fellow student.

This is how learning happens,” he says.

“You are indeed fortunate to have students here from very diverse backgrounds, from different cultures and very different life experiences.”

EAGER: First years and their parents at the Wellington Campus Welcome Ceremony.

The ceremony ended with a special welcome from the campus SRC leader.

The final Welcome Ceremony takes place in the Auditorium on the Bellville Campus Thursday at 10am.

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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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FIRST years are getting their second taste of life at CPUT as a full week of orientation kicks off.

Last week three Welcome Ceremonies took place across the Wellington, Cape Town and Bellville campuses where new students and their parents were officially greeted by CPUT management.

This week first-year students will be meeting many of their future classmates for the first time when they participate in a number of fun ice breaker events.

Apart from tours of the various campuses, which will show them popular facilities like the gym and pool, students will also get valuable information on topics like Financial Aid and Student Governance.

Helpful facilities like the clinic, library and student counselling will also be pointed out.

During his Welcome speech, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Anthony Staak encouraged first years to become holistic students who fully participate in all aspects of CPUT life.

“Many lifelong friendships and valuable networks are formed during your time at university. Become involved in the many different facets of student life,” he says.

CPUT Events Manager Cathy Cloete urged students not to miss their orientation.

“If you don’t become familiar with some of the facilities on offer you could spend three years not taking advantage of any of them,” she says.

Orientation Week happens from today through to Friday the 27^th.

Contact the CPUT call centre at 021 959 6767 with any queries.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

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Teaching and Learning enjoyed centre stage recently when the university, for the first time, honoured recipients of in-house as well as external teaching awards at one event.

Normally only the winners of the Institutional Teaching and Learning Excellence Awards would be lauded in this way, but this year the honour was extended to faculty awardees, Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) fellows and the CPUT winner of a 2017 National Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award. The awardees were given the opportunity to give a short presentation on their teaching philosophy and practice, after which they took questions from the audience.

This year’s institutional winners are Drs Muhammad Nakhooda (Applied Sciences) and Mark Marais (Health and Wellness Sciences). Siddique Motala from the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying received the national teaching award from Council of Higher Education (CHE) and the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of South Africa (Heltasa). Nakhooda together with Drs Hanlie Dippenaar (Education) and Xena Cupido (Fundani CHED) are TAU fellows, while Dr Ayesha Toyer was recognised by the Faculty of Informatics and Design for her teaching skill.

According to Prof Anthony Staak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, good teachers are often not given the recognition they deserve. “There is a lot more we can do, but it’s heartening to see that the Department of Higher Education and Training are supporting teaching endeavours through, amongst others, staff development. Occasions like these, where teaching excellence is celebrated, also make a contribution,” says Staak, who together with Fundani CHED hosted the event.

Assoc Prof James Garraway from Fundani CHED expressed the hope that an event like this would hosted again next year and that it would eventually become a fixture on the university’s events calendar.

Written by Abigail Calata

Strengthening ties with European partners was the discussion point when CPUT recently hosted a German state minister on its Bellville campus.

Theresia Bauer, Minister for Science, Research and the Arts in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, brought with her representatives from 24 German institutions of higher learning.

“We are looking to intensify our ties with Africa through stronger partnerships with African institutions like [CPUT],” said Bauer, adding that Baden-Württemberg is proud of its status in Germany as the home of innovation.

Prof Anthony Staak, DVC: Teaching and Learning, thanked the state minister for “highlighting opportunities and expressing a willingness to collaborate”.

“Currently many partnerships [with German institutions] concentrate on student and staff exchange programmes, but there is an increasing tendency worldwide towards the development of professional master’s degrees. We can really benefit from the experience of our German partners in this regard,” Staak explained.

CPUT staff made short, but informative presentations to the German visitors. Among them was Prof René Pellissier, Director: Research Technology Innovations & Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships. In sketching an outline of CPUT, she mentioned that internationalisation was increasingly coming into focus at the university, and that in this regard “collaboration with European institutions was very important”.

CPUT was the last of the Western Cape-based tertiary institutions visited by the German delegation. Their next stop is Namibia before they head back to Germany.

Written by Abigail Calata

Cubesats are revolutionising access to space and have gone beyond being training tools for university students.

The success of Cubesat technology was celebrated at the 2nd International African Cubesat Workshop 2014, which was hosted by the French South African Technology Institute (F’SATI) on the Bellville Campus.

The two-day workshop was attended by students, academics, industry practitioners, government officials and members of the diplomatic core who discussed the latest developments in nanosatellite technology and applications.

The workshop also coincided with French Day, which celebrated collaborations between France and CPUT in the space sector.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at CPUT, Prof Anthony Staak, says the workshop is of special significance to the institution as it approaches the first anniversary of the TshepisoSAT launch.

TshepisoSAT is the first Cubesat developed in Africa by postgraduate students at F’SATI and was launched on 21 November 2013. Its mission is to collect data on space weather for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).

“We are extremely proud of this achievement. It’s certainly a tribute to Rob (Director of F’SATI) and his team, the students, the staff and many others who contributed to our satellite engineering programme,” says Staak.

Staak says CPUT has benefitted immensely from strong partnerships with a range of French Institutions through F’SATI, such as the Paris Chamber of Commerce, the French Embassy and various French universities.

RESEARCHER: Prof Norman Fitz-Coy, who holds the Research Chair in Innovative Small Satellite Technology and Applications for Africa at F’SATI

Locally, F’SATI has been funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and has been supported by the National Research Foundation and SANSA.

Humbulani Mdau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology at DST, says they are very pleased with the strides made by F’SATI, adding that the launch of TshepisoSAT has put the country and the continent on the global map.

He says the concept of CubeSats has gained significance and the introduction of this technology is transforming the way we explore space.

Dr Sandile Malinga, the CEO of SANSA, echoed Mdua’s statements and says CubeSats are no longer just affordable student training tolls, but can be used for scientific applications.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Student transitions to and within university were recently unpacked at the annual Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) Symposium hosted by CPUT.

The Regional ECP Symposium held on the Bellville Campus was themed, “Responsive and inclusive curricula and pedagogic practice in ECP: Understanding transitions to and within university”.

The ECP provides students with extra time as they are allowed an additional year in which to complete their studies.

Delivering the keynote address, UCT’s Dr Bongi Bangeni and Prof Rochelle Kapp said their study revealed that as students from disadvantaged backgrounds transitioned into university they have to negotiate their learning and identity.

“The data illustrate the ways in which student learning is often impeded by the limitations on choices within degree structures,” says Kapp.

Also shown was how decisions made at high school level continue to impact students’ pathways on entry, at senior levels and even after the successful completion of the first degree.

Their study recommended that understanding schooling and its impact on students’ experiences within university as well as turning classrooms into spaces for active engagement may improve student success.

Besides attracting delegates from the four universities in the region, the symposium was also attended by academics from the Unisa, the University of Johannesburg and Wits.

Welcoming the delegates to CPUT, Prof Anthony Staak, DVC: Academic, said dysfunctional schooling yields students who are under-prepared for university education.

“Accept under-preparedness and adjust the curriculum accordingly,” advises Staak.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT lecturers and students discussed the latest trends in teaching at the 6th Annual Research and Innovation into Teaching and Learning (RITAL) Conference recently held by Fundani’s Academic Staff Development on the Bellville Campus.

Prof Anthony Staak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, said the RITAL conferences provide a wonderful opportunity for staff to showcase their innovations in teaching and learning, share best practices and subject their research to review by their peers. “The conferences also have a capacity development component and will hopefully serve as a stepping stone for staff to submit their papers to national and even international conferences in the future,” added Staak.

He said the RITAL Conference has made a huge contribution to promoting a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) at CPUT.

“Not too long ago there was a sense that teaching and research were ‘pulling in opposite directions’. Research was viewed as taking place in a disciplinary research culture, carrying out the job of generating knowledge in the discipline. There was the sense that teaching and research were working in competition with each other for resources, space, time and recognition.”

Prof Lorraine Hassan, Head of Academic Staff Development, added that complexities experienced in the teaching profession include using ICT, decolonisation and trying to enhance the learning experience. “SoTL can help reduce inequalities and solve societal problems,” she said. She asserted that SoTL will improve the university’s research or knowledge outputs.

Trustee of the Cape Town-based Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society, Prof Kwesi Kwaa Prah, delivered the keynote address Language and societal relevance in Teaching and Learning. Prah said all societies which develop in a sustained fashion use their own mother tongue for teaching purposes.

He argued that despite the benefits of mother-tongue education, previously colonised people are “neocolonialist beings or creatures” who want to look and speak like their colonial masters. “They are not serious enough to protest against assimilation into Western culture.”

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Prof Anthony Staak, is retiring from the institution after 36 years.

Staak has enjoyed a stellar academic career spanning from the time he was a top learner at South Peninsula High School to later having the distinction of being awarded both the coveted Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships. It was this academic prowess that first caught the attention of former Peninsula Technikon Rector Prof Brian Figaji who head-hunted him while Staak was completing the Rhodes scholarship in Oxford. “I am particularly proud because I actually recruited Staak. I called his mother and then contacted him in England. I told him 'Staak you have a job when you get home' and many years later this is the result,” said Figaji at a farewell dinner recently hosted for Staak.

Figaji also praised Staak for being selfless in his academic achievements because despite his earlier undergrad and post-grad qualifications in Engineering he opted to do a Masters in Economics to expand his world view. Staak later made another unconventional career choice when he was awarded the Fulbright scholarship and opted to do a Masters in the still relatively unknown area of Technology Transfer at MIT. “So it wasn’t about Anthony but it was about what he needed to do his job better and what would serve the institution,” he says.

CPUT Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo says Staak’s legacy is imprinted into the DNA of CPUT and that his foresight into intellectual property and policy meant the former Peninsula Technikon was ahead of its time. “Prof Staak understands exactly what we are trying to achieve here at CPUT which is reviving the dream of being the MIT of Africa and of course he speaks from experience having been a student there. Thank you very much Prof Staak, it is indeed sad to have someone of your stature leaving the team,” he said.

In his farewell speech Prof Staak had the crowd in stitches recalling how memo pads and typewriters were preferred to the first generation computers in the 1980s. He also reflected on Peninsula Technikon’s role in the anti-apartheid struggle of the time. “We refused to implement the quota system and accepted students from across the country and neighbouring states as well. In fact we battled to keep the police off our campus,” he said.

Staak, who joined Peninsula Technikon as the Head of Electrical Engineering Department in 1982 and later became the Dean in 1998 says he was always very proud to be part of the Engineering Faculty which spearheaded much of the innovation taking place at the institution - this included early internet connections and unique laboratory style learning spaces. “It was also quite unique at the time to have laboratories as classrooms because the norm at the time was office space, classroom space and laboratory space. We did everything in the labs.”

He is looking forward to indulging his passion for running and enjoying his three grandchildren.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

CPUT unveiled its entry into the Sasol Solar Challenge 2018, South Africa today.

Students, lecturers and high school learners gathered at the Auditorium on Bellville campus to watch team members lift the veil on the CPUT Solar Flyer.

Our students take part in the Sasol Solar Challenge 2018, South Africa for the first time this year and our entry is called CPUT Solar Flyer because the original design made the solar car look a bit like a plane.

Sharp-eyed learners asked the team why the car on display was different to the CAD design on the poster, which Prof Graeme Oliver used as a teaching moment to explain how engineers need to adapt their original ideas to balance need with available material.

The long-term plan is for the car to be used when school liaison officers visit local schools to interest learners in studying engineering.

First, though the car will be taken to Pretoria from where it will set off on 22 September to race down to Stellenbosch by 29 September. The Sasol Solar Challenge is a biennial event which sees more than 20 national and international teams compete to cover the most distance over eight days.

Welcoming guests at the launch Prof Anthony Staak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, pointed out that securing funding for the project turned out to the easier part since the team had only three months in which to build the car.

“But, where others saw insurmountable obstructions, our team simply saw opportunities. As the build progressed designs were adjusted to ensure deadlines were met.

“In the spirit of most CPUT projects this solar car project is multidisciplinary and it fits in with the university’s vision to be at the heart of technology education and innovation in Africa,” said Staak.

Written by Theresa Smith
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The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) will host the much-anticipated PEESA III (Personalised Engineering Education in Southern Africa) Dissemination Conference on the 7th of September 2021 on Microsoft Teams.

The main theme of this virtual event is: Engineering Education and the conference will be of interest to engineering staff and students. The project also focuses on the promotion of women in engineering and on improving the university's industry co-operation.

The PEESA III Project is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Commission on the Erasmus+ programme. It is aimed at building capacity in areas related to engineering education. The project is being implemented by a consortium of universities from South Africa and Europe, namely: CPUT, Tshwane University of Technology, Vaal University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, Hochschule Wismar, Hochschule Flensburg, University of Szczecin and the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.

PEESA III Board member, Prof Anthony Staak says in 2013 a consortium of universities from Europe and Southern Africa submitted an application for funding from the European Commission for a project titled “Programme on Energy Efficiency in Southern Africa” hence the acronym PEESA. The consortium was successful in two further applications for funding from the European Commission. All three projects are related to engineering education. “The current PEESA III has as its primary deliverable a suite of professional master of engineering degrees at the South African partner universities,” says Staak.

The Dissemination Conference takes place towards the end of the Erasmus + project, where the primary goal is to provide project participants with an opportunity to showcase the PEESA III project, present the project outcomes and deliverables, and reflect on its successes and challenges.  

The project is located at FEBE and as a result of the PEESA project the faculty will have two newly developed Master’s degree qualifications. “Faculty staff, in particular, will benefit from the capacity building initiatives associated with the project,” Staak enthuses.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only presenters and session chairs will be permitted to enter the conference venue, and then only for their presentation. The conference will be video streamed on the TEAMS platform making online participation possible. There will be three keynote addresses by well-known speakers. The embassies of Germany, Poland and Romania have all been approached for messages of support, but they will most probably participate virtually. Staak says it’s difficult to estimate the online attendance, but the conference has been advertised at all partner universities.

To join the conference, please click on the following link - https://bit.ly/3j8Lnub 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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