The road to graduation took a detour for two Cape Town-based media specialists. Gasant Abarder and Nashira Davids dropped out of Journalism studies years ago to pursue flourishing careers, but the pull to complete their degrees always remained. The pair completed their portfolio of evidence for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and completed their BTech year in 2017. Abarder is the Regional Executive Editor of the Independent Group and Davids is a journalist and News Editor at the Tiso Blackstar Group which publishes the Sunday Times. Around two decades after starting their studies the pair graduate this week.

When did you initially start studying and why did you stop at that stage?

Abarder: I enrolled for a National Diploma in Journalism at the then Peninsula Technikon in 1996. When I returned from my in-service I arrogantly took the last few months of my final year for granted and failed two subjects. I thought I didn't need the qualification so I didn't enrol for the two failed subjects the following year and as my career developed I started regretting my cavalier attitude towards my academic development.

Davids: I studied at CPUT in 2000 and started my year-long internship at the Sunday Times in 2001. When I was offered a permanent position in Johannesburg I remember thinking that there was no way I could turn down such an opportunity. At the time I had heard that several qualified journalists struggled to find permanent jobs. And, I thought, I could finish the remaining six months whenever I wanted to. Now, more than 15 years later that is exactly what I did.

What made you decide to come back and complete your qualification?

Abarder: Jude Mathurine, Head of Journalism at CPUT, and CPUT media liaison, Lauren Kansley (a former work colleague), persuaded to complete my studies. They encouraged me to put together a portfolio of my work over two decades and submit this as a application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). I finally submitted having just interviewed legendary South African musician Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, who became a student at the age of 60. I then set myself a target of obtaining my BTech Degree in Journalism before I'm 40. So now, less than two months to my 40th birthday, I'm graduating cum laude!

Davids: In 2010 I was married with two children and back in Cape Town working for the Sunday Times when my mother said it was time to finish what I had started. In June 2016 I submitted my RPL application and in November Senate accepted my application. I cannot put into words how excited and how absolutely petrified I was to return to the classroom with students who were finishing play school when I had finished high school.

What will it feel like to finally have that degree in your hand and what are your future plans?

Abarder: It will be an unbelievable feeling of achievement. On a personal level, it is very rewarding that I can graduate after juggling work commitments, while being a parent and a husband. I hope my new qualification will assist me in working abroad for a short time, which has always been an ambition of mine.

Davids: This is not an easy process. At the heart of it all is compiling a CV and portfolio, which proves that you are competent in most of the outcomes of a BTech degree. I spent hours trawling through archives to find my work. And then it took forever to compile and present it in a legible document. All this while juggling a career and family life. With hindsight, it might have prepared me for my studies which I eventually passed with distinction!

Any words of wisdom?

Abarder: There is no other substitute – hard work wins the day.

Davids: RPL is an opportunity to grow and change how you think and work.

Read more about the RPL process here.

Go to our Facebook page for the latest grad news.

Written by Abigail Calata

The City of Cape Town in partnership with three of the four universities operating under the banner of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) recently held a workshop at CPUT with a view to exploring ways in which the partnership can deliver required skills for staff of the City of Cape Town.

The main objective was to come up with a regional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) model as opposed to each institution using its own RPL process.

The workshop, held at the IT Centre on the Bellville Campus on 19 August 2009, served as a platform for constructive engagement with RPL practices related to the skills development and training needs of staff in the City of Cape Town.

Delegates from the City of Cape Town, CPUT, the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) explored innovative RPL programmes and discussed proposals to enhance further provision of RPL services for eligible staff in future.

Nasima Badsha, CEO of CHEC, gave a brief background of the project. Alan Ralphs of UWC mentioned that universities have already taken certain steps. The workshop’s task was to widen the scope by talking about RPL and exchanging ideas about implementing the planned project.

Yolanda Scholtz, Strategic HR: Human Capital Development at the City of Cape Town, said the city had gone through a skills audit in which 90% of management staff participated and were assessed.

She said strengths, weaknesses and gaps to be filled were identified in the process and the role of RPL became clear. She also mentioned that there are people with certain skills who don’t have the qualifications in Accounting that government would need them to have by the year 2013. Staff at supervisory level were also neglected although this was “the most important level in getting the job done.”

Three universities made presentations in which they stated what they have done so far and what they intend doing in future.

At the end it was agreed that there was a need for collaborative planning and implementation of progra between the City of Cape Town and the three institutions. There was a common feeling that there needs to be a central advice and referral office to either be based at the CHEC or City Council’s offices. The office would also deal with program specific information, mentoring, support and tracking, and policy frameworks.

It was also agreed that an invitation be extended to the Office of the Premier (Provincial Government) to join in the project. A working committee of the participating institutions was to continue its work in the implementation of these resolutions.

By Thami Nkwanyane

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applications for the popular part-time BTech course offered in collaboration with Open Architecture is currently open for study in 2017.

The two year part-time BTech Architectural Technology degree programme is not limited to candidates from the Western Cape.

The blended model allows for three block release sessions on campus per year, office-based mentoring and online interaction and is ideal for working individuals who are keen to upskill and advance their professional registration to that of Senior Architectural Technologist, but are unable to give up their job to study full time. 

In April the first cohort of graduates, who enrolled in 2014, graduated and 40 students are presently enrolled. With students from as far away as Windhoek, Polokwane, Harare and Johannesburg, course co-ordinator and senior lecturer, Jolanda Morkel, says it is aimed at inclusivity and the transformation of the architectural profession. 

“This project demonstrates a successful university-Industry collaboration aimed at broadening access to higher education for non-traditional students by providing a flexible learning model,” she says.

Applicants need a National Diploma in Architectural Technology or equivalent, plus a minimum of one year work experience in an architectural office.

A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route is also available for those who have a minimum of 10 years` work experience but without the minimum formal qualification.

The selection process involves an interview, presentation of a work portfolio, design and theory testing and the candidate should be employed in an Architectural office, with a mentor.

For more information visit www.openarchitecture.co.za

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Applications for the popular part-time BTech course offered in collaboration with Open Architecture is currently open for study in 2017.

The two year part-time BTech Architectural Technology degree programme is not limited to candidates from the Western Cape. The blended model allows for three block release sessions on campus per year, office-based mentoring and online interaction and is ideal for working individuals who are keen to upskill and advance their professional registration to that of Senior Architectural Technologist, but are unable to give up their job to study full time. 

In April the first cohort of graduates, who enrolled in 2014, graduated and 40 students are presently enrolled. With students from as far away as Windhoek, Polokwane, Harare and Johannesburg, course co-ordinator and senior lecurer, Jolanda Morkel, says it is aimed at inclusivity and the transformation of the architectural profession. 

“This project demonstrates a successful University-Industry collaboration aimed at broadening access to higher education for non-traditional students by providing a flexible learning model,” she says.

Applicants need a National Diploma in Architectural Technology or equivalent, plus a minimum of one year work experience in an architectural office. A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route is also available for those who have a minimum of 10 years` work experience but without the minimum formal qualification. The selection process involves an interview, presentation of a work portfolio, design and theory testing and the candidate should be employed in an Architectural office, with a mentor.

For more information visit www.openarchitecture.co.za

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

Matric learners and other individuals hoping to jumpstart their careers can now apply to study at CPUT in 2019. 

Whether you want to be a teacher, journalist, nurse, or a designer CPUT has you covered with more than 70 career-focused courses to choose from.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online and can visit www.cput.ac.za/study/apply.

Manual applications are only available to applicants applying for Recognition of Prior Learning, non-South African citizens, South African citizens with international qualifications, applicants with permanent residence in South Africa and applicants with Refugee Status/ an Asylum Seeker permit.

Please note; that a non-refundable application fee will be applicable for manual applications.

Applications for the following courses close on 31 July:

• Architectural Technology,
• Fashion
• Visual Communication
• Design
• Interior Design
• Product Design
• Jewellery Design & Manufacture 
• Nursing Science 

The deadline for applications from international applicants will be on August 31.

South African applicants can apply until September 30. 

If you have already applied and have documents outstanding or need to upload additional supporting documents here. 

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.