CPUT in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), will launch the Correctional Services 1st Annual Literacy and Reading Symposium today, 8 September.

The symposium, which takes place at Drakenstein Correctional Centre aims to bring together literacy educators, language educators and librarians from Correctional Centres throughout the Western Cape.

Through this symposium, officials involved in the literacy and reading, education, development and support to offenders, will be provided with a professional learning opportunity to connect, share knowledge and learn from one another and other literacy specialists.

The symposium comes as International Literacy Day is commemorated and thus the objective aims to stimulate discussions between educators and library staff. Underpinned by the year’s theme: Literacy is a human right and the foundation of all learning, the symposium further seeks to assist in literacy education but also to synergise formal learning hence maximising the library as a valuable tool in learning for offenders. DCS currently offers a range of skills opportunities and basic education for offenders within its centres through its qualified educators and instructors.

According to Prof Hanlie Dippenaar, Assistant Dean from the Faculty of Education, the Institution prides itself on its successes in harnessing relationships with its communities across a range of backgrounds. Therefore, the collaboration with Drakenstein Correctional Services presents an exciting opportunity to prepare student teachers for the world of work, while simultaneously enhancing their sense of community and citizenship.

“Community engagement is one of the primary goals of the Faculty of Education. The Faculty strives to align learning, teaching and research efforts in support of building world-class practices by actively participating in and contributing to the national and international discourse in South Africa through sustainable partnerships. We require of our students and graduates to act with respect and understanding of others, both interpersonally and inter-professionally.

They are required to be able to engage with people from diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts and display knowledge in working towards solving complex problems professionally for the well-being and improvement of society. This is all in the spirit of Ubuntu, which we try to instil in our future teachers,” she said.

The symposium boasts an impressive line-up of speakers which include keynote speaker, Adjunct Professor, Janet Condy, who was the Director of the Literacy Development Research Unit at CPUT, Dr Glenda Scales who serves as both Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Chief Technology Officer in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, will accompany a programme inclusive of poetry, music and exhibition.

Some of the other presenters include Correctional Services Education and Training specialist and coordinator, Andile Nelani, together with Anita Walz, Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Open Education and Scholarly Communication Librarian in the University Libraries at Virginia Tech.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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A delegation from Indiana State University recently visited CPUT as part of a study group tour of four South African universities.

The objective of the visit was to learn about South African history and culture and to understand the different institutional cultures, according to Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager of international Relations in the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate.

They visited three universities in the Western Cape and the University of Pretoria in Gauteng.

Prof Hanlie Dippenaar, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Education, said the visit also served to introduce the Faculty to their colleagues from Indiana State University, and to explore possible collaboration between the two institutions.

“Such collaboration can enrich the educational experiences of staff and students by offering diverse perspectives and cultural insights to students and Faculty alike. We as a Faculty are interested in exploring joint projects and initiatives, fostering innovation and addressing complex global challenges through collective efforts. “Ultimately, such opportunities cultivate a network of international scholars, graduates, and professionals, promoting cross-cultural understanding and contributing to the goal of internationalisation, which is a priority in the Faculty of Education.”

Written by CPUT News
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Achieving the Dream (ATD) presented CPUT with a special 20th anniversary award at DREAM: the Siyaphumelela Network Award held at Orlando, Florida in the United States of America.

Dr Xena Cupido, Director: Fundani CHED, said the Siyaphumelela Network Award celebrated the work of South African participant institutions in advancing equity and driving student-centred transformation. Dr Nosisana Mkonto and Prof Muhammad Nakhooda accepted the award on CPUT's behalf. The Siyaphumelela Team at CPUT, consists of the chair, Cupido, Prof Hanlie Dippenaar, Dr Lizel Hudson, and data expert, Dr Thomas Farrar who is also the head of Mathematics and Physics Department. The team has been interrogating diverse data repositories and engaging in regular conversations as they drew insights and unpacked data to develop a far clearer picture of student needs at CPUT, said Cupido.

She said over the last four years, the Siyaphumelela Project at CPUT under her leadership–and co-chaired by Nakhooda, “has laid the foundations to understand the meaning and drivers of student success in the constantly changing context of CPUT and, together with partners at University of the Western Cape and University of Cape Town, its place in the larger landscape of the Western Cape”.

The Siyaphumelela Project is an objective of the larger Kresge Foundation’s Education Program, which works towards supporting colleges and universities around the world to better understand and support the most vulnerable students along their chosen academic journeys. The Annual Achieving the Dream Conference brings all benefactors of these projects together to share experiences and talk through best practices. “Important lessons and achievements are discussed, with shared stories from very diverse international higher education contexts,” Cupido said.

Nakhooda, sourced the data and presented it in new ways so that it becomes not only accessible, but also meaningful and actionable. He said the Siyaphumelela Student Success Initiative seeks to empower universities to better design their systems in an integrated way, around unique cohorts, unique needs, and for unique contexts. “In order to realise this aim, one must actively search for various data sources, that together, create a holistic picture of what constitutes student success, rather than the singular measures of throughput and retention.”

Cupido added that CPUT has committed itself through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2020, to be a participant university in the national Siyaphumelela Student Success Project. She said the institution has pledged to create a student-centred culture at CPUT, “to reduce prejudices based on gender and race, and to support student success by improving institutional capacity in this regard through the collection and interrogation of data that may be indicators of student application, retention, support and success”.

Mkonto, Head of Student Transition, Access, Retention, and Success (STARS) Unit and First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator, said the project, along with Kresge's objective to aid vulnerable students, intersects with FYE initiative and the STARS Unit. She said these initiatives collectively aim to provide comprehensive support to students, enabling them to effectively adapt to university life, actively engage in their academic pursuits, and ultimately succeed in their studies. At the Achieving the Dream conference, academics shared challenges, opportunities, and best practices in achieving student success. Two things that stood out for her at the conference include:

• The use of data to understand the students’ journey through the university.
• Scholar awards where students shared their personal journeys towards achieving academic success.

“Through such engagements, CPUT can learn how to effectively use data to gain deeper insight into understanding the student journey and integrate student voice to cultivate student success.”

Cupido added that the students’ success is “everybody's business, from administration, support, academic, professional through to leadership”. She said CPUT has worked toward developing the necessary structures through programmes such as FYE mentors and retention officers, tutors and teaching assistants, working with data interns to understand and interpret data. “Vision 2030 has been fundamental in guiding the process.”

Reflecting on the award, Cupido said: “This is a recognition of the work being done at CPUT to prioritise students and their success, as future leaders, responsible and responsive citizens, willing to make a difference in the lives of others.”

She said the project culminated in the STARS Unit in Fundani CHED and the development of a STARS committee, a sub-committee of the Senate Learning and Teaching committee. “Here we will be able to track the student support interventions offered and the impact it has on student success.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Three academics from the Faculty of Education recently visited Chandigarh University (CU) in India, as part of an International Faculty Exchange Programme.

They are Prof Hanlie Dippenaar (Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education), Dr Sharon Mc Auliffe (Senior lecturer: Mathematics, Mowbray campus) and Dr Rolene Liebenberg (Senior lecturer: Mathematics, Wellington campus).

The visit was by invitation of Prof Rajan Sharma, Director of International Affairs at CU and International Office of Chandigarh University.

CU prioritises international collaboration and hosts many international scholars. Through this, they expose their students to lecturers and scientists from across the world, which enhances critical thinking and dialogue. Chandigarh University received a QS World Ranking of 771-780 for 2024 and ranked number one amongst private universities in India. After only 11 years it is the youngest university to emerge amongst the top 1.7% universities of Asia.

During their visit, the CPUT delegation met lecturers from Poland, the UK and Georgia. As visiting Faculty of the Chandigarh University, the three lecturers from CPUT were involved in teaching English and Maths to pre-service student teachers. They interacted with staff, undergraduate-, postgraduate-, and Master’s students and attended meetings to discuss potential collaboration and ideas to strengthen this partnership. Excellent opportunities to co-supervise undergraduate, graduate and Doctoral (PhD.) students, participate in externally funded projects as co-principal investigators, and to write joint project proposals for international funding were identified, not only in the Faculty of Education, but also for other Faculties.

They expressed a warm word of thanks to Chandigarh University for their generous hospitality and look forward to further collaboration.

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The Faculty of Education recently announced the commencement of a mutual reciprocity collaboration between the faculty academics, students, and Chandigarh University in India.

Clive Brown from the Intermediate Phase at Mowbray Campus said in an era marked by interconnectedness and globalisation, universities worldwide increasingly recognise the value of international collaboration in advancing academic pursuits and nurturing a diverse, inclusive learning environment.

Brown said the CPUT visit to Chandigarh University earlier this year, served as the catalyst for a burgeoning partnership aimed at bridging geographical boundaries and harnessing the collective expertise of educators and learners from diverse cultural backgrounds.”

Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Andile Mji, thanked the colleagues from India for being caring hosts to Dr Rolene Liebenberg, Dr Sharon McAuliffe, and Prof Hanlie Dippenaar during their international visit to India.

Brown said developing a transnational collaboration between CPUT and Chandigarh University holds immense importance in fostering global academic exchange and synergy. “Such collaboration can enrich educational experiences by offering diverse perspectives, methodologies, and cultural insights to students and faculty alike. It facilitates the sharing of resources, expertise, and research findings, enhancing the quality and depth of academic programmes and research endeavours.”

He added that transnational collaboration opens avenues for joint projects and initiatives, fostering innovation and addressing complex global challenges through collective efforts. By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, “we can embark on interdisciplinary research endeavours that transcend geographical boundaries and contribute to the advancement of knowledge on a global scale.

This collaboration cultivates a network of international scholars, graduates, and professionals, promoting cross-cultural understanding and facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices. “Through meaningful engagement and collaboration, we can collectively work towards building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for education worldwide.

“This partnership underscores the mutual reciprocity between the two countries and institutions in advancing research across transnational spaces. Together, we embark on a journey of discovery, learning, and collaboration that transcends borders and enriches the academic landscape for generations to come.”

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