Research is an integral tool in transforming society - it should benefit and change people’s lives. As such, the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate and Centre for Sustainable Oceans recently hosted the CPUT-FEDRATI Research Uptake Seminar.

The event, themed: Enhancing Relevance and Research Impact, was held at Bellville Campus. Addressing the seminar, Dr Mark Botha, Executive Director of the Fisheries Economic Development Research Advisory and Training Institute (FEDRATI), said the strategic partnership between FEDRATI and CPUT was established to foster collaboration between the industry and academia. “The partnership exceeded our expectations,” Botha touted.

About 15 students who received bursaries from FEDRATI under the Centre for Sustainable Oceans delivered their presentations. Manager: Research Uptake: SIP, Dr Nelisiwe Maleka and Associate Professor at Horticultural Sciences Department, Felix Nchu welcomed the guests. Among the guests was Dr Nathalie Viljoen, Head of Research at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and supervisors of the presenters.

Maleka said as an engaged institution, CPUT is committed to conducting relevant and responsive research with impact to address socioeconomic priorities and challenges. Maleka stated that the seminar was part of Activity 4: Develop and facilitate activities and appropriate systems to promote and support research uptake under the University Capacity Development Grant Project 5 for Staff Development Research.

The purpose of the seminar was three-folded:

• To provide a platform for postgraduate students to showcase their research
• To enhance research uptake from the onset and during the research cycle.
• To encourage emerging researchers to understand the value of research uptake and impact.

Dr Conrad Sparks, Acting CPUT Research Chair: Oceans Economy, said The CPUT partnership with FEDRATI is an excellent example of research engagement with communities. “We have aligned our research activities and bursary allocations to that of FEDRATI. We are planning to engage more closely with communities to share the research done at CPUT and to assist in developing new research projects based on the needs of communities in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”

Sparks said the partnership benefits CPUT by providing students with bursaries and fostering collaboration across disciplines, departments and faculties. The partnership also benefits FEDRATI by providing new knowledge about the fisheries and related sectors in the Western Cape. “We, however, need to be more focused on the scope of research planned for the future by communicating the research to affected stakeholders, particularly coastal communities.”

Addressing the seminar, Botha talked about the importance of interdisciplinary research to address the developmental challenges within the fisheries and allied sectors. He also revealed that FEDRATI provides financial support to CPUT students with the assistance of Brimstone Investment Corporation and Sea Harvest Corporation. “Moreover, we facilitate greater engagement between industry and CPUT.”

Reflecting on the event, Botha said: “The event was well executed. The students articulated their research succinctly. The research presented definitely adds value to the maritime industry. Moreover, valuable networks have been established for future collaboration.”

Also reflecting on the event, Sparks said: “The event was a great success. The aim of the event was to create a platform for students to showcase their research to the industry as well as have a platform to practice public speaking. The feedback received from colleagues and Dr Botha is that we are conducting very high-quality research.”

The Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate recently hosted high-profile delegations from three esteemed international universities: The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) from the Netherlands, along with Hainan University and Sanda University from China.

The delegation from Hainan University was here with a clear mandate to establish strong partnerships between the two institutions, focusing on collaborative opportunities for faculty and student exchanges, as well as joint research initiatives in critical areas such as agriculture, food sciences, and engineering.

Sanda University’s objective was unequivocal: to forge an intercollegiate relationship with CPUT, facilitate meaningful student exchanges, and promote research cooperation. Simultaneously, THUAS aimed to solidify collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment and explore further opportunities with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences.

Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager of International Relations at the SIP Directorate, highlighted the significance of THUAS’s visit, which included productive discussions at Newlands Stadium and plans to actively pursue a joint Erasmus project. The potential for collaboration with both Sanda and Hainan universities is substantial, and follow-up meetings with CPUT academics are already underway to advance these initiatives.

Singh is delighted that there will “be future meaningful collaborations with these partners in the near future”. She continued: “We are extremely positive about the future developments of these visits. We look forward to collaborations in terms of the internationalisation of research and internationalisation of the curriculum.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran and the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) unit recently hosted the Irish Ambassador to South Africa, Fionnuala Ni Giolla Seanain.

Nhlapo said the visit was part of the outcomes of the South African Technology Network (SATN), which hosted South African-Irish Colloquium that arose out of a study visit by the SATN’s member institutions, to Ireland in January 2019. He said the visit was in response to the need for the higher education sector in South Africa to place greater importance on the international element of higher education and position itself internationally in terms of research within the technology sector.

“We have identified areas where we can work together; We have developed relationships with Irish Universities such as Cork [University College Cork] in research collaborations within the bio-medical engineering, space sciences, robotics, manufacturing, and ICT,” said the vice chancellor. In the meeting with the ambassador, Strategy and Internationalisation Director, Prof René Pellissier said: “We push for the employability of our students. Our research focus is to get them [students] ready for work. Our education aims to make contribution to South Africa’ socio-economic development.” Meanwhile the ambassador said she decided to pay the institution a courtesy visit while she was conducting her work in the City.

Seanain said: “I could not miss the opportunity to visit CPUT while I am in Cape Town because it’s one of the prominent universities of technology in SA.” “We wanted to see what are the existing opportunities in the universities who have many students from the [previously] disadvantaged communities? We wanted to see where we can intervene?” She added that she will continue to engage with CPUT to see where they can help in terms of development.

Pellissier added that the institution’ next move was to exchange students with the Irish institutions to learn from each other. Nhlapo concluded by saying: “The meeting was to cement the good relationship that we have with Ireland. It is an embracing country, in terms of exchange of students, as a VC you can sleep well, knowing that your students are safe."

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Nomaindiya Mfeketo will be one of the speakers at the Africa Day celebrations presented at the Bellville Campus by CPUT and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on May 26.

The theme of this year’s event is Telling African Stories.

Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 and sees the institution join the rest of the continent in celebration.

It commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25 1963.

 Zinzi Nkalitshana from the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships said well-known author, director and playwright Gcina Mhlophe will be the Master of Ceremonies at the event while Deputy Minister Mfeketo and Prof Kwandiwe Kondlo will be the speakers.

Mfeketo will speak on the topic of Rich Africa, Poor Africans and Kondlo on the topic of Telling African Stories.

The event will start at 15:00 and can be followed via live streaming at www.cput.ac.za.

On May 25 a series of activations was held at the Mowbray, Granger Bay, Cape Town and Bellville campuses to celebrate the day.

Dancers entertained staff and students and made them aware of the importance of day through song and dance.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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A Namibian Consulate delegation who recently visited CPUT met with the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) delegation to promote the good bilateral and multilateral relations between CPUT and Higher Education institutions in Namibia. 

The purpose of the visit by the Namibian Consulate delegation, which comprised of Consul General Selma Nghinamundova and Consul Sarafina Eine Tshilunga, was part of the relationship-building exercise that the SIP Office has engaged in to reconnect with the Embassies and Consulates in Cape Town.  The SIP Office delivered a presentation consisting of an overview of CPUT and Internationalisation and then a discussion with the Consulate.

“The idea is to connect to strengthen working relationships as well as to partner with universities in Namibia as a strategy to increase their African footprint and create partnerships with the Global South,” said Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager: International Relations, SIP.

Singh who delivered the CPUT presentation said: “The objectives were to start to build relationship with the Consulate and work with other universities in Namibia to see on how we can collaborate. This is our action to close the existing gap. We need to create and strengthen relationships with other universities.”

Nghinamundova said part of their office’s mandate was to foster partnerships between Namibian and South African Higher Education institutions. “We’re here to look for formal engagements with CPUT,” she continued.

“We request CPUT to come up with a proposal [template] on areas (for) collaboration and we will facilitate engagements with our universities, one or two universities even if it’s in terms of student exchange and other areas.”

Singh added that the meeting was “a great success as this is the initial start of a series of meetings and events to follow with the Consulate”. “Overall, a positive meeting with huge potential for success and continuity.”

SIP Director, Prof Judy Peter, who was also part of the meeting, said: “We want to establish this kind of relationships and you [Consulate] are in the best position to indicate which university we can work with [in Namibia].”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) recently hosted a delegation from two American district colleges, the Community College District (SCCCD), Riverside Community College District (RCCD) and EDU Africa with aims to build lasting relationships.

SIP Director, Prof Judy Peter opened the meeting with a short overview of CPUT, which was followed by short presentations on the background of each institution. Dr Lataria Hall presented the background of Fresno City College. Candice Soupen provided a summary of the purpose of the visit.

Peter said the objectives of the meeting was to explore student exchange programmes and obtaining information about opportunities, that can be relayed to respective university committees. Peter added that the meeting also aimed at learning about education systems, distance education, online opportunities and study abroad through distance education. 

She said they were also exploring opportunities for partnerships between organisations, possibly virtual exchange, virtual and travel exchange and traditional study abroad programs.

The also explored faculty professional development, virtually, and mobility programs and possible faculty exchange programs. The delegates also discussed early childhood, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational systems throughout Africa, including education in rural areas.

CPUT delegates also provided comprehensive information on what is currently available and offered at CPUT as well as any other alternative options currently available in South Africa to assist with information.  Peter said: “The meeting was very constructive, and all institutions look forward to further communication around the potential opportunities for collaboration in the areas of student exchange programmes, early childhood development and information sharing.

“It was noted that some of the collaboration areas could be in line with the CPUT COIL facility to address the objective of virtual platform for exchange students.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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To enhance student training, research development, and technical support for the faculties of engineering and the built environment, applied sciences, and others, CPUT’s representatives are engaging with their iThemba LABS counterparts.

At the meeting held on the Bellville Campus recently, the Faculty of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment presented their research endeavours. Manager Research Uptake: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP), Dr Nelisiwe Maleka, states that the purpose of the meeting was to improve training collaboration between iThemba LABS and CPUT. Maleka says the two parties “seek to explore and consolidate possible areas of research collaboration and training opportunities”.

She adds that the partnership will create opportunities for joint teaching, joint supervision, future development of diploma qualification in Physics, funding opportunities through a scholarship for postgraduate students, and international exposure for students through student practice.

SIP Director Prof Judy Peter, who chaired the meeting, said, “The expansion of the partnership with iThemba Labs is aligned with CPUT’s vision and commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange with industry, society and the public sector.” While iThemba LABS Deputy Director, Dr Rudzani   Nemutudi, says that the focus was on current and prospective training opportunities under the Southern African Institute of Nuclear Technology and Sciences) training and that most of the Chemical Technologies working at iThemba LABS are from CPUT. Nemutudi emphasises the importance of pulling and sharing resources and the need for postgraduate students to attend courses.

Some areas of collaboration were explored during the engagement, including joint funding opportunities for postgraduate students who have to be linked with iThemba LABS while remaining registered full-time students at CPUT.  This includes research and development, technical support, software engineering, software engineers/developers, information technology, etc.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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