“With the 2011 academic year now in full swing, the largest university in the Western Cape is looking forward to a year of continuous improvement in quality.” So said Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Mazwi-Tanga, welcoming new academic and support staff to the CPUT family.  Aimed at giving one of CPUT’s most valuable assets a thorough overview of the university, last week’s induction also spelled out the ways in which it continually seeks to attract and retain the best calibre personnel.

As Human Resources Director, Charles Gilbert, made clear in his address, CPUT has an extensive plan to develop, retain, reward and support staff so that recognition for excellence in education is attained. His words were strongly echoed by Executive Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Nomathamsanqa Tisani, who said, “The revolving door syndrome is not welcome at CPUT – it is our intention to retain our staff and develop them to their full potential. Because staff development is paramount, just one of the exciting ways we invest in staff is our Erasmus Mundus Programme.“  This avails scholarships for studying, research and development at postgraduate level to South African nationals at selected European universities.

Dr Tisani strongly encouraged new staff, and old, to take full advantage of this lucrative and potentially life-changing scholarship, where a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 36 months can be spent at a European university. The application deadlines for this year’s intake has been extended until February 28th and March 7th, and all staff are urged to familiarise themselves with the process of applying.Day one of the induction also saw issues like employer relations, health and safety, conditions of service and performance management explained to the new staffers. CPUT’s Learning and Development Manager, Thelo Wakefield, stressed the high value CPUT places on extending staffers’ knowledge and skills. “We’re dedicated to the presentation of quality training programmes that bring about an improvement in the way daily tasks are performed,” said Thelo. The go-to-guy for staffers keen to up-skill, Thelo’s office in the Administration Building on the Bellville campus is always ready to provide support, advice and ensure that staff development is accessible on an equitable basis.Day two saw academic staff participate in a workshop designed to introduce them to Higher Education in South Africa. Facilitated by Prof Chris Winberg, the day’s proceedings gave more insight into Universities of Technology and the CPUT context.With critical issues like conditions of service, performance management and the ins and outs of being a new lecturer at CPUT addressed, day three of the comprehensive induction was pure fun. New staffers enjoyed a tour of all CPUT’s campuses, including the jewel in CPUT’s crown, Granger Bay, with a sundowner braai on the Wellington campus a fitting conclusion to this comprehensive introduction to life as an employee of CPUT.

By Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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It was a night of celebration for CPUT’s alumni – tinged with a note of sadness and respect as Prof Mazwi-Tanga’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the university draws to a close.

Hundreds of graduates, old and new, gathered at a city hotel last week to toast 2013’s heady achievements. These included the establishment of the university’s first Alumni Association in March and the successful launch of 6 alumni chapters in regions of South and Southern Africa.

The evening saw KFM Breakfast Show sports anchor Jeremy Harris, himself an alumnus of the CPUT, regaling the crowds with anecdotes from his student days and raffling off a series of prizes to boost the coffers of the CPUT Bursary Fund. Alumni officers Valerie Deelman, Nandi Madadasana and Francois Jooste were delighted at the attendance and enthusiasm of alumni and promise that this year’s successes are just the beginning of a new era in alumni relations.

They collectively extended heartfelt thanks to those who attended for making the event such a roaring success. “It was an honour to spend time with some of our finest alumni, and deeply gratifying to see the new faces in amongst the old faithful”, they say.

In addition to the fun, R4 500 was raised through the support of the various raffles – a real boost for the Bursary Fund which helps deserving students finance their futures.

Alumni Association chairperson, Jeff Daniels, says many more such events are planned across the country and region in 2014 as part of the drive to give back to the university using the professional resources, networks and goodwill of CPUT’s graduates.

For further information on joining and supporting the Alumni Association or the Bursary Fund, please contact the Alumni Office on 021 460 3389. Photographs of the night’s festivities can be viewed on the CPUT Alumni Facebook page here .

Written by Janyce Weintrob

Tel: +27 21 460 3514
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Financially disadvantaged students can expect some relief thanks to an exclusive fund raising cocktail evening.

Interested parties have only one day left to RSVP for the event which will be held on Tuesday 19^th June at the Cape Town Hotel School in Granger Bay.

Hosted by Vice-Chancellor Prof Mazwi-Tanga and Council Chair Mbulelo Bikwani, the glittering event will give guests the opportunity to network and reconnect while finding out more about the incredible work being done to help students in need.

Mr Bikwani is himself a grateful recipient of financial aid. His early struggles as a student saw him knocking on many doors to source funding.

“Having experienced first-hand the hardships of financing my studies, when I became Chairman of Council I knew I couldn’t accept such a prestigious role without initiating projects to make a difference to those desperate for an education,” he says.

“With this in mind, and given the challenges facing the University to maintain standards of excellence, your support and engagement, is now, more than ever, critical to the interests of CPUT. “

Those who wish to attend the function on Tuesday 19^th June at the Cape Town Hotel School are advised that seats are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP by close of business on Friday 7^th June to Helena Pietersen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The cocktail function begins at 17h00 for 17h30 and the dress code is Smart.

By  Jan Weintrob

Written by CPUT News
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A week of autumn graduation ceremonies drew to a close on Saturday with the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences.

By that afternoon the university had conferred a total of 6555 qualifications in 12 ceremonies happening morning and evening at the Bellville and Cape Town campuses.

This weekend the loudest applause was reserved for Dean’s medallist Tanja Renate Botbyl.

The young teacher obtained distinctions in 65 of the 73 subjects she studied and is currently working at Bosmansdam High School in Bothasig.

Vice Chancellor Prof Mazwi-Tanga congratulated all graduates and implored them to keep CPUT’s name high as they headed off into the industry.

“Always remember that CPUT is your alma mater. Continue to do us proud,” she says.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga also praised the supporting role that parents and guardians played in getting graduates to that point.

“I express my sincere appreciation to parents, guardians and spouses for assisting you on your educational and life journey during these defining years,” she says.

“Their contribution is celebrated on this day as well. Your success is their success.”

By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
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