Inspired by its resolve to become a great university, CPUT will hold its first ever University Assembly later this month to address the challenges facing the South African society as well as how the university aims to deal with them.

The event is an initiative by CPUT’s Council to encourage free speech within the university and entrench a culture of dialogue, says Transformation and Cohesion manager George Mvalo.

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Barney Pityana, former Vice-chancellor at the University of South Africa, and will be followed by a panel discussion involving student leadership and the university’s management.

Four cross-cutting themes will be discussed during the assembly:

Creating a distinct university identity

The assembly will discuss questions such as:

• What should be CPUT’s distinct academic identity?
• What should set CPUT apart from other institutions in its quest to be a great University in Africa?
• What kind of mutually beneficial partnerships should CPUT forge in line with its mission and vision?

Students at the center of service delivery

This commitment presupposes that students should be afforded an opportunity to enjoy a well- rounded and enriching student experience within and outside the classroom.

Efficiency and effectiveness

Dwindling resources mean that universities need to use the resources at their disposal in a more efficient and effective way. Efficiency and effectiveness is a sine qua non of sustainability and forms part of the themes propounded in CPUT’s strategic vision 2020.

Applied research and innovation

CPUT’s 10 year Research and Technology Innovation (RTI) blueprint foregrounds applied research and innovation as critical elements of developing a distinct university.

For more information about the University Assembly contact Mr George Mvalo on +27 21 460 3797.

Staff and students who would like to attend the event can RSVP online.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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The face of research, innovation and technology at CPUT is set to be revolutionized with the official roll-out of the Research and Technology Innovation (RTI) blueprint.

This ten-year blueprint provides the institution with a strategic frame within which it can seek to produce research and innovation that is relevant to the needs of the province, South Africa and the world.

Speaking at the launch of the RTI, Deputy-Vice Chancellor Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo says the RTI outlines programmes and practical intervention strategies for breakthrough improvement in research activities at the institution and includes a number of key objectives.  

Some of the objectives include the establishment of Research Chairs in each faculty, the appointment of senior researchers in niche areas and an increase in postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellowships.

Nhlapo says the blueprint also aims to build on the institution’s strengths through the following seven focus areas: Bio-economy and biotechnology; Space science and technology; Energy; Climate-change and environment; Human and social dynamics; Economic growth and Design for sustainability.

CEO of the Cape Higher Education Consortium, Nasima Badsha commended CPUT for rolling-out the RTI.

“Your blueprint is an important and exciting step in achieving your vision of growing research at CPUT that responds to the needs of the province, the country and beyond,” says Badsha.

The RTI has also received support from CPUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga as well as from CPUT Chair of Council, Mbulelo Bikwani.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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