Chancellor of CPUT, Dr Trevor Manuel, will confer 6 300 diplomas and degrees on CPUT graduates during the University’s April Graduation.

Of this total, 62 master's degrees and seven doctoral degrees will be awarded during the twelve graduation ceremonies that will take place at the Cape Town and Bellville campuses.

This year’s graduation week commenced on 12 April 2010, with graduates from the Business Faculty taking to the stage to receive their academic qualifications.

The Business Faculty is the largest faculty at CPUT and five of the twelve ceremonies have been set aside for this faculty.

The remainder of the ceremonies will be used to confer degrees in the Faculty of Education and Social Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health and Wellness and the Faculty of Informatics and Design.

Addressing graduates at the first graduation ceremony, which took place at the Cape Town Campus, Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga said: “This is a very special occasion and day for all of you. It represents the culmination of many years of hard work and sacrifice.”

She also acknowledged the sacrifices made by parents, partners, family and sponsors during the graduates’ years at CPUT.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga said the institution is proud of what the graduates have achieved thus far.

“We hope that we have placed you on a trajectory that will lead you to greater heights,” she said.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga called on the graduates, who are set to go on to occupy influential positions in industry and the public sector, to support CPUT in its mission of creating and applying knowledge that will contribute to economic and social development in South Africa “We hope you will not forget to plough back into the institution,” she said.

Guest speaker at the ceremony, David Pietersen, the Director of Marketing and Sales at I&J, urged students to “dream big.”

An alumnus of CPUT, Pietersen said: “Make yourself a promise today that you will write down your dream.”

He said graduates must not let their dreams be shattered by alcohol or drug abuse, which is currently rife amongst South African youth.

Pietersen, who has held several top positions in industry also urged Business graduates to not just settle for secure employment at companies but to go on to create employment for other South Africans.

“What this country needs are entrepreneurs. The formal sector does not have the capacity to take up all the demands for jobs,” he said.

He said it takes courage to leap into the world of entrepreneurship as you have to have a successful business idea.

“Don’t look for the big ideas. Many successful entrepreneurs started with humble ideas,” he said.

Pietersen also called on graduates to develop a “proudly South Africa culture” by supporting South African entrepreneurs.

“When a new business starts up, support it as is may be one of your fellow alumni,” he said.

Dr Manuel, who presided over the graduation, also encouraged graduates to pursue their dreams.

“I want to plead with graduates to take heed of the advice of the guest speaker. Commit to your dreams.”

He called on graduates to make a commitment to life-long learning and return to CPUT to further their studies.

Written by CPUT News

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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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At a recent ceremony, CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga expressed gratitude toward the Abe Bailey Trust.

She thanked the organisation for its consistent support of the institution.

The trust, which was established in terms of the will of the late Sir Abe Bailey, who was a mining magnate and politician in South Africa, has donated R1.3million to the institution over the past several years.

The Vice-Chancellor demonstrated her gratitude at a plaque unveiling ceremony on 25 May 2009, during which she also presented a certificate of appreciation to the Trust.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga said CPUT recognised the generous contribution made to the university and its parent institutions, the Cape and Peninsula Technikons. She said while all universities in South Africa were struggling to improve their throughput rate, support such as that from the Trust was assisting in aiding CPUT in its commitment to improve.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga said the contribution has, among other things, enabled CPUT to roll out programmes that assist students with the development of language and writing skills.

One of these programmes is the Writing Centre situated at both the Bellville and Cape Town campuses.

The Writing Centre provides academic literacy support to students, assisting them with the development of academic reading, writing, communication and language skills.

Prof Mazwi-Tanga said by assisting students in these vital areas, they can improve the throughput rate.

Trust Chairman Brian Robinson said the trust originally focused on leadership development, but over the years has expanded its areas of support.

Robinson said the partnership between the trust and CPUT may see more support in the future.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

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CPUT, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, local industry and various tertiary institutions within the Western Cape recently launched the Western Cape Regional Innovation Forum at the Breakwater Lodge, V&A Waterfront.

The Forum, the theme of which was ‘Innovation through Cooperation’, has been developed to activate the Regional Innovation System (RIS) by facilitating a comprehensive engagement of Western Cape businesses, institutions and government (collectively known as Triple Helix stakeholders).

The Forum will provide a unique opportunity to network, cement and exchange opportunity and know-how as a contribution to both regional and national innovation.

This collaboration and networking among the Triple Helix stakeholders is critical for economic growth and wealth creation, particularly in the advent of Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the new IPR Act 51 of 2008. The latter encourages universities to manage their intellectual assets appropriately. Academically it is also important for local universities to establish linkages with industry to bridge the innovation chasm.

Welcoming the guests, CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, mentioned that CPUT has been asked to be the coordinator of the project. She said the event marks the significance of how the problems relating to health, poverty, unemployment, and service can be solved through collaboration and partnerships. Prof Mazwi-Tanga said there was a strong correlation between innovation and economic growth.

Marjorie Pyoos, Deputy Director General at the DST, said CPUT played a significant role in mobilising institutions in the Western Cape. She drew an analogy to Finland, which is dependent on forestry but became a key role player in the world economy because people are seeking innovative solutions.

Pyoos said the recent economic recession should not be seen only as negative but also as a challenge to reverse our situation and grow economy. She said the people of Finland came up with technological ideas.

Piet Barnard, Director of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Cape Town, said they were getting 60% of foreign funding for research from local government, NGO, and national government.

Among the other people who spoke at the launch were Shamil Isaacs of the CPUT Clothing and Textile Technology Station, Phindile Tshabangu from the University of Stellenbosch and Khalid Khan from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Their presentations showcased strategies, opportunities and possible collaborations within the Triple Helix stakeholders. There were also group discussions on strategic implementation of these activities.

During his vote of thanks, Dr Chris Nhlapo, CPUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, thanked everyone who attended the forum and reminded the guests that 55% of all National Research Foundation (NRF) ‘A’ rated researchers come from the Western Cape.

By Thami Nkwanyane

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Students enrolled at the Wellington Campus now have access to brand new clinic facilities.

On 24 June 2009, Campus Health Services, a department tasked with promoting health and wellness at CPUT, officially opened the clinic.

The clinic, which is staffed by Sister Tania Maree, will offer a range of services to students, from general medical consultations, wound dressing to attending to minor ailments.

Dean of Students Cora Njoli Motale, who addressed members of the CPUT community at the opening of the clinic, said: “Within student services we are trusted with so many responsibilities. One of those is looking after the wellness of our students.”

With clinics situated at four of CPUT’s campuses, Motale said they are able to offer quality health services to students.

Elisabet Smit, Head of Student Counselling said health services at Wellington campus had a “humble beginning.”

In 2004, CPUT nursing Sister Dorothy Jonathan, approached the Drakenstein Municipality and secured temporary use of a local clinic.

However, limited medical services were available to students.

The clinic was also not easy accessible as it was located off campus.

With an increase in demand for primary health care services, the institution decided in 2007 to build a clinic adjacent to the Student Counselling Office.

Smit said building work commenced in June 2008. The clinic opened its doors at the start of the first term in 2009.

Chairperson of the Wellington Student Representative Council Ian Dippenaar welcomed the clinic and said it will contribute to making students’ lives easier.

Dr Allie Jardine, Head of Health Services at CPUT, said he is excited about the clinic.

The “dream of a clinic” would not have been realised without the funding approved by the Executive Management, said Dr Jardine.

Wellington campus manager Ben Turner, said: “We are very proud about the clinic.”

By Candes Keating

Photo: Attending the launch of the Wellington Clinic were (back row) Head of Health Services Dr Allie Jardine, (front row) Dean of Students Cora Njoli Motale, Manager of Wellington Campus Ben Turner and CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga.

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The Transformation Office in collaboration with the Office of International Affairs hosted the Africa Day celebrations on 25 May 2010 at the Bellville Campus’ Auditorium.

The event - with the theme: African Scholarship - paid special attention to the contributions of Africans to research and development, with the ultimate view of promoting economic growth and wealth.

After CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, made her welcoming speech, several researchers and academics addressed the gathering, covering a wide range of papers in keeping with the theme for the day.

Dr Daniel Nyanganyura of the International Council for Science (ICSU) Regional Office for Africa spoke about: Strengthening African Scientific Research for the benefit of Society; Prof Stephanie Burton, Director of Postgraduate Studies at CPUT, covered the importance of postgraduate research and training in Africa and Dr Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, looked at Strengthening the Diaspora Network to contribute to research and innovation.

Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25 1963. On this day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Similarly, the Auditorium portrayed the same spirit in the kaleidoscopic African dress code, comments and opinions expressed on the day. The poetry and the sounds of the Djembe drums reconnected the audience in one spirit.

Dr Nhlapo painted a bleak picture of the research output of Africans as compared to other nationals when one looks at researchers per one million inhabitants.

Africa has 78 researchers per million inhabitants as compared to the U.S.A and Japan which respectively boast 4006 and 5206 researchers per million inhabitants. South Africa on the other hand has 309 researchers per million inhabitants.

Dr Nhlapo said the African Union and Nepad need to play their coordinating and facilitating roles to address the issue of brain drain, and every country needs to establish its own Diaspora database that can be used to create African Diasporas master database.

He said there is a need for the development of a national policy to link development needs with Diaspora resources and to guide activities. “African governments need assistance to effectively harness their Diaspora potential. They should demonstrate their commitment to retain and to re-attract skilled personnel at home and take initiatives to mobilize the diaspora,” said Dr Nhlapo.

Professor Thandi Matsha of the Biomedical Sciences Department deliberated on SA's contribution towards Africa's Development with regards to Research. Prof Matsha participated in panel discussions which also included speakers from Nigeria, Gabon and Zimbabwe.

She said the Ministry of Science and Technology had spent R1, 1 billion rand in research, development and innovation programs while a further R1, 6 billion was spent on human capital and R1, 2 billion on socio-economic partnerships programs.

She diffused some long held fallacies about Africa by mentioning that the Timbuktu Manuscripts which date as far back as the 13th century “Hold the key to some of the secrets of the continent's history and cultural heritage - and shatter the conventional historical view of Africa as a purely ""oral continent"".

The manuscripts provide a written testimony to the skill of African scientists, in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, medicine and climatology in the Middle Ages”.

Mrs Merle Hodges, Director of International Affairs, said her department would like to pay tribute to their late colleague Jabu Mazibuko, who always had dreams for the development and cultural exchange as espoused by speakers in the recent event.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Photograph: Members of the CPUT community that attended the Africa Day celebrations.

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To honour the legacy of CPUT’s first Vice-Chancellor, the university unveiled an official portrait of Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga at the Council Chambers on the Bellville Campus.

Mazwi-Tanga was at the helm of CPUT for eight years and prior to that held various positions at the former Peninsula Technkion.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mbulelo Bikwani, Chairman of the CPUT Council, commended Mazwi-Tanga for her contribution to the higher education sector.

Bikwani says during her tenure, Mazwi-Tanga consolidated CPUT’s position as one of the top UoT’s in the country, created a conducive environment for teaching and learning and restructured the whole university from nine faculties to six faculties.

“When the next history of CPUT is written we know that Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga’s name will be right up there with the legends, and that future generations will talk about a simple woman from kwaNomaheya that passed here and left an indelible mark not only in the history books of this university but in the hearts of those that came into contact with her.

Bikwani says the unveiling is a symbol of collective sacrifice and accomplishments by those who pioneered the establishment of CPUT under her leadership.

Deputy-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Prof Anthony Staak, commended Mazwi-Tanga for the role she played in developing CPUT.

“You showed us that leadership is not about being popular, but about being firm and taking decisions that will benefit CPUT,” he says.

Mazwi-Tanga says she is humbled by the gesture and thanked the CPUT community for including her into the CPUT history.

She says she owes this recognition to the many women in higher education and other spheres of life who have gone before her as well as those who are still struggling, especially those in rural areas.

She also encouraged women in all spheres of life to not shy away from hard work and to always strive to do their best.

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.