2020 Research Report by Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Research Report 2020

Highlights of CPUT’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic When the pandemic reached South Africa in March 2020, CPUT was under severe pressure due to student protests, and staff were forced to work remotely. A strategic online workshop was held during which the institution’s Covid-19 Command Centre, Covid-19 Health Cluster and Covid-19 Strategic Think Tank were formed. Senior academic leader Prof Mellet Moll was appointed to steer the university’s response to the pandemic. Prof Moll was already playing a key role which lead to his appointment as institutional Compliance Officer for Business Continuity & Covid-19. A model was constructed to address readiness in the various aspects of CPUT life affected by the pandemic, including academic, students, staff, facilities, and health systems. Protocols were developed for all facets of Covid-19 compliance, ensuring adherence to all health and safety standards. A core team of people guided the Covid-19 Health Cluster activities: • • • • • • •

Institutional Compliance Officer, Business Continuity & Covid-19, Prof Mellet Moll Acting Dean of Health & Wellness Sciences, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills Dean of Students, Mrs Prem Coopoo Director of Human Capital Operations, Ms Ncediwe Qomoyi HOD of Campus Health, Mr Andries Slinger Manager of the HIV/Aids Unit, Ms Melanie Marais Representatives of the Department of Nursing Sciences, the Marketing & Communication Department, and from all faculties and directorates

recording and reporting of infections, recoveries and fatalities. Institutional data is meticulously tracked. Mr Marius Hull of Facility Management and his team have done an excellent job of implementing practical safety measures. Executing the institution’s infrastructural mandate continues to be a vitally important and considerable task. CPUT’s extensive and systematic approach to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic has been successful in spite of the extremely challenging environment. Consequently, the university has received recognition from the Ministry of Higher Education, the Department of Science & Innovation as well as Higher Health. Due to this comprehensive and science-based response, a solid foundation was also laid to do research on the management of the pandemic. It was also critically important to ensure that the institution build its profile with research into pandemicrelated matters and the management of business continuity.

This committee oversees all campus activities and directs permissions for any physical engagements or events. It also oversees the institutional Covid-19 response, and has developed capacity to predict surges in cases and manage operations accordingly. A revised contingency and protocol plan is published in response to national lockdown announcements and in preparation for each new academic term.

Teaching & Learning is another highlight of the institution’s response to the pandemic. CPUT saved the Academic Year 2020 with a rapid transition to Emergency Remote Teaching using the Carousel model. Academic as well as technical staff overcame many challenges, and are commended for their initiative and resourcefulness. CPUT is very proud of undergraduates and postgraduates who managed to complete their 2020 year of study and/or research in the midst of the global crisis.

The Health & Safety response to the pandemic has been impressive. This includes ongoing efforts by the Campus Clinic, the HIV/Aids Unit, the Department of Nursing Sciences and the Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Unit. From the earliest stages, various role players, especially frontline workers, have been trained in all health and safety aspects of Covid-19.

What follows in this Research Report 2020 highlights research and innovation activities as well as community engagement projects undertaken during these challenging times. It is testimony to the creativity, perseverance and resilience of the CPUT community. Hopefully there will be many publications in the future based on CPUT’s exceptional response to the pandemic.

The SHE Unit conducted a Risk Assessment to identify causes of transmission at CPUT, and preventative measures to curb the spread of the virus among staff and students. The Campus Clinic, HIV/Aids Unit and Department of Nursing Sciences co-ordinated the staff and student training, the setting up of screening, and the

Thankfully there have been no reported cases of transmission of Covid-19 on CPUT facilities. However, sadly 20 members of our CPUT community have lost their lives to the virus. The university extends deepest condolences to the loved ones they have left behind.

FACE SHIELDS, VENTILATORS AND SANITISER PRODUCED ON CAMPUS CPUT staff are spearheading the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic through the design and manufacture of face shields, hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant. Due to limited retail and material supplies, the institution has been compelled to action to help protect staff, students, the wider community and beyond. CPUT’s Adaptronics AMTL produced its first batch of face shields to protect wearers against potential Covid-19 infection in April, which were handed over to frontline CPUT campus protection staff. Led by Prof Oscar Philander, the dedicated Adaptronics AMTL staff have been producing more shields (with necessary permits) using everyday stationery items like lamination sheets and surplus projector slides due to limited supplies. [full face shields story on p 172]

STUDENT HEROES: FIGHTING COVID-19 ON THE FRONTLINE CPUT is very grateful for and proud of all health workers, who have emerged as the heroes of the global coronavirus crisis. This includes Department of Emergency Medical Sciences students, who are risking their own lives to help health authorities by manning ambulances, temporary hospitals and call centre telephones.

Campus Protection staff wearing Adaptronics AMTL face shields

Ms Andria Nerine Willemse is one such EMS fourth-year student, who volunteers at the Provincial Covid hotline giving advice under supervision. She says that her job can be both rewarding and overwhelming as expectations of the call centre have increased with the influx of calls. Disaster Risk Management, a fourth-year rescue module, teaches the various roles of paramedics during a disaster, how systems work, and includes a basic understanding of the Disaster Management Act. Being part of the call centre team provides an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into how operations are coordinated between the various disaster management departments.

The battle against the virus continues in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (FEBE), who are collaborating with the Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences (FHWS) to manufacture medical ventilators. Once a prototype is complete, the device will be tested in collaboration with FHWS to obtain its specifications and how it could be used in the field. [full ventilators story on p 174] FEBE and FHWS are collaborating to manufacture medical ventilators

The shortage of sanitisers in retail shops and high prices at some stockists has prompted FEBE to produce sanitisers to assist lower income communities and supplement dwindling retail stock. Project co-ordinator Prof Tunde Ojumu, of the Department of Chemical Engineering, said that CPUT has the technical know-how and facilities required for his department to join the fight against Covid-19. His team aims to produce 1 000 litres of sanitiser per month, split equally between hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant. [full sanitiser story on p 59] These innovative designs and life-saving measures underscore CPUT’s commitment to research, dedication to fresh-thinking, and care for the community and global needs in this time of crisis.

The Department of Chemical Engineering is producing sanitisers

CPUT students are among the healthcare heroes of the pandemic

CONVOCATION LAUNCHES COVID-19 RELIEF FUND The CPUT Convocation established a Covid-19 relief fund campaign in May, aimed at supporting the most vulnerable students. Convocation executive member and campaign manager, Ms Andiswa Mrasi, noted that the fund’s primary purpose is to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the necessary academic resources in order to complete the 2020 academic year. Convocation President, Mr Saziso Matiwane, added that the focus of the university at this stage is to save the academic year. Member of Parliament and Convocation Executive Committee member, Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, also called on the nation, alumni and the broader CPUT community to support needy students.

Fund established to assist students with academic resources

For donations to the fund: Account Name CPUT Alumni, ABSA Account 4069346192, Branch code 630305, Reference ‘Covid’, and please email proof to covid@cput.ac.za

ACADEMIC ECOSYSTEM SUPPORTED BY HOLISTIC SUPPORT PROGRAMMES CPUT has secured a grant from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to strengthen virtual student support services for academic, psychosocial and disabilities during the pandemic, which include: • • • • •

• • CPUT provides first-class student support during the Covid-19 pandemic

Ease-of-access to information on the Updated Online Directory and Online Helpdesk Tutor and Teaching Assistant Programme, providing facilitators for additional Writing Centre and academic support Mentors and Retention Officers, who now offer remote psychosocial support to first-year students Employability Improvement Programme, designed to enhance student employability according to specific disciplines via interactive online materials Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) Support, providing tutorial support and seminars; online psychosocial support; e-books: Pearson’s MyLab & Mastering for Dental Science; prescribed e-textbooks for FBMS ECP students; MyLab Foundational Skills online reading and comprehension material Disability Unit Support, providing universal access, multimodal learning and tutorials Student Counselling and HIV/Aids Unit Support are now available remotely, with online awareness campaigns focusing on health, gender-based violence and related social justice topics

WHEN A PEER OR FAMILY MEMBER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 Head of Student Counselling, Ms Louisa Brits, and counselling psychologists, Dr Charlene Petersen and Mr Hanro Lourens, are aiming to educate students on how to deal with someone who tests Covid-19 positive. This situation can overwhelm and evoke panic but can be disarmed by having accurate information and knowing what steps to take: • • • • •

Consult CPUT’s Covid-19 webpage or helpline for accurate facts and information about symptoms Being exposed to someone who tests positive does not necessarily lead to transmission Understand that only a small percentage of people develop serious or life-threatening symptoms Safeguard yourself by social distancing, wearing a mask, sanitising and disinfecting Know the difference between quarantine and self-isolation and when to implement each

If your anxiety is persistent and you are finding it hard to stop worrying about the pandemic, it is best to seek support. Covid-19 toll-free line: 0800 029 999 Higher Health 24-hour counselling support line: 0800 36 36 36 For CPUT students, request counselling support at student-counselling@cput.ac.za For staff, contact the CPUT Lifestyle and Wellness Specialist at mzeles@cput.ac.za

Preparing PPE for frontline staff and students: Nurse Magda van Rooy, Mr Andries Slinger, Mr Javern Zondagh and Sister Caroline Maarman

ENSURING RESPONSIBLE RESPONSES In a short space of time, CPUT has devised and implemented plans to ensure responsible responses to coping with the pandemic. Deputy Dean of Students, Mr Tulani Nkuntse, said that the university has initiated a number of programmes, including Health Cluster activities, bussing students home ahead of lockdown, accommodating those who could not go home, and providing additional counselling. Mr Nkuntse commented that this period has challenged the department and the university to fast-track thinking around services provided, and to reimagine student affairs for ‘the university of the future’. He said CPUT continues to look for ways to improve during these uncertain times, keeping focus on how to best serve its students.

Steps to follow when someone tests positive for Covid-19

Emergency contact person: Student Clinic Acting Manager, Mr Andries Slinger *60247 (from an internal line) or 076 229 0298

DIGITAL GRADUATION CELEBRATES SUCCESS CPUT celebrated the dedication and hard work of 1 209 graduates, including 113 master’s and 21 doctorates, during the institution’s first digital graduation on 25 June. Autumn Graduation usually takes place in April, but this year it was delayed and moved online due to lockdown. CPUT also conferred diplomas and degrees on 440 graduates, including 43 master’s and 9 doctorates, during the Summer Graduation’s digital graduation ceremony on 16 December. VC, Prof Chris Nhlapo, remarked that graduation is one of the most important events on the university’s calendar but, like tertiary institutions around the world, the pandemic forced the institution to plan a remote alternative for the celebration. Digital ceremonies offer a more personal touch than virtual graduations, with students being individually-recognised instead of a blanket conferral of all qualifications. A photo and personal message were displayed on-screen when each graduate was announced. The Autumn Graduation ceremonies are available on the CPUT YouTube channel, under the Digital Graduation 2020 playlist, and on the Digital Graduation web page: https://bit.ly/3euT7BV

Some of the food parcel team: Ms Emelda Petersen, Mr Tembisile Faniso and Mr Chimusaro Khumbulani

The December Graduation booklet and video broadcast are available on the Smart Graduation web page: https://virtualgrad.marchingorder.com/capepeninsula/126/i and the ceremony can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/IPo3HbGALxU

FOOD PARCELS FOR VULNERABLE STUDENTS The Department of Student Affairs has initiated a food parcel drive to support vulnerable CPUT students during the lockdown. Mr Tulani Nkuntse said the department has been working with the Central SRC, NGO Ithemba Labantu, and staff members to assist residence students in need. VC, Prof Chris Nhlapo, praised the enterprise, saying that this is what social justice is, and what a caring university must do. Mr Nkuntse added that CPUT is committed to ensuring support for its students in all ways possible. The Dr Mzamo Jakavula Foundation and Adams Food Stall have been assisting with cooked meals for students remaining in residences over lockdown. Accommodation service providers are providing additional food parcels. Mr Phillip Chibvuri of the Business Unit said CPUT was grateful for this selfless work. He said these providers were displaying a huge measure of corporate responsibility.

Online graduation ceremonies are a first for CPUT

INTRODUCTION

DEANS’ REPORTS

Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation & Partnerships

1 5

Research Funding

Faculty of Education Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences

7 9 11 13

Faculty of Informatics & Design

28 35 45 51 61 68

ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning

FROM THE RESEARCH DIRECTORATE CPUT Research Festival DHET Publications Audit National Research Foundation Rating

Faculty of Business & Management Sciences Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment

FROM THE DIRECTORS Research Directorate Centre for Postgraduate Studies Technology Transfer Office RTI Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships

Faculty of Applied Sciences

83 86 Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development 88 HIV/Aids Unit 90 Student Counselling 94 Centre for Innovative Educational Technology

23 24 25 26

CPUT Libraries

CPUT RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

FOCUS AREA 1

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

FOCUS AREA 2

SPACE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

117

FOCUS AREA 3

SMART ENERGY

124

FOCUS AREA 4

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

141

FOCUS AREA 5

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

154

FOCUS AREA 6

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

178

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT

189

CONTENTS

Foreword by the Vice-Chancellor

FOREWORD BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR Prof Chris Nhlapo Being a ‘Smart University’ implies that we engage in smart research, technology innovation and partnerships.

thus contributing towards solving societal problems that impact on millions of South Africans.

In 2005, we became a university of technology, and had to start building a research culture from first principles. By following Collins’s hedgehog concept, being passionate about what we do, in this case research, and working in a disciplined way, we have made quantum leaps.

To all our readers, a warm welcome. I thank you for joining CPUT in its celebration of research in this Research Report 2020. I trust you will enjoy reading through the report as much as I have.

Being a ‘Smart University’ implies that we engage in smart research, technology innovation and partnerships. Therefore, we do not see ourselves conducting research for the sake of conducting research. Rather, we continue in a disciplined way to ensure CPUT’s research has relevance and impact,

Congratulations to all our smart research achievers – without your disciplined actions it would not be possible to make CPUT greater. Keep adhering to your core beliefs, keep gaining momentum, and you will continue to make great breakthroughs.

Prof Chris Nhlapo Vice-Chancellor

* Footnote: The Hedgehog Concept is a simple, crystalline concept that flows from deep understanding about the intersection of three circles: 1) what you are deeply passionate about, 2) what you can be the best in the world at, and 3) what best drives your economic or resource engine. Transformations from good to great come about by a series of good decisions made consistently with a Hedgehog Concept, supremely well executed, accumulating one upon another, over a long period of time. Please visit https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/thehedgehog-concept.html if you’d like to find out more.

1 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CPUT’s research journey is indeed one which demonstrates that greatness is possible. Though our research beginning more than a decade ago was humble, I am today extremely proud of what we have achieved. Our accomplishments result from disciplined thoughts and actions. We understand that we can only produce results that exceed expectations by being passionate. One of our values is definitely being passionate about what we are doing.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

During my career, I have often drawn great inspiration from the work of Jim Collins, and especially from his book Good to Great. For Collins, “Good is the enemy of great.” As Vice-Chancellor, I regularly ask myself and my executive team, “How can we make CPUT greater?” What I have learned from Collins is that the journey from good to great is dependent on disciplined people, thoughts and actions, which he calls the Hedgehog Concept*.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

VOORWOORD DEUR DIE VISIEKANSELIER Prof Chris Nhlapo Gedurende my loopbaan het ek dikwels groot inspirasie geput uit die werk van Jim Collins, en veral uit sy boek Good to Great. Collins sê: “Goed is die vyand van groots.” As visiekanselier vra ek gereeld vir myself en my uitvoerende span: “Hoe kan ons CPUT uitstekend maak?” Wat ek by Collins geleer het, is dat die reis van goed na groots afhanklik is van gedissiplineerde mense, denke en optrede, wat hy die Krimpvarkie-konsep (‘Hedgehog concept’)* noem. CPUT se navorsingsreis is inderdaad een wat bewys dat uitnemendheid moontlik is. Alhoewel ons eerste treë in die navorsingsveld meer as ’n dekade gelede baie nederig was, is ek vandag uiters trots op wat ons bereik het. Ons prestasies is die resultaat van gedissiplineerde akademiese werk, denke en aksies wat spruit daaruit dat ons verstaan dat ons slegs bo verwagting kan presteer as ons passievol is. Een van ons waardes is beslis dat ons passievol is oor wat ons doen. Ons het in 2005 ’n universiteit vir tegnologie geword en ons moes begin om ’n navorsingskultuur te bou uit kernbeginsels. Deur Collins se krimpvarkie-konsep te volg, deur passievoel te wees oor wat ons doen, navorsing in hierdie geval, en deur gedissiplineerd te werk, het ons reusespronge gegee. Om ’n ‘Slim Universiteit’ te wees impliseer dat ons slim te werk gaan met navorsing, tegnologiese innovasie en vennootskappe. Ons sien onsself dus nie as ’n universiteit wat navorsing doen ter wille daarvan om navorsing te doen nie. Ons gaan eerder voort daarmee om op ’n gedissiplineerde wyse te verseker dat CPUT se navorsing relevant is en dat dit ’n impak maak, en sodoende lewer

ons ’n bydrae tot die oplossing van samelewingsprobleme wat die lewens van miljoene Suid-Afrikaners raak. Baie geluk aan al ons navorers wat uitgeblink het oor die afgelope jaar – sonder julle gedissiplineerde optrede sou dit nie moontlik wees om CPUT groter en beter te maak nie. Volhard in julle kernwaardes, hou aan om momentum te bou, en julle sal verdere deurbrake maak! Aan al ons lesers, hartlik welkom! Baie dankie dat julle by ons aansluit vir die viering van ons navorsing in hierdie Navorsingsverslag vir 2020. Ek vertrou dat julle die lees van die verslag net soveel soos ek sal geniet.

Prof Chris Nhlapo Visiekanselier

* Voetnoot: Die krimpvarkie-konsep (‘Hedgehog concept’) is ’n eenvoudige, verhelderende konsep wat voortvloei uit die diepgaande begrip van die kruising van drie sirkels: 1) dit waaroor jy diep passievol is, 2) dit waarmee jy die beste in die wêreld kan wees, en 3) dit wat jou ekonomiese of hulpbronmotor die beste aandryf. Transformasies van goed na uitstekend kom tot stand deur ’n reeks goeie besluite wat konsekwent gemaak word met die krimpvarkie-konsep, uiters goed uitgevoer word, wat die een op die ander bou, oor ’n lang tydperk. Besoek gerus https://www.jimcollins.com/ concepts/the-hedgehog-concept.html indien jy meer wil uitvind.

Njing Chris Nhlapo Kulo lonke ixesha lokuphangela kwam, ndasoloko ndifumana inkuthazo kumsebenzi kaJim Collins, ngakumbi kwincwadi yakhe ethi ‘Good to Great’. NgokukaCollins, “Okuhle kulutshaba lokukhulu”. NjengeSekela-Ngqonyela, ndasoloko ndizibuza mna kunye neqela lesigqeba sam ukuba, “Singayenza njani iCPUT ibenkulu?” Endikufunde kuCollins kukuba indlela esuka kokulungileyo ukuya kubukhulu ixhomekeke kubantu abaqeqeshekileyo, iingcinga nezenzo azibiza ngokuba yiNgcamango enoGqaliselo (Hedgehog Concept)*.

Ukusukela ngonyaka wama2005 saye sabayiYunivesithi yobuchwepheshe, kwaye saqala ukwakha inkcubeko yophando esekelwe kwimigaqo yokuqala. Ngokulandela kwingcamango yogqaliselo kaCollins, ukuba nomdla wento oyenzayo, ukutsho oko uphando ngokwale imeko, nokusebenza ngendlela eqeqeshekileyo, kuyacaca ukuba senze imitsi engundoqo nencomekayo. Ukuba yiYunivesithi eChubekileyo kuthetha ukuzibandakanya kuphando oluchubekileyo, iteknoloji entsha kunye nentsebenziswano. Ngoko ke, asiziboni sisenza uphando nje ngendlela yokwenza uphando. Endaweni yoko, siqhuba ngendlela eqinisekileyo ukuqinisekisa ukuba uphando lwaseCPUT lunokubaluleka

kunye nefuthe, ngolo hlobo lubenegalelo ekusombululeni iingxaki ezinika impembelelo kwizigidi zabantu boMzantsi Afrika. Sivuyisana nazo zonke iingcali zabaphandi bethu abaphumeleleyo – ngaphandle kwemisebenzi yenu egqwesileyo, besingenakuphumelela ukwenza iCPUT ibe newonga elikhulu. Qhubani nibambelele kwiinkolelo zenu ezingundoqo, qhubekani nifumane amandla, ekugqibeleni niyakude nifikelele kwinqanaba lokuphumelela. Kubo bonke abafundi bethu, siyanamkela. Siyanibulela ngokuzibandakanya neCPUT ekubhiyozeleni uphando olukule Ngxelo yoPhando yowama2020. Ndiyathemba niyakukonwabela ukufunda le ngxelo njengoko nam ndenze njalo.

Prof Chris Nhlapo Usekela-Ngqonyela

* Umbhalo osezantsi: I-Ngcamango enoGqaliselo (Hedgehog Concept) yintetho elula necacileyo esekelwe kwindlela yokuqonda apho kudibana khona izangqa ezintathu ezizezi: 1) oko ukuthanda kakhulu, 2) oko unokuthi ugqwese kuko ehlabathini, 3) noko kuqhuba umdla wakho kwezoqoqosho nemithombo. Utshintsho ukusuka kokulungileyo ukuya kokukhulu, lusekelwe kuthotho lwezigqibo ezilungileyo ezenziwe ngokungaguquguqukiyo kunye neNgcamango yoGqaliselo, eyenziwe kakuhle yaze yaqokelelena ixesha elide.

3 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Indlela yophando yaseCPUT ibonisa ukuba ngenene ubukhulu buyinto enokwenzeka. Nangona uphando lwethu kwixesha elingaphezu kweshumi leminyaka lwaluphantsi, namhlanje ndiziva ndinelunda loko sele sikuphumezile. Impumelelo yethu isisiphumo sezifundiswa eziqeqeshekileyo, iingcinga nezenzo ezisiqondisa ukuba singavelisa iziphumo ezingaphezu kwezilindelekileyo xa sinokuba nenyameko. Elinye ixabiso lethu kukunyamekela oko sikwenzayo.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

AMAGQABANTSHINTSHI NGUSEKELA-NGQONYELA

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS (DVC: RTIP)

Dr David Phaho

CPUT researchers, scholars and postgraduate students have continued with driving our research and innovation agenda.

5 as online workshops as well as continuous engagement between postgraduate students and their supervisors albeit remotely. These initiatives have enabled our students to continue with their studies even during the lockdown periods. Specifically, the carefully designed online workshops and seminars delivered by experts focusing on key skills such as Proposal and Publications Writing, Research Methods and the Use of Online Library Resources, were found to be very effective in keeping postgraduate students engaged and motivated during 2020.

The impact of Covid-19 on higher educational institutions has been predictably acute. In a sector which requires access to lecture rooms and face-to-face engagements, the advent of Covid-19 and the restrictions it imposes presented serious challenges for the sector. As the pandemic required the closing down of facilities including our campuses, the need to provide students with reliable, enabling devices and internet access to ensure that their academic progress would not be impeded became an institutional priority. Restrictions to campuses imposed a particular burden on our postgraduates who require around the clock access to research facilities as well as constant travel requirements for fieldwork, conferences and other activities underpinning the research endeavour.

The impact on our research agenda, just like the postgraduate progress, has been felt far and wide. Notwithstanding these challenges, CPUT researchers, scholars and postgraduate students have continued with driving our research and innovation agenda. The upward trajectory in research outputs, increased number of postgraduate students as well as national and international innovation platforms spearheaded by our world-class researchers and scholars bears testimony to this. These colleagues who not only established and manage world-class research programmes continue, albeit with limited resources, to drive ground-breaking and high-impact research in areas of national priority. From the positive health effects of Rooibos Tea to Smart Energy Grids, we should be proud of the work our esteemed colleagues are doing across all our faculties, centres and institutes.

The support for postgraduate students, championed by our Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS), for them to progress with their academic endeavours even during the Covid-19 pandemic is noteworthy. CPGS, working with the Faculty Deans and other key players, implemented contingency measures such

Impressive progress in our technology transfer and commercialisation initiatives continues. For a university of technology, we punch way above our weight when it comes to income from licensing of our innovations. In the innovation space, our world leading nanosatellite constellation programme is a vivid illustration of how

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

This report covers CPUT’s research and innovation activities during the academic year 2020. The year kicked off with news of the rapid spread of a virus first detected in Wuhan, China. Little did we know that the whole world would be profoundly impacted by this once in a generation ‘black swan’ event.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR:

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

far CPUT has come as institution dedicated not just to basic research but also to innovation and commercialisation of our research outputs for the benefit of all South Africans. The pending launch of additional nanosatellites clearly shows that our institution continues to strike a fine balance between basic research and technology innovation for the greater good of society. The envisaged impact of our nanosatellite programmes on national economic imperatives such as Operational Phakisa cannot be underestimated. The ‘new normal’ in which we live has had some positive impacts on our ways of working at CPUT. The institution in response to the prevailing conditions embraced a new spirit of collaboration and innovation across our institution. Proactive engagement and adoption of far-thinking strategies by Executive Management, Faculty Deans and other key stakeholders has enabled us to proceed in a responsible way with our research activities in support of our academic agenda. Furthermore, our ability to steer the institution through this unchartered terrain is in no small measure of the remarkable work of our Covid Command Health Cluster, which has brought together all relevant key players to ensure that our academic programme progress efficiently while the institution strictly adheres to government-mandated safety and health protocols. The relentless drive for research excellence has now found renewed impetus in our newly minted decadal Strategy Plan called V2030. Amongst the forward-thinking objectives of this vision, is that it puts a premium on Smart RTIP. This ensures the relevance and excellence of the knowledge that CPUT produces through the development of a range of activities in line with the needs of industrial revolutions, industries and circular economy developments, underpinned by the efforts of worldclass researchers. In the plan, CPUT has also prioritised the development of a new generation of researchers, enhanced postgraduate experience, and quality research outputs for the next ten years. In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire CPUT community who continue to show remarkable resilience during this trying time. The unimaginable loss of life wrought by Covid-19 has no doubt adversely affected our colleagues as well as stakeholders beyond our fence-line. However, the institution still has a lot to celebrate and draw comfort from, in our stellar research, innovation and creative outputs as well as continuing student successes. As we pivot towards our new decadal plan, I have no doubt our research agenda will grow in leaps and bounds, even as we wait in anticipation to welcome the dawn of a yet undetermined post-Covid-19 era.

JOINT MISSION WITH SAHRA TO RESTORE HERITAGE

Adv Lungisa Malgas and Dr David Phaho

DVC: RTIP Dr David Phaho has endorsed a partnership with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) to ensure that our heritage infrastructure and artefacts are properly maintained and restored for the benefit of all South Africans. The two parties recently held a joint webinar in which Dr Phaho and SAHRA CEO Adv Lungisa Malgas signed an MoU to formalise the collaboration. A delighted Dr Phaho said the objective of the partnership is to work with SAHRA to leverage CPUT expertise in preserving the integrity of the national heritage for posterity. He continued, “Historic buildings, monuments and other structures are not just important for tourism but serve as a window to our past and must be preserved for generations of South Africans who will come after us.” He went on to say he looks forward to seeing the academic outputs and tangible impact of this collaboration on broader society. Adv Malgas said the purpose of this partnership is to formalise the relationship between CPUT and SAHRA as the two entities have been collaborating and consulting over the past few years. “We plan to continue to support CPUT and its students pursuing their studies in heritage conservation. But most importantly, we are exploring the feasibility of establishing a Centre for Sustainable Heritage Research and Management with CPUT.” Through this partnership, CPUT researchers and affiliated scholars at other institutions will have an avenue through which to pursue cutting edge research in the heritage space. It is envisaged that the centre will provide ample training for master’s and doctoral students in this important field of study. Adv Malgas noted that SAHRA is the custodian and authority for a number of heritage sites and properties. In order for these structures to remain sustainable, SAHRA would require a tremendous amount of research and consulting capacity, which CPUT could provide. “Furthermore, the envisaged institute could become an internationally recognised centre for heritage innovation. However, the main incentive for both our entities is advancing heritage management in South Africa,” she said.

RESEARCH DIRECTORATE Prof Dina Burger

The CPUT community is known for its agility and resilience in challenging times, and it started to develop new and innovative ways of doing research.

Above all, much excellent ethical research has continued to be conducted. CPUT celebrated additional NRF-rated researchers, and the institution’s research focused strongly on the six approved research focus areas, making a sound contribution to the knowledge economy of South Africa and beyond. The Research Directorate offered a series of training and capacity development courses, and has logged a record high number of attendees at these. All of these achievements took place under the most difficult circumstances. There was very limited to no access to laboratories, fieldwork almost came

7 to a halt, and access to fellow researchers fostering new partnerships and collaborative opportunities through physical national and international conferences came to an abrupt standstill. Undertaking and harnessing productive scholarly conversations could no longer take place in the same way, and the place of work shifted to the place that used to be home. Above all, researchers suffered the loss of family and friends which has impacted and changed lives in unimaginable ways. However, the CPUT research community is known for its agility and resilience in challenging times, and so it started to develop new and innovative ways of doing research. For instance, training and capacity development courses could be offered online; researchers introduced online seminars and conferences; and academics began participating in international seminars and conferences virtually. Meetings continued to take place through various platforms, and researchers reached out to each other through regular virtual discussions. These are just a few examples of the new ways of work that came about in record time. I would like to therefore dedicate this report to all our researchers and to those in research leadership who have worked so hard to produce new knowledge under such extraordinary difficult circumstances. I would also like to sincerely thank the staff of the Research Directorate who have shown that their commitment to service and support of all our researchers continues, albeit in new and innovative ways.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The year 2020 will always hold significance for the Research Directorate. During this period of Covid-19, research leadership and management as well as researchers themselves have shown their true CPUT character. An outstanding number of research outputs have been produced. There have been many successes with internal and external research grants, the responsible use of finances, a new and revised series of research and research-related policies, and further implementation of a newly acquired research information management system, Converis.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

GUIDING POSTGRADUATES TO GRADUATION

FOUR ‘SCIENCE OSCAR’ FINALISTS FOR CPUT

8 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CPUT has four ‘Science Oscar’ finalists

Workshops aim at helping postgraduate students graduate

CPGS is working together with the Research Directorate for a series of online workshops aimed at helping postgraduate students on their journey to graduation. The workshops are facilitated by experts and are to assist master’s and doctoral students develop the skills and competencies required to successfully complete their studies. Workshops for supervisors, co-supervisors and postdoctoral fellows are also available. Manager: Capacity Development Dr Patricia Smit (Research Directorate) said the first few workshops were well attended and that workshops are repeated during the year to allow as many students as possible to attend. Mr Wendal Koopman of CPGS, also a workshop facilitator, said participants have indicated that the workshops are helpful and that they are grateful for the support. The list of workshops available includes Proposal Writing, Research Methods, Online Library Resources and Reference Tools, Research Methods, Data Collection and Analysis, Fieldwork in Practice, and Writing for Publication. For more information on the workshops please email Dr Smit at smitpa@cput.ac.za

Four outstanding researchers were announced as finalists in the 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 Awards. Known as the ‘Science Oscars of South Africa’, the awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions to SET and innovation in South Africa. The four CPUT finalists are: •

Prof Jeanine Marnewick, Director: AMHBI and Research Chair: Biotechnology, in the Communication Award category

•

Prof Victoria Jideani, Leader: Cereals and Legumes Biopolymer Research for Food Security, in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher category

•

Prof Vernon S Somerset, Professor: Environmental Chemistry, in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher category

•

Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury, Senior Lecturer: Department of Chemical Engineering, in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher category

CENTRE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES (CPGS) Prof Dina Burger

The centre prides itself on supporting, developing and enhancing postgraduate studies at CPUT.

9 CPGS has the following responsibilities: • • • • •

During 2020, CPGS has achieved several milestones which we would like to share with you: The year was a productive period for CPGS. The centre prides itself on supporting, developing and enhancing postgraduate studies at CPUT, in alignment with the institution’s commitment to promoting postgraduate education and continuing to grow its postgraduate student cohort. During this period, 1 613 master’s students and 300 doctoral students were registered, and 84 postdoctoral fellows were hosted by CPUT, of which 74 were funded by the institution. In addition, 30 students graduated with doctoral degrees, and 154 graduated with master’s degrees.

• •

Directs, develops and administers all postgraduate education and research at CPUT Offers a seamless service to registered postgraduate students through established processes Manages NRF BTech, master’s and doctoral student bursaries Manages extensive training programmes offered to postgraduate students in all areas of the postgraduate journey Co-ordinates all the activities of the Higher Degrees Committee (HDC), inclusive of interaction with the faculty research co-ordinators in respect of HDC documents, preparation of HDC meeting agendas, and submission of HDC-approved documents to Senate Appoints postdoctoral fellows Oversees the academic involvement of postdoctoral fellows

The HDC is a committee of Senate and makes recommendations to Senate on matters relating to postgraduate studies and student progression. The administration of higher degrees is facilitated by CPUT’s own customised HDC Digital system, now in its seventh year of operation, with over 2 500 users. The system is continuously monitored to ensure improvement in functionality, and it is currently being upgraded to include new functionality.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Despite the immense impact of Covid-19 on all CPUT’s postgraduate supervisors, postgraduate students and those in postgraduate leadership, there are many reasons to celebrate the work that took place in 2020. The Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) is on its way to becoming a world-class centre where postgraduate studies can take place in a conducive and enabling environment.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

During 2020, CPGS assisted 30 doctoral students and 121 master’s students with bursaries to the total value of R11.8 million. The centre also administered NRF bursaries to postgraduate students to the value of R7.2 million. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meant that students were not able to meet on campus, and many were isolated at home or in residences. This was a springboard for an expanded series of research development workshops and seminars, including proposal writing, research design and research methodology, statistical data analysis, article writing, qualitative data analysis, the use of software analysis tools and the use of plagiarism detection software (Turnitin). CPUT is seeing an increasing number of postgraduate students and academic staff/supervisors participating in these opportunities. The Council on Higher Education (CHE) paid a virtual visit to CPUT as part of a doctoral review that began in 2019, with all faculties, centres and units taking part in a self-evaluation review. CPGS played an integral role in the preparation of the self-evaluation review and in the preparation of the CHE panel’s site visit during October 2020. The university was given an opportunity in 2020 to identify projects to be funded by the next cycle of the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP). One of the projects titled ‘Student support: Postgraduate students’, under the stewardship of CPGS, applied for funding to expand research workshops and assist postgraduate students with funds to be used for editing/proof-reading and data analysis. CPGS is strongly committed to improving its services, and to supporting and assisting supervisors, postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. I look forward to being able to report on progress made in our next report. Last, but not least, I wish to thank the CPGS staff for their hard work during 2020.

FUNDING SOURCE

AMOUNT

National Research Foundation (NRF): Postgraduate Bursaries

2 045 679

National Research Foundation Postdoctoral Grants

7 381 483

TOTAL

8 893 000

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER & INDUSTRIAL LINKAGES Dr Revel Iyer

There is a clear expectation that universities must translate their research offerings into tangible benefits for society. as a cash crop, owing to its nutritional composition, functional properties and antioxidant potential. Consequently, researchers at CPUT have used the BGN as a raw material to create several value-added products. These include dairy substitutes, baked goods, meat substitutes, and beverages. These products are all gluten-, lactose- and cholesterol-free.

The mandate of the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) is to carry out this translation, ensuring that the ripples of impact are felt outside the institution. 2020 was an exciting year in this regard, as it saw the creation of three new spin-off companies. These companies are primed to bring value to the society and economy of South Africa via the creation of jobs, localisation of production, and contribution to the economy.

This groundnut is able to grow under drought conditions, offering a great opportunity to South African farmers. It is also less risky to grow than many other crops, with a lead time of merely 4-5 months.

There is a growing consciousness towards and demand for healthier diets. Furthermore, cases of lactose intolerance are growing. This has created an opportunity that CPUT believes the BGN can fulfil.

AEQUOREA

AONYX FOODS

This company is named after the Crystal Jellyfish, as jellyfish are well known for floating in the ocean like a buoy. Aequorea is pronounced ah-kor-rah.

The central offering of this company is based on the Bambara groundnut (BGN). BGN is widespread in Africa where it is known by various names. It has potential

Oceans hold the promise of immense resource wealth and great potential for boosting economic growth, employment and innovation. South Africa is

11 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

At CPUT, we recognise the importance of research that is challenge-led and has demonstrable social, cultural and economic benefits. These desirable research impacts are being increasingly recognised by the South African public and private sectors. As a result, there is now a clear expectation that universities must translate their research offerings into tangible benefits to society.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

surrounded by vast oceans with immense potential as an untapped resource – the potential to contribute billions of rands to the GDP and offer employment to a great number of South Africans. Aequorea operates in this space. The primary offering of the company is the Coastal Observer. This smart buoy enables users to get real-time data through wireless telemetry from a range of sensors mounted to and powered by the platform. It provides knowledge that enables a better understanding of the coastal environment. The range of offerings can be customised based on specific needs. Aequorea won first place at the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) start-up pitching competition held on 25 November 2020.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER STRUCTURES The Policy on Commercialisation of Technology Innovations was adopted by CPUT during the second half of the year. This is a significant step as it demonstrates the commitment of the university to ensure that technology innovations are translated into tangible products and services within society. The stated intent of the policy is to regulate the commercialisation of technology innovations deriving from research conducted at the institution. The adoption of this policy will help ensure that commercialisation of technology innovations is done in a transparent and responsible manner.

PROMEROPS

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

This company is named after the Cape Sugarbird, as sugarbirds are well known for hovering in the air much like an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). There is an emerging market for UAV services, i.e. services built around flying robots that can be remote-controlled or flown autonomously. CPUT foresees that these offerings will become commonplace in the post-industrial society. The UAV Guardian Squadron developed at the university can be integrated into and configured for most UAV services. The team includes specialists in the field of remote sensing, geodesy and environmental sciences. They are able to provide both outstanding flight performance, and the collection and interpretation of data, achieving the highest quality and precision. The service is a complete offering ensuring that the customer gets precise and reliable information to guide their business forward.

COMMERCIALISATION OUTPUTS Income from the technology transfer process first occurred in 2017. This has improved steadily since then, with 2020 displaying growth to just below the R900 000 level (Figure 1). This bodes well for the future.

Figure 1: Commercialisation outputs

RTI STRATEGIC INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS (RTI-SIP) Prof Judy Peter (from November 2020)

Prof René Pellissier (until November 2020)

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the viral outbreak of Covid-19 as a global pandemic. The year went on to become a watershed marked by the ‘democratising’ impact of the global pandemic – Covid-19 on one hand, and the contradictions of global inequalities in response to the pandemic on the other. The implementation of virtual pedagogic technologies in higher education (HE) was fast-tracked during this time. Of equal importance to the strategic role of SIP, was the need to align its core function with CPUT’s Strategic Plan 2021-2030 (V2030 – One Smart CPUT), and Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Education in South Africa. Other supporting factors include the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is within this context and in the light of recent disruptors since 2015 (such as #FeesMustFall, #RhodesMustFall and the water crisis) that CPUT’s V2030 addresses various issues in a Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexities and Ambiguity (VUCA) environment. SIP is also mindful of the post-pandemic era and of the trajectory of the decolonisation of HE.

STRATEGIC RESEARCH INITIATIVES TOWARDS SMART RTIP As the Research Technology Innovation & Partnerships (RTIP) portfolio ushers in the new institutional strategy, One Smart CPUT, it is an opportune time for the university to contribute to economic growth and to the GDP of the country. CPUT is producing high quality postgraduate output, excellent research that has societal impact, and an injection of innovation output into the local economy. Focus Areas 3 of the One Smart CPUT Strategy emphasises Smart RTIP that is relevant and excellent in its knowledge production. Through the development of a range of activities in line with the needs of the 4th Industrial Revolution and Circular Economy developments, we move towards Mode 2 and Mode 3 knowledge production, i.e. knowledge produced for application (Mode 2) and, more recently, fit for purpose research relevant to society (Mode 3). It is in this context that the One Smart CPUT Strategy provides CPUT with a strategic frame within which researchers seek to produce knowledge and innovation that offer solutions to the needs of society, thus creating opportunities to work in collaboration with industry, business and communities.

13 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

“The overarching framework for SIP in a post-pandemic world is the internationalising of higher education through national and transnational collaborations and exchanges. The postcolonial Pan-African paradigm in the age of the 4th Industrial Revolution is also an important part of this framework.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH CHAIRS One of the key interventions which emanated post the adoption of the RTI Blueprint in November 2012 is the Research Chair initiative. To date, the Office of the DVC: RTIP has expended substantive effort in respect of the implementation of the CPUT RTI Blueprint. Through a special grant, CPUT has been fortunate to institutionalise six research chairs with the intention that each research focus area will have at least one, if not more, research niche area supported by a chair. The research chair initiative is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening research and innovation capacity, enhancing the training of a new generation of researchers, and the further development of established researchers in all knowledge areas, while responding to national priorities and strategies. There are currently eleven Research Chairs at CPUT, eight of them active. Some chairs are funded by CPUT, others by the NRF and SETA. All are managed according to CPUT guidelines. The Research Chairs are tenable for five years and are reviewed before the lapse of the period for consideration to be extended for another five years, as stated by the Research Chair Operational Framework. Following a rigorous recruitment process and evaluation against the minimum criteria for Research Chairs, two new research chairs were appointed in 2020: Prof Jeanine Marnewick and Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn. CHAIR TITLE

RESEARCH CHAIR

South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Cardiometabolic Health Research Centre (CHRC)

Prof T Matsha (Tier 2)

Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE)

Prof Y Sayed (Tier 1)

Innovative Small Satellite Technology & Applications for Africa (ISSTAA)

In progress

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)

Prof C Winberg (Tier 2)

CPUT-funded Research Chairs Biotechnology

Prof JL Marnewick

Energy

Prof MTE Kahn

Innovation in Society (Service Design)

In progress

Literacy Development

Prof J Condy

Oceans Economy

Prof KP Findlay

Sustainable Tourism and Global Change

In progress

SETA Research Chairs Work-Integrated Learning (ETDP SETA)

Prof NJ Nduna

The RTI 10-year Blueprint (2012-2022), and its acknowledgment of Research Chairs as an important enabler of the CPUT mission, is supported by the CPUT research chair operational framework that guides the way in which the university supports the work done by the Research Chairs. The operational framework articulates the levels of support from the DVC and faculties that includes, but is not limited to, integration, infrastructure and equipment, resources, administrative support and visibility. The Research Chairs are engaged quarterly on matters of strategic intent during the Research Chairs Forum. This is a platform established by the DVC: RTIP (Chairperson) and the Directors of the RTIP Support Units, namely, the Centre for Postgraduate Studies, CPUT Libraries, the Research Directorate, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships and the Technology Transfer Office.

RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS The research focus areas are an important component of the CPUT research strategy and give voice to the transdisciplinary research approach used at CPUT. To this end, we endorse the objectives of the NRF in its rationale for the research focus areas: Integration and synergy between the social and physical/engineering sciences in support of One Smart CPUT’s two dimensions, i.e. human-centricity and technological smartness. Research focus areas are likely to evolve as strategic imperatives shift and CPUT’s strengths change, and so periodic reviews of these focus areas will be undertaken to assess their relevance to CPUT’s growth trajectory, national imperatives and orientation to Mode 2 knowledge production. Given the evolving nature of technology through the 4th Industrial Revolution, which strengthens CPUT’s contribution to the domain of technology, CPUT (2018-2019) embarked on a review process of the research focus areas to align better to a new world of work based on human-centricity and ‘technology-enabledness’. The research focus areas were redesigned to ensure alignment to chapters in the National Development Plan 2030 in terms of competitiveness and relevance to South Africa and identified elements of the 17 SDGs in terms of competitiveness and relevance to the global earth. The research focus areas are populated with new niche areas aligned to the above objective. The review and redesign process was finalised, and six research focus areas approved in 2020: Research Focus Area 1: Bio-economy & Biotechnology Research Focus Area 2: Space Science, Engineering & Technology Research Focus Area 3: Smart Energy Research Focus Area 4: The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability Research Focus Area 5: Human, Health & Social Dynamics Research Focus Area 6: The Digital Society

FOCUS AREAS & LEADERS

RESEARCH CHAIRS

RESEARCH ENTITIES

FOCUS AREA 1 Bio-economy and Biotechnology

Prof JL Marnewick

Agrifood Technology Station (ATS) Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) Biotechnology Chair Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG) Crystal Engineering Unit Functional Foods Research Unit (FFRU) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility Phytotherapy Research Group

Dr M le Roes-Hill

RESEARCH ENTITIES

FOCUS AREA 4 The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability

Prof KP Findlay

Centre for Sustainable Oceans Centre for Water & Sanitation Research (CWSR) Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation Flow Process & Rheology Centre (FPRC) Nanomaterials Research Group This research group is also involved with projects in FA 5] Oceans Economy Chair

Prof J Condy Prof T Matsha Prof R Mason Prof NJ Nduna Prof Y Sayed Prof C Winberg

Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory (Adaptronics AMTL) [This technology station is also involved with projects in FAs 4 & 6] Cardiometabolic Health Chair Cardiometabolic Health Research Centre (CHRC) Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE) Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) Clothing and Textiles Technology Station (TSCT) Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) Literacy Development Chair Literacy Development Unit Professional Education Research Institute (PERI) Sport Business & Technology Research Centre (SBTRC) (in progress) Teacher Education Chair Wholesale & Retail Leadership Chair (WRLC) (W&RSETA) Work-Integrated Chair (ETDP SETA) Work-Integrated Chair (SARChI)

Prof B Opeolu

FOCUS AREA 5 Human, Health & Social Dynamics Prof J Condy

Prof MTE Kahn

Centre for Distributed Power & Electronic Systems (CDPES) Centre for Power Systems Research (CPSR) Centre for Real-Time Distributed Systems (CRTDS) Centre for Substation Automation & Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) Energy Institute Smart Energy Chair

FOCUS AREA 6 The Digital Society Prof I van Zyl

Centre for Communication Studies (in progress) Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation (BIIC) Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (PLMCC) Brand & Digital Research Hub (BDR)

15 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Prof R van Zyl

Prof MTE Kahn

RESEARCH CHAIRS

Africa Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) Centre for Instrumentation Research (CIR) French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) Innovative Small Satellite Technology & Applications Chair (in progress) Quantum Physics Research Group

FOCUS AREA 2 Space Science, Engineering & Technology

FOCUS AREA 3 Smart Energy

FOCUS AREAS & LEADERS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CPUT acknowledges in the operational framework that Research Chairs co-exists within discursive cultural constructs across academic faculties and entities as indicated in the table below. This is also to further promote an environment that actively supports transdisciplinary approaches and research.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

At CPUT, research entities form a hub of centres of excellence in research and teaching. They promote research, technology transfer, non-formal teaching, community service and outreach programmes in ways that are not readily possible within faculties. The university’s research strategy aligns these research entities to the research focus areas and research chairs. All research entities are listed in the above table, with three new entities entering the system in 2020: the Centre for Communication Studies; the Sport Business & Technology Research Centre (SBTRC); and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility.

RESEARCH FORUM The Research Forum is an established platform where discourse engagement and dialogue on strategic research initiatives take place. It is made up of the DVCs, research chairs, deans, directors, faculty research co-ordinators, research focus area leaders and the wider CPUT research community. In 2020 three successful and well-attended virtual research forums were hosted. Research Forum #1 took place in May, and combined the two research forums planned for the first semester. The focus was understanding the Covid-19 pandemic. The two anchor presentations were: 1) ‘Moving from reactive to practice management of Covid-19 on our campus’ – Prof Mellet Moll (Chair of Business Continuity Team) 2) ‘Cardiometabolic traits and Covid-19’ – Prof Tandi Matsha (Research Chair: Cardiometabolic Health) Research Forum #2 took place in August, and focused on topics of transdisciplinary research with specific reference to Mode 2 and Mode 3 knowledge production approach: 1) ‘Convergence of science: Conceptualising transdisciplinary research for social change’ – Prof Ephias Ruhode (Acting Director: SIP) 2) Two topics related to the theme of the first research forum were also presented: (a) ‘Sustainable bio-based solutions to everyday problems’ – Dr Marilize Le Roux-Hill (Research Focus Area Leader: Bio-economy and Biotechnology) and (b) ‘Rooibos, a complementary approach during Covid?’ – Prof Jeanine Marnewick (Research Chair: Biotechnology) Research Forum #3 took place in November. In the previous forums, members were asked to reflect on the notion of Smart RTIP; the last forum was used to debate institutional strategy. The following presentations were key: 1) ‘Embracing our future: Becoming One Smart CPUT’ – Prof Driekie HaySwemmer (Executive Director: Office of the VC)

2) ‘Ocean economies, blue economies and the need for a paradigm shift in ocean governance: The case for ocean accounting in Africa’ – Prof Ken Findlay (Research Chair: Oceans Economy)

RESEARCH INCOKO Research Incoko was introduced in 2020 in order to host research conversations and engagements on diverse research-related topics. Its purpose is to develop CPUT’s research capacity from within, and allow research constructs and research-related issues to be addressed using a transdisciplinary methodology. The focus is on understanding epistemological and methodological approaches and executions. The target audience is CPUT staff and students in need of research support. Recordings shared on CPUT Microsoft Stream are for internal use and distribution. The envisaged outcome is research capacity building and mentoring within the CPUT environment. Two successful Research Incoko sessions were arranged in 2020. Research Incoko #1 – ‘Principles of Research’ by Prof Rene Pellissier (Director: SIP) in July Research Incoko #2 – ‘Research as a Story’ by Prof Johannes Cronje (Dean: FID) in August

CPUT PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES CPUT hosted a public lecture in February titled ‘Effective instruction for students with significant disabilities’ by Prof William Sharpton from the University of New Orleans, USA. This lecture focused on key strategies to improve educational outcomes for learners with severe disabilities. Emphasis was placed on serving students in inclusive settings.

SMART INTERNATIONALISATION Internationalisation refers to the purposeful integration of international, global and intercultural dimensions into the formal and informal delivery of higher education. The notion of ‘One Smart CPUT’ is based on two key dimensions. Oneness – the oneness aspect of V2030 focuses on the university’s human-centricity through the smart CPUT community that values and embraces unity and diversity; and Smartness – this aspect focuses on technological developments and innovations in the context of the current and future industrial revolutions.

The Covid-19 crisis has completely changed the way in which people think about and participate in their societies. Declining budgets, human capital and international student enrolment is one dimension of the post-pandemic terrain in HE. The second dimension comprises the resounding success of agile leadership, emergency online learning and collaborative online international learning initiatives, and their impact on throughput rates. This process of reimagining HE extends to an increase in access to collaborative opportunities in research and staff and students exchanges between strategic foci such as north–south collaborations, and north–south–south collaborations, as well as BRICS and Eurocentric geographical spaces. Shared online platforms, e.g. Google Documents, classrooms, supervision, research collaborations and management systems, have accelerated efficient and effective operational systems. At the same time, the age of information overload is evidenced by a plethora of virtual conferences, webinars and similar platforms in multiple time zones, requiring new levels of time management and work-life balance.

Working fully or partially in the digital environment has now become a ‘new normal’. Three months into worldwide lockdown, a pulse survey was sent to the CPUT community to gauge perspectives on practitioners continuing the internationalisation agenda in digital spaces. It explored the connection between being at a university of technology and creatively using technology to continue internationalisation; what related activities international practitioners were able and willing to do online (with mobility taken out of the equation); and what digital skill readiness existed or needed to be developed to continue to be globally relevant in the digital arena. The analysed data reflected that most internationalisation activities centred around travel, and very few respondents had engaged in collaborative online exchanges. Most of the respondents indicated that, with technical support, they would be able to continue practicing internationalisation online. Respondents applauded the added value of exposing more students and staff to internationalisation while at home.

In 2020, this policy was finalised with the approval of the Council for Higher Education (CHE). Despite the varying range of capacity to practice internationalisation in SA’s 26 public HE institutions, the DHET is encouraging all of them to engage in comprehensive internationalisation. The current funding crises, reflected in declining state subsidy, increased local student intake, and a declining international student intake, further compound the problem of insufficient funding for engaging in outgoing international mobility opportunities. Some fundamental themes that run through the policy: • The importance of incorporating international, intercultural and global dimensions into the content of the curriculum as well as the learning outcomes, assessment tasks, teaching methods and support services of a program of study • A necessity of boosting the cross-border provision of HE in the SADC Region, while keeping a balance with the need to maintain the integrity of HE in the country • The fact that public universities are not allowed to set up branches outside of South African borders (private universities may do so) • An allowance for different permutations for cross-border mobility in HE between SA universities and partner institutions abroad; these vary from cobadged degrees, to joint degrees and consecutive degrees; double degrees may not be offered by South African universities

STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS Internationalisation or globalisation is a common thread that runs throughout CPUT’s activities. To remain relevant in the ever-changing world of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the institution has incorporated a comprehensive theme of internationalisation, i.e. internationalisation at home and abroad as well as of the curriculum. In keeping with the government’s framework policy regarding internationalisation for HE, CPUT has a strong focus on the international arena, including visiting delegations, visiting partners, exchange students, international academic staff, visiting researchers, capacity development opportunities and joint degrees. International partnership agreements and memorandums of understanding went ahead as normal during 2020, albeit via an online platform.

17 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

During lockdown, comprehensive internationalisation continued to serve as a framework for CPUT’s Smart Internationalisation Strategy. SIP worked with faculties and administration to harness institutional commitment to this agenda. There was a moratorium on exchange programmes and face-to-face transnational collaborations, however, national and international webinars covered topical issues ranging from digital learning and blended learning, to health and well-being during Covid-19. International partnership opportunities and professional opportunities were discussed online, allowing for much wider audience access and participation. This ‘new normal’ affected many different fields and contexts, and the HE sector explored solutions for blended and distance learning (hybrid learning), and the unpreparedness of many lecturers and educators during this time.

GOVERNMENT POLICY ON INTERNATIONALISATION FOR HE

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

In 2020, a strategic partnership was initiated with the Embassy of Finland and the University of Oulu, in order to establish cooperation between CPUT’s six focus areas and six of Oulu Universities’ faculties as well as one of their institutes. In addition to the interest in establishing cooperation within the research focus areas listed above, there is interest in student placements (including at PhD level), staff placements (including teaching practice), mobility and exchanges. Figure 1: Partnership collaboration

Figure 2: Incoming student mobility first semester 2020

ERASMUS+ CAPACITY BUILDING APPLICATIONS

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS IN 2020 Dr Daniela Gachago (Centre for Innovative Educational Technology (CIET)) was successful in her application for the two-year Future Ability – Digital and Transversal Skills for Online Teachers funding. ONGOING ERASMUS PROJECTS IN 2020

Figure 3: Inbound student mobility first semester 2020 Figure 4: Outbound student mobility first semester 2020

Dr Hanle Theron and Prof Karabo Shale (Faculty of Applied Sciences) continued with Vita Global: Internationalising Local Development – A global University Network for Vitiviniculture. PEESA III: Practice-based Engineering Education in South Africa also continued this year. CPUT is part of an eight-member consortium of universities which are developing two professional master’s degrees in the engineering field, namely, a Master of Engineering in Sustainable Construction and a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management. Figure 5: Outbound staff mobility first semester 2020

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Dies-Unilead 2020: Young Managers Leadership Programme in Germany awarded a capacity opportunity to Dr Sweta Patnaik, lecturer in the Clothing & Textiles Technology Station, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (FEBE). The programme aims at preparing young university leaders with valuable leadership and management skills for HE institutions. The Fulbright Research Scholar Programme 2020 awarded Dr Daniela Gachago (CIET) a fully-funded opportunity to conduct three months of research in her field at a United States university.

INTERNATIONALISATION EVENTS GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE (DAAD) During March, CPUT hosted a delegation of 20 German university VCs, DVCs and Registrars to exchange best practices and discuss the potential for new partnerships.

The Internationalisation Forum provides a platform for academics to move outside of their fields of specialty and learn about opportunities and experiences of their colleagues with regards to research, best practices and funding opportunities. The Internationalisation Forum also serves as a space for new academic staff to meet and interact with the CPUT community, as well as get existing staff to traverse the different campus boundaries. It also enables support staff to share their processes with academics and vice-versa. It provides networking opportunities for all involved as well as an opportunity to understand how internationalisation should be considered and incorporated into every practice at CPUT in order for the institution to remain globally relevant. These events were hosted online this year. i)

Event One: ‘International education’ A draft framework in support of the Smart Internationalisation Strategy was presented to the CPUT community at this event. This included the Fulbright Capacity Development Workshop, which provided an opportunity for the discussion of capacity opportunities for master’s and PhD students, postdoctoral research opportunities for staff, and the Specialist Programme for inviting specialists from the United States academic community to visit CPUT for two to six weeks in order to engage in activities such as assisting with international curriculum development.

Prof Judy Peter joined CPUT as the new Director: Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships in November, taking over from Prof René Pellissier who retired. Prof Peter is an art historian, curator and the former Director: Academic Services at the University of Johannesburg. Her vision is “to promote CPUT’s smart internationalisation strategy in teaching and learning, technology and innovation and in developing global and intercultural competencies for staff and students.” The new Director: SIP has published in the areas of gender studies, postcolonial studies and cultural studies in national and international journals, and has presented academic papers in Brisbane, Massachusetts, Rijeka and New York. She has participated in various platforms, including the South African Visual Arts Historians, College Art Association, Arts Council of the African Studies Association and the South African Jewellery Council. Prof Peter has facilitated outbound short learning programmes for students from the University of Johannesburg to Zagreb, New York and Paris. She has also curated student jewellery exhibitions in South Africa, London and New York. With colleagues from Romania, she conceptualised a collaborative research project titled ‘Between democracies 1989-2014: Remembering, narrating and reimagining the past in Eastern and Central Europe and Southern Africa’ from 2012 to 2018. Prof Peter also participated in the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) Leadership Programme in 2019, and is currently a member of the AIEA Conference Committee 2020, and serves on the 2019-2020 Diversity Abroad Race and Ethnicity Task Force. She has chaired numerous panels and presented at The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education.

19 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

TWO INTERNATIONALISATION FORUMS HOSTED

NEW DIRECTOR FOR SIP

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CAPACITY OPPORTUNITY AWARDS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

ii) Event Two: ‘Virtual learning: The evolving role of digital technologies and how to migrate this information to online internationalisation’ This event included sub-themes of virtual mobility relating to co-teaching, colearning, co-researching – opportunities and challenges. Presenters included Dr Daniela Gachago (CIET) and Dr Kristian Steward (Department of Education: College of Education, Health & Human Services, University of Michigan Dearborn). Prof Anthony Staak (adjunct professor FEBE) presented on ‘Moving from physical to virtual: What is the impact on the change in teaching styles on the development of student’s creativity, problem solving and social skills?’ Dr Diane Bell (Manager SIP FBMS) delivered a talk on ‘Developing global citizenship’. Prof Johannes Cronje (FID) presented on ‘Online supervision of postgraduate international students in Ghana using WhatsApp’.

necessary information and train supervisors. The expertise brought by EU partners with the internationalisation of their doctoral studies, combined with the experience from the three non-university partners, provide valuable input to SA universities in order to accomplish these goals. Since its inception, the project has evaluated the partners’ internationalisation rates, created a PhD portal, and organised several training sessions for PhD candidates and staff service departments in support of PhD candidates. Engagement with postgraduate students has highlighted a need for funding for research projects, conference attendance and mobility, and so the Yebo! Project provided a funding tool named Research Connect for all PhDs in partner universities. The project has come to its end and will be hosting a final conference in April 2021. The conference will highlight what the project has achieved, under the theme ‘Supervision and Internationalisation of the PhD in and after the Covid-19 era’.

THE YEBO! PROJECT

UNIVERSITY CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UCDP) UWC DVC: Research & Innovation, Prof Jose Frantz and CPUT DVC: RTIP, Dr David Phaho

Yebo! means ‘Yes!’ in Zulu, and is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project coordinated by the University of Montpellier in France. This project was launched in December 2017. The main purpose of the Yebo! project is to foster and develop the internationalisation of doctoral studies in SA. The project addresses internationalisation needs by promoting doctoral studies, to give better access to

CPUT together with Wits University (lead partner), University of Limpopo, Stellenbosch University, UWC and Loughborough University (LU) (UK technical partner) responded to the call for application for Phase 2 of UCDP. This focuses on collaboration between SA and UK universities in support of doctoral training for university academic staff. This unique six-university consortium will foster the development of a cohort of ten interdisciplinary next-generation researchers to

This project aligns with UCDP goals in the following ways: i) It will accelerate the number of academic staff who hold doctorates. Selection of ‘highflyer’ candidates will ensure they become influential drivers of new knowledge production within the HE science and innovation system.

A BIG STEP TOWARDS OUR FUTURE

ii) It will contribute to addressing transformation imperatives in HE in SA. A selection committee has been established to ensure the selected candidates are at least 80% black and 50% female. iii) The project has maximised the funding available to enable economies of scale. All participating Institutions have committed additional funding to ensure the success of this initiative. iv) There is an equal partnership and a commitment to mutual benefit for all parties involved. This consortium is unique, in that it is the first time that the five SA universities will work together on one project and in strong partnership with LU. Each university partner will be equally responsible and accountable for the successful completion of the PhDs, and participate in supervisory capacities, whether providing senior or junior/novice supervisors. This aims

Ms Hunadi Mokgalaka, SIP’s Manager of Research Uptake, stated that the six revised and redesigned RFAs had served at SRIC, ISPC, and have now finally been approved by Senate, “thus ensuring national and international competitiveness across all RFAs.” Research Focus Area 1: Bio-economy & Biotechnology Research Focus Area 2: Space Science, Engineering & Technology Research Focus Area 3: Smart Energy Research Focus Area 4: The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability Research Focus Area 5: Human, Health & Social Dynamics Research Focus Area 6: The Digital Society

Prof Pellissier stressed that the RFAs give a voice to our transdisciplinary knowledge production. “It dedicates our research to areas that matter and supports the CPUT micro and macro community, with research outcomes that are valuable and marketable.”

Senate has approved the redesigned Research Focus Areas

Director: SIP Prof René Pellissier is optimistic about the success of the redesigned Research Focus Areas (RFAs) which were approved by Senate in July. The redesign process was conducted to ensure their relevance to identified elements of the 17 SDGs and Chapters in the NDP 2030.

Prof Pellissier said that the process has brought together senior members across the CPUT research portfolio to interrogate trends in the external environment, with a focus on the development of a future-orientation of the RTI portfolio. She added that through the RFAs, the convergence of knowledge production to specific thematic areas allows CPUT to dedicate its resources and skills base to specific areas, and thus create a competitive base and skills set in areas of national and international concern. These thematic areas should consider the important aspects of SA’s strategic agenda as encapsulated by the NDP as well as the global goals of the SDGs. She added that 4th Industrial Revolution disruptions and the evolution of technology provide the cornerstone of our UoT’s existence and give a competitive edge. “It may look like a small step, but it’s a big step towards our new future.”

21 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• • • • • •

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

obtain doctoral degrees, and benefit from the quality and breadth of experience necessary to support the conduct of original and innovative research related to Health, Wellness, Sport and Exercise across SA. The project funds will support meritorious staff at SA universities, with students recruited from Health Sciences and/or Engineering disciplines, to register for joint doctoral degrees with LU. They will be afforded international mobility opportunities and conduct research at LU for a minimum of one year.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

to promote collaboration and entrench the SA–SA and SA–UK partnerships beyond the life of the project. v) Overall, successful implementation and completion of the project will contribute to achieving the UNDP SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10.

SASUF VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

SOUTH AFRICA-SWEDEN UNIVERSITY FORUM (SASUF) SASUF is a strategic internationalisation project running from 2017 to 2020 with an aim of strengthening partnerships in research, education and innovation between 37 universities in SA and Sweden. This collaboration includes embassies, civil society organisations, funding agencies and ministries in both countries. SASUF has a budget of 22 000 000 SEK and is funded by the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), the participating universities, and NRF and DHET in SA. From 2017, CPUT’s participation in SASUF has resulted in its researchers engaging with research from other partner universities, hosting and participating in seminars, benefiting in funding for research projects, and student and staff mobility. This platform has been crucial in enabling CPUT researchers to connect with other researchers, ministries and funding agencies working towards the SDGs. Covid-19 presented some challenges and changed project plans. The last seminar should have been hosted in Uppsala in May 2020 but the online option was used. SASUF Goes Digital hosted more than 65 workshops involving the six themes of SASUF: Climate Change, Education, Social Transformation, Health, Sustainable Urbanisation and Big Data. Additionally, ten student-led workshops brought together the SASUF Student Network to connect hundreds of students who are interested and dedicated to continued collaborations between the two countries. CPUT SASUF PROJECTS LEADERS CPUT has been fortunate to have the leadership of four seasoned academics who led SASUF-funded collaborative projects with Swedish partners, namely: • Prof Ephias Ruhode – Digital Technologies, Big Data and Cybersecurity • Prof Khan – Energy • Prof Penelope Engel-Hills – Professional Education • Dr Diane Bell – Health

Prof Elina Mäki-Torkko (black jersey), Dr Diane Bell (green top) and their team visited the Carel du Toit Centre

The South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is a project funded by the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education that brings Swedish and South African higher education institutions together around sustainability issues. A senior academic in FBMS is one of two lead researchers who presented on childhood hearing impairments at this year’s SASUF virtual conference. Dr Diane Bell, Manager: Strategic Initiatives and Projects in the faculty, presented on early detection, diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing impairments during SASUF’s first digital forum, which took place from 23 to 27 November. The other lead researcher who presented at the conference was Prof Elina Mäki-Torkko, head of the Audiological Research Centre and Senior Consultant in Audiology at Orebro University, Sweden. In addition to Dr Bell’s keen interest in internationalisation and developing global citizenship, she is also a strong proponent for the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairment. To this effect, she serves as a member of the Presidential Working Group on Disability, an advisory team on disability-related matters. Dr Bell and her research team submitted their proposal for the collaborative project grant in 2019 and were awarded a grant of 100 000 SEK to execute the project, including site visits to South Africa and Sweden. “The aim of the project is to evaluate the outcomes of a South African Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program at the Carel du Toit Centre, focusing on system evaluation,” she said. “The Swedish research team were able to travel to Cape Town for a site visit at the Carel du Toit Centre, including the CHAT centre (where Children Hear and Talk) during February 2020, just before lockdown, for a project planning meeting.” Dr Bell added that despite the postponement of the South African team’s visit to Sweden, the project had progressed well and was currently at the data collection stage. The team aimed to complete the project in June 2021 and was looking forward to sharing the results.

Part of the Research Festival is celebrating excellence in various research activities via an Awards Ceremony. There are three categories: Research Output, Research Supervision and External Funding. There are four awards in each category, namely, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. If there is a tie for any award, more than one award is given. Researchers are presented with certificates as well as monetary prizes. Research Output awards are calculated from the total number of DHET units produced by each author. This includes all output types acknowledged by the DHET, i.e., Journal Articles, Books & Chapters in Books, Conference Proceedings, and, more recently, Creative Outputs & Innovations. Research Supervision awards are given for numbers of postgraduate students supervised. These are calculated based on the total number of units earned by a supervisor. Supervisors earn one unit for supervision of a master’s degree and three units for supervision of a doctorate. External Funding used to be ‘Industry Funding’, but has recently been expanded to include grants from universities and councils. For 2019, the winning researchers received funding from Griffith University in Australia, the South African Rooibos Council and the South African Medical Research Council. For this year, awards in this category were given to those who received funding of at least R500 000.

RESEARCH PUBLICATION AWARD RECIPIENT

FACULTY

Platinum Dr O Koopman

Education

Gold

Prof OO Oguntibeju

Health & Wellness Sciences

Silver

Dr AK Raji

Engineering & the Built Environment

Bronze

Prof SKO Ntwampe

Engineering & the Built Environment

Bronze

Prof T Iyamu

Informatics & Design

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION AWARD RECIPIENT

FACULTY

Platinum Dr AK Raji

Engineering & the Built Environment

Gold

Prof SKO Ntwampe

Engineering & the Built Environment

Silver

Prof T Iyamu

Informatics & Design

Bronze

Prof MTE Kahn

Engineering & the Built Environment

Bronze

Prof TV Ojumu

Engineering & the Built Environment

EXTERNAL FUNDING AWARD RECIPIENT

FACULTY/ INSTITUTE

Platinum Prof KP Findlay

Applied Sciences

Gold

Prof JL Marnewick

Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology

Silver

Prof T Matsha

Health & Wellness Sciences

23 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

From publishing research papers to embarking on innovative studies, CPUT researchers once again made the institution proud during 2020. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down the celebration of this excellence in research, and the Research Festival will only take place in 2021. It will be an online event for the first time. This is an exciting prospect, as it will enable viewing by a far wider audience.

Celebrating research excellence

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

1 202

h c r a L e A s reESTIV

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING (DHET) PUBLICATIONS AUDIT Publications count for 2020 (submitted to the DHET in 2021)

Units

Books & chapters (submitted)

7.23

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Conference proceedings (submitted)

19.14

Journal articles (audited)

201.57

Total

Faculty/support unit/ research institute

227.94

Books & Conferences Journals Chapters

Total

Faculty of Applied Sciences

0.5746

1.9169

44.4513

46.9428

Faculty of Business & Management Sciences

0.6667

1.00

31.2773

32.944

2.5

1.5

17.0006

21.0006

1.079

9.2088

44.2807

54.5685

Faculty of Education Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences Faculty of Informatics & Design Centre for Water & Sanitation Research (CWSR) Centre for Innovative Educational Technology (CIET) Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI)

0.25

15.1293

15.3793

0.4546

4.517

38.2498

42.2214

0.0834

2.45

2.5334

1.5

0.6667

0.5

2.6667

0.5

0.4546

1.75

2.2046

5.4951

CPUT JOURNAL RESEARCH UNITS FOR 2020

The NRF is a national agency for research support and promotion. In addition to funding, human resource development and the provision of research facilities, the NRF annually invites researchers in all academic fields to apply for individual ratings.

THE NRF RATING CATEGORIES A C

Leading international researchers B Internationally acclaimed researchers Established researchers P Prestigious awards Y Promising young researchers

NRF-RATED RESEARCHERS IN 2020 APPLIED MICROBIAL & HEALTH BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE C2

Dr M le Roes-Hill

Prof JL Marnewick

Dr L van der Westhuizen

Dr P Welz

APPLIED SCIENCES Prof NB Báthori

Prof OS Fatoki

Prof KP Findlay

Prof S Geerts

Prof A Jacobs

Prof VA Jideani

Prof L Kambizi

Prof CP Laubscher

25 EDUCATION

Prof FB Lewu

Prof AA Mohammed

Dr P Boer

Prof BO Opeolu

Dr A Chigona

Prof VS Somerset

Prof J Condy

Prof L Hibbert

Dr A van der Bijl

Dr Z Waghid

Prof C Winberg

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SCIENCES Prof SEH Davies

Prof B Knott

Prof V Naicker

Dr MS Taliep

Dr M Twum-Darko

Dr K Aboalez

Dr S West

Dr V Balyan

Dr MR Chowdhury

Prof VG Fester

Dr V Msomi

Dr B Ncube

Prof KS Ntwampe

CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Dr F Waghid

ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr S Abel

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (NRF) RATING

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT continued Prof TV Ojumu

Dr A Patnaik

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SOURCE

AMOUNT

Collaboration Agreements (AECOM Mozambique/African Environment/Nelson Mandela Metropolitan)

423 572

Enquiry-based Curriculum (UCDG)

330 560

Prof MS Sheldon

Grant Management and System Support (UCDG)

655 097

Prof R van Zyl

Implementation Plan (UCDG)

FUNDANI CHED Prof J Garraway

HEALTH & WELLNESS SCIENCES

RESEARCH FUNDING

Incentive Rating

1 143 668 750 000

Improvement of Qualifications (UCDG)

2 552 818

National Research Foundation (NRF): Postgraduate Bursaries

7 381 483

National Research Foundation (NRF) Postdoctoral Grants

1 511 517

Nelson Mandela University National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

295 000 8 030 112

Prof P Clarke-Farr

Prof G Davison

Prof P Engel-Hills

Prof K Jooste

Postgraduate Supervisor Training (UCDG)

856 680

Prof T Matsha

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

451 524

Prof OO Oguntibeju

INFORMATICS & DESIGN

National Research Foundation (NRF): NRF Chairs

6 223 843

Postdoctoral Funding

13 050 881

Postgraduate Internal Bursaries

13 879 120

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

1 372 984

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

5 103 045

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

5 240 791

Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL)

698 800

Prof J Cronjé

Prof J Daramola

Prof T Iyamu

South African Rooibos Council

Prof I van Zyl

South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF)

Prof M Weideman

Stellenbosch University Collaboration

150 000

Support For Emerging, Early, Mid & Established Research (UCDG)

999 460

The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL)

209 000

Research Technology & Innovation (RTI): CPUT Chairs

3 000 000

Research Technology & Innovation (RTI): CPUT Prestigious Project

3 000 000 575 522 80 500

University Research Funding (UCDG)

2 046 077

Water Research Commission (WRC)

373 913

Water Research Council K452841/3 - Waste Water Treatment

280 522

Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) TOTAL

30 000 82 219 868

RESEARCH REP OR T 2 0 2 0

FACULTY OF BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FACULTY OF EDUCATION FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FACULTY OF HEALTH & WELLNESS SCIENCES FACULTY OF INFORMATICS & DESIGN

CAPE PENIN SULA U NI VER S ITY O F TE CHN OLO GY

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

DEANS’ REPORTS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

DEAN’S REPORT Prof Joseph Kioko

There is a steady increase in the number of postgraduate students which impacts positively on the graduation statistics.

The year 2020 was a pivotal one for the Faculty of Applied Sciences and for CPUT, as the institution transitioned from one decadal plan (Vision 2020) to the next (Vision 2030). This presented an opportunity to assess how far we have progressed in key research-related metrics. In that regard, a comparison of the start and end of Vision 2020 (i.e. 2011 and 2020), shows the following notable researchrelated trends for this faculty: • the number of permanent academic staff with doctorates increased from 27 to 55 • the number of students completing master’s degrees in the year increased from 8 to 32 • the number of students completing doctoral degrees in the year increased from 2 to 6 • the number of DHET-subsidised publication units produced by the faculty per year increased from 25 to 43, having peaked at about 60 units in 2019 This positive trajectory gives the faculty reason to be proud. More important, however, is our commitment and determination to maintain the growth. This intention has been made clear in our Strategic Plan towards

Vision 2030, which includes specific actions aimed at increasing the faculty’s production of Mode 2 and 3 knowledge. The year under review (2020) was also one that was disrupted in unprecedented ways by the global Covid-19 pandemic. We had to adapt to new and innovative ways of working towards our research goals while ensuring the safety of staff, students and the university community at large. Despite the challenges, we managed to achieve the outputs mentioned above and also those outlined in the sections below.

PROGRESS IN THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS It is noteworthy that two of the doctoral graduates who completed their studies in 2020 were the first to graduate from two new doctoral qualifications, namely, the Doctor of Horticulture and the Doctor of Food Science & Technology. Thus, the efforts to expand our Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) at the doctoral level has begun to bear fruit. In the faculty, we now have four doctoral qualifications as compared to the two that we had at the beginning of the 2020 decadal plan (these were in Chemistry and Environmental Health). Our plan for doctoral qualifications will be completed with the introduction of doctorates in Environmental Management, Agriculture, Conservation Science and Marine Science. In 2020, the first three qualifications in this list were at

Bio-economy & Biotechnology

Research Units: Crystal Engineering Unit Functional Foods Research Unit

p 107 p 108

Research Group: Bioresource Engineering Research Group

p 110

Technology Station: Agrifood Technology Station

p 114

various stages of approval by national agencies, while the fourth was going through internal approval processes. By the end of the next decadal plan, we should have eight doctoral qualifications in the faculty. This is expected to have a major positive impact on our research output.

The postgraduate diplomas in various stages of approval in 2020 were: • Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture • Postgraduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry • Postgraduate Diploma in Biotechnology • Postgraduate Diploma in Consumer Science in Food and Nutrition • Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation Science • Postgraduate Diploma on Environmental Management • Postgraduate Diploma in Horticulture • Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science

Research Chair: Oceans Economy and the Centre for Sustainable Oceans

p 143

Research Niche Area: Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation

p 151

More information about this faculty’s 2020 research activities can be found in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report

OUTSTANDING RESEARCH RECOGNISED Department of Chemistry lecturer Prof Vernon Somerset has been recognised with a nomination for the NSTF-South32 Awards. Prof Somerset was nominated in the TW KambuleNSTF: Researcher Award category, which seeks to acknowledge the contribution made by an individual researcher over six to fifteen years for research conducted in South Africa. Prof Somerset noted that this award asks that one’s research be taken from publications to a level where it is of benefit the public. His research activities focus on determining inorganic and organic pollutants in the aquatic ecosystem, air and wet deposition samples. This determines the levels of certain pollutants and links them to the aquatic ecosystem and human health so that the risk to human health can be established. His interest falls particularly on mercury, which he said is a global pollutant. He has contributed to the wider international mercury research community, assisting in establishing a baseline for South Africa and assisting the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries with the ratification of the International Minamata Convention on Mercury. “This is a good example of where research and science informed policy makers towards a convention that would be implemented globally,” Prof Somerset explained. “For CPUT, it should be an indication that excellence is possible, but it requires support, effective systems, investment, and the attraction of key industrial partners. My achievements are catalysed through a team of dedicated people that I can always count on. My appreciation, therefore, goes to my family, my fellow researchers, students, and collaborators.”

Award nomination for Prof Vernon Somerset

29 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Doctoral qualifications must necessarily be supported by appropriate underlying postgraduate qualifications from which students can transition to doctorates. In this regard, the faculty has competed the new higher education qualification sub framework (HEQSF) alignment of its master’s qualifications. In 2020, two new master’s qualifications were in the final stages of approval by national agencies, namely, the Master of Marine Science and the Master of Environmental Management by 100% research and dissertation, which is to replace the coursework Masters in Environmental Management. In 2020, there were also eight HEQSF-aligned postgraduate diplomas at various stages of approval by CHE and SAQA. These would provide access to our master’s and eventually doctoral qualifications.

The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREAS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH ENTITIES In 2020, the faculty had seven research entities aligned to two of CPUT’s seven research focus areas (Bio-economy & Biotechnology, and The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability). The faculty entities in the focus area Bio-economy & Biotechnology were: the AgriFood Technology Station, the Bioresource Engineering Research Group, the Functional Foods Research Group, and Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation. In the focus area The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability, the faculty had these entities: Centre for Sustainable Oceans, Crystal Engineering Research Group, and Radiochemistry & Ion Exchange Chromatography Research Group. The research entities and the respective leaders are listed below, and each of the entities has a report in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report.

Research Entity

Leader

Centre for Sustainable Oceans, which hosts the CPUT Research Chair in Oceans Economy

Prof K Findlay

Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation Research Niche Area

Prof J Odendaal

Crystal Engineering Unit

Prof M Wicht

Agrifood Technology Station

Mr N Mshicileli

Bioresource Engineering Research Group (joint Research Group with the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

Prof M Sheldon and Dr Moses Basitere (FEBE) Dr V Okudoh

Research Focus Area

The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability *

Bio-economy & Biotechnology

Functional Foods Research Unit Prof M Opperman Natural Products Chemistry Research Group

Prof A Mohammed

* Prof B Opeolu is the leader of this focus area, and she is part of the Faculty of Applied Sciences

THREE SCIENCE OSCAR NOMINATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY PROFESSOR Prof Victoria Jideani’s pioneering research has earned her three nominations for the prestigious NSTF-South 32 Awards. Prof Jideani’s research in transforming the science of the Bambara groundnut (BGN) into gluten-free, lactose-free, plant-based proteins and meat alternatives has propelled her to the three nominations for the awards. Prof Jideani has been nominated for the TW-Kambule-NSTF Award for her contribution through research and its outputs over a period of six to fifteen years from the commencement of the research career, predominantly in South Africa. Her second nomination is for the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation, for her innovations, research and/or development contribution to a corporate organisation over the last five to ten years. The third nomination is for the Special Annual Theme Award: Plant Health. BGN (Vigna subteranea), grown in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal, is commonly cultivated by women and called ‘the groundnut of the women’ and ‘a poor man’s food’. “BGN is regarded as an inferior crop and its full economic significance remains to be determined,” said Prof Jideani. “My pioneering research harnessed the abundant protein, phenolic and antioxidant content of BGN into functional food for consumer wellness.” She said these value-added products and patents include glutenfree flour, baked goods, fibre, lactose-free beverages, plant-based protein and meat alternatives. Prof Jideani says these products are high in protein, polyphenols and antioxidants and could therefore break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition, and contribute to a healthy diet. A CPUT spin-off company, Aonyx Foods, is commercialising the technology. Prof Jideani’s painstaking efforts have earned her first-time nominations for these awards. “Apart from the recognition, putting together the nomination application enabled me to become more competitive and increased my visibility… it created an opportunity to receive useful feedback about my research and how it is perceived from CPUT who nominated me, and the National Science and Technology Forum Awards Committee.”

Prof Victoria Jideani at the heart of innovation

As mentioned above, a total of 38 students completed their postgraduate degrees in 2020. I acknowledge and thank all supervisors for guiding the students to success. In addition, two of our staff members completed their doctoral qualifications – Dr Ncediwe Ndube-Tsolekile with a PhD in Chemistry, and Dr Anton Nel with a PhD in Oenology. My heartfelt congratulations to them.

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY & CONSUMER SCIENCE ENRICHES THE COMMUNITY

Among the established researchers, the faculty had two finalists in the 2019/2020 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) – South32 Awards, in the category TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Researcher were: • Prof Victoria Jideani (Department of Food Science & Technology) • Prof Vernon Somerset (Department of Chemistry)

31 Practical teaching resources have been developed for Vheneka and CPUT

Apart from publications and postgraduate output, the faculty also managed to raise a total of R14 million in external research funds during 2020, contributing to the facilitation of research activities in the faculty. This is particularly important given the current environment of resource constraints.

The Department of Biotechnology & Consumer Science has developed teaching resources to be used by women empowerment organisation Vheneka as well as at CPUT in practical studies. The department created classroom posters on the topics of kitchen skills, personal hygiene in the food industry, and table setting for the Cape Town-based NPO Vheneka, which focuses on survivors of prostitution and trafficking.

Another key contribution towards facilitating research was the acquisition of a new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer by Prof Ahmed Mohammed (Department of Chemistry), who received a R 6.8 million grant for the equipment from the NRF’s National Equipment Programme. This NMR has filled a gap that previously existed at CPUT in terms of high-precision research in organic chemistry. We pay tribute to Prof Mohammed, and anticipate that this equipment will spur significant growth in research and innovation through application into many fields such as medicinal plants, polymer science, food technology, agriculture and the environment.

The organisation’s founder and executive director, Ms Marilyn Murugweni, said they used a twopronged intervention method by providing a transitional shelter and a full-time social worker as well as skills training in the form of a five-month basic culinary course. “The partnership with CPUT’s Department of Biotechnology & Consumer Science has enriched our programme immensely, as we have received learning material in the form of posters and some ingredients. Over and above that, the interaction with the university’s staff has boosted our students’ confidence and selfesteem,” Ms Murugweni remarked. Consumer Science lecturer, Ms Raché Hanekom, said, “I am excited to work with the NPO; it will give our students the opportunity for peer teaching and some experience in training which they may be required to do in industry.” She added that next year the Vheneka students might be exposed to a day of large-scale food production to experience life in the industry. The department would also aim to share quality control skills from a business and entrepreneurship view. “As a department, we are grateful for the opportunity to engage with community partners and to contribute through student interaction and peer teaching… The meaning for CPUT is short and simple: Make a difference, however small – it may make a big difference to someone else.”

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

This was a well-deserved recognition for the two professors, and we congratulate them.

To all staff, students, and collaborators: Thank you for your commitment, energy, dedication and support in making the year 2020 a success for our faculty.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

LOOKING TOWARDS 2030 Creating new opportunities to work in collaboration with industry, business and communities Developing commercialisation and other pathways for research impact Maintaining a high number of NRF-rated researchers Improving research output by academic staff Increasing the number of staff qualified to operate leading edge instrumentation

For the next decade, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is ready to continue and surpass the positive trajectory that it has achieved over the past one.

RESEARCH FUNDING

RESEARCH OUTPUT

SOURCE

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

In line with the university’s Vision 2030, the faculty has developed a Strategic Plan which includes specific goals and objectives for research over the next decade. These are aligned to Focus Area 3 of Vision 2030, i.e. Smart RTIP that is relevant and excellent in its knowledge production. In that regard, the faculty has committed itself to achieving the following: • Developing the research capacity of a future generation of scholars and innovators – putting the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the forefront of innovation in its broadest sense • Increasing and strengthening interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research entities in the faculty

AMOUNT

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

2 542 426

Postdoctoral

5 666 575

Postgraduate Internal Bursaries

3 020 000

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

32 574

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

131 924

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

526 261

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

559 291

Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL)

50 000

South African Rooibos Council

225 000

Stellenbosch University Collaboration

150 000

Top up grants (UCDG)

730 000

University Research Fund (UCDG) Water Research Commission (WRC) TOTAL

46 709 373 913 14 054 673

• • • •

2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Chapters in books (submitted)

0.57

Conference proceedings (submitted)

1.92

Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

44.45 46.94

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES OBTAINED BY STAFF PhD in Chemistry University of Johannesburg Dube-Tsolekile N Synthesis of near infra-red ternary quantum dots conjugated with porphyrin for photodynamic therapy application PhD in Agricultural Sciences (Oenology) University of Stellenbosch Nel N Pinking of wine: Influence of different winemaking processes, causative agents and pinking treatments

FULBRIGHT GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

A grant of R 6.8 million from the NRF has enabled the Department of Chemistry to acquire and install a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR). The main use of the NMR is to study and analyse the chemical structure of organic compounds, especially natural compounds obtained from natural resources such as plants, microbes and marine organisms. “CPUT has been missing this important facility for more than 20 years, and it was requiring strong application with strong motivation from the university,” Prof Ahmed Mohammed explained. “All researchers working in related activities from the university and industrial sector are very welcome to come and use the facility.”

Fulbright specialist Mr Rajgopal Sashti (middle) with Applied Sciences staff and students

The Faculty of Applied Sciences hosted Fulbright scholarship specialist and grant advisor, Mr Rajgopal Sashti, for three days during March, with the aim of attracting the brightest students to apply for access to its US-based learning spaces. Mr Sashti said he came to CPUT to enhance international opportunities through fellowships and grants for motivated staff and students. He told his audience that he wanted them to apply for funding to study and travel abroad to broaden their prospects. SA has been apportioned 15 to 20 scholarships which can vary from year to year depending on US government financial plan distributions. “I am here to talk best practices, methods, techniques, approaches, and strategies to secure Fulbright fellowships for students and professors.” he said. “The message to you is that you must have a passion for what you want to achieve to get the fellowship. CPUT must make sure that overseas studies are one of their top priorities.” Following his oral presentation, he offered application lessons before another session for questions and answers. Ms Bongisiwe Zozo, a Chemistry master’s student, said the meeting was inspiring, informative and Mr Sashti’s method of delivery was easily accessible. “I really appreciate the insights that were provided for obtaining a Fulbright scholarship.”

New nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

Food Science & Technology lecturer Mr Vusi Mshayisa said, “The session was interactive, vibrant and helpful as it has illuminated the opportunities available for staff and PhD candidates. I am glad I attended the session and I will be sharing the information learned with my students.”

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

“The NMR facility fills a strong gap to run advanced research with excellent quality, meaning there is no research in organic chemistry that can be completed without the NMR facility.” All postgraduates, researchers from different faculties, including Applied Sciences and Engineering & the Built Environment, and industrial sectors can use the equipment for various purposes including pharmaceutical, polymer, food technology, agriculture, environment and many more.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT FOR CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

STRIVE TO ADD VALUE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES “Anyone looking to pursue a PhD degree must reflect on the problems within society and direct their research towards a theme that would add value to people’s lives.” This was a message to prospective PhD students from Dr Wasiu Afolabi, who was the only candidate to be awarded his PhD in Chemistry at CPUT’s December graduation.

Dr Wasiu Afolabi

The title of his thesis was ‘Synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of selected pentacyclic triterpenoid hybrid-conjugate derivatives’. It focused on the functional improvement of naturally occurring biologically active chemical

INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY CELEBRATED

molecules and the limitations of synthesising large hybrid compounds, as well as the significance of structure-activity relationship in rapid bioactive compound development. Dr Afolabi recalled that his accomplishment was not a bed of roses. “The journey was paved with thorns. It has been sweat, tears and pain all the way. There were several obstacles that posed challenges to my progress. These included financial constraints for the most part and culture shock in a foreign environment in the early days.”

Dr Wasiu Afolabi

The Faculty of Applied Sciences commemorated International Mother Language Day at a ceremony on the Bellville Campus. Inaugurated by UNESCO in 1999, it has been celebrated on 21 February for the last 20 years, to preserve linguistic diversity and promote mother tongue-based multilingual education worldwide. The celebration was opened by praise-singer and Construction Management second-year student Mr Sinesipho Yekiwe. Dr Robyn Tyler from UWC’s Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research presented a research paper titled ‘Marrying multilingualism and inquiry to grow Southern African Sciences’. There was a panel discussion by the faculty’s students about their language experiences and perspectives. The faculty’s Language Co-ordinator Dr Ignatius Ticha said they envisioned drawing awareness to linguistic diversity and celebrating variety in languages. He also acknowledged a need to preserve mother tongue languages. “We organised a specialist in multilingualism [Dr Tyler] to share valuable tips on how to apply multilingualism in science teaching,” said Dr Ticha. Dr Tyler said she was “impressed by the use of multilingualism at this event, people using different languages to grapple with linguistic ideas of mother tongue in science”. Prof Beatrice Opeolu, the faculty’s ECP Co-ordinator, said multilingualism is important for staff and students. “We need to promote the use of mother tongue languages and I hope it may grow to where we can teach students in their mother tongue languages.” Dr Robyn Tyler receives her gift from Prof Beatrice Opeolu

DEAN’S REPORT Prof Paul Green

Researchers strive towards creating an enabling environment for the improvement and effective delivery of quality research and innovation.

FBMS is guided by Vision 2030: One Smart CPUT, and it is under this framework that it continuously seeks to produce relevant research and innovation focused on societal needs. Student-centred approaches have been prioritised to ensure that postgraduate students are supported to learn in real-world contexts in smart ways. Due to Covid-19, postgraduate support continued online through a series of workshops covering various aspects of research development and postgraduate administration. The faculty’s staff are involved in a variety of research projects, including: • Discovering paradigms of a quintuple helix model where government, industry, academia and civil participants work together to co-create the future

35 • • •

The internet of needs: Building a breakthrough in marketplace infrastructure Transformation in the retail sector Assessing the employment profile and the employment dynamic in South African restaurants

FBMS takes the motto of ‘Oneness + Smartness’ seriously, and its researchers strive towards creating an enabling environment for the improvement and effective delivery of quality research and innovation. In 2020, the faculty had 685 students enrolled for postgraduate studies. A total of 69 postgraduate students were awarded degrees, with 44 master’s students and 1 doctoral student graduating in April 2020, and 20 master’s students and 4 doctoral students graduating in December 2020. FBMS currently has four C3 NRF-rated researchers and two Y2 rated researchers, and produces a healthy publication output annually. Dr Sacha West was recognised with an NRF C3 rating in 2020. Developing academic research capacity remains a key priority for the faculty. The Emerging Researcher Clinic was developed in 2020 to ensure the continuous creation of opportunities for academic staff to develop and refine their research capabilities.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Research in the Faculty of Business & Management Sciences (FBMS) is supported by CPUT’s Focus Area 3. It strives to increase CPUT’s trans-/multi- and interdisciplinary attention on Modes 2 and 3 – knowledge production through strategic research initiatives to develop smart technology-driven solutions. Strategic initiatives towards this goal have been the focus of the newly appointed Assistant Dean of Research & Innovation, Prof Renitha Rampersad.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FACULTY OF BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

RESEARCH CENTRES The faculty boasts two well-established research centres which operate under Focus Area 5: Human & Social Dynamics. Please visit the Focus Area 5 section later in this document to find out more about the 2020 activities of the Human Performance Lab (HPL) (page 171) and the Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) (page 168).

NICHE AREA RESEARCH A number of niche areas have been developed stemming from Focus Areas 1 and 6. Although research is inter- and multi-disciplinary, studies revolve mainly around Focus area 6. Please visit the Focus Area 6 section later in this document to find out more about the 2020 activities for the Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation (BIIC) (page 181) and the Marketing Department’s Brand & Digital Research Hub (BDR) (page 186).

•

necessary recommendations for the recovery of the establishments and also to stay afloat in the ‘new normal’. Dr Sharhidd Taliep from the Department of Sport Management was the co-recipient of the South African Sweden University Forum (SASUF) grant, which is aimed at building scholarship capacity between SA and Sweden. The project has two main research capacity aims. The first is to build capacity amongst postgraduate students through conducting workshops run in collaboration with Malmo University, UWC, Lund and CPUT. The second is to build capacity amongst staff. The first phase of this project was completed in SA where these research workshops were facilitated for students and staff. The return phase was intended to be completed with the students and staff in Malmö in Sweden, however, this has been postponed due to Covid-19.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH FUNDING Faculty and staff have been awarded various grants to further their research: •

‘The Big Thing’ is a project funded at R45 million. The grant has been received for a three-year period by the Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation (BIIC). The project involves mentoring and coaching 2 000 SA youth to become entrepreneurs.

•

‘Determining the employment profile with the hospitality sub-sector with a specific focus on restaurants in South Africa’ is a project funded by the National Department of Tourism. Project leaders from the Department of Tourism, Dr Tshinakaho Nyathela and Ms Mandisa Silo, concluded the report this year, with the aim of influencing the policy regarding employment within SA restaurants.

•

‘The impact of Covid-19 on hospitality establishments in South Africa’ is a national study conducted by the Cape Town Hotel School (CTHS) academic team (Dr Tshinakaho Nyathela-Sunday, Ms Nadia Davids, Ms Nina Septoe, Ms Celiwe Menze, Ms Ilhaam Banoobhai, Mr Lufuno Sinthumule, Ms Beverley Seager, Mr Luke van Rensburg and Advocate Anzel Laubscher). This is a collaborative study with other universities, including the University of Johannesburg, the University of Mpumalanga, Durban University of Technology and the University of Venda. The purpose of the study is to make

SASUF research workshops were held for postgraduate students and staff

SASUF workshop presenters: Prof Per Wollmer (Lund), Prof Lloyd Leach (UWC), Prof Tomas Peterson (Malmö) and Dr Sharhidd Taliep (CPUT)

Human, Health & Social Dynamics

The Digital Society

Research Centre: Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation

p 181 p 186

Research Centres: Centre for Tourism Research in Africa Human Performance Laboratory

p 168 p 171

Research Unit: Brand & Digital Research Hub

Research Chair: Wholesale & Retail Leadership (W&RSETA)

p 162

More information about this faculty’s 2020 research activities can be found in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report

FACULTY RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE (FREC)

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS Internationalisation continues to be a strategic imperative, and thrives through concerted and collaborative efforts, with tangible outcomes for all stakeholders. Amongst other benefits, students, academics and institutions receive valuable insight to develop a competitive edge; strategic thinking is encouraged, leading to innovation; and tremendous advantages are gained in pedagogy, student and faculty collaboration. Participants gain a better understanding of global issues and how educational systems work across countries, cultures and languages. During 2020, however, because of Covid-19 and the suspension of international travel, all FBMS internationalisation activities moved online. Despite in-person mobility not being able to take place, the faculty continued to engage and participate in various activities, encouraging all stakeholders to participate in webinars and online conferences. A Forum for Internationalisation was established within the faculty, with a representative from every academic department and unit. Meetings are held quarterly to share best practices and approaches towards international collaboration, as well as to drive the internationalisation strategy within the faculty.

Furthermore, through the Teaching & Learning Committee, Dr Diane Bell, Dr Desiree Scholtz and Dr Shairn Hollis-Turner developed Guidelines for Internationalisation of the Curriculum as well as a Self-Reflection Tool which was taken into departments for implementation.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIP VISITS The faculty’s collaborations with the following German partners were strengthened through in-person visits (before the global pandemic): DHBW RAVENSBURG UNIVERSITY This enhanced collaboration with the Retail Business Management department, especially in the area of work-integrated learning. KOBLENZ UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES During their visit, members of the delegation presented seminars and guest lectures, and there was a book launch at the Cape Town Hotel School. A

37 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Michael Twum-Darko serves as FREC Chairperson. During 2020, the committee received 176 applications – 16 from academic staff, 10 from external universities and research institutions, and 150 from students. Of the applications, 140 were approved, 25 received conditional approval and 11 were asked to resubmit for additional information.

Staff from the SIP unit attended the 22nd International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) annual conference online. This showcased the faculty to five international partners through presenting online at their respective International Weeks, and supported the operationalisation of the BELCO Alliance Agreement through encouraging academics from the Department of Marketing to engage with research collaboration with BELCO Alliance members (BELCO is a consortium of 21 universities spread over the globe collaborating to enhance students employability and personal leadership to be competitive and become global citizens).

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREAS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

scholarship was secured for a Department of Marketing doctoral student to spend three years working (as a research assistant) and studying abroad. This strategic partnership has resulted in multiple academic teaching exchanges, two articles published in accredited journals, three papers presented at international conferences, as well as postgraduate supervision. The first incoming exchange student from Koblenz enrolled at CPUT in the first semester of 2020. AALEN UNIVERSITY The Department of Tourism & Event Management hosted Prof Ulrich Holzbaur who presented a number of seminars and guest lectures.

BUSINESS FACULTY SUPPORTS CONVOCATION COVID-19 FUND Following a presentation at a board meeting of FBMS, the Convocation Covid-19 Fund saw a spike in staff donations. Ms Andiswa Mrasi said the faculty was highly supportive of the initiative and offered some administrative assistance in support of the campaign. “We are very grateful for the support we have from staff Ms Andiswa Mrasi, and are still receiving from the faculty, especially the Convocation executive Dean’s office,” said Ms Mrasi. She added that the Dean, member and head of Covid-19 Fund campaign Prof Paul Green, committed the faculty’s support after the concept and objectives of the fund were presented at a meeting of the university’s Management Committee (ManCom). Prof Green said that they were happy and proud to support such an important initiative which would assist students with academic resources they require to complete the 2020 academic year. The fund announced in October that, since its inception in May, it had raised donations to the value of R380 814. It was officially launched in May by Convocation in partnership with the Advancement Department and the VC’s office to assist the institution in its attempts to save the 2020 academic year in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. For donations to the fund use the Account Name CPUT Alumni, ABSA Account No 40 6934 6192, Branch code 630305, Reference ‘Covid’ and please email proof to covid@cput.ac.za

RENEWAL OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS During 2020, agreements with the following international partners were renegotiated and signed: • University of Münster, Germany • Karlstad University, Sweden • Aalen University, Germany

NEW INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS During 2020, the faculty established new international partnerships with the following universities: • Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia: Graduate School of Management and Innovation • University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW): School of Business – to support a joint curriculum development project with CPUT’s Graduate Centre for Management Each partnership within FBMS is located within a particular department to build relationships at professional and discipline levels. This focused approach leads to deeper collaboration which includes activities such as staff development, student and staff mobility, research projects, curriculum development, and co-publishing of books, book chapters, journal articles, etc.

INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY FBMS hosted five international guests from German partner universities from January to March 2020. As a result of the Covid-19 national lock-down and international travel restrictions, the prospective outgoing staff members had to put their travel plans on hold. The faculty also hosted 23 incoming international exchange students from various European universities during the first semester, but then they had to return to their home countries. 21 of these students completed their exchange programme online through CPUT with an average pass result of 85%. At the beginning of their stay at CPUT, the students participated in a three-day orientation programme which started with a formal event held at the Granger Bay Hotel School where they were welcomed by Dr Desiree Scholtz (Assistant Dean: Teaching & Learning) and Dr Diane Bell (Manager: SIP). They also participated in a guided day tour of the Cape Peninsula and of the informal settlement Nyanga.

No mobilities for students or staff (incoming or outgoing) took place during the second semester as a result of the ongoing lockdown restrictions. The below Erasmus+ funded inter-institutional agreements for International Credit Mobility (ICM) were scheduled for implementation this year, but this was not possible due to the pandemic. It is hoped that the EU will allow these agreements to roll over until such time as in-person mobilities can again take place: • • •

Abertay University, Scotland – collaboration with the Department of Sport Management for academic staff mobility Carinthia University, Austria – collaboration with the Department of Financial Accounting & Taxation for both student and staff mobility Polytechnic Porto, Portugal – collaboration with the Department of Business Information & Administration for academic research collaboration including staff mobility

• • •

Bilgi University, Turkey – collaboration with the Department of Sport Management Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Business School), the Netherlands – collaboration with the Department of Sport Management University of Economics in Bratislava – collaboration with the Department of Marketing

Alumni from across the globe tuned in for the Advancement Department’s first alumni webinar, which placed the spotlight on ‘Staying alive in the current labour market crisis’. Alumni officer Ms Valerie Deelman said the lockdown, which followed the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, had affected the lives of most people and forced them to adapt. She continued, “The Covid-19 pandemic has rocked the foundations of the world – economies are struggling, unemployment figures have escalated as a result of companies closing down, staff are being retrenched, demand for products/ services have shrunk and the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths continue to rise. So, we decided to engage with our alumni through hosting a webinar on ‘Staying alive in the current labour market crisis’.” The Alumni Office invited Dr Liiza Gie, HOD: Human Resource Management at CPUT, SA Board for People Practices, Master HR Professional in Learning & Development and an alumna, to collaborate in hosting its first alumni webinar. Dr Gie was supported by two other alumni and guest speakers, communication professional and entrepreneur Ms Kim Webster and 3D printing technology company Red Village founder, Mr Luvuyo Ndiki. Dr Gie presented ‘Employability in Industry 4.0’, Ms Webster spoke on ‘Coping with the new normal: Surviving Covid-19’, while Mr Ndiki delivered an inspirational message. Participants in the event received a virtual welcome from Mr Calvin Maseko, Director of the Advancement Department, while Ms Valerie Deelman officiated as programme director with the support of colleagues Ms Helena Pietersen and Ms Nadine Waterwitch.

Despite the current unprecedented times, FBMS continues to strive to achieve its key strategic objective of being the leading faculty regarding internationalisation within CPUT. It pursues this goal using a creative and innovative approach, and embracing the use of technology.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT DYNAMICS (ICBMD) ICBMD 2020 took place in October as a virtual event. The co-host partners were the University of Namibia’s School of Business, the University of Fort Hare, NorthWest University, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. ICBMD continues to enjoy the reputation of being at the forefront of contemporary issues, challenges and

Ms Kim Webster, Dr Liiza Gie and Mr Luvuyo Ndiki

39 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The following Erasmus+ ICM funding applications were successful and secured during 2020:

FIRST ALUMNI WEBINAR HAS GLOBAL AUDIENCE

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

In March, SIP hosted a debriefing session with CPUT students who participated in the international exchanges the previous year to obtain feedback on the value of these exchanges and its impact on them, their studies, and their future.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

opportunities. It was once again cutting-edge, contentious and thought-provoking in addressing the theme ‘Enhancing Africa’s development and competitiveness in the digital economy and beyond’. There were 70 delegates and 33 papers were presented. The guest speaker was Prof Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi, professor of Business Management at the University of Fort Hare. The keynote address was delivered by Prof Dileep Kumar, professor of Research and Strategy at Africa Business School, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco. Prof Paul Green, Chairperson of ICBMD 2020 and current Dean of CPUT’s FBMS, welcomed the delegates. The opening address was given by CPUT’s newly appointed DVC: RTIP, Dr David Phaho.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CENTRE FOR ENTERPRISE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP AND INNOVATION IN AFRICA (CERPIA) In this digital transformation economy, companies and administration departments run business application systems that require qualified professionals. These people need to know how to work with standard systems and have an in-depth understanding of highly integrated business process systems. For this reason, CERPIA offers all students the opportunity to gain valuable and vital skills through a comprehensive course on the key functionalities of the System Application Product (SAP) Enterprise Business application system.

TRANSFORMING ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN SOUTH AFRICA A dedicated senior academic has helped establish the first university department in Africa that focuses exclusively on the education and training of paralegals. The Department of Applied Legal Studies has introduced the first degree in paralegal studies, consolidating the formalisation of the education and training of paralegal practitioners in higher education, thus contributing to the transformation of legal services in the country. “I have had the privilege of leading this team through the long and arduous process of establishing the Department of Applied Legal Studies at CPUT,” said Acting HOD, Dr Noleen Leach. While the department only received its status in 2019, Dr Leach headed the former academic entity, the Unit for Applied Law, since 2014. She said that establishing the department has proved to be an important step. CPUT has become a key partner in the drive towards the professionalisation of the paralegal sector in South Africa, which has been part of the agenda of the Department of Justice since the adoption of Justice Vision 2000. The first cohort of students who were admitted to the Bachelor of Paralegal Studies programme in 2018 are due to graduate at the end of the 2020. The first fully-funded cohort of community-based paralegal practitioners will be admitted to the programme in 2021 through an RPL strategy, the result of a comprehensive national research project completed by the department and funded by the CS Mott Foundation. Dr Leech believes “the department is giving effect to the constitutional mandate of restorative justice by providing access to advanced accredited training to paralegal practitioners, whose education and training has been undervalued and neglected in the academy. The graduation of this cohort will make an important contribution towards the sustainability and transformation of legal services for vulnerable communities.” Dr Noleen Leach

DOCTORAL THESIS ADDRESSES CSR PROGRAMMES

CERPIA believes in investing in the future workforce and delivers a comprehensive programme, combining technical and soft skill elements. It intends to have more qualified SAP certified consultants to tackle the gap of scarce ICT skills in the workplace. It plans to grow the local capacity of skilled graduates (mostly women) across South Africa to enhance their employability. In December, despite the pandemic, CERPIA trained 32 W&R SETA funded students and other top achieving students sponsored by CPUT’s Advancement Department. They were enrolled in SAP Sales & Distribution, Project Management and Human Capital Management programmes. Graduation will take place in February 2021. This initiative depends on the funding and availability of students.

RESEARCH FUNDING SOURCE

AMOUNT

Improvement of Qualifications (UCDG)

885 670

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

198 907

Postdoctoral

1 393 415

Postgraduate Internal Bursaries

2 510 000

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

1 163 326

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution Publication 2018 Conference Contribution Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL) South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF) University Research Fund (UCDG) Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) TOTAL

14 235 231 599 1 324 123 153 600 80 500 418 141 30 000 8 403 516

Dr Talent Moyo

Dr Talent Moyo, who was awarded a DComm in Marketing during the Smart Graduation in December, said this achievement was a dream come true. “The only thing I can think of now is: What next? I need a new dream!” She added that making her family proud was the best feeling in the world. Her research topic was ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes on the marketing performance of professional sport organisations in South Africa’. She developed a set of criteria which professional sport organisations in South Africa could use to assess the impact of their CSR programmes on their marketing performance, and the study recommended that CSR be used strategically to maximise positive impact on sport organisations’ marketing performance. Dr Moyo was one of four graduates awarded doctoral degrees in the FBMS. The other graduates were Dr Siviwe Mditshwa, who was awarded a DTech in Public Management, and Dr Kofi Boamah and Dr Oscar Chakabva, who both received DComm: Internal Auditing degrees. Dr Chakabva said, “I am proud of this accomplishment and my family was extremely supportive throughout the long, challenging process. Now, I am exploring my options for the future, while also hoping the whole process was worth it.” The title of his thesis was ‘A holistic cost-effective model for risk management and sustainability within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) SME industry: Cape Metropole, South Africa’.

41 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

In this time of digital economic transformation, social inequalities need to be addressed. CERPIA aims to make opportunities available for all students to flourish and thrive. Digital technologies are a doubleedged sword for women. Men’s greater access to these technologies puts women at risk of being left even further behind economically and socially. However, if women can tap the full power of digital technologies skills, vital new opportunities will open up for them. Therefore, CERPIA is determined to equip more women in digital business processing skills.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

During 2020-21, the focus of CERPIA is on women empowerment with SAP, the most popular business processing system internationally. This skills development programme addresses the business processes of procurement, production planning, project management, sales and distribution, customer service, asset management, financial accounting, human resources, and analytics. All theoretical components of these courses complement with hands-on sessions performed directly in SAP technologies tackling real-world challenges of scarce digital business skills.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Chapters in books (submitted)

0.67

Conference proceedings (submitted)

1.00

Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

31.28 32.94

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES OBTAINED BY STAFF PhD in Organisational Psychology University of Cape Town Kiley J Identity capital and graduate employment Master’s in Cost & Management Accounting CPUT Solani M The use and effectiveness of financial performance measures in small and medium enterprises retail businesses in Cape Town MTech in Business Administration CPUT Sallie A Investigating the use of electronic communication and its impact on faculty staff members at a selected university of technology in South Africa MTech in Marketing CPUT Cromhout D The impact of an integrated marketing communication service learning project on participating client organisations

LECTURER WITH DISABILITY TO SUMMIT MT KILIMANJARO AGAIN Mr Zizipho Ndlwana, a Sport Management lecturer, who lost his leg in a car accident, aims to become the first transtibial (below the knee) amputee to summit Kilimanjaro twice in six years. At 5,895 metres above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest single free-standing mountain in the world. Mr Ndlwana aims to motivate and inspire other physically-challenged athletes across the globe. He also hopes to raise funds for these athletes and the underprivileged to help achieve their goals in the sports arena. After successfully climbing this mountain, the highest in Africa, in 2014, Mr Ndlwana has switched Mr Zizipho Ndlwana prepares to summit Mount from extensive gym time to a lot of Kilimanjaro again walking and hiking to prepare for this summit. “I’m doing endurance training and aerobic exercises,” said Mr Ndlwana. He added that his diet ahead of the summit includes high protein foods for muscle recovery after the exercises. Mr Ndlwana’s hiking group includes three wheelchair-bound people and another amputee. Ms Lee Wyser, Founder of the NGO Guts 2 Glory Foundation, and her team from Switzerland will be providing support to meet the needs of the climbing athletes. “It’s going to be harder this time around – I have no experience of hiking with people in wheelchairs,” Mr Ndlwana said. He will also be conducting research on extreme sports participants and their perceptions of risks, and he wants the Kilimanjaro expeditions to grow and be integrated into his department’s culture of community engagement. “I’m sure it’s something that will build [the students’] morale as it will allow them to interact with people who are different from themselves while improving their own health and fitness,” he said. “It’s a great way of promoting the course, the faculty, disability and maybe the university at large.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SPORT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT MOVING

The Department of Sport Management will be relocating from the Mowbray Campus to the Newlands Cricket Ground (NCG) next year. The department has been located in Mowbray since 2000, but the campus is relatively small and the department has been unable to develop their academic programme as much as they would like due to space and facility restrictions.

Prof Davies said that following a sequence of meetings with CEO of Western Province Cricket Mr Nabeal Dien in 2015, during which they were made aware of a proposed NCG development, the department drafted a formal proposal to relocate to the new facility. The NCG, which hosted its first international test match in 1889, is getting an R800 million makeover.

“The Wicket Building at NCG will be the new home for the Sport Management Department,” said Head of Department Prof Simeon Davies. “We are involved in regular meetings with the development team and key stakeholders who are overseeing this major construction project. We have plans in place for a phased move of equipment and staff from May to June 2021.”

“This process gained the full support of VC Prof Nhlapo, along with Council, and the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Dr Blade Nzimande,” he continued. “It was clear that the opportunity to move to NCG would provide a teaching and learning environment ideally suited for our programme, and [more] importantly provide the platform to showcase One Smart CPUT as a leader in technological innovation and educational development.”

Prof Davies added that following strategic planning sessions and input from the Department’s Sport Industry Advisory Board, they had realised that with the introduction of new qualifications it would be necessary to consolidate the academic programme onto one campus. In order to respond to the challenges of the 4IR and to produce globally competitive graduates, the new campus would be at the cutting edge of technology because a smart university such as CPUT empowers society. “It was also recognised that with the opportunity to take space at the iconic and world-renowned NCG, the Sport Management programme would have unrivalled access and exposure to sport events and experiences, which would provide outstanding opportunities for the students’ experiential training.”

Prof Davies added that the department is very excited about the relocation “which will provide the students with a modern learning environment where we can use smart technology to achieve excellence”. “We believe that the new location at NCG will allow us to deliver the academic project in a state-of-the-art facility, which will benefit all of our students, and also allow us to market our programme effectively... The move to the internationallyacclaimed NCG will provide the space and facilities for a multi-cultural ecosystem that will facilitate an educational experience that prepares our staff and students at all levels, for a global environment.”

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Newlands Cricket Ground

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

KOLISI FOUNDATION AND CTHS HELP UNDERPRIVILEGED PEOPLE

Excitement filled the room in the Cape Town Hotel School when scholars consisting of CPUT staff, mainly female academics, were recently awarded certificates for completing their SAP Train the Trainer and the new advanced SAP S4 HANA courses. SAP stands for Systems Applications and Products, and is a widely-used enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. SAP creates a centralised system for businesses that enables every department to access and share common data to create a better work environment for every employee in the company. Prof Renitha Rampersad, Assistant Dean: Research & Innovation in FBMS, congratulated the Centre for ERP in Africa (CERPiA) and the graduates. She believes that empowerment of women has become very important in the country. “Women are contributing to society. The modern woman is self-confident,” said Prof Rampersad. “I appreciate women who bring success to themselves and others.”

44 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

UNLOCKING STAFF POTENTIAL WITH SAP ERP DIGITAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

CTHS partners with the Kolisi Foundation

The Cape Town Hotel School (CTHS) teamed up with the Kolisi Foundation on an initiative aimed at assisting disadvantaged communities during the coronavirus pandemic. The foundation was founded by Springbok captain Mr Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel. Its mission “to alleviate extreme poverty, bringing hope to individual hearts and providing opportunities to those with undiscovered talent.” The foundation distributed food hampers to disadvantaged communities to help alleviate hunger and malnutrition during the national lockdown. The objective was to sustain families in certain areas for a period of three months. Lecturer Adv Anzel Laubscher reached out to the foundation to offer the assistance of the CTHS by providing recipes for the ingredients included in the food hampers which were distributed in Makhanda and Port Elizabeth. Adv Laubscher said the gesture was welcomed by the foundation, which requested CTHS to develop at least four recipes to accompany hampers. The CTHS team involved in this community engagement project ‘Cooking with the Kolisis’ consisted of staff members, teaching assistants and postgraduate students. The team members were Adv Laubscher, Dr Tshinakaho Nyathela, Ms Rianne Voigt (HOD), Ms Nina Septoe, Mr Lufuno Sinthumule, Mr Athi Ntwakumba, Ms Nadia Esterhuyse, Ms Lisa Msolongile, Ms Celiwe Menze and Ms Ndileka Bala.

CERPiA SAP education manager and trainer, Mr Jerry Ansen, said, “Our current focus is the skilling of students and graduates to enhance their employability in this digital business economy. We have trained over 8 000 graduates since 2012 in Africa.” He added that they had trained 800 lecturers and professors from African universities and colleges, producing over 4 500 certified SAP ERP graduates in Africa in the process. Mr Calvin Maseko, Director: Advancement Department, said his unit had decided to invest unrestricted donor funds in colleagues’ digital business skills to advance their learning and teaching. He thanked his colleagues in the department for their efforts in raising the funds and doing the administrative work. He said that since 2018 they have been “working with CERPiA and have helped with funding for the SAP ERP training of 72 staff members and students to the tune of over half a million rand.” Systems Applications and Products

DEAN’S REPORT Dr Christa Thornhill

The faculty was favourably positioned to study the impact of the pandemic on education in South Africa, as all teaching and learning moved to online and digital platforms.

As a result, some journal articles and book chapters published this year were about the effect of the pandemic on education. Examples of such publications include: a) Evidence and education policymaking in South Africa during Covid-19: Promises, researchers and policymakers in an age of unpredictability, in Southern African Review of Education: A Journal of Comparative Education, and b) Towards cultivating a critical pedagogy of space: A response to teaching practices in Higher Education amidst COVID-19, in Re-thinking the Humanities Curriculum in the Time of Covid-19. Research webinars were also presented by the Centre for Initial Teacher

45 Education (CITE) in the faculty on the impact of the pandemic on education, including: a) Curriculum in times of crises, at The Annual World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) Colloquium Webinar: Curriculum implementation in Covid and 21st century, and b) Disruptions: Professional and policy responses to Covid-19, at The Future of the Teaching Profession in Africa seminar series: Teacher professionalism in the context of pandemics and other crises. The Literacy Development Research Unit ran seven seminars for master’s and doctoral students and supervisors throughout the year. International research was somewhat curtailed due to travel restrictions, although some conferences could be attended with virtual paper presentations, and long-term projects could continue with online projects, inter alia with Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, the USA and Ethiopia. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, the faculty is able to boast the largest number of NRF funded research grants secured across all faculties at CPUT, namely R4 442 617, as well as the largest number of NRF grantholder-linked student bursaries across the faculties, namely R873 340. Three staff members attained NRF rating: Dr Zayd Waghid (Y2), Prof Liesel Hibbert (C2) and Dr Pieter Boer (Y2). A fourth staff member, Dr Andre van der Bijl, also attained an NRF rating (C2), but sadly passed away before receiving news of this.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

During 2020, the faculty’s research focus and activities changed significantly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on all academic endeavours. Due to its field of research in education, the faculty was favourably positioned to study the impact of the pandemic on education in South Africa, as all teaching and learning moved to online and digital platforms, with various consequences arising in the lives of teachers and learners alike.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FOCUS AREAS

Human, Health & Social Dynamics

Research Chairs: Centre of International Teacher Education (CITE) (NRF SARChI Chair

p 159

Literacy Development and Poverty (CPUT Research Chair)

p 160

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) (ETDP SETA Chair)

p 167

More information about this faculty’s 2020 research activities can be found in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report

The faculty has three research units, each lead by a research chair.

CENTRE FOR INITIAL TEACHER EDUCATION (CITE) (NRF SARCHI CHAIR) This centre has been chaired by Prof Yusuf Sayed since its inception in 2014. The centre is invested in the development of research capacity among emerging and established researchers in the faculty, as well as postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research fellows. The centre is focused on generating knowledge about initial teacher education, continuous professional development, public–private partnerships, and teaching and learning during crises and disruptions. The centre comprises the Chair and staff in the faculty who are involved with research in the centre and the supervision of postgraduate students. The centre further boasts four postdoctoral fellows and one research fellow, the latter being one of its doctoral alumni. These staff members published seven articles, two books and four book chapters, and delivered 16 keynotes and papers in conference proceedings and policy reports during 2020. Please see page 159 of this Research Report to find out more about this chair’s research activities.

LITERACY DEVELOPMENT UNIT (CPUT RESEARCH CHAIR) Prof Janet Condy was appointed as the incoming Chair in 2019. During 2020, Prof Condy hosted two postdoctoral fellows and supervised eleven master’s students and two doctoral students. She also published three articles and has

nine more papers that are in review for future publication with two chapters in books. Prof Condy has developed a collaborative community research project called Reading for Meaning (R4M) where teachers and researchers collaborate in a multi-disciplinary manner across faculties and the teacher unions NAPTOSA and SADTU. The goal of this collaboration is to present in-service teacher training for teachers to develop more critical learners and improve the national and international literacy rates in South Africa. Please see page 160 of this Research Report to find out more about this chair’s research activities.

WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING (WIL) (ETDP SETA CHAIR) The ETDP SETA WIL Chair is Prof Nothemba Joyce Nduna. Prof Nduna’s 2020/21 study is focused on the practice of workplace learning at South African TVET colleges and workplaces, and explores working relationships between the TVET sector and the world of work. Particular attention is being paid to the ways in which TVET college students are prepared, placed, monitored and assessed for their 18-month workplace learning. The purpose is to determine appropriate WIL elements or areas for capacity-building interventions of education and training practitioners. It is envisaged that such capacity-building interventions will enable TVET college staff to implement appropriate forms of WIL that could strengthen skills development and enhance student employability and entrepreneurial capabilities. Please see page167 of this Research Report to find out more about this chair’s research activities. Postdoctoral fellows were appointed to Prof Lungi Sosibo, Prof Agnes Chigona and Dr Cina Mosito. Faculty staff members produced various research outputs. The faculty hosted a national symposium titled ‘Towards a transformative pedagogy for early childhood care and education’. This included presentations by national universities, as well as an international symposium titled ‘Language across the curriculum: A disciplinary literacy approach to meeting the language and literacy needs of a diverse student population’. This included presentations from universities in Belgium and CPUT. Five students graduated with their master’s degrees and four with doctoral qualifications.

Former Faculty of Education Dean, Prof Thobeka Mda will not let retirement extinguish her lifelong passion for teaching. Prof Mda, who retired at the end of June, plans to render services in educational environments and projects when normal life resumes in the country after lockdown. “I had informed some NGO people before retirement that, after I retire, I would gladly join them in the projects they are doing,” she said. “My passion has always been teaching, and so, if an opportunity to teach becomes available, that is what I’ll be doing.” Prof Mda joined CPUT as Dean of the Faculty of Education in the middle of 2012, after five years at the HSRC. She spent the previous 13 years at Unisa, where she started as a senior lecturer in 1994 and rose to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Education between the years 2000 and 2004. Before this, she was a high school teacher. All in all, she has spent 33 years in the education sector.

Retired Dean, Prof Thobeka Mda, provides teaching services to NGOs

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

During her time as Dean, CPUT’s Faculty of Education enjoyed several highlights and achievements: • In 2012, only 18 staff members had doctoral degrees; by 2019, 47 staff members had doctorates • In terms of NRF research outputs, the faculty earned 10.2 units in 2012, which grew to 37.98 in 2019 • The launch of the Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE), linked to the appointment of the NRF’s first SARChI Chair for Teacher Education, Prof Yusuf Sayed • For the first time, two honorary doctorates were awarded in the faculty, to Dr Brigalia Bam and Dr Marlene le Roux • The faculty hosted four research chairs, the highest number hosted in a single faculty at CPUT, namely: - Prof Yusuf Sayed was appointed the NRF SARChI Research Chair in Teacher Education (2014-2018 and 2019-2024) - Prof Rajendra Chetty was appointed the CPUT Research Chair in Literacy Development (2016-2021); Prof Chetty resigned in 2018 and was replaced by Prof Janet Condy, to complete the term up to 2021 - Prof Chris Winberg was appointed to the NRF Chair in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) (2016-2021) - Prof Joyce Nduna was appointed SETA Research Chair in WIL in TVET Colleges (20152018 and 2020) Prof Mda said she would miss graduation ceremonies, especially those at which she officiated. “Graduation ceremonies are joyous occasions for everyone... All these stakeholders celebrate the culmination of all the hard work that has led to this moment.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

EDUCATION SCHOLAR CONTINUES TEACHING AFTER RETIREMENT

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

LITERACY NEEDS OF DIVERSE STUDENTS DISCUSSED

ADVOCATING TEACHING FOR ALL

CPUT’s Faculty of Education, in collaboration with Belgian universities Ghent, Howest and Odisee, hosted an international symposium in Stellenbosch in March 2020 to discuss the role of language in teaching. The theme of the two-day symposium was ‘Language across the Curriculum: A disciplinary literacy approach to meeting the language and literacy needs of a diverse student population’. The event was part of a bigger Standing: Prof Annelies Verdoolaege, Dr Zakhile Somlata, Prof An de Moor, Dr international collaboration between the Candice Livingston, Prof Cecilia Jacobs, Dr Nomakhaya Mashiyi faculty and the Flemish Inter-University Seated: Prof Piet van Avermaet, Prof Mbulungeni Madiba, Prof Thobeka Mda, Prof Petrusa du Toit Council, titled ‘Training the teachers of the future: Language policy and literacy at CPUT’, which has been running since 2018.

A senior academic in the Faculty of Education Dr Cina Mosito, HOD: Intermediate Phase Department, was the lead researcher for a national project on inclusive education titled ‘Teaching for All’, funded by the European Union. Dr Mosito said that the project was premised on the belief that all children have the ability to learn and have the right to quality education, and that each child matters, and matters equally.

“This project also supports three masters’ students and one PhD student,” said Dr Candice Livingston, CPUT lecturer and project leader for the South African team. Dr Livingston, together with the organising committee, put together a programme with a variety of sub-themes that included ‘Disciplinary literacy’; ‘Translanguaging in the curriculum’; ‘Teaching language across the curriculum with the use of technology’ and ‘Language integration in the curriculum’. Prof Piet van Avermaet, Flemish project leader from the University of Ghent, presented the opening address, and Prof Thobeka Mda opened the proceedings. The keynote speakers, both from Stellenbosch University, were Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof Mbulungeni Madiba, and Prof Cecilia Jacobs of the Centre for Health Professions Education. The plenary speakers were Prof An De Moor, from the Odisee University of Applied Sciences, and Prof Muhammad Nakhooda of CPUT.

She was selected as one of three women at CPUT who would be taking part in the Higher Education Leadership and Management programme. The programme aims to create and sustain a pipeline and pool of women leaders and managers for South African higher education, and promote their advancement. She wants young women to know that women are highly capable of achieving anything, and should learn to silence internal noises that often cast doubt on their capabilities. Dr Mosito added that over the last 15 years at CPUT, she has grown as an academic from the research she did with her students and has been motivated by how this has shaped their futures. She praised her dedicated and hardworking colleagues saying, “Their passion and dedication fuel me to face each day of work with renewed energy.”

The South African team: Dr Candice Livingston (South African Team Leader), Dr Hanlie Dippenaar, Mr Chris Dumas, Prof Johan Anker, Dr Faiq Waghid (CIET), Dr Zaid Waghid (Mowbray Project Co-ordinator), Dr Zakhile Somlata, Dr Sibongile Shinga, Ms Linda Manashe (CIET), Mrs Elma Fleischmann, Mr Henry Oliver, Dr Amanda Swart, Dr Pieter Boer, Dr Dorothy Esau, Mrs Nomalizo Mapasa and Mrs Joanne Arendse (CPUT Libraries) The Flemish Team: Prof Piet van Avermaet (Belgium Team Leader) (UGhent), Prof Ellen Simon (UGhent), Prof An de Moor (Odisee), Prof Annelies Verdoolaege (UGhent) Ann Van Kerckhove (Odisee), Ilse Mestdagh The international symposium committee(Howest) and Gerti Wouters (Howest)

Dr Cina Mosito

UNIVERSITIES TO OFFER ECD TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS

FUNDING SOURCE National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked Postdoctoral

AMOUNT 672 536 1 364 165 320 000

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

645 299

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

89 024

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

209 123

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

613 038

Research Technology and Innovation (RTI): CPUT Chairs

500 000

University Research Fund (UCDG)

125 000

TOTAL

5 538 185

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Books (submitted)

1.00

Book chapters (submitted)

1.50

Conference proceedings (submitted)

1.50

Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

17.00 21.00

Prof Jonathan Jansen

Delivering her keynote speech, Prof Ebrahim said recent developments in this field of education revealed knowledge and practice standards with implications for pedagogy. She added that pedagogy was an act and discourse of teaching, the application of professional judgments or any conscious activity by one person designed to enhance learning in another. Transforming the study involved shifting pedagogy from technical to democratic and ethical pedagogical practice. Another keynote speaker, Prof Jonathan Jansen, Distinguished Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University, said the structure of inequality in pre-school education can be seen when one discovers that it is children from affluent families who often get admitted to early childhood centres. Jansen argued that black classism emanates from middle class parents not wanting many black teachers at former white schools. Dr Naseema Shaik, Foundation Phase senior lecturer, said CPUT recently took part in a national collaborative research project on developing a transformative pedagogy for children up to the age of four. She said the findings of the first study revealed that listening is multi-dimensional as it is relational, responsive, an activator of agency, and provides a sense of belonging.

49 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Postgraduate Internal Bursaries

Prof Hasina Ebrahim, Professor of Early Childhood Care and Education at Unisa, said that South African universities would offer diplomas and degrees in early childhood development (ECD) from 2021. This announcement was made at the Faculty of Education’s Early Childhood Development Symposium, held in February. The symposium’s theme was ‘Towards a transformative pedagogy for early childhood education’.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

The faculty wishes to acknowledge and express its appreciation towards the following CPUT units for supporting its continued growth: • DVC: Research, Technology Innovation & Partnerships • Research Directorate • Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships • Technology Transfer & Industrial Linkages

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES OBTAINED BY STAFF Master of Arts in Afrikaans and Dutch Stellenbosch University De Waal MI ’n Taakgebaseerde benadering tot die aanleer van Afrikaans vir gehoorgestremde student Master of Arts in IsiXhosa Nelson Mandela University Tshingilane NP Uphicotho – Nzulu ngonxulumano phakathi kwenkolo yemveli nobuKrestu njengesixhobo sokuphuhlisa intlalontle kwiincwadi ezichongiweyo zesiXhosa

EXPLORING RELATIONS BETWEEN RACE AND ELITE SCHOOLS Faculty of Education lecturer Ms Samantha Kriger, in collaboration with her co-author and PhD supervisor Prof Jonathan Jansen, launched her first book, Who Gets in and Why? in August. The book investigates how schools in Cape Town’s southern suburbs administer their admissions policies. It explores such topics as what keeps some of the Western Cape’s elite schools predominantly white in a country that is overwhelmingly black, and why a post-apartheid government allows such schools to exist. Ms Kriger, who is pursuing her PhD in Education: Curriculum Studies at Stellenbosch University, said this was a study of patterns of racial segregation in the elite primary schools of one of the ‘whitest’ and wealthiest areas of South Africa, the southern suburbs of Cape Town. She added that this is the first available study on the micro-politics of primary school admissions that addresses the question of “Who gets in, and why?” against the backdrop of South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy. “For this reason, among others, the book holds significance for international scholarship on education policy and politics, while at the same time offering practical value for South African parents who struggle to get their children admitted to these elite schools,” she remarked.

CPUT lecturer Ms Samantha Kriger has launched her first book

This researcher is a mother of two boys and married to an SANDF naval captain. She says her interaction with Prof Jansen through her studies resulted in their collaboration on the book. “I have learnt so much!” she said. “To co-author with someone who has written so many books is certainly a highlight for me. What is surreal is to coauthor with someone who has received awards for his books.”

CPUT FOSTERS RAPPORT WITH NIGERIAN INSTITUTION International scholar Dr Itunu Awosika visited CPUT in January, and helped strengthen ties between CPUT and the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) in Nigeria. Dr Awosika spent time at the Faculty of Education on an international scholar exchange programme. Prof Sosibo, HOD for the Senior Phase and FET Department, opened the three-day event by saying: “This visit is a realisation of the partnership that I initiated when I visited ACE in September and October 2019, through the Research Exchange Programme funded by the CPUT Research Directorate.” During her visit, Dr Awosika presented seminars on teacher education in Nigeria. “The idea was to benchmark standards and practices at the two institutions, and to determine bestpractices that could be adopted,” Prof Sosibo added. Dr Awosika, on her first visit in South Africa, said, “Prior to my visit, people had tried to discourage me because of the ugly xenophobic occurrences of the past, and despite me being liberal [I had] mixed feelings regarding my acceptance and safety in Cape Town, but my experience has been pleasant and heart-warming, and worthy of the journey made down here.” She added that her interaction with people in CPUT gave her the opportunity to assess the environment and people. “l must place it on record,” she said, “that I am very pleased with the people and their very pleasant and peaceful environment… CPUT would be welcome to ACE, Nigeria anytime for us to establish a lasting partnership by signing a MoU that would boost our relationship to mutual benefit.”

Ms Melanie Sadeck, Prof Thobeka Mda, Dr Itunu Awosika, Prof Lungi Sosibo, Ms Moira Bladergroen and Dr Melanie Luckay

DEAN’S REPORT Prof Marshall Sheldon

FEBE covers a broad range of research disciplines across various entities, institutes, technology stations, research centres and units, all equipped with state-ofthe-art facilities and technology. As such, the faculty is well-positioned to actively contribute to the 4th Industrial Revolution.

51 The faculty’s research entities are currently: Entity type

Name

Institutes

Energy Institute French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI)

Centres

African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) Centre for Distributed Power and Electronic Systems (CDPES) Centre for Real-Time Distributed Systems (CRTDS) Centre for Substation Automation & Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) Centre for Water & Sanitation Research (CWSR) Flow Process & Rheology Centre (FPRC) Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (PLMCC) South African Renewable Energy Centre (SARETEC)

Technology Stations

TIA Technology Station in Clothing & Textiles TIA Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory

National Centres Technology Station

South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC)

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (FEBE) research activities are aligned to the CPUT RTI 10-year Blueprint as well as the CPUT Research Focus Areas. The faculty aims to apply and localise research with a focus on technology transfer, innovation and commercialisation, in order to have a positive impact on economic and social development.

Researchers strive towards creating an enabling environment for the improvement and effective delivery of quality research and innovation.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FOCUS AREAS

Bio-economy & Biotechnology

Research Group: Bioresource Engineering Research Group

p 110

[Note: This research group is also involved with projects in FA 5]

Space Science & Technology

Research Institute: French–South African Institute of Technology

p 117

Research Centres: Africa Space Innovation Centre Centre for Instrumentation Research

p 121 p 122

Research Group: Quantum Physics Research Group

p 123

The technology and innovation in the faculty has led to the registration of three spin-out companies: • Amaya Space (Space technology) • Aequorea (Buoy technology) • Promerops (UAV technology)

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 •

The French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) is the region’s premier nanosatellite programme. The institute pioneered the development of Africa’s first nanosatellite ZACUBE-1 in 2013, and the second most advanced SA CubeSat in 2018. During 2020, F’SATI continued to work on the MDA Sat (South African Marine Domain Awareness) in support of Operation Pakisa, towards a constellation of satellites that aims to provide international maritime communication services. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this mission faced many challenges but is still on track for launch next year. In addition, F’SATi secured a 3-year special grant award for postgraduate student bursaries to the value of R7.5 million from 2021 to 2023

•

F’SATI secured an NRF/SAASTA grant to the value of R875 000. This was in response to a call from the Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) to develop a new science centre built in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape’s Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The science centre aims to be a platform for the introduction of innovative technologies or technologies that have been tested in other contexts, in order to improve the quality of learning and teaching in the Cofimvaba school district.

Energy

Research Institute: Energy Institute Research Centres: Centre for Distributed Power & Electronic Systems Centre for Research in Power Systems Centre for Real-Time Distributed Systems Centre for Substation Automation & Energy Management Systems

p 126 p 129 p 133 p 136 p 138

•

The Energy Institute promoted the Smart Energy research focus areas via niche areas. During 2020, research students received a boost in that a R2.9 million student bursary fund was secured for the year.

•

New Postgraduate qualifications i) The well-established Master of Engineering in Energy commenced for the first time in the Centre for Distributed Power & Electronic Systems (CDPES) this year. Over 80 students registered and a record number are expected to complete their mini-thesis projects during 2021-2022. ii) A Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (in Smart Grid) commenced in the Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) this year, as part of the Erasmus + K2 Capacity Building in Higher Education. A collaboration agreement for work and financial support of South African postgraduate CPUT students by Eskom bursary funding was signed with the Eskom Power Plant Energy Institute and the Centre for Renewable Energy at the University of Stellenbosch.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT During 2020 the following faculty staff successes were achieved: STAFF QUALIFICATIONS Doctorates: Dr IJ Akinyede, Dr M Aziz, Dr A Brandt, Dr P Bukenya, Dr B Groenewald, Dr DV Jaftha, Dr T Ngonda and Dr L Valentine Master’s: Mr D Adams

The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability

Research Centre: Flow Process & Rheology Centre

p 149

Research Groups: Nanomaterials Research Group

p 152

[Note: This research group is also involved with projects in FA 5]

Human, Health & Social Dynamics

Technology Stations: Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory Clothing & Textiles Technology Station

p 173 p 176

[Note: This technology station is also involved with projects in FAs 4 & 6]

More information about this faculty’s 2020 research activities can be found in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report

ENGINEERING LECTURERS OBTAIN DOCTORAL DEGREES

Dr Jaftha’s research title was ‘A quality-based risk framework for the clothing and textile industry in South Africa’. It focused on developing a quality-based explicit risk framework for compliance with the ISO9001:2015 standard. This standard requires an organisation to specifically plan actions to mitigate various kinds of risks. The concept of risk-based thinking is aimed at mitigating current and future risks. The former factory worker said, “There were a number of factors that presented challenges along the way. My PhD journey was a trying experience but at the same time one of much joy, learning and enlightenment. It was one of the milestones in my career that needed to be reached.” Dr Valentine’s research title was ‘An approach to quality management to stimulate growth and competitiveness for small fresh produce farmers in the Western Cape, South Africa’. She said small fresh produce farmers in the Western Cape and SA could not compete on equal footing for commercial contracts with large retailers, as they did not comply with the set quality and food safety standards.

Dr Desiree Jaftha and Dr Lucrecia Valentine with Cranefield College Principal Prof Pieter Steyn

“The research objective was to develop a quality management framework to serve as a performance management approach for small fresh produce farmers, to facilitate competitiveness on an equal basis with large commercial farmers. It was rather challenging to find a traditional university which understood my mix of qualifications and therefore acceptance was not that easy.”

53 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering lecturers, Dr Desiree Jaftha and Dr Lucrecia Valentine both recently graduated with PhDs in Commerce and Administration from Cranefield College of Project and Programme Management.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREAS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FOCUS AREAS

NSTF-SOUTH32 AWARD NOMINATION FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LECTURER

The Digital Society

Research Centre: Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre

p 183

More information about this faculty’s 2020 research activities can be found in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report

NRF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR EARLY CAREER/EMERGING RESEARCHER NOMINATIONS Dr M Basitere, Dr M Chowdhur and Dr V Msomi NSTF SOUTH32 EMERGING RESEARCH CATEGORY NOMINEE Dr M Chowdhury NESP The faculty was awarded two NESP positions for next year (Electrical Communication & Satellite Technology and Nautical Science). FUTURE PROFESSORS PROGRAMME This year, three FEBE candidates were selected and nominated as part of the institution’s five submissions to DHET for the 2021-2022 programme: Dr B Swartz, Dr M Basitere and Dr B Godongwana. NRF RATINGS 2020 Seven faculty staff applied for NRF rating. Four have been successful: Dr A Patnaik C3; Prof R van Zyl C2; Dr B Ncube C3; and Dr V Msomi Y2. Two submissions are pending. Two applicants were unsuccessful but the faculty will continue to support them to become rated.

Department of Chemical Engineering senior lecturer Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury said he is honoured to find himself among the nominees for the NSTF-South32 Awards. Prof Chowdhury has been nominated in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher category for a second consecutive year. He was also finalist in the category last year. Reacting to his nomination, Prof Chowdhury said, “It is an extraordinary honour to be nominated, given the quality of the nominations NSTF receives every year, the fierce competition that nominees face, and growing interest from the community over the years. CPUT’s vision is to be at the heart of cutting-edge science, and this nomination to me is like a stamp of approval of the quality of my research from my institution.” One of this lecturer’s research interests is biosensor or point of care diagnostics. “My research aims to develop a low-cost biosensor which will improve the health management of the people in Africa.” Before his nomination, Prof Chowdhury’s output also earned him an NRF Y2 rating, awarded to researchers younger than 40. He has been recognised as having the potential to establish himself as a researcher of considerable international standing on the basis of the quality and impact of his recent research outputs. When he is not busy with his academic work, Prof Chowdhury runs an NGO called Science for Welfare International Foundation Trust (SWIFT). “One of the main projects of SWIFT is to donate laboratory apparatus to high schools in impoverished areas,” he said. SWIFT also arranges science talks for primary school learners to motivate them to take an interest in science and engineering. For his achievements, the academic credited his mentors, Prof Veruscha Fester and Prof Tunde Ojumu, as well as Prof Marshal Sheldon, Prof Dina Burger and his postgraduate students for making this happen.

GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE (DAAD) UNILEAD SCHOLARSHIP Dr Sweta Patnaik received the award as the first CPUT recipient (for next year). WORLD ENGINEERING EDUCATION FORUM 2020 Five faculty staff members participated in the first virtual Engineering Education Conference. This would originally have been the first on the African continent, but it was changed to online format due to the pandemic.

Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

During 2020, FEBE compiled and reported on 2019 DHET-accredited research output. It produced 79.72 accredited subsidy units, which is the most per CPUT faculty. Details are provided below. FEBE is currently in the process of collating 2020 accredited research output for reporting.

Despite the challenges faced in 2020 during the pandemic, the faculty successfully graduated a total of 36 postgraduate students: (i) nine at the December Summer Graduation (eight master’s and one doctorate) and (ii) 27 at the April Autumn Graduations (23 master’s and four doctorates).

NINE DOCTORAL DEGREES FOR FEBE

Two of the nine graduates were CPUT staff members. One was the HOD of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering (DEECE), Dr Ben Groenewald. His research topic was ‘Sustainable off-grid electricity supply using an LTE communication model for rural towns in South Africa’. The other was Dr Mujahid Aziz, a lecturer within the Department of Chemical Engineering, whose research topic was ‘Removal of natural steroid hormones using nanofiltration/reverse osmosis membranes in the treatment of municipal membrane bioreactor effluent’. “I have had long-standing working relations with both of them and I am excited to see both of them receiving their degrees,” said Prof Sheldon. She added that their achievements contributed to the faculty and institutional staff development plan. The other seven doctoral graduates were: • Dr Khild Hamad, ‘Fuel cell power conditioning multiphase converter for 1400VDC Megawatt stacks’ • Dr Vernon Davids, Design and implementation of an integrated solar panel antenna for small satellites’ • Dr Ucrecia Hutchinson, ‘Biochemical processes for balsamic-styled vinegar engineering’ • Dr Ncumisa Mpongwana, ‘Metabolic network modelling of nitrification and denitrification under cyanogenic conditions’ • Dr Mahomet Njoya, ‘Anaerobic digestion of high strength wastewater in high rate anaerobic bioreactor systems’ • Dr Abiola Taiwo, ‘Application of bioprocess-supercritical fluid extraction techniques in the production and recovery of selected bio-products’ • Dr Maxwell Ngongang, ‘System design for production of biopreservatives from non-Saccharomyces yeasts for reduction of fruit and beverage spoilage’ Prof Marshall Sheldon, Dean of FEBE

55 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Dean of FEBE Prof Marshall Sheldon said she was “immensely proud” of the nine doctoral graduates within the faculty on the inaugural digital graduation held on 25 June 2020.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

RESEARCH OUTPUT

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES TO MAKE HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE Dr Imisioluseyi Akinyede was awarded his PhD degree in Civil Engineering during CPUT’s December graduation. Dr Akinyede’s research topic was ‘Framework for effective management of cost toward sustainable housing delivery’. The purpose was to investigate influencing factors and then develop a framework for effective cost management toward sustainable housing delivery, to make housing available and affordable for all people irrespective of their income. His aspiration was to create construction techniques that would make housing affordable for the poor people in Africa. Dr Akinyede has twice been a recipient of the VC’s Prestigious Achievers Award.

NEW POSTGRADUATE HEQSF-ALIGNED QUALIFICATIONS The faculty is concluding its Higher Education Qualification sub-Framework curriculum process and has developed five postgraduate diplomas, four bachelor honours and one new master’s qualifications. These have been submitted to DHET for PQM clearance and are awaiting CHE accreditation outcomes. Should these qualifications be approved in time, then implementation will commence in 2021 as part of the DHET approved enrolment plan.

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION During 2020, the faculty embarked on signing agreements with key partners that align with the new vision and strategy. Some of the agreement highlights in this space include: • The French Embassy and Dassault Systems extended the support of the PLMCC to train staff and students on their software that provides a complete 3D design experience • The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is providing for the establishment of a Centre for Sustainable Heritage Materials

Dr Imisioluseyi Akinyede

RESEARCH FUNDING AND GRANTS The faculty was successful in attracting funding to the value of R16 627 616.

THE WAY FORWARD During 2020, the FEBE embarked on a draft faculty strategic plan that aligns with the CPUT new Vision 2030 of being ‘OneSmart CPUT’. During this process, the faculty identified the following shifts in the research and innovation niche areas: (i) digital communications (including satellite engineering), (ii) smart energy, (iii) smart water; (iv) smart cities; (v) advanced manufacturing materials; (vi) engineering education and engineering management.

SOURCE

AMOUNT

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

2 045 679

Postdoctoral

2 705 895

Postgraduate Internal Bursaries

6 749 120

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

948 938

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

156 679

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

546 610

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

756 688

Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL)

200 000

Research Technology and Innovation (RTI): CPUT Prestigious Project

1 000 000 946 739

University Research Fund (UCDG)

572 266

TOTAL

16 627 616

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Book chapters (submitted)

1.08

Conference proceedings (submitted)

9.21

Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

44.28 54.57

Dr Velaphi Msomi has earned a nomination for the 2020 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers who are NRF grant holders. The FEBE physics lecturer’s research deals with material processing with the purpose of enhancing its performance. Two other FEBE researchers, Dr Moses Basitere and Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury, have also been nominated for the same award. Dr Msomi said that the award was one of the strategies that the NRF uses to develop and enhance the research stature of Early Career/Emerging Researchers. Prioritising black and female researchers and people with disabilities forms part of its transformation agenda which aims to redress historical imbalances in the South African researcher cohort. “My research focus deals with materials processing with the purpose of enhancing their performance. We are using a newly discovered technology called friction stir processing. We are also doing a lot of work on dissimilar joints processing. We aim to use this knowledge in the construction of thermal desalination systems.” He regards his first nomination as an inspiration. “To be nominated for such an award, I feel so honoured and motivated with my research. This means that I must keep on pushing so that I keep on growing and keep CPUT on the global map,” Dr Msomi remarked. “My main objective is to produce knowledge that is valuable and also to be of assistance in solving the problems facing our country… I see my work being identified as something that can be useful in solving some societal problems.” The leader of a research group, the Friction Stir Technology Group, is also a founder of the Masibuyele Eskolweni project. “This project encourages township-based youth to continue with their schooling, with more focus on drop-outs,” said Dr Msomi. “We give all the necessary academic information that they need to continue with school.”

Dr Velaphi Msomi

57 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Top up grants (UCDG)

PHYSICS LECTURER’S OUTSTANDING RESEARCH PERFORMANCE RECOGNISED

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FUNDING

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES OBTAINED BY STAFF DEng in Chemical Engineering CPUT Aziz M Removal of natural steroid hormones using nanofiltration/ reverse osmosis membranes in the treatment of municipal membrane bioreactor DEng in Electrical Engineering CPUT Groenewald BBJ Sustainable off-grid electricity supply using a LTE communication model for rural towns in South Africa PhD in Civil Engineering University of Cape Town Bukenya P Structural performance evaluation of concrete arch dams using ambient vibration monitoring and GNNS systems PhD in Commerce & Administration Cranefield College Jaftha DV A quality-based risk framework for the clothing and textile industry in South Africa PhD in Commerce & Administration Cranefield College Valentine L An approach to quality management to stimulate growth and

competitiveness for small fresh produce farmers in the Western Cape of South Africa PhD in Electrical Engineering University of Cape Town Brandt A Auto-bandwidth control in dynamically reconfigured hybridSDN MPLS networks PhD in Mechanical Engineering University of Cape Town Ngonda T An exploration of mechanical engineering students’ perceptions of the influence of their work placement experiences on their employability DEng in Civil Engineering CPUT Akinyede IJ Framework for effective management of cost toward sustainable housing delivery MTech in Industrial Engineering Tshwane University of Technology Adams D Smart manufacturing concept for an agri-processing plant in the Western Cape

LECTURER ENCOURAGES TOWNSHIP PUPILS TO BECOME SCIENTISTS

Dr Moses Basitere promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in communities

Senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering’s extended curriculum programme (ECP), Dr Moses Basitere, together with Prof Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi from UWC, delivered over 200 study guides in two schools in Khayelitsha. The academics’ objective was to equip township pupils with STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and maths) through on-site training. They distributed materials for Grade 11 and 12 to learners at Joe Slovo Engineering High School and Luhlaza High School. Dr Basitere said one of their mandates as a working committee was to “feed the pipeline and communicate the importance of science to our community”. His working group, ‘Feeding the pipeline’, focuses on promoting STEM education in the communities. Their mandate this year was to conduct roadshows to promote STEM education and to tutor mathematics and physics to high schools from disadvantaged backgrounds. “However, due to Covid-19, we were unable to do roadshows, and a new strategy to seek a donation for study materials was developed in response to requests. So delivering study materials and motivating the students during the current exams was the main priority for South African Young Academy of Science, in partnership with AmaQhawe ngeMfundo and the University of the Western Cape,” Dr Basitere explained. He added that the Luhlaza High School requested assistance with mathematics and physical science, so they held Saturday classes in Khayelitsha. While this was arranged for Luhlaza’s Grade 12 learners, neighbouring schools were also allowed to attend.

The shortage of sanitisers in retail shops and a spike in the price of the product by some stockists has prompted FEBE to produce sanitisers. Project co-ordinator and researcher, Prof Tunde Ojumu of the Chemical Engineering Department, said the university has about 33 000 students and about 3 000 staff members who would be needing large quantities of sanitisers when they return to campus. “As an institution with the technical know-how, as well as the equipment and facilities required, it made sense for the Chemical Engineering Department to contribute to the fight against Covid-19. In addition, it is clear that the virus will linger in the community long after the lockdown. There is much that we can do as a community to protect each

other from the pandemic. The production of sanitisers is one way of saying, ‘we care’,” Prof Ojumu said. He has been working with project leader Mr Tafirenyika Madzimbamuto, Prof Mahabubur Chowdhury, Mr Alwyn Bester, Ms Hannelene Small and Mr Luvuyo Kakaza. The team aimed to produce 1 000 litres per month (50% hand sanitisers and 50% surface sanitisers). The product would be sent to the South African Bureau of Standards for testing and approval. In addition to supporting communities who could not afford it, the team also plans to get the product into retail stores.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SANITISER PROJECT SET IN MOTION

59 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Chemical Engineering Department is producing sanitisers

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

STUDENTS RESTORE HERITAGE STRUCTURES Civil Engineering and Surveying students are thrilled to assist the Department of Arts and Culture and other heritage authorities to overcome common challenges facing structures that use incompatible materials during heritage conservation and restoration. The research group consists of PhD candidate Ms Maphole Loke, under the supervision of Dr Pallav Kumar, and three master’s students, in collaboration with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). They are investigating heritage building materials and conducting surveys of the present condition of buildings. They are carrying out non-destructive testing to identify the material properties in order to analyse their present condition, with the goal of restoring and protecting these old structures. Dr Kumar said, “The study is going to ensure authenticity in maintaining and on future maintenance projects and avoid the problem of repeated repairs and the re-painting and replastering on these heritage buildings.” The group is conducting applied research on various heritage sites such as the Castle of Good Hope, Robben Island and Dal Josafat in Paarl. At Dal Josafat, investigation is taking place into the mechanical properties of the materials used, deformation of the structure, and analysis the load-carrying capacity of the walls. The project started with Ms Loke in 2018 when she was a master’s student, with research into characterisation of heritage and cementing. Her doctoral research topic is ‘Development and design of heritage cementing material for Robben Island and Castle of Good Hope’. Ms Loke plans to finish the pilot project this year, and the full work is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

PhD candidate Ms Maphole Loke joins heritage conservation team

STUDENT ENRICHES SA HERITAGE Doctoral candidate Ms Maphole Loke’s research has drawn international recognition by being accepted for publication at the 12th International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions in Barcelona. The 29-year-old graduated with her MEng: Civil Engineering summa cum laude (91%) in June. Her research article ‘Standard protocols for restoring heritage cementing materials’, has been published in the Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering and presented at two international conferences, as well as at the 2018 and 2019 CPUT Postgraduate Conferences. Ms Loke is being supervised by Dr Pallav Kumar, in joint supervision with adjunct Prof Rainer Haldenwang. Dr Kumar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, said Ms Loke’s determination and eagerness to learn has established a link with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA)

Dal Josafat in Paarl has buildings dating from the 18th century

Born in the rural village of Likhoele Ha Sebusi approximately 80km from Maseru in Lesotho, Ms Loke was trained to work hard at a very young age. She said that due to lack of development in her village, going to school was her mission. She was only able to attend pre-school at the age of six and “herded cattle and sheep… fetching water from the well, using horses and donkeys to fetch firewood.” Ms Loke added, “For the youth from the same background as myself, knowing and believing that your background does not have to determine who you end up becoming would be the best gift you could reward yourself.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FACULTY OF HEALTH & WELLNESS SCIENCES

DEAN’S REPORT

Prof Thandi Matsha Dean (2021)

Despite 2020 being an incredibly difficult year for lecturers, researchers and students alike, this faculty is very proud to announce many graduates. So far, it records three doctoral and nine master’s graduates this year, although these numbers are expected to increase as examination results continue to roll in. Notably, five graduates are from the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences, which has never seen this many graduates in one academic year. It is also important to note a slight increase in the doctoral graduate level. Several doctoral candidates are awaiting examination results, which will further increase the number of graduates to well over 17. Staff members graduating at CPUT include Dr Florence Davidson and Dr Merlisa Kemp with a Doctor of Radiography qualification, and Ms Roxanne Tamlyn Maritz with a Master of Emergency Medical Care. Dr Nomfundo Mkhombe graduated with a DSc Public Health from Atlantic International University (USA).

Dean (Acting) (2020)

Student enrolments continued to impress despite the national lockdown starting in March. Master’s enrolments totalled 83, including 25 in Biomedical Sciences, 4 in Dental Technology, 12 in Emergency Medical Care, 22 in Radiography and 20 in Nursing. PhD enrolments totalled 24, including 18 in Biomedical Sciences and 6 in Radiography. Regarding NRF ratings, Prof Matsha was awarded a C1 rating, retaining this rating from the previous cycle, and Prof Peter Clarck-Farr was awarded a C3 rating. This brings the number of rated scientists in the faculty to six (Prof Matsha C1; Prof Jooste C2; Prof Engel-Hills C2; Prof Clarcke-Farr C3; Prof Davison C3; Prof Oguntibeju C3). Due to the nature of the academic sphere during 2020, many students participated in online conferences and workshops held by the faculty as well by as international organisations. The SAMRC/Cardiometabolic Health Research Unit organised an international Point of Care Conference, which was unfortunately postponed due to the lockdown. It is now scheduled to be held online during May 2021. The unit is currently collaborating with Stellenbosch University on a patient-centred Covid-19 study. The Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences prides itself on producing research outputs at the forefront of health sciences in South Africa. Interdepartmental collaboration further strengthens the research ethos of the faculty and promises a better year ahead.

61 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences specialises in many diverse fields related to overall health and well-being, and consists of several research centres and units working towards improving the current health dynamic. The staff and postgraduate students produce significant research outputs, which represent CPUT and South Africa on the international stage.

Prof Penelope Engel-Hills

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREAS

Bio-economy & Biotechnology

Research Group: Phytotherapy Research Group

p 112

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Research Chair: Cardiometabolic Health Research Centre

p 165

More information about this faculty’s 2020 research activities can be found in the Focus Areas section of this Research Report

HISTORIC AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CPUT and the Western Cape’s Department of Health have signed an important agreement pertaining to teaching, training and research opportunities for students in the health sciences. VC Prof Chris Nhlapo and the Head of Health in the Western Cape, Dr Keith Cloete, signed the bilateral agreement (BLA) on 19 November.

FUNDING

Human, Health & Social Dynamic

SOURCE

AMOUNT

Improvement of Qualifications (UCDG)

159 200

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

797 948

Postdoctoral

756 250

Postgraduate Internal Bursaries

480 000

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

341 248

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution Publication 2018 Conference Contribution Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

15 153 2 606 410 104

Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL)

50 000

Top up grants (UCDG)

42 000

University Research Fund (UCDG)

15 500

TOTAL

3 070 008

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021) Conference proceedings (submitted) Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

UNITS 0.25 15.13 15.38

Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, acting Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, said the agreement was essential “to ensure the ongoing education of students in our programmes who need access to the provincial clinical platform for the workplace learning component of the programme.” The departments within the faculty that are directly involved are Medical Imaging, Therapeutic Sciences and Emergency Medical Sciences, while Nursing will also be an important stakeholder in the agreement. Prof Engel-Hills said Dental Sciences had a peripheral involvement and Ophthalmic Sciences might become part of the agreement with the offering of new programmes. Dr Saadiq Kariem, Western Cape Government Health COO, described the signing as a historic moment and stated: “This agreement will establish governance structures between CPUT and Western Cape Government Health. We have an existing platform, but now we have a formal agreement on what our students will do in our facilities, a code of training, the types of training they will receive and from whom they can expect training”. Prof Chris Nhlapo and Dr Keith Cloete

Doctor of Radiography CPUT Davidson F Body fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk factors in South African men and women Doctor of Radiography CPUT Kemp MC Ultrasound investigation of risk factors for extracranial vascular pathology in patients with multiple sclerosis

PROF ENGEL-HILLS APPOINTED NHREC DEPUTY CHAIR The acting Dean of FHWS, Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, has been appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC). The NHREC’s core responsibilities are to: • set ethical norms and standards for health research • advance research ethics in South Africa • promote, ensure and monitor compliance by health research ethics committees with regulations and ethics guidelines • to register and audit health research ethics committees The responsibilities of the NHREC stem from the need to ensure ethical integrity in research involving human participants and animals, and that the research is based on sound scientific principles. “I am pleased to be serving a second term on the NHREC and to be appointed as the Deputy Chairperson. This comes with responsibilities, and I do not underestimate the work that lies ahead for this council,” said Prof Engel-Hills. “We do build on the solid foundation of three previous councils, and I look forward to the next steps to advance research ethics in South Africa.”

63 Prof Penelope Engel-Hills

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED Prof Oluwafemi Oguntibeju’s research on medicinal plants and chronic diseases has earned him his first nomination in the Data for Research Award category of the NSTF-South32 Awards. The category deals with the availability of a person’s research data (publications), citation, impact and usage by other researchers and scientists on platforms such as Google Scholar, Figshare, LiveDNA, Pubmed and the university repository.

Master of Emergency Medical Care CPUT Maritz RT Emergence of child abuse diagnostic education in emergency care: A common concern

Prof Oguntibeju’s research focus is on medicinal plants and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and HIV/Aids. “It shows that other researchers are reading and making use of my scientific publications. It provides some kind of motivation to contribute more to the scientific community in terms of scientific publications,” he observed. “This is a recognition of my research publications and it indicates that CPUT researchers are actively involved in significant research activities that are of relevance nationally and internationally. It takes hard work, focus, and perseverance. I see my work as a service rather than a competition.”

Prof Oluwafemi Oguntibeju

Prof Oguntibeju was recently admitted as Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, a recognition based on his scientific publications. He also collaborates with colleagues on specific projects at the University of the Western Cape, University of Ibadan and other universities in South Africa.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

DSc Public Health Atlantic International University (USA) Mkhombe N The dissemination of retinal screening results to diabetic patients attending the diabetic club or clinical appointments in a day hospital in Cape Town, South Africa

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES OBTAINED BY STAFF

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

DR DAVISON NAMED POWERFUL WOMAN

HEALTH AND WELLNESS SCIENCES CELEBRATES THREE DOCTORATES

Head of CPUT’s Biomedical Sciences Department, Prof Glenda Davison, was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s Powerful Women for 2020. Each year during August, the publication profiles the transformative work done by women. According to the publication, the 50 women on its 2020 list did not only excel in their chosen fields but also made it a priority to use their positions to fight for the betterment of our society. “I am feeling overwhelmed and grateful for the recognition, but at the same time completely humbled, as I know that there are many powerful women in this country who are doing amazing things without getting the acknowledgment. I certainly don’t feel powerful but am happy that I am able to make a difference,” said Prof Davison, whose focus area is haematology. Graduations and working with an amazing team of academics and staff are what she enjoys most about her work. “I have so many highlights and have enjoyed every moment of my career, which has involved working in a diagnostic laboratory, performing research, and of course teaching… My biggest highlights are seeing our students achieve and knowing that I have made a difference.”

Dr Lizel Hudson, Dr Toyin Alabi and Dr Merlisa Kemp

The Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences celebrated the success of three doctoral graduates in June. Among them were two academics from the faculty, Dr Lizel Hudson and Dr Merlisa Kemp, who were awarded the degree Doctor of Radiography during the digital graduation. Dr Hudson is the Work-Integrated Learning and Language Co-ordinator in the faculty. Her thesis was titled ‘Teaching and learning threshold concepts in radiation physics for professional practice’. She says her research objective “was to contribute to an understanding of threshold concepts in the first-year radiation physics curriculum and pedagogical approaches used for the purpose of preparation towards competent and safe clinical practice”. Dr Kemp is a lecturer and BSc Diagnostic Ultrasound Programme Co-ordinator in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences. Her study was titled ‘Ultrasound investigation of risk factors for extracranial vascular pathology in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)’.

In 2011, Prof Davison received the Bridge Mohan Award for her research contribution to haematology. She said she was nominated for the Mail & Guardian’s Powerful Women for 2020 by Quote this Women (https:// quotethiswoman.org. za/).

Dr Kemp says, “The most significant finding which indicates the positive correlation between vascular health of the major neck arteries and MS disability, means that MS persons with greater disability are not only at risk of developing carotid atherosclerosis, but are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, early therapeutic interventional measures should be implemented to reduce extracranial atherosclerosis which will slow down progression of MS disability and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Ultimately, the quality of life and life expectancy of MS persons will be improved.”

Prof Glenda Davison

The third graduate from the faculty was Dr Toyin Alabi, who was awarded the degree Doctor of Philosophy: Biomedical Sciences. Her thesis was titled ‘Effect of Anchomanes difformis extract on biochemical and histological parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetes and diabetic complications’.

It was a proud moment for nursing students when they received their training epaulettes during a recent ceremony on the Bellville campus. Epaulettes are worn to indicate progress in terms of year levels of study. At the end of training, students qualify as professional nurses with maroon epaulettes and coloured bars indicating specialities. Head of the Department of Nursing Science Prof Karien Jooste opened the ceremony with a message of welcome. Senior Lecturer Dr Rugira Marie Modeste presented a keynote address, noting that the WHO had designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. This was done to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, the famous Florence Nightingale, and to recognise the critical contribution nurses make to global health.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CREATING CARING NURSES

Dr Modeste said the programmes in the Department of Nursing Science followed a person-centred approach, and the epaulettes should be worn to remind students to be accountable to their nursing responsibilities. Dr Florence Davidson

VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNT ON DOCTORAL JOURNEY

Lecturer Ms Suveena Singh said it was the first time the department had hosted such an event and epaulettes were issued to a total of 170 first- and second-year students. “The epaulettes make it easier for staff in hospitals to distinguish the students,” she said. “When you decide to be a nurse it means you are devoting your life to caring for the community.”

“This study sought to validate dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as a method of quantifying central adiposity, to explore the relationship between body fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk and determine the ability of DEXA compared to anthropometry to identify participants with metabolic syndrome,” said Dr Davidson. She explained that the main findings were that “Central fat was the most significant correlate of cardio-metabolic risk and lower body fat was associated with reduced risk. Novel DEXA body fat distribution correlations were demonstrated with computer tomography, anthropometry and cardiometabolic risk”.

Nursing students with their epaulettes

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Academic Dr Florence Davidson said she learned valuable lessons on how to become a better supervisor for her own students while completing her doctoral studies. An academic in the Medical Imaging & Therapeutic Sciences Department, Dr Davidson graduated with a Doctor of Radiography degree during the Smart Graduation ceremony in December. Her thesis was titled ‘Body fat distribution and cardio-metabolic risk factors in South African men and women’.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH Prof Penelope Engel-Hills and Prof Hilde Ibsen were successful in obtaining NRF/STINT Grant funding for 3 years to conduct research on a project with the title ‘Knowledge partnerships and social transformation’. This research created the opportunity for them to enter the community of Ocean View in the South Cape Peninsula. Prof Engel-Hills says that they have reported in several formats on the research and will continue to do so. “However, I would like to stress that there is more to research than doing the study when the researchers work in a social transformation paradigm with a data gathering methodology of the co-creation of living knowledge.” She continues, “As our project has progressed, we have formed meaningful relationships with some residents over an extended period, and all relationships in the partnership (i.e. researchers, students, an NPO and residents of Ocean View), have come a little closer to being more equal. We recognise that the learning gain has accrued to us, the researchers, as much as to the others in the partnership. I am personally grateful for my growth through this research project. We are in year four now, with a viral hiccup in 2020, when research could not continue but the relationships could be strengthened as we all faced the challenges of the pandemic.” “Let me briefly tell you one wonderful story to encourage you. During the period of our project, a 5-women co-operative was formed through the inspiration and drive of one woman. These women have gained skills and knowledge and are now farmers who grow amazing organic vegetables which they sell by order in a seasonal selection box. They have a tea room, the Hoenderhok, attached to the farm garden. Here you can enjoy breakfast and lunch with a menu that incorporates the produce from the garden. In the kitchen built from containers, they have an efficient wood stove for baking bread, pizzas, muffins, scones and more delicious treats. Never have I had such incredible Green Juice or such a fabulous vegetable lasagne! The message however is the heart, as this co-operative also provides vegetables and bread to those in need, and they continued throughout Covid-19 to support a ‘No hHunger’ campaign in Ocean View. The mixed financial model applied is something we could all learn from in our dominantly capitalist approach to business undertakings.” Prof Engel-Hills said that their research in Ocean View will continue, but with a growing emphasis on taking what they learn about the effects of social and structural injustice blended together with the evidence of resilience in the amazing people in Ocean View.

CPUT’s Department of Biomedical Sciences has done everything in its power to ensure students at various institutions continued receiving excellent training amid the Covid-19 pandemic. HOD Prof Glenda Davison said one of the main challenges has been how to continue teaching in an abnormal situation, while ensuring students complete the year, and while maintaining physical distancing and safety.

Mr Heinri van Zyl, recipient of the VC’s medal

COMMUNITY SERVICE RADIOGRAPHER AWARDED VC’S MEDAL

“It is a great honour to have been selected for the Vice-Chancellor’s medal,” he said. “I am thankful to all my lecturers and classmates who partook in my journey towards my degree, and to CPUT for providing us with the opportunity to be rewarded for our hard work. This award is dedicated to all our sleepless nights, study sessions and class projects, and to our parents, guardians and sponsors who supported us in our studies.” Mr Van Zyl matriculated from Worcester Gymnasium High School in 2003. He qualified as a pilot in 2009 and obtained his South African Civil Aviation Authority Commercial Pilot’s license, which he also passed with distinction. He has worked as a flight instructor for Worcester Flying Club and has been a navigation expert volunteer with Search and Rescue, where he has helped with numerous rescues.

“Because our qualifications are dependent on HPCSA accreditation and approval, the various universities decided to put together a proposal for the HPCSA on how we could, as a united group, continue with both third- and fourth-year clinical practice,” she said. “After an online meeting, we proposed that the requirements to register be supplemented with off-site training. This could include training in a simulated clinical practice laboratory, online videos which would demonstrate relevant laboratory procedures, online tutorials and learning material.” Prof Davison said the NHLS had partnered with the university and had already set up online sessions using Zoom. She added that CPUT was fortunate to have a simulated clinical practice laboratory situated at the NHLS in Green Point. This laboratory has been able to provide training to students in an environment similar to the workplace, but in small groups and in a focused way.

Innovative exploration to ensure students complete their training

67 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

BSc Diagnostic Radiography graduate Mr Heinri van Zyl was awarded the VC’s medal after passing his degree summa cum laude with a 91% average. Mr Van Zyl is a community service radiographer at Tygerberg Academic Hospital. His personal motto is “Life isn’t always easy, but it’s always beautiful”.

“This was particularly important for the final fourth-years who are required to complete clinical practice in an accredited laboratory before being able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The laboratories in the Western Cape are under severe pressure and so students were not allowed to continue their training and have been at home throughout the lockdown,” said Prof Davison. She added that the solution was to work together with all other universities of technology offering this programme and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS).

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS BENEFIT STUDENTS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FACULTY OF INFORMATICS & DESIGN

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

DEAN’S REPORT Prof Johannes Cronjé

Researchers strive towards creating an enabling environment for the improvement and effective delivery of quality research and innovation.

Research, Technology Innovation & Partnership activities continue to grow in the Faculty of Informatics & Design (FID). The faculty is pleased to present this report on its 2020 highlights. A total of 17 master’s degrees (including one staff member) and two doctoral degrees (including one staff member) were awarded in FID during 2020. This is evidence of the faculty’s deliberate efforts towards support for capacity development. While the whole world was brought to a standstill by Covid-19 this year, emergency remote academic activities were not much of a challenge to researchers, supervisors and postgraduate students in this particular faculty as technological fluency has always been at the centre of its research strategy. Wherever possible, postgraduate students and researchers who needed presence in computer laboratories and design studios became innovative by running experiments under simulated environments on their home computers. This year has proven to be one of enormous progress in the research output in the faculty. The main highlight of the faculty for 2020 was the establishment of a transdisciplinary research centre, which will be active from the beginning of next year. The Centre for Communication Studies (CCS)’s research will fall at

the intersections of art, design, media and informatics. It is the brainchild of professors from the Media Department, Information Technology and Applied Design. CCS’s vision is to foster human-centred relevance and excellence in research that is directed at bridging communication theory and practice in the fields of media, design, digital engagement, and the arts. In addition to textbased output (journal articles, books, conference proceedings, etc.), the centre will facilitate practice-based projects to encourage creative research outputs and intellectual property development. Research uptake activities will be in Digital Media Community, Community Informatics, Health Information Systems, Design for Sustainability and Design for Community. The faculty participated in various Research and Innovation Development activities during 2020. Out of several academic activities and conferences attended by the faculty’s academics, the most notable are the following: •

Researchers from South African and Swedish universities participated in the SASUF Goes Digital Conference in November

•

FID academics participated in the Urban Planners’ Southern African City Studies Conference hosted by Wits University end August into early September

•

A webinar was organised by ICLEI Africa on Unpacking Inclusive Mobility in African Cities in October

Transdisciplinary research on distributed co-creation technology for sustainable design global knowledge took place in collaboration with ten universities from South Africa, Italy, the UK, China, Brazil, Mexico, Uganda, and Botswana

•

Prof Justine Daramola was awarded an NRF grant of R1 450 000 for a project titled ‘Semantics for explainable decision support systems (SEDESS)’, under the Competitive Grant for Rated Researchers Programme

•

Prof Tiko Iyamu obtained an NRF C2 rating

•

Prof Melius Weideman obtained a renewed NRF C3 rating

•

Prof Tiko Iyamu received the Platinum award for both Supervision and Publication in 2018 (these awards are bestowed two years retrospectively)

•

Department of Media Studies lecturer, Dr Adelina Mbinjama-Gamatham, was interviewed on Heart FM 104.9 on Cyber-Security Awareness Month in South Africa, reflecting on her article on ‘Dark Technology’ in relation to aggressiveness and the question of cyber-ethics

•

Researchers from Architecture and Interior Design participated in a themed education session ‘Sensory Experience’ accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the Sensing Places, Perceiving Place Conference hosted by the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, USA in September

•

A postdoctoral fellow, Dr Anja Venter, initiated three creative outputs: a jewellery collaboration with Uwe Koetter Jewellers, a cover design and written rationale for the Journal of Cultural Studies, and a solo exhibition titled ‘Monsters at the Cape of Good Hope’ https://www.nannaventer. co.za/monstersatthecapeofgoodhope/

•

Two FID researchers completed a CHEC funded project that aimed to provide an opportunity for primary school and ECD level children from Philippi, Cape Town, to be meaningfully involved in urban resilience planning and research

Ms Milia Khoury, a lecturer and researcher in FID’s Design Department, was among a talented group of Capetonians whose artworks were specially selected for an exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) which began in October. The exhibition was conceptualised and installed as a breakaway from the clinical ‘white cube’ gallery spaces of the previous century.

Lecturer Ms Milia Khoury

Home Is Where the Art Is was an exhibition by and for Capetonians. Encompassing nearly 2000 works by children, emerging and established artists, hobbyists, crafters, photographers, and masterworks from private collections, Zeitz MOCAA described the exhibition as “a love letter to art, artists and our city, Cape Town”.

Ms Khoury said the open call to local artists was an unprecedented move by the museum, after months of closure due to Covid-19. The submission process consisted of an online submission, after which artists physically dropped off their works. She said she was astounded and pleased when she arrived at the museum to drop off her work and was told it had already been approved. The Art & Design Theory lecturer said, “The artwork selected is a triptych of three cyanotypes produced in 2018. I have been captivated by the blue colour of the cyanotype print process for some time, as it is an early form of photography that is part chemistry, alchemy and magic.” The triptych is titled ‘The Bothersome Beauty I, II, III’. Discussing the central themes, she added that her art practice has “focused around notions of displacement, exile and belonging dealing with my hybrid identity of being South African born of Lebanese descent.”

‘The Bothersome Beauty I, II, III’

69 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• Ms Sisanda Nkoala, an academic from the Department of Media Studies, promoted science communication and engagements through popular media outlets – a TV interview with CNBC Africa on social cohesion; a TV interview on eNCA on 16 days of activism; a radio interview on SABC on 16 days of activism; a newspaper article in the Sunday Times; and a newspaper article in Sunday World

LECTURER’S ARTWORK FEATURED IN EXCEPTIONAL EXHIBITION

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

•

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FUNDING JOURNAL AWARDS PROF CRONJÉ

SOURCE Improvement of Qualifications (UCDG)

907 948

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

314 477

Postdoctoral Postgraduate Internal Bursaries Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

Prof Johannes Cronjé

Prof Johannes Cronjé, Dean of FID, was honoured with a prestigious award from the Educational Technology Research and Development Journal (ETR&D) in November. Prof Cronje received the ETR&D 2020 Editors’ Reviewer Excellence Award in recognition of his exemplary academic service in support of the journal. The award is given to reviewers who have provided more than ten high quality reviews in the past year. “This is no small feat, as it means more than one review per academic month,” said Prof Cronjé. “I feel honoured, as this journal is of very high international repute. I have been involved with it since the start of my career in the field in 1994, when I was asked to join the review board. I was happy to join because all the big names in my field served either on the editorial board, or on the review board.” He continued that the journal recognised the value of its reviewers who contributed to the academic rigour of the publication and to the development of novice researchers. “A good journal review will say firstly if the article is worthy of publication, and then it will give advice on how to improve it. If the article cannot be published, a good reviewer will give advice to the researcher on how to improve the article to make it publishable eventually.” Prof Cronjé said one of the most important things about reviewing for a journal such as ETR&D is that you stay on top of the field, as you get to see the most recent, ground-breaking work even before it is published.

AMOUNT

1 164 581 800 000 82 737

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

135 507

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

721 704

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

739 424

Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL)

116 700

University Research Fund (UCDG)

698 859

TOTAL

5 681 937

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Book chapters (submitted)

0.45

Conference proceedings (submitted)

4.52

Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

38.25 43.22

PhD in Design Oslo School of Architecture and Design Snaddon B Learning for future knowing now: Investigating transformative pedagogic processes within a design faculty in a South African university of technology Master’s in Information Technology CPUT Arinze A Real-time probabilistic reasoning system using Lambda Architecture

SPOTLIGHT ON FUTURE OF TV JOURNALISM The state of TV journalism was the focus of a thought-provoking webinar recently presented by the Media Department in July. The panellists were eTV journalist Ms Natalie Malgas, acting cameraman for the SABC George bureau, Mr Sphiwe Hobasi, and multi-award-winning investigative journalist, documentary producer, visual art critic, writer on contemporary culture and author, Ms Hazel Friedman. Journalism lecturer Ms Sisanda Nkoala said the webinar formed part of a series that would deal with different sectors of media including film, photography, and communication and media in a broader sense. “The changes that are happening locally in terms of how newsrooms function and how news is understood, make exploring journalism particularly relevant and a [topical] starting point,” she said.

DESIGN DEPARTMENT IN WORLD INTERACTION DESIGN DAY

Prof Nirvana Bechan, Head of the Media Department, said it was important to track the current state of the professions to keep interest going among students, in addition to their academic studies during the unprecedented times of Covid-19. Prof Bechan said the next webinar, scheduled for August, would focus on the future of motion picture and cinemas in particular.

Mr Wayne Coughlan, Visual Communication Design programme lecturer and the Africa & Middle East regional co-ordinator for the IxDA (Interaction Design Association), said, “I am always finding ways to connect industry with design education and believe this was an opportunity to give exposure to the CPUT brand on a global stage. Last year, we ran a physical IXDD event where students from the CPUT Design Department shared the stage with Interaction Design industry speakers.” He added that IxDA Cape Town, Cumulus and CPUT teamed up for the Cumulus P-R-E (Practitioners, Researchers and Educators) Day for IXDD. Dr Vikki Erikkson chaired a Practitioners, Researchers and Educators discussion panel, while Dr Bruce Snaddon chaired a panel discussion on the topic of Culture and Sustainability. CPUT academics participated in IXDD

Panellists Ms Natalie Malgas, Ms Hazel Friedman and Mr Sphiwe Hobasi

71 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Academics from the Design Department participated in the World Interaction Design Day (IXDD) in September. This is an annual event which highlights how interaction design improves the human condition. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s edition of IXDD took the form of regional livestreams from around the world, centred around the theme of ‘Culture and sustainability’.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

POSTGRADUATE DEGREES OBTAINED BY STAFF

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

TURNING WASTE INTO FASHION Students used waste material to produce eye-catching garments during the online Green Fashion Show in July. This creative event was organised by the Greener Campus Initiative (GCI), a student society advocating environmental awareness. The show saw students creating fashion masterpieces to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainability. GCI chairperson Mr Sisipo Mpemba said it was intended to raise awareness about recycling, using fashion as an outlet, and that it was held online due to lockdown regulations. The designers used recycled and upcycled plastic and paper to create colourful dresses, and posted their designs on the Department of Student Affairs’ Facebook page. After viewing the creations on the page their fellow students then voted for their favourite designs to be in the top five. Then, a panel of judges composed of staff members from CPUT and the World Wide Fund for Nature decided on the winners, who were awarded cash prizes. Ms Zandile Vuke was awarded first place, Ms Khanyisa Ngubentombi won second prize, and Ms Ms Phumla Mlamla came third. Two other finalists, Ms Zonele Vuke and Ms Yandisa Sogoni, also received cash prizes. Dean of Students Ms Prem Coopoo said she was very proud of the environmental awareness work done by the GCI over the last couple of years. She added that Student Development Officer Ms Melani-Ann Hara, who is also one of the coordinators for GCI, had raised the bar by coupling waste management with fashion.

Ms Khanyisa Ngubentombi’s paper garment won second prize

Ms Yandisa Sogoni was one of the creative finalists

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

TAKING THE STEERING WHEEL IN A MAN’S WORLD South Africa’s first female editor of a mainstream motoring publication has often been asked, “What do you know about cars?” CPUT Journalism alumna Ms Janine van der Post hasn’t allowed this to steer her off course. Her passion and professionalism have resulted in her being appointed editor of Wheels24. “I’ve always been a petrol-head for as long as I can remember. My mother would yell at me because I’d be outside watching my dad and cousins and what they were doing under the bonnet instead of learning to cook in the kitchen,” she said. As a journalism intern at one of the first internet news companies, WorldOnline, Ms Van der Post said she practically begged to be on the motoring beat. “Eventually, Steve Smith, our editor at the time, gave in and allowed me to run the motoring section a year later, and I made it a mission to pursue the beat.” But it wasn’t easy to make her mark. “I had to show I was serious about wanting to be in the motoring industry. You needed a thick skin back then. But my passion and bubbly personality spoke volumes, and I think because I never allowed anyone to deter me from my goals, I was accepted into the male-dominated industry pretty fast,” she said.

ACADEMIC APPOINTED TO PRESS COUNCIL An academic in the Media Department, Ms Sisanda Nkoala, has been appointed as a public representative on the Press Council of South Africa. The Council’s primary aim is to promote and develop ethical practice in journalism and to promote the adoption and adherence to those standards by the South African print and online media. “I am excited to have been appointed in this role because firstly, it allows me to apply my ongoing research into media ethics and ethical reporting by South African news entities. Further, as a lecturer in media law and media studies, the role makes the work I do even more relevant because it brings together what is going on in practice with the theoretical aspects of the courses that I teach.” She said a member of the public had nominated her for the role after a call was made for nominees with expertise in media ethics and knowledge of legal matters related to media. “I agreed, seeing that I strongly believe that the South African Press Council is an important entity in the news media regulatory landscape here in South Africa,” said Ms Nkoala.

Alumna Ms Janine van der Post, Editor of Wheels24

Ms Nkoala joined the Media Department as a part-time lecturer, teaching radio production in 2016. In 2017 she was appointed fulltime and has since been conducting research and presenting lectures on the language and rhetoric of journalism and journalism education.

73 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

From small and affordable to superfast and expensive cars, Ms Van der Post has enjoyed getting to drive brand new cars. “I’ve seen parts of South Africa I never knew existed, and I have been blessed to travel the world. But what I absolutely enjoy the most is learning new things every single day, and being able to share that knowledge and my passion for cars with our readers – especially opening a new genre to people who would never click on motoring articles.”

New role for Ms Sisanda Nkoala

ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CPUT LIBRARIES FUNDANI CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT HIV/AIDS UNIT STUDENT COUNSELLING

Prof Nothemba Joyce Nduna

ndunaj@cput.ac.za

CPUT defines community engagement as those activities and programmes offered by the institution which involve collaborative interaction with individuals, groups, and organisations external to CPUT at the local, regional, national and international levels. The goal of this engagement is to achieve economic and social objectives using engaged teaching and learning initiatives, volunteerism, research and various forms of work-integrated learning, such as service learning and co-operative education.

In order to implement the above, the centre incorporates the following three units: • Co-operative Education, responsible for nurturing industry partnerships that result in student workplace learning • Service Learning, responsible for driving the integration of community engagement with teaching, learning and research • Civic Engagement, responsible for co-ordinating volunteer and outreach programs

STAFF MEMBERS Prof Joyce Nduna, Director: CCEWIL Ms Bronwyn Abrahams, Administrator: Graduate Recruitment Programme, Co-operative Education Ms Theresa Burns, Administrator: Service-Learning Ms Zimkitha Mbunge, Acting Administrator: Co-operative Education Mr Rumarques Olyn, Admin Assistant: Co-operative Education Ms Jacqueline Scheepers, Manager: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Ms Ziyanda Tobani, Admin Assistant: Civic Engagement Mr Dumisani Xesha, SETA Projects Officer: Co-operative Education Mr Vuyo Mhlontlo, Administrator: 2nd Chance Matric Project, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning was established as an institutional response to the 1991 Education White Paper on the transformation of higher education. This document calls for all South African higher education institutions to demonstrate greater responsibility and commitment to the socio-economic development of communities. In line with this mandate, the centre seeks to strengthen CPUT’s partnerships with industry, private organisations and the community, in order to create an environment for the application of knowledge and production of well-grounded and socially responsive graduates.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING (CCEWIL)

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

EMPLOYABILITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME This programme aims to enhance employability, including soft skills, before a student enters the workplace. Its vision is to establish an empowering environment that supports the development of socially responsive and accomplished students through work-integrated learning based on mutually beneficial partnerships with industry and the community. Its mission is to develop and nurture partnerships between CPUT, the community and industry that: • create opportunities for students to apply knowledge in real-life situations • contribute to socio-economic development • facilitate the integration of community engagement activities with teaching, learning and research in collaboration with relevant stakeholders

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Civil Engineering students and Service Learning Theewaterskloof International Community staff interact with community workers on a Development Project, which won second project in Gugulethu place in the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship

INSPIRING HOPE IN THE HEARTS OF LEARNERS Inspiring hope was at the heart of a recent Service-Learning project in the Southern Cape town of Mossel Bay. The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Units, under the leadership of Ms Jacqui Scheepers, recently joined forces with the Faculty of Education, Wellington Campus, and the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences (EMS) for the Hearts of Hope, Health and Happiness project. Mossel Bay is an area where Faculty of Education students do practical teaching experiences, and lecturers Ms Valencia Theys and Dr Hanlie Dippenaar heard about a soup kitchen that was started in Asla Park during the lockdown. It was started by Filippense Christian Church, Community of Africa Pastor Thys Wagenaar, Ms Angelina Wagenaar and Ms Mary-Ann Michaels, feeding around 50 children twice a week. The two lecturers approached SLCE to conceptualise an intervention and the project was born. Students created motivational posters of hope for the Asla Park learners, while Ms Scheepers assisted in securing donations from local businesses, which supplied vegetables and fresh fish to feed the learners. Ms Theresa Burns of SLCE contributed learning materials and other items which they transported to Mossel Bay. Ms Lovetta Bolters of Camissa Solutions, which is engaged in a broad range of community projects in Mossel Bay, partnered with CPUT and contributed care packs, transport and accommodation costs. The programme was supported by CPUT’s EMS Department Head, Mr Lloyd Christopher. He invited EMS master’s student, Mr Daniel Tilley, who is with the Western Cape Government in George, to facilitate a session on health and safety. Mr Tilley reminded the learners of the importance of safety during Covid-19 and taught them about the paramedic services. After the event, Ms Wagenaar and Ms Michaels provided a warm meal for the learners. Ms Scheepers said the highlight of the event was feedback from students to say that working across disciplines was an enriching learning opportunity that gave them broader insight. Students created motivational posters of hope as part of the project

THE CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION UNIT

Prof Nothemba Joyce Nduna ndunaj@cput.ac.za

In essence, this is a three-way partnership. Students alternate academic study with periods of work experience. They apply their learning in real-life situations under the supervision of experienced mentors in the workplace, as well as under the guidance of academic staff from the institution. The work that is covered during this period is monitored and assessed according to requirements set out by specific departments. This type of learning is called experiential learning.

ROLE OF THE CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION UNIT • • • • •

Establishing strategic partnerships that result in the creation of experiential learning opportunities for students in the workplace; collaboration with employers, youth organisations, national and international bodies, and all other interested stakeholders on matters relating to student employment Ensuring the Co-operative Education policy is implemented appropriately across the institution Ensuring matters that affect the function of co-operative education and experiential learning institutionally are addressed Managing information pertaining to co-operative education Marketing the experiential learning programme (in collaboration with CPUT’s Marketing & Communication Department)

77 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Co-operative Education is a philosophy of learning that is based on a partnership between the institution and its external stakeholders (industry). The common objective is to provide students with an enhanced learning experience in the workplace.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING (CCEWIL)

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BENEFITS OF A CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP FOR EMPLOYERS •

•

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Periods of integrating learning and work equip the student with pre-qualification experience, thus enabling employers the opportunity to recruit work-ready graduates Students who respond well to the work environment can be retained as full-time employees on completion of their training periods Each discipline has an Advisory Committee and employers have the opportunity to be members of these committees which communicate the needs of industry to the institution; through this membership, industry helps to shape the training that the students receive at the institution

BENEFITS OF A CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENTS • • • •

Students are able to integrate their learning with real-life work situations Students are able to demonstrate their abilities to potential future employers Presented with challenging tasks, students are able to develop to their highest potential Work experience is often the determining factor as to whether or not new graduates find employment; through Co-operative Education, CPUT students often have work experience on completion of their academic studies

Students at the Employability Improvement Programme workshop

WORKSHOP TO IMPROVE EMPLOYABILITY OF STUDENTS Enhancing employability and soft skills before entering the workplace is the core aim of CPUT’s Employment Improvement Programme (EIP). Introduced in 2012, the EIP has trained over 700 students in fields of Applied Science, Business Studies, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Operations Management. The two-day training workshop caters for third-year students before they start their 6 to 12 months Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme with various companies, to expose and introduce them to the element of productivity by eliminating waste of time and resources at the workplace. EIP Trainer, Ms Patrina Batholmeus and WIL Coordinator, Ms Vuyokazi Maku work hand-in-hand to deliver valuable eye-opening hands-on exercises that consist of team work, communication, planning and leadership skills development. The workshop comprises theory and practical components so that students can implement what they learn. Ms Batholmeus says though the students are often hesitant to express themselves during the theory part of the workshop, they prefer the practical part, where their group work and communications skills shine. At the end of each EIP workshop, all students who participated are awarded completion certificates. “I’ve gained better communication skills, listening and interpersonal skills. I also learnt how to be fast and still perform well,” said Operations Management student, Ms Sinoyolo Poni.

SERVICE-LEARNING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (SLCE) UNIT Ms Jacqui Scheepers

scheepersj@cput.ac.za

Staff and students are encouraged to work in transdisciplinary ways so that knowledge is co-created across disciplines and across sectors (government, community and industry). SL embeds community engagement within the curriculum, and both SL and CE are ideal pedagogical tools to achieve the attainment of graduate attributes which form part of CPUT’s Vision 2030. Many

of the projects are aligned to the concept of ‘Smart Engagement’ and contribute towards the vision of CPUT to be an engaged university. The transdisciplinary approach to integration dissolves boundaries between conventional disciplines. It organises teaching and learning around the construction of meaning in the context of real-world problems or themes. This approach relies on team members sharing roles despite their disciplines. The primary purpose is to collaborate and integrate team members’ expertise and so provide a more efficient provision of service. This year, SLCE staff and associates were involved in the following research outputs: • ‘Social determinants of health in emergency care: An analysis of student reflections on service-learning projects’, by Mr Stephen Harrison, Ms Jacqui Scheepers, Mr Lloyd Christopher and Dr Navin Naidoo (EMS Department), in the African Journal of Health Professions Education. The objectives of this study were: to analyse emergency care students’ community-based service-learning projects (SLPs); to explore the application as an educational tool; to improve their understanding of the social determinants of health and the need and potential for emergency care personnel to become critical actors in addressing the social causes of ill health.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CPUT’s Service-Learning (SL) and Civic Engagement (CE) Units provide support to academic departments and faculties to grow the scholarship of engagement. By approaching community engagement activities through a research and scholarly lens, staff, students, government and communities can understand the benefits of integrating community engagement with the other two pillars of higher education, i.e. teaching & learning and research. Service-Learning conveners and students are encouraged to reflect on their practice so that learning and impact can be realised. Therefore, the notion of the self-reflective practitioner forms part of the project cycle.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING (CCEWIL)

STUDENTS PROMOTE LEARNING FOR LIFE TO HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS Students and staff members travelled to the southernmost tip of Africa to deliver an educational programme promoting life skills to high school learners. The collaborative project between the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Units, the organisation Bossie Projects, and the Cape Agulhas Municipality, was held in Bredasdorp and Arniston. It involved learners from Bredasdorp High School and Albert Myburgh Secondary School. CPUT Student Ubuntu Ambassadors took the lead in designing workshops in the form of reflection circles on topics which school principals had indicated were a challenge at school and in the community: substance abuse, bullying (including cyber-bullying), gender-based violence, sexuality and study skills.

Together with SLCE, Bossie Projects conceptualised how resources could be shared to deliver a quality experience to the learners. Bossie Projects provided hygiene products and a meal to learners. “We are hoping that this will be one of many projects to come with the Arniston community, a beginning to a prosperous venture,” said chairperson, Ms Debbie De Mink.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

The article concluded that this study corroborates SLPs as a pedagogical tool to understand the social determinants of health, and the need and potential for emergency care personnel to become critical actors in addressing social causes of ill health. SLPs should therefore be an important tool of emergency Implementation of one of the SL projects in the care educators – responding to Columbine Nature Reserve, where an EMS student calls of the WHO’s Commission demonstrates CPR for a learner on Social Determinants of Health for greater prominence to be given to disease prevention and health promotion in medical and health science curricula.

Ms Luzeth Smith of the Cape Agulhas Municipality thanked CPUT for the programme. “I could see that the learners really enjoyed the sessions and it was indeed a ‘learning for life’ opportunity. I am impressed with the professional manner in which our pre-engagements were conducted and the implementation of the programme was of a high standard. The students who facilitated the sessions were competent and the youth related well to them.” Ms Jacqui Scheepers, Manager of SLCE, said they aimed to continue exploring future projects with the Cape Agulhas Municipality and Bossie Projects, adding, “It is encouraging to see learners openly sharing their daily struggles experienced at school and in their communities with our students”.

Ms Jacqui Scheepers presenting at the 9th BRCEBE

•

‘Collaborative Service-Learning partnerships between government, community and university for implementing social change’ was presented by Ms Scheepers at the 9th Balkan Region Conference on Engineering & Business Education (BRCEBE) and the 12th International Conference on Engineering & Business Education (ICEBE) in October 2019, and published online in 2020.

The Learning for Life project is a success

BUILDING BRIDGES ON MANDELA DAY CPUT’s Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Units collaborated with the Robben Island Museum (RIM) as part of an initiative to celebrate Mandela Day. Ms Jacqui Scheepers, SLCE manager, said CPUT and RIM were invited to be part of the Mandela Bridges initiative by the global Ubuntu Leaders Academy, Instituto Pe Antonio Vieira, in Portugal. The initiative aimed to symbolically name 67 bridges around the world as ‘Mandela Bridges’ for Mandela Day. According to the academy, the gesture aimed “to signal one of the dimensions of Mandela’s legacy, which was his ability to build bridges, no matter how difficult it seemed to be.”

Through Participatory Action Research (PAR), a systems approach is applied to understand and critically examine the interconnectedness between the aims and objectives of government, community and university. SL partnerships are a powerful tool for actualising community development strategies, and moving these from policy to implementation. This paper encourages universities to build meaningful partnerships with external stakeholders through SL projects. By engaging actively with their partners, universities can strengthen their SL initiatives and partnerships.

The CPUT and RIM collaboration selected the V&A Waterfront swing bridge near the boardwalk to the RIM ferry. Ms Scheepers said CPUT’s student Ubuntu Ambassadors were also asked to submit pictures of bridges in their hometowns to symbolise their commitment to ubuntu. The SLCE Units have been coordinating the activities with students and partners leading to the Mandela Day celebrations.

Prof Daniela Gachago at the opening of the national Rhodes University Symposium

•

CPUT and Robben Island Museum partner for Mandela Day initiative

The SLCE Units were awarded a RIFTAL grant in 2018 to develop a university guideline for ‘Ethical practices for digital storytelling’ for teaching and learning, research and community engagement. A presentation on the project was conducted by Prof Daniela Gachago and Ms Jacqui Scheepers, titled ‘Telling stories about stories: Towards an analytical framework for ethical practices of digital storytelling at CPUT’, at the Community Engagement and Social Innovation Symposium 2018. The researchers were invited by Rhodes University to publish a book chapter on the research project. This will be published in 2021.

81 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Ms Vuvu Mayongo, RIM Programmes officer, believes that “Mandela is a powerful symbol of political imprisonment and representation of those who struggle for freedom under oppressive regimes. RIM communicates Mandela’s ideals and values of freedom, the triumph of the human spirit, democracy, and the culture of human rights by building young ambassadors through nation-building programmes. During this pandemic, Mandela’s leadership still prevails to build our societies”.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

Community Engagement, the third pillar of Higher Education, requires SA universities to engage in projects that benefit society. SL is a form of community engagement, and a powerful pedagogical tool that lends itself to the enrichment of diversity and conceptualisation of innovative curriculum activities towards the positive transformation of students, academic staff and society. Meaningful government and community partnerships are assets for universities which strive for relevant engagement with communities. In SL triad partnerships, the government, university and community collaboratively conceptualise projects. These partnerships are composed of representatives from diverse institutional cultures and individual backgrounds.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

Service-Learning Convener Mr Nicholas Pinfold (Department of Town and Regional Planning) published ‘Fit for purpose community mapping in South Africa’ in the peer-reviewed open access journal Architecture_ MPS in February. Communal areas in SA invariably lack cadastre and other information needed for sustainable planning. Usually, land ownership is unclear and only limited state capacity exists in providing basic services infrastructure. This paper describes community mapping as a participatory means to encourage development. The impact of community-based mapping is assessed and whether or not participatory methodology can fulfil its well-known objectives is explored. Reflections on two community-based mapping projects facilitated with residents show that in these circumstances, communitybased mapping is effective in bringing about change. Flamingo Crescent is an urban informal settlement located in Lansdowne, Cape Town. Informal settlements such as these are high density and organic, making service delivery difficult due to the lack of space. Reblocking is an in situ method of upgrading an informal settlement so that basic service and access can be provided.

CPUT GROWS SOCIAL INVESTMENT IN URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Units distributed 165 beds and mattresses to community organisations as part of a social investment project in November. The beds and mattresses were distributed to organisations providing services to the elderly, the homeless, orphans and to those recovering from substance abuse and gender-based violence across the province. The work of the SLCE involves the formation of partnerships between all sectors of government, communities, university staff and students, in order to respond to societal challenges in communities through meaningful projects. Ms Theresa Burns from the SLCE co-ordinated the activities on site to ensure that the project was administered according to institutional requirements. One of the highlights of the project was when Resident Student Assistant, Mr Khumbulani Chimusaro, a Civil Engineering student, mobilised a group of student volunteers from the residences to assist community members in loading beds and mattresses onto trucks at the Bellville campus. CPUT’s Student Ubuntu Ambassador, Ms Ntombozuko Bota, from student-led organisation The Hope Foundation, assisted with identifying organisations. While Masters in Energy student, Mr Muster Madavha, co-ordinated some of the logistics on-site and volunteered to help organisations such as the Umsimbithi Foundation load the trucks on arrival. The Community Policing Forum (CPF) of Langebaan, was amongst the organisations which partnered with CPUT. The CPF’s Ms Debbie Liebenberg and Mr Peter Liebenberg conveyed their thanks to CPUT “for making a difference to 50 of our community members who received much-needed beds and mattresses in Sea Breeze Park, which brought comfort to so many community members”. The Breede Valley Municipality also conveyed its thanks. “It could not have come at a more appropriate time as our shelter was in need of beds”. Project partner, Ms Lovetta Bolters from Camissa Solutions, expressed her gratitude for the role that CPUT plays in “not just talking about giving back but acting on their commitment to their communities”.

The Goedverwacht Moravian Mission Station in the Western Cape has no internal cadastral boundaries and therefore the spatial framework is unclear and confusing. The study uses a mapping technique that is economically viable, fast and at an accuracy determined by purpose rather than technical and legal requirements for formal land registration. Findings highlight some of the advantages of community-based mapping during these projects by assessing their impact using critical outcomes of participation, empowerment and ownership. Community residents dismantle their structures and rebuild them according to the new approved spatial layout. Several organisations have benefitted from a bed and mattress donation

Prof Eunice Ndeto Ivala

The centre mentors academics towards designbased research and writing for publications.

ivalae@cput.ac.za

To achieve this mandate, the centre’s work is informed by design-based research. Results are used to improve staff development training programmes and student learning. Staff development activities include workshops, a short course on blended learning, learner analytics and various other projects. The centre also mentors academics towards design-based research and writing for publications. It also coaches them in the delivery of conference presentations. During 2020, some CIET staff members were involved in designing and delivering some of the short courses offered by the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC).

JOURNAL ARTICLES • • •

BOOK CHAPTERS •

•

RESEARCH OUTPUTS The 2020 academic year was a difficult year research-wise as CIET focused heavily on enabling academic staff members to teach effectively in emergency remote teaching and learning. However, CIET staff still managed to produce several research outputs.

‘A wake-up call: Equity, inequality and Covid-19 emergency remote teaching and learning’, in Postdigital Science and Education ‘Step into the discomfort: (Re)orienting the white gaze and strategies to disrupt whiteness in educational spaces’, in Whiteness and Education ‘The elephant in the room: Tensions between normative research and an ethics of care for digital storytelling in higher education’, in Reading & Writing

• •

‘An impact study with reference to isiXhosa and Afrikaans multilingual glossaries for first-year Law of Contracts students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology’, in From Postcolonial to Knowledge Societies in Africa (in The Transformative Power of Language) ‘Re-examining instances of cognitive damage in South African universities: Invoking democratic action through educational technology’, in University Education, Controversy and Democratic Citizenship ‘Cosmopolitan norms and the art of deliberation: Beyond forgiveness’, in Cosmopolitan Education and Inclusion ‘Philosophy of education in a new key: Cultivating a living philosophy of education to overcome coloniality and violence in African universities’, in Educational Philosophy and Theory

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CIET has been given a mandate to support the academic project through staff development into innovative integration and use of technologies and pedagogies, with the aim of promoting holistic student success.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (CIET)

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS The following papers were presented at the 12th International Conference on Networked Learning, in Kodling, Denmark in May, and published in the proceedings: • •

‘No size fits all: Design considerations for networked learning across contexts in higher education’ ‘Nurturing creative confidence and learner empathy: Design principles for innovative academic staff development’

COLLABORATION ON RESEARCH PROJECTS

CIET staff members were involved in collaboration with various researchers at CPUT and at other higher education institutions in the region on one RIFTALfunded research project, two NRF projects and three EU funded projects:

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

• • • • •

‘Promoting the use of flexible pedagogical approaches and innovative educational technologies as a thoughtful fusion of programme/curriculum design and programme deliver’ (RIFTAL funded, presentations at curriculum officers’ forum, curriculum officers’ short course and CPUT blended learning short course) ‘Reconceptualisation of socially just pedagogies across diverse geopolitical settings in higher education’ (NRF project 2017-2020) ‘A multidimensional and integrated exploration of inequalities in South African higher education: Effects on students’ (NRF project 2017-2020) ‘Personalised engineering education in Southern Africa (PEESA) III’ project (2013-present, EU funded) ‘Training the teachers of the future: Language policy and literacy’ (2018-2021, EU funded) ‘Internationalisation of the curriculum in order to prepare pupils/students and equip them for their global citizenship (both personal and professional)’ (EU funded)

The centre also led a research project titled ‘Development of open educational resources (OERs)’.

REVIEW OF RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS AND GRANT PROPOSALS CIET staff members were involved as editors and reviewers for DHET-accredited and ISSN journals and in reviewing of NRF and URF grant proposals.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION Staff members attended various national and international conferences (mostly virtual), where they presented papers which were published in the proceedings. These included amongst others the 12th International Conference on Networked Learning, held in Kodling, Denmark in May.

PROMOTIONS AND AWARDS Dr Faiq Waghid was awarded a Y2 rating by the NRF, a recognition by the reviewers as having the potential to establish himself as a researcher, as demonstrated by his recent research outputs.

Prof Daniela Gachago won a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research while based at Pennsylvania State University (PennState) in the Schreyer Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The focus of her research was to understand how innovation happens in institutions of higher learning, with a particular focus on how principles of design thinking and other emerging models and approaches can be applied in academic staff development. Prof Eunice Ndeto Ivala won the 2020 Donald H Wulff Diversity Fellowship travel grant awarded by the Professional and Organisational Development Network (POD) (USA) Diversity Committee. The grant was US$330 towards POD’s 2020 conference registration and a year of membership in POD, as there were no travel expenses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She was also appointed as a Donald H Wulff Diversity Fellow and assigned three American scholars to mentor in staff development, research and issues of diversity.

SOURCE

RESEARCH OUTPUT AMOUNT

2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

49 786

Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

20 196

Books (submitted)

1.00

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

36 482

Book chapters (submitted)

0.50

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

89 122

Conference proceedings (submitted)

0.67

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

81 109

Journal articles (audited)

0.50

TOTAL

276 694

TOTAL

ACADEMIC AWARDED FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

Prof Gachago is particularly interested in how design thinking can support academic staff development. “We are looking at how design thinking has been adopted, used and adjusted for higher education across different institutions and contexts,” she said. She has worked with e-learning champions across different faculties. Her research has displayed what she calls an ‘e-learning mindset’, characterised by a focus on learners’ needs, a desire to collaborate, a penchant for risk-taking and experimentation, and most importantly, a shared concern to see problems as an opportunity to innovate. “In the project proposal I submitted to Fulbright, I would like to explore whether and how one can promote this mindset in academic staff development… I am excited about the opportunity to spend some time in the US,” Prof Gachago remarked. She intends to continue working on her research on innovation and academic staff development by exploring how PennState supports the teaching and learning project, with a particular focus on the integration of technology in teaching and learning. “PennState has a huge network of instructional designers and I will interview and work with them.” Prof Daniela Gachago

85 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CIET’s Prof Daniela Gachago has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research in the United States. In her quest to broaden and deepen her research, and also promote innovation in teaching and learning, Prof Gachago will be based at PennState University. The focus of her research is to understand how innovation happens in institutions of higher learning.

2.67

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FUNDING

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CPUT LIBRARIES

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Libraries was presented with opportunities to further develop and strengthen the existing research support platforms by adding more content and migrating to newer versions of software platforms.

Dr Elisha Chiware

powered by Figshare). To ensure research data integrity, more stringent review processes were implemented for the data repository platform.

chiwaree@cput.ac.za

CPUT Libraries continued its support for research activities at CPUT during 2020, by providing many different platforms and research support services. As a result of the National Lockdown in response to Covid-19, the Libraries experienced a number of challenges. Despite these, they continued to provide services through the LibChat online service ‘AskUs’ platform, e-mails, phone calls, Teams meetings and training sessions, and consultations. Although the Libraries were closed for most of the year, there were still 2 606 visits to the Research Information Support Centre (RISC) areas and staff dealt with over 400 queries. The lockdown period also provided the Libraries with opportunities to further develop and strengthen the existing research support platforms by adding more content and migrating to newer versions of software platforms. There were further increases in the datasets being made open access on the eSango platform (CPUT Research Data repository,

Institutional Repository (IR)

Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

CPUT Research Data repository (powered by Figshare)

In terms of collection development, the Libraries have increased the number of eBooks available for research by 1069 new titles (161%). The number of print books added to the collection declined significantly in 2020. More research databases were also added to the existing collections; they include AOCA Methods, Film Platform and Jove Science Education Video Series. The three institutional repository research support platforms – Research Outputs (IR), Electronic Thesis & Dissertations (ETD) and Research Data (eSango Figshare) – also had more content uploaded. There were 527 additional items added to the IR platform and more than 380 000 views registered, as well 153 000 downloads. The ETD platform grew by 147 items to 2 134. The registered users of the data repository platform increased by 5 to 197 during this period, with the views increasing from 8 785 to 13 797, and the downloads increasing from 1 011 to 4 338. The Libraries also assisted researchers with drawing up research Bibliometrics and Altmetrics reports. During this year, 78 new metrics were created.

At the national and regional level, the ilifu Western Cape Tier 2 Data Intensive Research project continued, and some of the final deliverables were submitted to DIRISA (Data Intensive Research Infrastructure South Africa). Work is continuing among the participating Western Cape universities to comply with international requirements and get all the four institutions’ data repositories certified and accredited by Core Trust Seal – an international data repository trustworthy accreditation body.

LIBRARIES RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Four Libraries staff members published in LIASA-inTouch, the official magazine of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA): •

• •

‘CPUT Libraries’ contribution to lifelong learning through indigenous language translation projects during lockdown’ – Ms Vuyokazi Kiva-Johnson and Mr Yanga Livi ‘Local History and Genealogy Collection at CPUT: Assisting South African researchers to trace their roots’ – Ms Vuyiseka Mtshakazi ‘SALW 2020 @ Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Wellington Campus Library’ – Ms Christel Oosthuizen

Ms Oosthuizen also published an article titled ‘Research collaboration and networking in South African universities’ in ResearchGate.

SOURCE

AMOUNT

Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

16 287

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

110 751

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

130 295

TOTAL

257 333

LIBRARIES’ DIRECTOR HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION CPUT Libraries’ Director Dr Elisha Chiware, in his presentation at the Oxford Library 700 Virtual Conference in September, accentuated the benefits of collaboration among academic libraries in Southern Africa in the provision of better library and information services, in response to the goals of teaching, learning and research. The conference was held to celebrate the 700-year anniversary of the historical Bodleian Library at Oxford University. Dr Chiware joined over 30 other renowned international scholars who gathered to mark the momentous occasion. “We [CPUT] are recognised as leaders in our contributions towards the growth and development of regional and international librarianship,” he noted. He said that the 700th anniversary gave him an opportunity to reflect on the role that libraries have played and continue to play in society. The conference therefore considered the past, present, and future of libraries in a broad context and was graced by academics from relevant disciplines, leading practitioners from the world of libraries and archives, as well as specialists from the world of media, science and communication. Dr Chiware’s presentation was titled ‘Higher education libraries in Southern Africa: Collaborations, partnerships and the future’. The presentation focused on the development of higher education and how libraries in the sub-region have built regional, national and international collaborations to foster the delivery of library and information services. With the advances in information, communications and technologies (ICT) and the internet, Dr Chiware said that the collaborations have grown and assumed new dimensions, leading to achieving even better economies of scale in the sharing of resources and ensuring the speedy delivery of information to all who pursue higher education and conduct research in various scientific domains.

Libraries’ Director, Dr Elisha Chiware

87 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Chiware published two DHET-accredited articles in the journal Library Management • ‘Open research data in African and research libraries: A literature analysis’ • ‘Data librarianship in South African academic and research libraries: A survey’

FUNDING

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

One of the most important things in research is to have a research ID to help with metrics and citation reporting. Faculty librarians helped 615 researchers with the creation of research ORCIDs.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FUNDANI CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (CHED)

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Najwa Norodien-Fataar

Fundani units work collaboratively with one another as well as in partnership with colleagues in faculties and other strategic units.

norodien-fataarn@cput.ac.za

The Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) is a strategic unit which serves CPUT as a site that initiates and facilitates higher education development in alignment with relevant international and national imperatives. This is accomplished through a number of inter-related strategic initiatives. These involve the various Fundani units working collaboratively with one another as well as in partnership with colleagues in faculties and other strategic units. This developmental institutional networking is informed and strengthened through engagement with relevant national and international organizations and institutions.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 RESEARCH OUTPUTS Fundani consists of 13 academic staff members. Despite its relatively small size, the centre produced two international journal publications in 2020 and several national journal publications. Fundani plays a significant role in the CPUT Research Focus Area: Human, Health & Social Dynamics. The centre’s academics regularly review articles for international and national journals, as well as supervise

several CPUT staff members engaged in master’s and doctoral studies that focus on higher education. They are often chosen as external examiners for master’s and doctoral theses and as keynote speakers at conferences and universities. Academic staff are also asked to participate in ASSAF review of journals. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUND FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING (RIFTAL) Fundani staff provide a supportive space for research into teaching and learning across the faculties. Each year, approximately R770 000 is disbursed to CPUT faculty members by Fundani to conduct classroom-based research under the DVC: Teaching & Learning’s RIFTAL project. In 2020, projects submitted and approved for funding addressed decolonisation and educational transformation in the curriculum. RESEARCH IN TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE (RITAL) VIRTUAL ONLINE CONFERENCE CPUT academic staff presented their research findings at Fundani’s first online virtual RITAL Conference via Microsoft Teams. The conference’s theme was ‘Institutional adaptations during the Covid-19 pandemic: Exploring staff experiences with remote teaching and learning’. Academics across the disciplines discussed institutional, curriculum and pedagogical adaptations during the pandemic. The acting HOD of Curriculum Development Unit, Mr Siyabulela Sabata, delivered the

Feedback from participants at the conference indicated that some of them enjoyed the conference’s intimate nature despite it being online. For example, one stated that “It could be the best RITAL conference I’ve been to (not sure if it is because it was virtual – it felt intimate). There was nothing that wasn’t valuable”. Another participant commented that “It was fantastic to hear what my fellow researchers at CPUT are doing – my colleagues are completely and totally inspiring. Makes me want to keep on doing research.” A highlight of the conference was the re-launch of the new cover for Fundani’s inhouse Paradigms journal. Prof Chris Winberg provided a review of Paradigms 21, and Dr Desiree Scholtz presented a paper on developing postgraduate diplomas in the Faculty of Business & Management Sciences. PARADIGMS 21 JOURNAL Paradigms is an internal CPUT journal that focuses on learning and teaching issues in higher education. It is particularly interested in higher education research. All RIFTAL recipients are required to publish articles in Paradigms. The journal has a strong publishing history and interdisciplinary interests at CPUT. It is an openaccess journal that is published annually. It is managed and co-ordinated by Ms Puleng Sefalane-Nkohla of Fundani CHED.

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE The Covid-19 restrictions prevented many Fundani academics from attending international conferences. However, Dr Nosisana Mkonto was fortunate to attend an international conference on 21-24 February 2020, where she presented a paper titled ‘Understanding the role played by family in first-year students’ transition’ at the 39th Annual Conference on the First Year Experience, Washington DC. Many Fundani academics also attended the national Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of South Africa (HELTASA) virtual conference, with the theme ‘Creating Enabling Learning Spaces for All’.

FUNDING SOURCE Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution Publication 2018 Conference Contribution

AMOUNT 32 574 5 538

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

223 977

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

244 629

Research & Innovation Fund for Teaching & Learning (RIFTAL)

128 500

University Research Fund (UCDG)

104 602

TOTAL

739 819

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Book chapters (submitted)

1.00

Journal articles (audited)

0.50

TOTAL

2.67

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The conference was held over two days, providing academics with online engagement and discussions on remote teaching and learning methods used during the Covid-19 pandemic. The following topics were discussed and debated at the conference: • Threshold concepts in a first-year radiation physics curriculum • Mathematics diagnostics tool for CPUT • Teaching with Telegram • A reflection of feedback to students during emergency remote teaching (ERT) • Developing socially just pedagogies within Architectural Technology and Interior Design • Assessment practices in the Biomedical extended curriculum programme (ECP) • Laboratory enhanced learning in undergraduate food science and technology • Covid-19 and learner-centred teaching • Student perceptions of online assessments during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdown in the Paradigms journal

The aim of Paradigms is to stimulate research amongst CPUT staff. It was established shortly after CPUT began offering BTech degrees. It was felt that the journal would stimulate research at CPUT. The journal is both in print and online. It is published nationally and internationally via the CPUT Open Journal System. The journal is managed at Fundani, and it is published online by CPUT Libraries. All issues of paradigms can be accessed from this link http://online.cput.ac.za/ index.php/paradigms/issue/archive

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

keynote address titled ‘Saving the academic year and re-signing Higher Education (HE) Racial Contract (RC): Towards Ubuntu as philo-praxis for epistemic justice in South Africa’. He argued that the Covid-19 pandemic, devastating as it is, also presents universities with opportunities to re-imagine pedagogic practices and, more importantly, to deliberate on alternative education imaginaries.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HIV/AIDS UNIT

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Ms Melanie Marais

The unit believes that its contribution added to the prevention of Covid-19 amongst many of CPUT’s students, staff and contractors.

maraisme@cput.ac.za

CPUT’s HIV/Aids Unit offers a wide variety of services including HIV counselling and testing, ongoing care and support, community outreach programmes and workshops for students, staff and the community.

HIV Association, Partners in Sexual Health and Sonke Gender Justice. The Wellness Mobile services continued to reach campuses and residences bringing important services to students across all campuses and residences. This included awareness campaigns about male and female health, alcohol and substance abuse, healthy lifestyle choices and gender-based violence (GBV). STUDENT DEVELOPMENT DURING COVID-19

INTRODUCTION The year 2020 posed a new and different set of challenges with the Covid-19 pandemic. While everyone was faced with various lockdowns starting with a very strict Lockdown Level 5, with many uncertainties about the future, the HIV/ Aids Unit still needed to continue serving CPUT’s students. One of the major challenges was how to reach students across all campuses. Staff and students quickly learned the art and advantages of virtual engagement. HEALTH SCREENING Health screening of students is usually conducted throughout the year. Before the pandemic started, the unit continued screening CPUT students for HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. Services reached students through a health screening team consisting of service providers such as the TB

Against the backdrop of the Position Statement on the Institutional Response to GBV, Men’s Forum Pledge and the Amajita’s Men’s Programme (launched in 2018), the campaign for Student Development took a completely different shape due to Covid-19 safety regulations. The unit conducted a webinar on Young Women Empowerment in August. The Amajita’s Men’s webinar also took place in August. Students across CPUT’s campuses as well as students from neighbouring institutions were invited to participate in the well-attended webinars.

NEW NAME FOR HEAIDS PROJECT The Higher Education Aids (HEAids) project was renamed Higher Education and Training Health Wellness and Development Centre (Higher Health). Higher Health is an implementing agency for DHET and DSI working under USAf. Higher Health is a representative body of 26 South African universities and 50 TVET colleges. It is a non-profit company that supports higher education institutions and TVET colleges in responding to student health, wellness and development. “Through Higher Health, CPUT has for years been receiving support in terms of funding to strengthen our existing health screening and student development programmes,” said Ms Melanie Marais, head of the HIV/Aids Unit. “We pride ourselves on a vibrant peer education programme where students are trained to engage their peers on topics related to HIV, STI and TB risk reduction; responses to gender-based violence; impact of substance and alcohol abuse; gender diversity; mental health awareness and promoting a safe space for all students.” CPUT peer educators started the year with a Condom Awareness Week, encouraging their peers to get to know their health statuses and adopt safer lifestyle practices. On 14 February, they were visible across most campuses with self-initiated Valentine’s Day interventions. “Our motto in supporting One Smart CPUT is to improve well-being and inspire success for all our students,” added Ms Marais. They were also visible at the first Gender-Based Violence Student Leadership Dialogue that took place 29 February in the Bellville Campus Auditorium, where students engaged in this much needed discussion.

Higher Health represents South African universities and TVET colleges

91 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

AMAJITA’S MEN’S WEBINAR

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

YOUNG WOMEN EMPOWERMENT WEBINAR

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

PEER EDUCATION A five-day Peer Education training course took place in January at the Bellville Campus. Its key focus areas included: Gender training; Leadership and personal development; HIV, STI and TB awareness and prevention; Gender-based violence and first responder training; Facilitating discussion groups, Men’s Health and Women’s Health; Healthy choices; and Good citizenship. At the end of the course, an evaluation of the programme was conducted.

Formerly known as Amajita’s Men’s Health Campaign in 2018, The Amajita Men’s Programme was reintroduced at CPUT through a thought-provoking webinar in 2020, which was hosted by the HIV/Aids Unit and attracted more than 60 participants. The programme serves to bring young CPUT men together to work on solutions and to take ownership of pertinent psycho-social issues. This includes addressing men’s involvement in health-seeking activities, encouraging men to reduce risky behaviour, and challenging gender inequalities that are driving the rapid spread of HIV and Aids. Ms Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/Aids Unit, said, “We aim to mobilise men from all five campuses as we want to have more men who seek to be responsible and are ready to be at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence. We strive to work hand-in-hand with the SRC leadership, together with all student structures, to be able to get more student involvement.”

92 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

THE AMAJITA’S MEN’S PROGRAMME

“This programme aims to ensure that CPUT and our communities are safer with these men, and that they’ll be able to support others to be better men. The Amajita’s Men’s Programme creates a platform for men to reprimand one another on things that are normalised by our societies but are a criminal offence in law as we seek to unlearn what was entrenched in us by our communities and also the household we grew up in.” Ms Marais acknowledged the speakers as well as Higher Health and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation for funding the programme. To get involved in the programme, please email to MfisaT@cput.ac.za or MaraisMe@cput.ac.za

The above interventions include activities before the Covid-19 lockdown commenced and virtual discussions since lockdown. The HIV/Aids Unit actively used social media to its advantage and reached over 200 000 viewers through social media interventions. Students actively participated in the Covid-19 awareness programmes by developing their own educational video clips. At the end of the year, for the first time, the unit hosted its Peer Education Award Ceremony virtually as most students were spread across the country and so it wasn’t possible to host any face-to-face activities.

A webinar reintroduced the Amajita’s Men’s Programme

The HIV/Aids Unit was at the forefront in terms of this pandemic, serving on the Covid-19 Health Cluster and the Covid-19 Command Committee. Here the unit’s focus area, similar to HIV prevention, included the provision of personal protective wear (PPE) and awareness programmes in terms of knowledge about the pandemic and how to prevent it. Staff from the unit sourced and distributed masks and hand sanitisers across all CPUT campuses and campus residences. In partnership with MCD, the unit contributed to the development of content for Covid-19 posters and facilitated their distribution to all campuses and residences. The unit successfully facilitated the process of centralising PPE so that all staff can order directly from the Central Stores on campus. Bulk SMSes were sent to students and staff in terms of mental health and how to use the Health Screening App that was developed by Higher Health. The unit believes that its contribution added to the prevention of Covid-19 amongst many of CPUT’s students, staff and contractors.

EXTERNAL FUNDS

600 students were reached through engagements and over 70 peer educators and interns developed an e-portfolio.

CONCLUSION

These funds made it possible for the unit to strengthen its virtual interactions and the capacity of students to engage with one another during the pandemic. Training was also provided for these students to develop e-portfolios. Over

In summary, the unit’s staff learned to adjust to a new way of communication and were able to achieve their objectives of improving students’ life experiences through the the unit’s interventions.

Division of Student Affairs

WEBINAR

HOSTED BY CPUT HIV/AIDS UNIT

You are cordially invited to join and participate in the

YOUNG WOMEN EMPOWERMENT Saturday, 8 August 2020 11:00 – 14:00 Purpose: To empower young women from our own institution and neighbouring post-schooling institutions within Western Cape with skills and knowledge on the following: • Personal and Leadership development • Job seeking • Self-acceptance and Personal safety

EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN Personal and leadership development were among the objectives of the successful annual Young Women Empowerment Conference which took place in August. Close to 60 female students from CPUT and neighbouring tertiary institutions participated in the webinar event, which was hosted by the HIV/Aids Unit and took place online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ms Melanie Marais, head of the unit, said the conference was aimed at developing students holistically outside the classroom in terms of leadership, health-seeking behaviour, social justice and healthy lifestyle choices.

There will be Motivational Advice from Higher Health Perspective.

SEND EMAIL “Some questions BY 4 AUGUST 2020 that were raised included how we can involve students with disabilities in the peer education programme, the role of our male counterparts in addressing gender-based violence, and starting your own business,” she said. The speakers included To join the Young Women Empowerment Webinar, Regional Manager: Cape Region, Ms Joy Oba; alumna, philanthropist and former CPUT mentor and peer educator, sendHigher an email to Health MALEKAE@cput.ac.za You will then be sent a link to join online via Microsoft Teams Ms Ntombozuko Bota; alumna and youth sector speaker on emotional intelligence wellness, Ms Siyasanga Nokama; Student Affairs Dean Ms Prem Coopoo; Central SRC President Ms Phinda Swaartbooi; and Ms Marais.

Ms Marais acknowledged Higher Health and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation for generously sponsoring the event. She also thanked Peer Education Officer Dr Elma Maleka, Mr Tumiso Mfisa and peer educators for putting together such a successful event.

93 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The HIV/Aids Unit received funds from two funders: • Michael and Susan Dell Foundation • Higher Health

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

COVID-19 AWARENESS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

STUDENT COUNSELLING

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Activities focus on the prevention and treatment of mental health challenges and the personal development of students.

Ms Leanie Brits pienaarl@cput.ac.za

Student Counselling provides a comprehensive range of services to registered and prospective students in the form of both individual and group interventions. The department serves the CPUT community through their various programme activities which focus on the prevention and treatment of mental health challenges and the personal development of students. These activities are supported through various partnerships with academic and support departments, and several student organisations and groups. As part of the departments’ ongoing programme evaluation and service excellence, professional staff members regularly gather information on student engagement experiences, through qualitative and quantitative methods. The results are presented as research output – either informal (annual reports and newsletters) or formal (workshops, journal articles, conference papers and poster presentations). In 2020, with the advent of Covid-19 and national lockdown, Student Counselling mobilised its resources and proceeded to establish an online counselling request email line. The department had to define and establish new protocols to provide

effective service delivery through the provision of teletherapy counselling services in 2020. A client satisfaction survey was administered to evaluate the online counselling services provided from the start of the lockdown period until 15 December 2020. The Google Forms survey link was emailed to clients who could participate anonymously and voluntarily. A total of 82 students submitted completed evaluations, which included both closed- and open-ended questions. Basic descriptive statistics were used to analyse closed question responses. Content analyses were used to unpack narrative responses. Students were very satisfied with the online counselling services. They perceived staff to be professional, responsive and supportive. The majority of students indicated that they received counselling within one week of submitting their requests. Students found the following counsellor attributes as being helpful: being empathic and non-judgmental; listening well; and being helpful, sensitive, friendly and understanding. They also appreciated counsellors’ professional skills such as being able to identify what the actual problem was, the ability to provide help with managing the problem and providing helpful resources. Respondents mentioned that they found the following elements to be hindrances to online counselling: academic pressure they were facing at the time, challenges with privacy, difficulty with devices and network problems. Overall, the results indicate that students have responded well to the online counselling service. The availability of the service has allowed students to access counselling during very difficult times with limited resources. Based on the results of the survey, online counselling as an alternative to face-to-face counselling will continue to be a viable method of providing support to students.

SOURCE

AMOUNT

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

32 574

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution TOTAL

8 599 19 349

MANAGING COVID FEAR AND ANXIETY The Department of Student Counselling launched support groups, workshops, webinars and psychoeducational resources related to Covid fear and stigma, mental healthcare and support. Ms Leanie Brits, Ms Zain Julies, Ms Janine van Sitters-Mintoor and Ms Samantha Hanslo are counselling psychologists at Student Counselling. They are very aware that Covid and lockdown have overwhelmed people’s basic ability to cope with the daily stressors associated with the uncertainty of the current situation. The department has shared the following tips for staff and students:

During a genderbased violence (GBV) roundtable webinar hosted by the Student Affairs Division to celebrate Women’s Day in August, contributors called for an integrated approach to combating this scourge on The Student Affairs Division hosted a GBV webinar CPUT campuses. The contributors, comprising leaders in the Higher Education sector, civil society and government, said ongoing monitoring and evaluation of actions dealing with GBV were needed to inform interventions. They advocated for GBV ambassadors especially within the Student Affairs Division.

•

Among the contributors was a panel consisting of Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng (Commission for Gender Equality: Commissioner), Ms Nonkosi Tyolwana (Director: Transformation at CPUT), Ms Dellicia de Vos (of CPUT’s Disability Unit), Mr Nkokheli Mankayi (Activate Network and CPUT Alumnus), Ms Kanyisa Booi (of Matriarch and Sons) and Ms Phinda Swartbooi (CPUT’s Central SRC President).

• • • • • •

Focus on the present and what you can control in your immediate environment The future is uncertain, rather focus on your day and engage in routine activities A new routine can create energy and motivation if you feel bored Engage in practical tasks and activities such as listening to music, reading or cooking a new recipe Ensure that your eating, sleeping and exercising habits are maintained Limit media exposure and screen time to avoid anxiety triggers Connect with people to boost your sense of belonging and support

If your anxiety is persistent and you’re constantly worrying about the coronavirus, it is best to seek support. Here are some helpful resources: • • • •

Covid-19 toll-free line 0800 029 999 Higher Health 24-hour counselling support line 0800 36 36 36 For CPUT students, request counselling support at Student-Counselling@cput.ac.za For staff, contact CPUT Lifestyle and Wellness Specialist at MzeleS@cput.ac.za

The contributors made a case for a thorough investigation into the prevalence and under-reporting of GBV cases and further argued that sexual reproductive health and psychological issues must also be considered when dealing with GBV and not just its physical effects. They highlighted the need for policy interventions to be more inclusive of marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the LGBTQI community. They clarified that gender-based violence does not only refer to male-female abuse exclusively, but also includes male-on-male as well as female-on-female violence. “The key takeaway from this session is to secure safe learning spaces within Higher Education; to look at different initiatives and ways to work constructively and collectively to make a change,” said Ms Louisa Brits, head of Student Counselling and one of the webinar’s organisers.

Student Counselling helps the CPUT community cope with Covid

95 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CALL FOR RESEARCH ON GENDERED VIOLENCE

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FUNDING

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

STUDENT COUNSELLING: WELLNESS PROGRAMMES Various wellness activities and programmes are hosted on CPUT’s campuses throughout the year, to bring awareness to and develop healthy perspectives on general mental health and well-being. The Wellness Wheel provides insight into activities that enhance various aspects of a student’s wellness. Each dimension is interrelated and the development of each element can promote well-being and health. Students who develop holistically usually thrive and feel better equipped to manage their lives.

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

INTELLECTUAL WELLNESS

Emotional wellness is the ability to honour our feelings rather than deny them and includes embracing life positively and coping with stress in a healthy way.

Intellectual wellness is creatively engaging the mind in intellectual pursuits in a healthy way.

Tips to enhance emotional wellness • Recognise the impact that relationships have on your emotional state • Learn to express your feelings in a healthy manner • Accept your mistakes, learn from them • Be proactive: learn to prioritise in order to reduce stress • Get support from friends and family or when necessary seek professional help

Tips to enhance intellectual wellness • Be curious • Explore your creativity • Start a blog • Be informed about current events • Learn a foreign language • Read a book • Develop a new skill • Join the CPUT Debate Society

PHYSICAL WELLNESS Physical wellness involves taking care of your body in order to heighten mental alertness and productivity, and to regulate emotions. Tips to enhance physical wellness • Join a sports club for recreational purposes • Eat balanced and nutritious meals daily, which include several portions of fresh fruit and vegetables • Get adequate sleep (6-9 hours) • Maintain a healthy weight • Listen to your body and take care of illness • Be informed about the effects of drugs, alcohol and smoking • Maintain a healthy sexual relationship: abstain or be faithful to one partner, condomise to protect against STIs and unwanted pregnancies

FINANCIAL WELLNESS Financial wellness is the ability to manage your financial resources in a responsible manner. Tips to enhance financial wellness • Draw up a budget • Find a part-time job • Spend wisely • Carry your student card to take advantage of student discounts • Monitor your bank account

Social wellness highlights developing and maintaining healthy relationships with others. Tips to enhance social wellness • Develop an understanding of and respect for others’ views • Nurture exposure to a religion or culture different from your own • Be tolerant of others regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability • Visit neighbours, friends and family • Be open-minded ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS Environmental wellness is about developing a harmonious and respectful relationship with our planet.

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) compiled a list of exciting activities to keep students fit, healthy, and entertained during the lockdown. Deputy Dean of Students, Mr Tulani Nkuntse, outlined the wellness services available to students during this period and how to access them. Mr Nkuntse said, “This is aimed at reaching as many of our students as possible. Some of the activities can be done individually, in pairs and or groups.” The activities range from aerobics to general fitness. These can be done every day with a walk, or running in and around the home. The intensity of the activity would also be increased with time and could include stairs, chairs, sandbags and other equipment. DSA also includes arts and culture activities such as the virtual choir project, weekly drama practice videos and interactive debates via social media. There is also a Short Story Project, aimed at creative students who have a passion for storytelling and are open to collaboration. Facilities committee member Ms Cherice Mangiagalli said that once the short stories had been completed, her “hope is to engage our schools in the surrounding communities by sharing the love for reading and writing.”

OCCUPATIONAL WELLNESS Occupational wellness involves identifying and choosing a career path that satisfies you and finding balance between work and play. Tips to enhance occupational wellness • Do more of what you love • Get to know your talents, interests, values and personality qualities relevant to your work • Ensure you have sufficient knowledge about your career choice and work environment • Take mini breaks while studying or at work to clear your mind, refocus and reenergise • Maintain healthy relationships in the workplace Please visit https://www.cput.ac.za/students/life/counselling/wellness for more details about Student Counselling’s Wellness Programmes The Department of Student Affairs promotes fitness at home

97 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Tips to enhance environmental wellness • Recycle glass, paper, tin and plastic • Reduce emissions: walk, cycle or carpool • Save water: have a quick shower or a shallow bath • Join the CPUT Green Team

STUDENT AFFAIRS ARRANGES LOCKDOWN ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SOCIAL WELLNESS

CPUT RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The CPUT focus area programme is one of the outcomes of the institution’s strategy for research and innovation, as described in the institution’s Research & Technology Innovation 10-year Blueprint (2012-2022). In order to build critical mass and make effective use of limited resources, CPUT has resolved to develop clear areas of focus over a period of ten years. The institution’s research, technology and innovation efforts along with its resources are concentrated on these focus areas.

Each of these areas provides a basis upon which research and innovation niche areas are developed within faculties, centres of excellence and units. The choice of these focus areas and associated niche areas has been informed by: • CPUT’s strengths • Areas likely to make the strongest contribution to strategic imperatives and national priorities • A need to support a multidisciplinary approach to research and innovation

CPUT’S FOCUS AREAS 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

SPACE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

SMART ENERGY

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

NOTE: Please see ‘Message from the Director: RTI-SIP’ on page 13 for a more detailed introduction to the Focus Areas

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREA

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Introduction by Dr Marilize Le Roes-Hill

The goals of the South African Bio-Economy Strategy are to address: health challenges; food nutrition and security; clean water; clean renewable energy with a reduced reliance on fossil fuels; a shift from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy with sustainable resource management; and protection of biodiversity. Focus Area 1’s research aims to enhance strategic partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building, and stimulate socio-economic development in these target areas. South Africa has vast natural resources and a wealth of indigenous knowledge. Biotechnology, as part of this focus area, will play a key role in the development of the ‘Farmer-to-Pharma’ value chain – the development of bio-based products from natural resources – while ensuring that the rights of indigenous people are respected. The scope of research is wide and entails several multidisciplinary niche areas.

A number of the UN’s Strategic Development Goals are addressed through these niche areas: Goal 2 – Zero hunger Goal 3 – Good health and well-being Goal 5 – Gender equality Goal 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure Goal 12 – Responsible consumption and production Goal 14 – Life under water (biodiversity management) Goal 15 – Life on land (biodiversity management) In addition, the niche areas also address SA’s National Development Plan: Chapter 3 – Economy and employment Chapter 10 – Promoting health The niche areas forming part of this focus area include: • Biocatalysis and enzyme production • Chemoprevention • Community-based knowledge translation • Functional foods • Oxidative stress in health and disease development • Natural products chemistry • Proteomics • Sports performance and supplementation

99 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology-based research and innovation at CPUT is aimed at achieving the objectives of the RTI Blueprint, and contributing towards the South African Bio-Economy Strategy. This will be achieved with knowledge production that is aimed at benefiting local and national communities, and ultimately also supporting the growth and development of a global bio-economy.

leroesm@cput.ac.za

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

CPUT INTENSIFIES PARTNERSHIP WITH GERMAN UNIVERSITY

Food Technology lecturer Dr Zanephyn Keyser said that the successfully upgraded Microbiology Laboratory now features a compound trinocular microscope fitted with a Moticam HD camera unit, which can transform optical into digital images that could be displayed on three 55 inch monitors. Used during microbiology practicals at all levels, the live 1080p resolution images could be captured and saved to an SD card directly, without the need of a computer, and then shared with students via Blackboard. “This improves teaching and learning significantly in the Microbiology Laboratory since we deal with micro-organisms, which is a very difficult concept to grasp, especially for the first-year cohorts.” He said the data/images generated by the digital microscope station could be transferred via Wi-Fi to an app on tablets, allowing for an even more flexible individual application for students.

100 Mr Julian Witt demonstrating the Pulsed Electric Field system

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

STATE-OF-THE-ART MAKEOVER FOR MICROBIOLOGY LAB

CPUT and the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences (KUAS) in Germany cemented collaboration in teaching and learning as students and lecturers conducted pioneering research in food technology. KUAS lecturer Prof Angela Haunaul, part of a German delegation to the CPUT Food Technology Department for a threeday workshop, said they were in South Africa to share knowledge with their CPUT counterparts. Prof Haunaul shared research objectives, demonstrated the use of state-of-the-art equipment as well as preservative and intersectional methodologies. In one of the sessions, the students explored the use of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology in the food industry.

Dr Keyser said the students were free to take measurements, make annotations and comparisons, observe cellular activity and simple life forms, and that details of other specimens could be viewed at leisure once an image had been stored in a computer. He explained, “This helps lecturers to visualise the organisms under a microscope using the monitors and tablets, and I am extremely happy with the upgrades because now we can see what the students see under the microscope.”

“The workshop is fantastic, it’s very nice to be here. We learn from each other. The students are connecting well which sets a basis for an exchange programme,” Prof Haunaul said. She added that they were in the country to build strong relationships with CPUT and the industry. Ms Aphiwe Mrawushe, a third-year student in Food Technology, said she enjoyed the workshop which taught her how Germans operate in the food technology discipline and how to use the PEF system to process food. Mr Julian Witt, a German national who did his master’s thesis at CPUT demonstrated the use of the PEF system, saying “I taught them to treat different fruit and vegetables like carrots, beetroot, sweet potatoes, and apples, to observe different effects using the PEF system to extract juice quickly from the product.”

Dr Zanephyn Keyser

RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI)

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR AND DIRECTOR: PROF JL MARNEWICK 2020 marked the inaugural year of AMHBI at CPUT. Being a research-intensive institute within the university, 90% of its activities are based in the laboratory and/or clinic setting. As such, the Covid-19 pandemic had a great impact on the institute’s

Prof Jeanine L Marnewick (Acting Chair and Director: Biotechnology)

101

marnewickj@cput.ac.za research activities, as for the best part of the year, the research programme had to be suspended. As alert levels and accompanying lockdown criteria changed in favour of limited laboratory research activities, I am extremely proud of the work AMHBI staff, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students were able to complete by the end of 2020. We are grateful to all CPUT support units and departments that ensured a safe return to our laboratories in order to resume research activities. Although thousands of laboratory hours were lost, Covid-19 has provided the opportunity to re-think and re-strategise. AMHBI staff, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students kept the research flame alive by adapting to and embracing these circumstances around the pandemic. The institute’s members took part in various online activities, from conference attendance and presentations, to webinars, to workshops for upskilling themselves and publishing, keeping the academic programme moving forward. AMHBI celebrated the graduation of some of its students as well as research awards honouring and recognising the excellent work its researchers and postdoctoral fellows are doing. 2020 also welcomed new AMHBI affiliate, associate and adjunct members, and I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to them for supporting our research programme. It has been a challenging year. We learnt a great deal, and I thank every AMHBI member.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) is mandated to conduct excellent research with a strong multi- and transdisciplinary focus in line with CPUT’s RTI Blueprint and V2030. The institute’s research is aimed at exploring SA’s vast microbial and indigenous flora biodiversity in finding innovative solutions aimed to improve the overall health of the country’s communities. AMHBI strives to achieve this through integrated research in Biotechnology while encouraging the development of key scarce skills in the realisation of SA’s Bio-economy strategy. The core business is focused around postgraduate training in the scarce skills areas of Biocatalysis, Biomarkers, Biotechnology, Chemoprevention, Oxidative Stress, Proteomics and related research fields, securing funding to allow for this research to take place and the creation and dissemination of new knowledge related to these niche areas.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

102

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

FOCUS AREA AND NICHE AREAS

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION

The focus area and relevant niche areas within the AMHBI are aligned to address CPUT’s 10-year RTI Blueprint. The focus area: Bio-economy & Biotechnology is featured within AMHBI via the following niche areas:

During 2020, AMHBI members strengthened their strategic partnerships with institutions across Europe, USA and Africa to ensure alignment with V2030.

Niche areas within AMHBI

RESEARCH FUNDING AND GRANTS

• • • • • •

The institute was successful in attracting research funding to the value of R3 908 818.

Biocatalysis and enzyme production Biomarkers Chemoprevention Oxidative stress in health and disease development Proteomics Wastewater remediation and reuse

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Niche areas located within faculties and departments outside AMHBI • • • •

Phytochemistry Phytomedicine Functional foods Sport performance and supplementation

RESEARCH OUTPUT During 2020, AMHBI staff, postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows contributed to 23 peer-reviewed journal articles, one book chapter, as well as 11 virtual conference presentations.

RESEARCH AWARDS Prof Marnewick won the NSTF/South 32 Awards 2020: Category Science Communication. She leads a team that promotes rooibos tea to be included in a personal daily regime as a health promoting option, supported by science. The NSTF-South32 Awards were held in July this year, and are referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa. Dr Docrat and Prof Marnewick won 1st prize in the category Elevator Pitch Presentation at the Virtual Postdoctoral Research Summit 2020 that took place in October. Their oral presentation was titled ‘The abili ‘tea’ of rooibos to protect against Alzheimer’s disease’.

POSTGRADUATES AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS In true multi- and transdisciplinary nature, AMHBI staff in collaboration with CPUT faculties and other regional and national HEIs, successfully supervised and/or co-supervised several postgraduate students. This resulted in four master’s degrees and one doctoral qualification during 2020. We also welcomed 12 postdoctoral fellows to the institute in 2020, including our first transdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow.

AMHBI postdoctoral fellow, Dr Taskeen Docrat

AMHBI Director & Research Chair, Prof Jeanine Marnewick, with NSTF award]

Dr Abdul and Prof Marnewick won 1st prize for their poster ‘Fumonisin B1-induced mitochondrial stress and intervention by rooibos: Old foe AMHBI postdoctoral fellow, new hero’ at the virtual Summer Dr Naeem Sheik Abdul School on Innovative Approaches in Science in June. This meeting is jointly hosted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, and the European Commission Joint Research Centre. It focused on cutting-edge methods to reduce and replace animal tests in toxicology and biomedical research.

Esteemed researcher Prof Jeanine Marnewick won the Communication Award at the National Science and Technology Foundation-South 32 Awards, known as the Science Oscars of South Africa. Hosted virtually in 2020, the awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation in South Africa. Prof Marnewick, who is Director of the AMHBI, and Research Chair: Biotechnology, was recognised for leading a team that promotes the inclusion of rooibos tea in a personal daily regime as a health-promoting option. She said she felt “humbled, honoured and proud” for her research to be recognised. “This is an acknowledgement from the scientific community that the work we are doing is relevant and making a difference. Science does not exist in a vacuum, and our work is always done with keeping our communities and public in mind.”

“Elucidating the health properties and substantiating health claims around rooibos as well as disseminating these findings are the key objectives of our research. Rooibos, a proudly South African herbal tea now adopted under the Nagoya Protocol, serves as a complementary strategy to ensure increased daily intake of important bio-actives as a health promoting and/or disease preventing option,” said Prof Marnewick.

Prof Jeanine Marnewick

In her acceptance speech, she said, “As a scientist, I’ve always loved communicating my research findings to others, from the Grade 3 learner to the members of the University of the Third Age, the rooibos farmer and the beverage industry members.” She thanked the VC, the Marketing & Communication team, her colleagues, her students, and the SA Rooibos Council.

POSTER RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM Postdoctoral fellow Dr Naeem Sheik Abdul won first place in the Science Poster Awards of the virtual Summer School on Innovative Approaches in Science in August. The event focused on cutting-edge methods to reduce and replace animal tests in toxicology and biomedical research. It was jointly hosted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, and the European Commission Joint Research Centre. Dr Naeem Sheik Abdul Dr Sheik Abdul is a postdoctoral fellow at the Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) under the supervision of Prof Jeanine Marnewick. His winning e-poster was titled ‘Fumonisin B1-induced mitochondrial stress and intervention by rooibos: Old foe new hero’.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most food insecure regions, where the majority of the population relies on maize as part of a staple diet. These commodities are often contaminated by fungal toxins such as Fumonisin B1 (FB1), which have been linked to cancer and other acute toxicities. Our study aims to assess the protective role of rooibos extracts against FB1-induced toxicity in vitro using a liver-derived cell line,” he said. “Rooibos possesses a unique composite of phytochemicals known to encompass antioxidant and bio-active properties. The combination of metabolic activators and antioxidants found in rooibos may be more effective in preventing and repairing cellular damage caused by toxins. The understanding of how molecular pathways are activated by rooibos can contribute to the prevention of FB1 toxicity, and can lead to the identification of a novel and economically viable approach to protecting vulnerable human populations against FB1 toxicity.” Dr Sheik Abdul said he did not expect the award but was extremely happy and felt a sense of pride knowing that research conducted at CPUT had been recognised on an international platform.

103 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The awards are the largest, most comprehensive, and sought-after national awards of their kind in the country and the first science awards in South Africa. This year’s theme was ‘Plant Health’ in recognition of the 2020 International Year of Plant Health declared by the UN.

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SCIENCE OSCAR AWARD FOR ESTEEMED ROOIBOS RESEARCHER

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

104

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY NICHE AREAS WITHIN THE FOCUS AREA: BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

A | BIOCATALYSIS AND ENZYME PRODUCTION Leader: Dr Marilize le Roes-Hill Research in the area of marine actinobacterial biodiversity, enzyme and antibiotic discovery, and biocatalysis continued during 2020, albeit mostly in a virtual environment. Confirmation of funding for an Antibiotic Accelerator Initiative project (UK Newton Fund, UK MRC, and SAMRC) meant the launch of a consortium-based project focused on the discovery of novel antibacterial compounds, with Dr Le Roes-Hill as a co-investigator (PI-SA: Prof Dorrington, Rhodes University; PI-UK: Prof Upton, University of Plymouth). It is not surprising that big data analysis featured strongly in 2020. Next-generation sequencing data generated across various research projects led to the establishment of a new collaboration with Dr Matcher at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. Big data also featured in our enzyme work, resulting in a three-day virtual workshop organised by Dr Le Roes-Hill and Prof Dr Pleiss (University of Stuttgart). The focus of the workshop was mainly on the systematic analysis of data generated during enzyme studies and how this data (raw and processed) can be converted to formats (machine readable mark-up language, EnzymeML) that can be uploaded directly to databases. This approach will make enzyme data findable, accessible, interoperable and re-usable, thereby following the FAIR principles of open access data.

B | BIOMARKERS Leader: Dr Liana van der Westhuizen Biomarker development research is integrated in the Rooibos and Heart Health CPUT prestigious project within the Oxidative Stress in Health Promotion and Disease Development niche area of the Focus Area: Bio-economy & Biotechnology. Dr Van der Westhuizen attended several virtual conferences, workshops and webinars on biomarkers, supervision, writing

and other related fields. She is the Co-chairperson of the Institutional Animal Research Ethics Committee, a member of the Faculty Research Committee and a member of the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences. She is the supervisor of four MSc students in this faculty, in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

C | CHEMOPREVENTION Leader: Dr Stéfan Abel The research focus in this niche area concerns the investigation of dietary constituents as chemopreventive agents to prevent/reduce the outcome of cancer. The main emphasis is currently on rooibos and honeybush and dietary oils containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Due to Covid-19, laboratory activities were severely curtailed but opportunities existed to attend virtual conferences and webinars, e.g. AACR Conference; AOCS Conference; EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; the 51st meeting of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society; and a webinar by the Central Analytical Facility at Stellenbosch on ZOYC microscopy, fluorescence, confocal and super-resolution microscopy, and imaging flow cytometry. Dr Sedicka Samodien and Dr Celeste H Abrahams (postdoctoral fellows) collaborated with UWC (Electron Microscopy Unit) and SU to perform scanning transmission electron microscopy for autophagy, which is important in chemoprevention. Lipidomics collaboration with Prof Marina Rautenbach of SU resulted in the first set of data on rooibos modulation of fatty acid profiles in skin keratinocytes. This data is currently being evaluated. Collaboration with Dr Thomas Grupp (Bayern Genetik, Germany) and Dr Carel Muller (Agric-Sciences, SU) regarding health properties of Eland milk was initiated. Trial samples were collected (Vredenheim, Stellenbosch) in December which are currently being evaluated. Dr Stéfan Abel was re-elected to the committee of the Western Cape branch of the Nutrition Society of South Africa (2021-2023).

D | OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE DEVELOPMENT Leader: Prof Jeanine L Marnewick

Highlights include Prof Jeanine Marnewick winning the NSTF/South 32 Awards 2020: Category Science Communication: For leading a team that promotes rooibos tea to be included in a personal daily regime as a health-promoting option, supported by science; 1st prize to postdoctoral fellow, Dr Taskeen Docrat (host Prof Marnewick) in the category: Elevator pitch presentation at the Virtual Postdoctoral Research Summit 2020 for presentation ‘The abili ‘tea’ of rooibos to protect against Alzheimer’s disease’; and 1st place to another postdoctoral fellow, Dr Naeem Sheik Abdul (host Prof Marnewick) for his presentation ‘Fumonisin B1induced mitochondrial stress and intervention by rooibos: Old foe new hero’ at the Virtual Summer School on Innovative Approaches in Science.

E | PROTEOMICS Leader: Dr Mariska Lilly Omics has to do with analysing the structure and functions of the whole makeup of a given biological

function at different levels, including the molecular gene level (genomics), the protein level (proteomics), and the metabolic level (metabolomics). This branch of biotechnology is imperative in the 4th Industrial Revolution, with proteomics being one of its vital pillars. This niche area focuses on using proteomics and physiological data to further open new opportunities in the medical and agricultural field. Proteomics allows the evaluation of cellular adaptive responses holistically, providing detailed interactions of cells to their environment, and underpinning the development of appropriate intervention models in both the medical and agricultural fields. Collaboration with USDA (USA) on fumonisin gene expression in Fusarium verticillioides led to a publication in the World Mycotoxin Journal. The new project on the investigations on Fusarium verticillioides–maize interactions under drought stress conditions started the in planta trial at Welgevallen. Investigations into the inhibition of mycotoxigenic fungi by South African herbal teas in order to develop bio-control models also started this year. The current SARC-funded project continued focusing on an ‘omics’ assessment of the chemoprevention properties of rooibos tea against UVB-induced skin damage. The proteomic investigations on the effect of fumonisin B1 (a common mycotoxin in maize) on the intestinal barrier function using porcine in vitro cell models also continued, and several virtual meetings were held with BIOMIN (Austria) to discuss the findings. Further collaborations BIOMIN (Austria) and engagement with the South African Rooibos Council have led to a newly sponsored proof of concept project in assessing the effect of rooibos phenolipid nanoparticles on gut health. Several postgraduate students were trained and postdoctoral fellows mentored to further develop this research platform.

105 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The research focus of this niche area is oxidative stress and its involvement in the aetiology of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and its prevention and/ or delay via the use of indigenous medicinal plants such as rooibos. In 2020, with the temporary suspension of laboratory and human intervention studies, the focus turned to research activities that could be conducted online. Data analysis for the successfully completed ‘Rooibos and Exercise’ study done in collaboration with Prof Simeon Davies, an affiliated member of AMHBI, were finalised via online discussions with partners at the University of Vienna in Austria and at NWU in Potchefstroom.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

106

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

F | WASTEWATER REMEDIATION & REUSE The group focuses on the remediation and/or valorisation of solid and liquid waste. Within the wine industry, a pilot DEng study monitoring the performance of a sandbased system for physicochemical and biological remediation of winery effluent was concluded, with promising results, and a new WRC project titled ‘A conceptual model for valorisation of primary winery wastewater sludge in the Western Cape’ commenced. Collaborative projects based on valorisation and resource recovery of/ from tannery effluent saw the graduation of two MEng students in 2020/2021. Leader: Dr Pamela Welz

Co-leader: Dr Thandeka Mthethwa

Projects conducted in partnership with researchers from THENSA and the Limerick University of Technology (Ireland) are focused on addressing plastic waste, and funding has been obtained from the CSIR to conduct scoping studies on making bioplastics from local agri-industrial residues (canola fines, corn mill starch waste) at CPUT. Projects also include research aimed at understanding the behaviour of nanostructures used for photocatalysis in wastewater treatment, including plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis in metal/metal oxide nanostructures and mesostructures. This is one of the first research groups to have explained the behaviour of a mixture of gold nanospheres and nanorods in plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis of Au@ TiO2 nanostructures. Thutuka funding has recently been obtained to explore the functionality of a newly discovered class of crystals known as mesocrystals.

SOURCE Improvement of Qualifications (UCDG)

AMOUNT 600 000

National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked

1 306 648

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

206 127

Research Technology and Innovation (RTI): CPUT Prestigious Project

1 000 000

South African Rooibos Council

350 522

Top up grants (UCDG)

100 000

University Research Fund (UCDG) Water Research Council K452841/3 Waste Water Treatment TOTAL

65 000 280 522 3 908 818

RESEARCH OUTPUT

G | ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE (AEC) CPUT’s AEC was approved by Senate in 2015. Since then, the committee has been located within the AMHBI. The AEC has embarked on a journey to comply with all relevant regulations and laws in order to be accredited by the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC). In 2020, The Animal Ethics Committee unfortunately had an unusually quiet year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and no new applications were received. Chairperson: Dr Dirk Bester

FUNDING

Co-chairperson: Dr Liana van der Westhuizen

2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021) Journal articles (audited) TOTAL

UNITS

5.50 5.50

RESEARCH UNIT

Crystal Engineering Unit (Faculty of Applied Sciences)

Despite the challenges of 2020, with laboratories out of bounds for a large portion of the year, time was used successfully for the writing of publications and theses. Research in the field of solid crystalline and inclusion compounds has continued. The crystal structures of drug-related compounds and host-guest co-ordination complexes are elucidated using x-ray diffraction. The stability and energy of the materials formed are studied by thermal, optical and kinetic measurements. The understanding of the non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding which lead to structures are correlated with the compounds under study. Both organic and inorganic compounds are synthesised, and their discrimination towards one of a mixture of isomers is an objective being investigated in the unit. This year, the unit published on research into chirality and the comparison of racemic crystals for solubility and structure. Four papers were published in peer-reviewed journals by staff members and their postgraduate students. Prof Nikoletta Báthori concentrated her expertise on racemic and chiral compounds, and Prof Ayesha Jacobs considered the synthons of co-crystals in organic compounds. Each published two papers.

Prof Merrill M Wicht wichtm@cput.ac.za

Mr Jean-Eudes Odounga Odounga graduated with Master of Applied Sciences in Chemistry, under the supervision of Prof Nikoletta Báthori. The advent of virtual conferences became a highlight during the year, with the online attendance at Crystal Engineering: From Molecule to Crystal, CEFMC-2020 in June (Prof Báthori) and the attendance by a master’s student and staff member at the 4th International Symposium on Halogen Bonding in November. Prof Báthori was part of the organising committee for this conference. Postdoctoral fellows Dr David Oluwole and Dr Chris Bode-Aluko, hosted by Prof Báthori, continue their research in the Crystal Engineering unit.

107 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Staff members in the unit are Prof Ayesha Jacobs, Prof Nikoletta Báthori, Dr Elize de Vries, Mr Mawonga Mei and Prof Merrill Wicht. Research in the field of solid crystalline inclusion compounds has continued, and has involved the unit’s postgraduate and BTech students.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

108

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH UNIT

Functional Foods Research Unit (FFRU) (Faculty of Applied Sciences) Prof Maretha Opperman oppermanm@cput.ac.za

The Functional Foods Research Unit (FFRU) was established in 2009 and is part of the Department of Agriculture & Food Science in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The unit’s aim is to translate results of research on essential fatty acids and micronutrients into new and improved functional food products or premixes for health promotion and disease prevention in South Africa.

complete. During the same project, BTech students assisted in formulating a high protein, low salt biscuit that can be used in SA school feeding schemes. Product development is ongoing.

Functional foods are foods that, by virtue of physiologically active food components, provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The newly developed products or premixes are converted into commercially useful end products for the South African market.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020

FFRU has been working to develop alternatives for salt to reduce its content in foods like bread, flavourants, soups and stocks. New legislation in 2019 stipulates that the salt content of a range of foods needs to be below certain levels. In collaboration with SA’s largest industrial spices supplier, researchers have utilised a by-product of maize to reduce the salt content of the flavourant used in boerewors and chicken sausages. Product development is nearly

The unit is also busy with a clinical trial in collaboration with UWC investigating the health status (blood fatty acid content, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, etc.) of taxi drivers in the greater Cape Town area. This is the first study of this topic in the country.

RESEARCH PROJECTS The Nutritious and Nutrimens projects are being conducted by FFRU together with the Department of Food Science & Technology. It is a French Collaboration Project, with the International Joint Laboratories / Laboratoires mixtes Internationaux (IJL / LMI) and the University of Montpellier. The study aims to determine the nutritional value of marine organisms for the development of sustainable, nutrition-sensitive marine aquaculture in South Africa. An ongoing project, this study has received R437 000 in funding.

PRODUCTS DEVELOPED

PUBLICATIONS IN ACCREDITED JOURNALS

This year, FFRU’s high protein fortified biscuit was licensed to Eden Community Hope Outreach NPC for production and distribution by the Garden Route Food Pantry.

‘Centella asiatica alleviates diabetes-induced changes in fatty acid profile and oxidative damage in rat testis’, in Andrologia

109

MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH INNOVATION

“It is a huge honour for me to be nominated, as it means that the hard work over many years did not go unnoticed. I trust that if we win this award we will make our mark as respected innovators in our country and make it possible for us to obtain more grants to expand the current work we do in communities. My dream is to commercialise our current and future products to benefit not only certain groups in South Africa but the people who need it most,” she said. Her unit aims to translate research results on essential fatty acids and micronutrients into new and improved functional food products or premixes with functional food characteristics for health promotion and disease prevention in our country. “Essential fatty acids and micronutrient deficiencies have a negative effect on the health of the poorest consumers in South Africa. Our work is very much aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of the most vulnerable communities… the poor, pregnant women, and pre-school children,” she noted. Prof Maretha Opperman

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Head of FFRU Prof Maretha Opperman’s outstanding contributions to Simulation Engineering Technologies (SET) has earned her first nomination for the NSTF-South32 Awards. Prof Opperman has been nominated in the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation category, which aims at teams or individuals in organisations, universities, corporate organisations and SMMEs, or working independently. It awards their enormous contributions to SET through innovations and their impacts over the previous five to ten years.

“We always had the support from staff and students who motivated us. I also want to mention Prof Chris Nhlapo, who was there from our first steps when he was still DVC: Technology, Research & Innovation.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

110

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP

Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG) (Faculty of Applied Sciences and Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) Prof Marshall Sheldon sheldonm@cput.ac.za

The Bioresource Engineering Research Group (BioERG) was conceptualised and established under the leadership of Prof Seteno Ntwampe together with two co-principal investigators, Dr Moses Basitere and Dr Vincent Okudoh. The departure of Prof Ntwampe in December 2019 led to Prof Marshall Sheldon overseeing the research work by Dr Basitere, appointed as a co-principal investigator responsible for FEBE’s Water and Wastewater Treatment and Agricultural Waste Recovery research division; and Dr Okudoh as the co-principal investigator responsible for the Applied Sciences’ Waste-to-Energy research division. BioERG has continued to operate according to the same vision and mission. The vision is to be a research centre of excellence (COE) committed to technological innovation through bioresource engineering for economic and environmental well-being in Africa. The mission is to commit to the advancement of applied natural resources knowledge through excellent teaching, learning and research. This can only be attained by the dedication of all stakeholders who support the initiatives of the research group. The focus of this research entity is based on the development and furthering of the qualifications of previously disadvantaged students who have academic potential but limited financial support. The successes of this research group include Dr Basitere’s recognition by the South African Young Academy of Science.

Dr Moses Basitere Co-principal Investigator, FEBE: Research division Responsible for sub units: Agrifood/Agrowaste Wastewater/Water Engineering – Poultry slaughterhouse basiterem@cput.ac.za

Dr Vincent Okudoh Co-principal Investigator, Applied Sciences: Research division Responsible for sub units: Waste2Energy Biofuels Materials Sciences Environmental Biotechnology okudohv@cput.ac.za

2020 was a most difficult year in which to conduct research amid the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. Students were not allowed to enter the research laboratory due to health and safety regulations and restrictions. During the pandemic, the research group showed resilience through its collaboration and networking. It produced five journal papers and one conference proceeding from the FEBE focus area, and five journal papers and one book chapter from the Applied Science Waste2Energy research focus area. Funding secured showed good recognition of the quality of the outputs from the research group.

• •

a Khula programme candidate assigned to CPUT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, submitting her PhD: Chemical Engineering thesis for examination Online conference presentations were also delivered at the 18th Johannesburg International Conference on Science, Engineering, Technology & Waste Management (SETWM-20) in Johannesburg in November An ex officio member, Dr Enoch Akipelu, returned to CPUT as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Horticultural Sciences

STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 • • • •

• •

Dr Basitere received a Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) R1 000 000 grant in collaboration with TUT and Magalies Water. He also received NRF Thuthuka Postdoctoral track funding Dr Okudoh attended the Agro-Industrial Biogas training by International Biogas & Bioenergy Centre of Competence (IBBK) Germany, UCT and South African Biogas Association (SABIA) Dr Okudoh obtained R970 000 from the NRF Thuthuka (Post-PhD track) grant for 2020-2022 Dr Okudoh signed a sub-contract with Prof Eugene van Rensburg and Prof Johann Görgens of the Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, SU for a multimillion project sponsored by THRIP and industry partner iBERT for 2020-2022, which covers two master’s bursaries to the value of R300 000 Dr Okudoh delivered a keynote address at the World Biogas Summit & Expo organised by the World Biogas Association and Anaerobic Digestion British Association (ADBA), in Birmingham, UK in October The collaboration with the NWU continued, resulting in Ms Inocentia Erdogan,

• • • • • • • • •

Dr Mahomet Njoya completed his doctorate in two years and has published more than four journal articles and presented his work at an international conference Mr Shaun Mgoma completed his master’s degree summa cum laude and will graduate in 2021 Ms Oma Angadam, a summa cum laude master’s graduate, received the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Award for the year 2020 Ms Carrelle Gabrielle Ossinga, master’s candidate and a Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship recipient, completed her degree and will graduate in 2021 Mr Sandile Charles Khumalo, a master’s candidate and a recipient of NRF Thuthuka linked grant, completed his degree with a cum laude and will graduate in 2021 Dr Maxwell Mewa Ngongang graduated in June 2020 and was appointed as a postdoctoral fellow with the Faculty of Applied Sciences under the supervision of Dr Okudoh Dr Ncumisa Mpongwana joined DUT as a postdoctoral fellow focusing on research management after receiving her DEng: Chemical Engineering from CPUT Ms Ucrecia Faith Hutchinson graduated in June 2020 and has been appointed as a technician in CPUT’s Department of Biotechnology & Consumer Sciences Dr Benjamin Okeleye and Dr Elizabeth Omodanisi (postdoctoral fellows) attended the Bioinformatics Training Course at the South African National Bioinformatics Institute, UWC, from February to March 2020

111 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

BioERG graduated a large group of doctoral and master’s degree students. Graduation took place through the first CPUT Smart virtual online graduation. The year also showed collaborative research outputs with both local and international universities such as North-West University (NWU), University of Mpumalanga and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (Malaysia).

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP

Phytotherapy Research Group (Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences)

112

Dr Samantha Meyer

•

meyers@cput.ac.za

•

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

The principal investigator for the Phytotherapy Research Group is Dr Samantha Meyer (CPUT). Collaborators are Dr Lulama Mciteka (UWC), Prof Mervin Meyer (UWC) and Prof Martin Onani (UWC). The research activities of this group are funded by the NRF’s Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers (CSUR) Grant awarded to Dr Meyer for 2018-2020 in the amount of R1 114 250. The aim of this research group is to investigate the potential antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of indigenous South African plant extracts and biogenic silver nanoparticles produced from these plant extracts. The group’s objectives are to: • •

Identify indigenous South African plants used in traditional medicine to treat skin infections and wounds Investigate the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of plant extracts produced from these plants

Assess whether these plant extracts can be used to synthesise silver nanoparticles Investigate the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of silver nanoparticles produced from these plant extracts Isolate the bioactive compounds present in the plant extracts

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 Progress during 2020 was relatively slow as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Researchers were off campus for the better part of the year. However, the following noteworthy achievements were accomplished: • The antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of plant extracts produced from Cotyledon orbiculata, Sutherlandia frutescens and Salvia africana were further investigated • Silver nanoparticles were then synthesised from the above plant extracts • These silver nanoparticles were then subjected to antimicrobial and woundhealing analyses CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS Ms Caroline Tyavambiza, Prof Mervin Meyer and Dr Samantha Meyer presented ‘The antimicrobial activity of Cotyledon orbiculata against antimicrobial resistant microorganisms’ at the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2020 Virtual Symposium in September.

PUBLICATIONS Dr Eunice Nyawade, Prof Martin Onani, Dr Samantha Meyer and Dr Phumuzile Dube published ‘Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity studies of new 2-pyrral-L-amino acid Schiff base palladium (II) complexes’ in Chemical Papers.

STUDENT GRADUATION Ms Phumuzile Dube obtained her PhD from UWC with Dr Samantha Meyer as co-supervisor. POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION Dr Samantha Meyer is the main supervisor of the following postgraduate students registered at CPUT: Ms Caroline Tyavambiza (PhD), Ms Lucille van Schalkwyk (MSc) and Ms Chidimma Esther Obidigbo (MSc).

113 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Phumuzile Dube, Dr Samantha Meyer, Prof Abram Madiehe and Prof Mervin Meyer published ‘Antibacterial activity of biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles synthesized from Salvia africana-lutea and Sutherlandia frutescens’ in Nanotechnology.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

114

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY STATION

Agrifood Technology Station (Faculty of Applied Sciences) Mr Ndumiso Mshicileli mshicilelin@cput.ac.za

The Agrifood Technology Station (ATS) platform provides a range of interdisciplinary technological services to the agrifood sector, focusing on existing smaller and medium enterprises with a view to improving competitiveness and innovation as well as research and development capacity in a sustainable manner. It is funded by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) initiative of the Department of Science & Innovation (DSI). ATS offers a wide range of services that can assist food and related companies in developing, enhancing and maintaining safe, efficient and cost-effective food production and processing. Situated at the Department of Food Science & Technology (DFST) on the Bellville Campus, ATS offers their clients access to the pilot plant, analytical and research laboratories, processing areas, and general and cold stores.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 The year 2020 started well for ATS, with the previous Station Manager, Mr Larry Dolley, working as an interim manager after his retirement at the end of 2019. Mr Dolley retired with an excellent record and having made an enormous contribution to the success of the station and DFST activities. With the ATS financial year 2019-2020 ending in March, the station reported an 82% target of its set service level agreement (SLA) with the TIA. Then the Covid-19 pandemic arrived, turning 2020 into a most challenging and demanding year for the station, CPUT, companies, and the world in general. The student unrest in early March further compromised the general performance of the station. The beginning of lockdown towards end of March posed new challenges, but also created new opportunities, forcing ATS to find new innovative ways of working towards achieving its objectives for the following months. The work done at the station is mostly technical, practical and has always been carried on-site at CPUT premises. However, adhering to Covid-19 regulations and protocols meant that work could no longer be performed on-site. A 28% target of the yearly records during the third quarter was indicative of those difficult and strange times. New avenues of generating productivity during working hours were sought. Virtual meetings, webinars and conferences became part of the activities to which staff became accustomed. The support of CPUT through the supply of data and Wi-Fi routers made a significant impact on staff’s adjustment. It assisted staff to accumulate and document hours spent on relevant online platforms and account for the time reported as ‘value for money’.

YOGI SORGHUM WITH PONTSHO LELOSA The Yogi Sorghum project was funded by ATS’s client Pontsho Lelosa to the value of R200 000, and was part of the Grassroots Innovation Programme (GIP) under the TIA. Its goal was to produce a kefir-based sorghum drink as an alternative healthy beverage for health-conscious and diabetic consumers. The prototype was produced with desired outcomes, with the next phase of project being to focus on sensory evaluation, packaging and shelf-life. AFRICAN AGRI COUNCIL (AAC) PARTNERSHIP

WESTERN CAPE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS DOCUMENTATION CENTRE (WC IKSDC)

ATS continued to support postgraduate projects through technology training, demonstrations and instrumentation accessibility. The station’s staff were also instrumental in DFST’s annual new product development (NDP) with production of insect flour (entomophagy), which is part of the department’s niche area of research. PUBLICATIONS Staff from ATS co-authored two research papers in the Journal of Food Chemistry. These were presented in February and March 2020 as part of a collaborative study with DFST and counterparts in Argentina, under an NRFfunded project related to nanotechnology. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS The station’s community engagements such as basic food safety and hygiene training conducted through NGOs and NPOs were also affected by the banning of gatherings and mandatory social distance regulations. These are sought after and it is hoped they may be offered for these groups in 2021. INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

The IKSDC and DSI representative held a successful data quality check workshop in December 2020 at the ATS offices, relating to the verification of DSI standard requirements and ensuring these are met. This was a precursor to the finalisation of data syncing of all the IK holders recorded, claims and harvested IK information which should take place in 2021. PROJECTS A DFST project comprising a modified and improved microbrewery was completed and equipped with sensors during 2020. This will allow research conducted in this field to generate significant data toward controlling the process of brewing in real time, and will certainly contribute positively to the products brewed for the SAB’s Brewing & Tasting Intervarsity Competition and other postgraduate research projects.

With the gradual ease of the lockdowns and Covid-19 regulations during 2020, ATS staff have learned and adapted to the ‘new normal’ while driving the objectives of the station. Towards the end of 2020 there has been a steady increase of activities and potential impactful projects that will be commissioned well into 2021. These include an exciting client, Cocoa Emporium, that will utilise ATS’s chocolate factory for short production runs. These were introduced by WESGRO and bring a wealth of expertise and experience that will undoubtedly bring a lot of synergy to our activities.

115 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

A collaborative partnership was forged between AAC and ATS, with the aim of ATS participating in the AAC’s Market Support Programme (MSP). ATS partook in AAC sponsored workshops as part of the MSP aimed at capacitating entrepreneurs in agro-processing. These MSP participants have access to ATS’s processing plant, laboratories, etc. with any Research & Development work directed through CPUT’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO).

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

BIO-ECONOMY & BIOTECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITS NEW FOOD PRODUCTS • • • • • • •

Food Science & Technology third-year student, Ms Megan Mulholland, said the food is high in omega-3, omega-6 and protein, and is aimed at addressing poverty in poor urban communities and first world countries. This is compared with typical insect-rich diets in rural areas and third world countries. While the students were nervous, Ms Mulholland said the assessors were “very approachable and not too scary”.

116 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Amasoja cookie – chocolate cookies with black soldier fly flour for added protein Bite Cookies – a chocolate-flavoured cookie with mealworm flour Cheesy Bug Bites – savoury biscuits with black soldier fly flour Flyer Crackers – savoury crackers with black soldier fly flour Pasta Al Manjo – pasta made with mealworm flour for added protein Spin-A-Cracker – savoury spinach and tomato flavoured crackers made with mealworm flour Vanilla Rusk – buttermilk-flavoured rusks made with mealworm flour

“The industry assessors also commented on the professionalism and how wellprepared the students were in terms of their subject knowledge,” said Prof Van Wyk. The assessors also stated that one of the products has a strong chance of featuring at the Food Innovation Awards platform in the UK.

Students showcase their creative food projects

The annual New Product Launch event gives a platform for students to showcase their projects and the subject knowledge of the students are evaluated by industry experts. Head of Department of Food Science & Technology, Prof Jessy Van Wyk, expressed her contentment with the students’ proficiency in producing new food products from insects. These are mainly to provide nutrition for poor communities. The products are safe for human consumption but are not market-ready yet, and require more development. Prof Van Wyk explained, “Three of the products, Flyer Cracker, Crunchy Rusks and Amasoja cookie have excellent prospects of making a success in the market, should we be able to find a company or an SME which would want to take it further.” The list of the products which were assessed by the industry experts:

Ms Mulholland said that the cheap and nutritious food is a good source of energy, which has been made tasty, safe and appealing for consumers. While designed towards creating greater food security, they also want to make it popular in urban areas and first world countries. Reaffirming her student’s position, Prof Van Wyk added that a stigma persists around insect-based foods, which are still considered a poor man’s food to a large extent. She said that the team is aiming “to develop products for the top-end of the market.” She also commented that this can be a solution to food security challenges to the global community. “The cultivation of insects requires a fraction of the resources – land, water, feed, other energy, etc. – hence it is and will progressively become a more sustainable source of protein to feed the population of our country, the continent and the world.” She also added that the product has to be developed using the scientific method, and that the project, involving all departmental staff members and the Agrifood Technology Station, has been “a true example of teamwork makes dream work”.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREA

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Introduction by Prof Robert Van Zyl

The establishment of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) signalled a formal and coherent approach to the development of space-based research, engineering and technology innovation in South Africa. This focus area serves as a catalyst for expanding current research in order to leverage the societal benefits that can be derived from multidisciplinary space-based services. The focus area is informed and guided by national and regional developmental imperatives, primarily the National Development Plan (NDP). Operation Phakisa is an initiative by the South African government to fast-track the implementation of critical solutions that address issues highlighted in the NDP. The first initiative of Operation Phakisa focuses on the South African ocean economy and is subdivided into four areas, one of which focuses on Marine Protection Services and Governance.

The main thrust of research within this focus area is creating space-based solutions to enhance the maritime domain awareness (MDA) of the South African exclusive economic zone. ZACube-2 was the first mission to validate technologies for the MDA. The satellite was launched in 2018, and represented a precursor mission for an ambitious constellation of nanosatellites – the MDASat constellation – now under development. The first three satellites in this constellation will be launched in 2021 as the MDASat-1 mission. The generic implementation of the comprehensive space programme at CPUT, as guided by its ZACube-1 mission five-year development plan, is summarised below: Phase 1 - Development of technological capability Phase 2 - Leveraging the capability to derive research benefits Phase 3 - Development of production capability Phase 4 - Development of a sustainable vehicle for research through nanosatellite technology Phase 5 - Managing a constellation of nanosatellites to the benefit of CPUT and South Africa The focus area has now reached phase 5 of its development.

117 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Over the past decade, South Africa has become increasingly dependent on space-based applications to manage its national resources and security objectives. Space science is indeed one of the five Grand Challenges defined and addressed by the Department of Science & Innovation in its 10-year Innovation Plan.

vanzylr@cput.ac.za

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

118

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Key institutional arrangements providing a solid foundation for growth of this focus area are: • The French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), which emanated from a partnership between the governments of the two countries • The Africa Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) hosted by F’SATI, which serves as an innovation hub to take research to the marketplace through its international industry partnerships • The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Innovative Small Satellite Technology & Applications for Africa, which is in progress and will embody the approach set out in this focus area • Amaya Space, a spin-off company designed to commercialise the intellectual property developed in the CPUT satellite programme, primarily within ASIC The focus area comprises the following research niche areas and staff:

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SPACE SEGMENT Prof Robert van Zyl, Prof Robert Lehmensiek, Mr Francois Visser, Mr Clive Whaits, Mr Charl Jooste, Mr Nyameko Royi and Mr Leon Steenkamp SPACE APPLICATIONS Prof Robert van Zyl, Mr Siddique Motala and Mr Kevin Msungu ICT FOR SPACE Dr Laban Mwansa, Prof Elmarie Biermann, Dr Angus Brandt and Dr Vipin Balyan INDUSTRIALISATION OF SPACE Prof Stephen Bosman, Prof Mellet Moll, Prof Graham Oliver and Ms Patricia Khwambala SPACE SCIENCE Dr Kessie Govender, Mr Rory Pentz and Prof Pierre Cilliers

Aerospace engineers at CPUT

LEADING THE SPACE RACE IN AFRICA CPUT is primed to be a hub for postgraduate space technology studies on the continent with the establishment of the Pan African University for Space Sciences Institute. Minister of Finance Mr Tito Mboweni announced in March that CPUT, the Western Cape’s largest university, would host this important technology node. It came as no surprise to the university, since conversations in this regard with a variety of stakeholders, including DHET, DSI and SANSA have been ongoing for a number of years. VC Prof Chris Nhlapo welcomed Mr Mboweni’s statement, saying that CPUT looked forward to hosting the continent’s brightest minds in space technology studies and that “the creation of this university will foster wealth creation on the African continent and increase data sovereignty for the region. The fact that CPUT will be on the forefront of this exciting development is a big win for universities of technology and reflects the collective hard work, dedication and ambitions of a team who have been working diligently behind the scenes for years.” CPUT’s Satellite Programme hosted by F’SATI is based on the Bellville Campus and is already a leader in the field after its second nanosatellite, ZACube-2, was successfully launched in December 2018. The programme has already produced well over 60 postgraduate students to support the space industry. Through its vibrant innovation hub, the Africa Space Innovation Centre, CPUT spearheads the commercialisation of nanosatellite technologies. The CPUT satellite programme has been boosted by the awarding of an NRF Research Chair in Small Satellite Technology and Applications for Africa, as well as the implementation of a master’s degree in Satellite Systems and Application focused on satellite engineering.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE

French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

F’SATI hosts the CPUT Research Focus Area: Space Science & Technology, with a programme aimed primarily at postgraduate research and training. It offers international master’s and doctoral dual qualifications in partnership with institutions in France. The CubeSat nanosatellite platform facilitates practical training, which typically spans four phases: Theory, Research, Development and Innovation. The last two phases take place within ASIC, where engineers are employed in a professional environment. The vision of F’SATI and ASIC is to be a world-class African innovation and support hub with end-to-end capability in the design and manufacture of nanosatellites and their components, space operations and ground-based support. The institute also undertakes data acquisition and handling for the provision of cost-effective satellite-based solutions tailored to the continent’s specific socio-economic needs. Among the relevant applications are space weather research, marine vessel tracking, wildfire detection and monitoring, and communications and technology validation.

Prof Robert van Zyl vanzylr@cput.ac.za

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 NEW FUNDING New funding of R18 209 197 was secured for the next phase in F’SATI’s programme, namely M2MSat-1 (Machine to Machine Satellite). This is for a period of 20 months. The source of the funding is the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) through their Technology Development Fund. EXHIBITION SPACE AT COFIMVABA SCIENCE CENTRE F’SATI has secured permanent exhibition space in conjunction with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) at the new state-of-the-art Science Centre in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape. The institute is grateful to South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) for their funding support. NEW QUALIFICATION INTAKE: MEng The first intake of students for the newly established Master of Engineering in Satellite Technology & Applications took place in 2020. This is a course-based, structured master’s degree. Lectures commenced in June, and all tuition was facilitated on remote platforms.

119 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Since its establishment in 2009, the F’SATI Postgraduate Programme in Satellite Systems Engineering at CPUT has seen ten years of sustained funding from the Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) for the development of human capacity and skills required by the South African space industry.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEW QUALIFICATION WITH UPEC F’SATI developed a new qualification in collaboration with the University of Paris East Créteil (UPEC). UPEC received EU funding for the development of a joint postgraduate qualification with CPUT in the field of space science and technology. In the new Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa, this will likely be a joint degree. RESEARCH RATING Prof Robert van Zyl, the Grant Holder, attained a C3 NRF-rating.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

120

POSTGRADUATE BURSARIES Postgraduate bursaries from the NRF were awarded to eight F’SATI students – one doctoral and seven master’s students received this vital financial support in order to enable their postgraduate research. FUNDING GRANT FROM EMBASSY OF FRANCE A funding grant from the Embassy of France in South Africa amounting to €5 000 has enabled the purchase of specialised equipment for use by Dr Gideon Wiid, who joined the institute’s team during 2020. Dr Wiid brings much-needed supervision capacity and research know-how to the programme. ANNIVERSARIES OF SATELLITES IN ORBIT F’SATI institute celebrated seven years in orbit of ZACube-1 (TshepisoSAT, launched in 2013), and two years in orbit ZACube-2 (launched in 2018). The institute is enormously proud of the achievement of having these two satellites in space. RESEARCH SEMINARS Although F’SATI’s activities for the year were curtailed tremendously as a result of the worldwide pandemic, it still managed to host a number of research and research-related seminars for its students. One of these gave students an opportunity to present their research work to the larger student body and staff complement. Another, which took place before lockdown, featured Dr Annette Froehlich of the German Aerospace Centre and European Space Policy Institute.

RESEARCH CENTRE

Africa Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

Over the past five years, the ASIC team of engineers has developed a suite of communications products with proven space heritage on a growing number of missions. These products span VHF, UHF, S- and X-band for telemetry and payload data communications. ASIC is also responsible for the full lifecycle development of nanosatellite missions. Work has started on the design and manufacture of three MDASat nanosatellites that will be the next step in the South African government’s Operation

121

Phakisa and its oceans economy and biodiversity initiatives. This project is a precursor to a larger constellation of similar satellites. All intellectual property developed in ASIC is licenced to an industry partner, and the products are sold internationally through Clyde Space AAC of Scotland. The ASIC engineering team members are Prof Robert van Zyl, Mr Francois Visser, Mr Nyameko Royi, Mr Charl Jooste, Mr Leon Steenkamp, Mr Stephen Cupido, Mr Donovan Cogan, Mr Etnard Louw, Mr Morné Roman, Mr Kanyisa Mtshemla, Ms Lilie Leopold, Mr Sinamandla Maqina and Mr Shane Martin. Mr Ian van Zyl provides operational support to the centre.

FUNDING SOURCE Research Technology and Innovation (RTI): CPUT Prestigious Project TOTAL

AMOUNT 1 000 000 1 000 000

Prof Robert van Zyl vanzylr@cput.ac.za

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

ASIC was established as a formal RTI research centre within CPUT in 2013. It has since evolved into a vibrant innovation hub, where its graduates and engineers develop cutting edge nanosatellite technologies in new high-tech facilities. These technologies help to support space-based applications such as space weather research, marine vessel tracking, wildfire detection and monitoring, communications and technology validation.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

122

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Instrumentation Research (CIR) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) Dr Kessie Govender govenderk@cput.ac.za

The Centre for Instrumentation Research has a long-standing history within the Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering and is based in the new Electrical Engineering Research Building on the Bellville Campus. The research group consists of a number of master’s students, together with staff members Dr B. Goenewald (who graduated with the doctoral degree in 2020), Mr J Wheeler and Mr K Jooste. The main projects currently undertaken are novel electronics for direct current technology. A 350V direct current house project is in process. Household appliances are moving towards direct current, which makes the conversion from alternating current to direct current unnecessary and wasteful. The CIR has developed a focus group which is conducting research into a DC micro-grid and 350V direct current house model that will hopefully set the trend for the future domestic landscape. This is a collaborative project involving a number of local and international partners including De Haagse Hogeschool Delft and and Technische Universiteit Delft in the Netherlands, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, and industrial experts in the Netherlands. 2020 was an unusual year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and so minimal laboratory work was accomplished in this centre.

RESEARCH GROUP

Quantum Physics Research Group (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

Current projects include the development of an atomic clock for satellite applications, generation and characterisation of entangled photons for quantum key distribution, and fundamental studies of laser–atom interactions. The group has established collaborations with researchers at the Laser Physics group at Stellenbosch University, the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) and the Quantum Physics Research Group at UKZN. The group is funded by an NRF Thuthuka grant, a CSIR-NLC laser rental pool grant, and CPUT’s Research Directorate and Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment. Additional financial support is also provided by F’SATI. Currently there are two doctoral students and three master’s students in the group. 2020 was an unusual year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and so minimal laboratory work was possible. However, two conference papers that were presented in 2019 were finalised and published this year. Another accomplishment that makes the group proud, is that master’s student Mr Victory Opeolu graduated this year (after having completed his thesis last year). More information on the activities of the group, and its members and publications, can be found at: http://www.cput.ac.za/ academic/faculties/engineering/research/quantum_physics

123 Dr Kessie Govender govenderk@cput.ac.za

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Quantum Physics Research Group was established within the Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering in 2014. Led by physicist Dr Kessie Govender, the group currently conducts investigations and develops expertise in quantum-based technologies. A quantum optics laboratory has been established for the purpose of cooling atoms and the subsequent development of quantum information processing components.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

124

FOCUS AREA

SMART ENERGY

Introduction by Prof Mohamed Tariq Ekeramodien Kahn

khant@cput.ac.za

This focus area’s research vision may be defined as an aspiration to provide innovations in the field of Energy that improve quality of life and create value. This vision relates directly to these UN 2030 high impact Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13 Climate Action; and thus indirectly as well SDG 3 Good Health and WellBeing.

efficient use and transfer of energy, and the general power system improvement to meet the UN’s SDGs. Providing cost-effective integration of smart energy systems at scale requires balancing present needs, existing fossil fuel resource optimisation and renewable energy deployment in line with future needs.

The concept of ‘Smart Energy’ involves leveraging synergies among innovations across all sectors of the electrical, chemical, thermal and fossil fuel energy systems. It encompasses transdisciplinary collaboration and technologies. This focus area requires all energy-related research in any centre across departments and faculties to collaborate with a vision for excellence. This is crucial to a sustainable energy future.

E-MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION

Focus Area 3: Smart Energy encourages extensive use of the ‘smartness’ that digital innovations enable across areas such as energy production, transportation,

Difficult trade-offs exist between quick wins and long-term strategies, which is a challenge in the energy sector. The innovative exploratory research areas mapped by the research under this focus area will achieve solutions tailored to SA’s National Development Plan and the UN’s SDGs. The following research niche areas are among those broadly encouraged in this focus area:

Increased efficiency in fossil fuel-based transportation, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and extended range electric vehicles is a key player in transportation. This research area is relevant to SDGs 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17. ENERGY PRODUCTION, USE AND ACCESS Sustainable, renewable and alternative energy sources – including cleaner

fossil fuel generation, oceans’ energy and waste management approaches – are being investigated across the disciplines of electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering, as well as through interfaculty collaborations. The key elements in improving energy efficiency would be in reducing the 67% rejected energy on the user side, as well as optimising the demand-side use of energy. This is achievable with power electronic systems and improvements in advanced metering and sensor/communication technology applied across the sector. This research area is relevant to SDGs 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16. ENERGY EFFICIENT AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN SETTLEMENT

In addition, the expansion of smart sensor technology helps to monitor operations, crops, and livestock with IoT and ambient intelligence, which can also branch out to include green buildings and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) climate control in buildings and warehouses. This research area is relevant to SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 15, 16 and 17. POWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, SMART GRIDS AND MICROGRIDS Energy management systems (EMS) were introduced to combine both the power system hardware and the intelligent software systems that monitor, control and plan for the operation of power systems. EMS is a concept used to identify the systems that forecast, monitor, measure and control energy generation and energy consumption for a reliable and stable operation of modern smart electrical grids. Development of techniques for assessing customer accountability for harmonic distortion across a ring main network, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV Systems under different meteorological conditions, stability assessment of interconnected IPP renewables to the utility grid, improvements in microgrids and smart grids are investigated in this research area.

Real-time distributed systems, advanced digital technologies, energy modelling – including big data in load forecasting – and blockchain techniques in electricity from generation to load utilisation are explored. This research area is relevant to SDGs 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 17. During 2020, twelve researchers and four post doctoral fellows participated in research projects linked to niche areas in this focus area. Research supervisors in the well established MEng Energy programme experienced a steady uptake in students, and the new MEng in Smart Grids entered its second year. Despite the uncertainties arising as a result of the pandemic, research projects and publications from the various research centres with an energy focus remained steady an even grew considerably. These are reported on in the sections that follow.

125 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Water is essential for agriculture and human settlement. Researchers are looking at developing improved methods of renewable energy-based desalination, pumping and energy efficient water purification. The mechanised agriculture sector, including aquaponics, depends on effective use of energy in the forms of strategic solar and wind farm placement, smart sensor deployment and electromechanical interface development.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

126

SMART ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Energy Institute (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

khant@cput.ac.za

The focus area leader for Smart Energy, Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn, is the Director of the Energy Institute and CPUT’s Research Chair: Energy. The Energy Institute links various researchers in these research centres: • Centre for Distributed Power & Electronic Systems (CDPES) • Centre for Research in Power Systems (CRPS) The Energy Institute bases its research on the 2030 SDGs adopted by CPUT and on the institution’s 10-year RTI Blueprint. Focus Area: Energy is promoted within the Energy Institute via various niche areas. Megatrends like urbanisation, globalisation and digitalisation are stimulating change in our world, and the energy sector must be driven toward a more sustainable future. A key aim of the Energy Institute’s research is to enhance the prosperity and quality of life for all people by championing the cause of energy access.

Through its research, the institute strives to enhance the energy value chain, from power generation and distribution, energy usage in buildings, industry and mobility, to products, solutions and the services sector. The institute’s energy research has high and medium impact on numerous SDGs, including ones most affected by the pandemic, namely SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13 Climate Action. The Energy Institute’s aim is to foster collaboration among energy researchers and groups by building a network of expertise to shape the future course of energy development in southern Africa. The focus on interdisciplinary world-class research and advancing novel research in energy is at the heart of the institute. The institute’s objectives are to promote technologies for efficiency and sustainability and integrate these into smart city applications in South Africa; to support the introduction of sustainable energy solutions and energy access into urban and rural areas; and to create awareness and be at the forefront of new techniques, processes and developments in energy technology. The year 2020 was indeed an extraordinary year for research, and for all of us as people. Despite that, the following outputs can be positively reported.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 Researcher Prof Seun Oyakola

Master’s supervision

Doctorate supervision

Journal articles

Conference proceedings

Book chapters

Dr Marco Adonis Dr Khaled Aboalez

Dr Atanda Raji

Dr Ali AlMaktoof

Dr Balyan Vipin

Dr Efe Orumwense

Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn

Dr Fareed Ismail

127

Dr Ouasini Nemrauoi

1 3

LABORATORY LAUNCHES AND UPDATES FOR 2020 During 2020, the Laboratory for E-Mobility and Battery Testing (LeBaT) continued work with senior graduate students, amidst strict protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The laboratory is proud to house the unique NEP funded Chroma Battery Test and Simulation System.

The Laboratory for Advances in Converter and Inverter Design (LACID) continued with development work during 2020. Dr Akim Moussavou was appointed as postdoctoral fellow overseeing the laboratory’s work. Under the leadership of Dr Atanda Raji, the Energy Institute, in conjunction with CDPES, undertook a Horizon 2020 international project collaboration. Titlted ‘Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: Research and innovation in support of the European Green Deal’, this was initiated towards the end of 2020 and submitted in January 2021.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Eric Simpeh

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

128

SMART ENERGY

ORGANIC DISINFECTANT BOOTH FOCUS OF ENGINEERING OUTREACH

Dr Ali Almaktoof and research students incorporated a digital event, the Institution for Engineering and Technology (IET) Student Conference at CPUT in November. The Masters in Energy degree, the biggest postgraduate degree programme at CPUT, continued to attract positive enrolments during 2020. The MEng Energy degree is unique in that it attracts students from interdisciplinary research sectors, and students that graduate can be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa upon application.

A low-cost and easily deployed spraying booth, which could be used for disinfection spraying of high traffic areas such as taxi ranks, is the focus of an investigation by the Energy Institute’s Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn. The project is one of several currently underway at CPUT in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Prof Kahn, who is Director: Energy Institute and Research Chair: Energy, said the investigation centres around the use of organic disinfectant as opposed to bleach-based booths. The latter have proven hazardous to users and the environment. Prof Kahn has already produced a basic version of the booth, and is also organising an energy research innovation event with Initiate! which forms part of the prestigious and well-attended African Utility Week programme which this year takes place in November in Cape Town. With POWERGEN Africa, this is the key exhibition and conference for the African power, energy and water industry. Celebrating its 20th edition this year, the exhibition is a meeting place for over 10 000 industry professionals from over 80 countries. It is an opportunity to connect at numerous events, and discover new products and services, with over 360 exhibitors, and a strategic conference with more than 350 renowned experts and free-toattend Knowledge Hub seminars.

Some staff of the Energy Institute were involved in the operations and review committees of two digital event conferences during 2020.

Prof Kahn is investigating a sanitisation booth

RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Distributed Power & Electronic Systems (CDPES) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn khant@cput.ac.za

Through its research CDPES aims to: •

• • •

Dr Marco Adonis adonism@cput.ac.za

CDPES TEAM MEMBERS Prof Tariq Kahn (head), Dr Marco Adonis (deputy head), Dr Atanda Raji, Prof Wilfred Fritz (Van Humbolt fellow), Mr Deon Kallis, Mr Achmat Fish, Dr Akunle Ayaleso, Dr Balyan Vippen, Dr Effe Orumwense and Dr Ali Almaktoof. During 2020, Mr Christopher Wills provided technical support.

129 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

Develop power conversions for renewable energy sources and investigate the interconnectivity of distributed resources with microgrids and electric power systems Apply such technology in multidisciplinary applications in the energy sector, especially commercial and industrial Investigate and apply optical fibre and wireless communication techniques over large-scale power systems for telemetry and control of microgrids, both AC and DC, and deploy into smart grids Improve control schemes for power converters and drives Develop instrumentation for complex alternatives such as the wind, solar and nuclear energy sectors, including environmental protection and sustainable development

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

•

During 2020, CDPES members produced numerous peer-reviewed national and international conference papers:

•

130

• •

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• • • • • • •

‘A comprehensive thermoelectric cooler (TEC) modelling’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘CCHP systems analysis with emphasis on fuel cells, thermoelectricity and power converters’, 5th International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies (SpliTech) ‘Nanogrid based energy trading system for a rural off-grid community in Africa’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘An analysis of solar PV access to alleviate energy poverty in Benin’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘Comparison of thermal, flywheel and supercapacitor energy storage for an African microgrid’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘Energy efficiency and energy management in South Africa: Standards, barriers and policies’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘Design for a standalone wind–hydrogen plant: A novel in Tripoli-Libya’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘Modern assessment of nuclear energy safety systems and waste disposal management’, AIUE Congress: International Conference on the Use of Energy ‘Access to efficient and sustainable energy: Case of Madagascar’, IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica ‘Benefits of electric vehicle as mobile energy storage system’, IEEE PES/ IAS PowerAfrica ‘Energy efficiency techniques for residential, commercial and industrial application in sub-Saharan Africa’, IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica

Team members also published several peer-reviewed journal papers: •

‘Broad band opto-capacitive power line communication coupler for DC nanogrids’, in Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences

• •

•

‘Modelling and control of a grid-tied power conditioning unit for a megawatt fuel cell system’, in International Journal of Engineering & Technology ‘A structural review of thermoelectricity for fuel cell CCHP applications’, in Journal of Energy ‘Assessment of wind energy potentials for rural energy deployment in the Vhembe district, Limpopo province’, in Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences ‘A structural review of thermoelectricity for fuel cell CCHP applications’, in Hindawi Journal of Energy ‘Solar energy assessment and estimation using climate data and local environmental conditions’, in Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal (ASTESJ) (special issue on Multidisciplinary Innovation in Eng Science & Tech) ‘Fire detector system with wireless communication for domestic use’, in Journal of Applied Science

The centre produced the following unaccredited publications, articles and preprints: • • • • • • •

‘A comprehensive thermoelectric generator (TEG) modelling’, Zenodo ‘Covid 19, 5G and urban legends’, Zenodo ‘Blockchain in energy: A new paradigm for local energy communities (LEC) of the 4IR’, Zenodo ‘Digital blockchain technology in energy: A technical report for smart transactions in the age of social distancing’, Zenodo ‘Imploring the atom: Nuclear plant lifespan extensions’, in ESI Africa ‘Is blockchain the enabler of cross-border energy trading?’, in ESI Africa ‘Review of blockchain technology: Enhancing services of distributed energy systems’, a report

Team members published the following book chapters: •

‘Radio direction-finding techniques for an unmanned aerial vehicle’, in Micro-Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

•

‘Development of a down-converter for a software-defined radio environment’, in Micro-Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL SUPERVISION • • • • • •

Prof Kahn: 24 MEng and 8 DEng Dr Aboalez: 2 MEng (1 co-supervised) Dr Adonis: 15 MEng and 2 DEng students Dr Raji: 24 MEng and 6 DEng Dr Vipin: 6 MEng and 2 DEng (1 co-supervised) Dr Almaktoof: 8 MEng and 1 DEng (co-supervised)

The totals of graduate students with active theses in CDPES during 2020 were 76 in MEng and 13 in DEng programmes.

A total of two DEng and six MEng students graduated this year. The DEng degrees were in Electrical Engineering and were awarded to: Dr Khaled Ben Hamad for ‘Fuel cell power conditioning multiphase converter for 1400 vdc megawatts stacks’; and Dr Barend Bernhardus Johannes Groenewald for ‘Sustainable off-grid electricity supply using a LTE communication model for rural towns in South Africa’.

RESEARCH FUNDING • • •

Eskom TESP awarded three grants of R50 000 each to Dr Almaktoof, Dr Adonis and Dr Raji SASUF awarded R80 000 funding to Prof Kahn URF awarded R100 000 to Dr Raji

Four CDPES members participated on the following boards/committees of the Africa and International Energy Congress (AIUE Congress 2020), November (a digital event, based in Cape Town): • Dr Adonis sat on the Advisory Board • Dr Raji sat on the Advisory Board • Dr Almaktoof sat on the Advisory Board and the Reviewer Board • Prof Kahn was part of the Operations Committee and was a co-editor of the proceedings

CPUT-IET ON CAMPUS CPUT’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) On Campus was created in 2019, but officially launched as a student community and the first such establishment in South Africa in 2020. Dr Almaktoof represents CDPES, and he and Prof Kahn are full members of IET. Students from CDPES formed a committee which plans to develop an annual event plan. Some events will be run independently by the students, others will be run in partnership with the university and the local research networks.

131 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

POSTGRADUATE GRADUATIONS

ADVISORY BOARD AND REVIEWER BOARD MEMBERSHIP

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

132

SMART ENERGY WORKSHOPS, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Specialist Certification developed by Typhoon HIL took place in August, and included the following modules: • Typhoon HIL Control Center • Modelling Fundamentals • HIL for Power Electronics • HIL for Microgrids • Communication Protocols • Test Automation CPUT’s Centre for Innovation in Educational Technology (CIET) provided the following online training courses: • Blackboard Test Creation in July • Teaching with the Blackboard Mobile App in June • Uploading marks on the Blackboard Grade Centre in June • Respondus and Resources in May • Course Design for Remote Teaching and Blackboard Tools, Blackboard Basics, Blackboard Intermediate and Blackboard Advanced training (four parts) in April CPUT’S Postgraduate Conference 2020 (a digital event) was hosted by the Centre for Postgraduate Studies in November. CDPES students, all supervised by Dr Almaktoof, presented the following: • ‘Design and simulation of a soft switching bidirectional DC-DC converter for a battery storage system’ (oral presentation) • ‘Implementation of ISO 50001: 2018 energy management systems in steelwork manufacturing’ (oral presentation) • ‘Modelling and design issues of model predictive current control of a voltage source converter’ (poster presentation) • ‘Design of an improved LCL filter for a grid connected PV system’ (poster presentation) • ‘Maximum power point tracking development in wind turbine using modified perturb and observe algorithm’ (poster presentation) • ‘Performance investigation of grid connected solar PV system’ (poster presentation) Dr Raji and Dr Adonis are currently researching the field of engineering education. They both participated in the curriculation of the new Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) honors qualification.

RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Research in Power Systems (CRPS) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

khant@cput.ac.za

Dr Khaled Aboalez aboalezk@cput.ac.za

CRPS team members are Prof Tariq Kahn (head), Dr Khaled Aboalez (deputy head) and Mr Christopher Wills (technical support).

133

The research centre’s aims are to: • Develop integrated HVAC/HVDC networks within power systems • Study and improve power quality problems, efficiency and energy saving techniques • Expand grid studies in line with modern protection and control systems and the implementation of 4th Industrial Revolution ready systems • Evaluation, application and comparison of modern industrial grade frequency and time-domain software packages • Grid frequency support with a high penetration level of wind energy generation systems • Advanced protection systems for smart grids • Energy management systems for hybrid energy systems for different applications • Modelling and advanced control strategies for grid connection and islanded operation • Demand-side management impacts on distribution networks • Model predictive control in power systems • Power systems and energy engineering education research

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Prof Mohamed Tariq Kahn

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS DURING 2020

TECHNICAL REPORT

PEER-REVIEWED NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PAPERS

‘Blockchain in energy: A new paradigm for local energy communities (LEC) of the 4IR’, Zenodo

•

MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL SUPERVISION

• •

134

•

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• •

‘Harmonic power direction method for smart grids’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘Design of utility harmonic mitigation filters for power transformers’, IEEE Power Africa ‘Simulation of a hybrid PV system and micro-hydropower using Matlab/ Simulink’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘Energy consumption in a data control center of a cloud-based cyberphysical system’ 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘The role of cloud computing in energy cyber-physical systems’, 18th Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference ‘A proposed energy management system (EMS) for a residential microgrid’, 1st Energy and Human Habitat Conference

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL PAPERS • • •

‘A proposed harmonic monitoring system for large power users considering harmonic limits’, in Energies ‘Exploiting TV white spaces for smart grid communications’, in Journal of Communication ‘An energy-efficient network architecture and spectrum sharing technique for cognitive radio based smart grid communications’, in International Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation

BOOK CHAPTER ‘Performance analysis of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV systems under real meteorological conditions’, in Modern Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques for Photovoltaic Energy Systems

Prof Kahn supervised five master’s students and 1 doctoral student (one cosupervised by Dr Aboalez). Dr Aboalez supervised 16 master’s students and 1 doctoral student (co-supervised by Prof Kahn)

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS Dr Aboalez mentored two postdoctoral fellows: • Dr Efe Orumwense • Dr Martial Giraneza

OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES Dr Aboalez has an NRF C3 rating. In addition to research in the field of smart energy systems, Dr Aboalez is currently also conducting research the field of engineering education, with a focus on developing socially just pedagogies for energy engineering education. This year, Dr Aboalez participated in the curriculation of the new Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) honours qualification, with a focus on power systems and electrical machine subjects to build the capacity of a new generation of power systems researchers.

RESEARCH FUNDING Dr Aboalez secured the following funding during 2020: • Eskom TESP funding of R50 000 • NRF Incentive funding of 50 000 • CPUT NRF rated researcher award funding of 50 000

INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION Research collaboration took place with researchers from: • Mansoura University, Egypt • University of Western Cape (UWC) • University of Cape Town (UCT) • Centre for Distributed Power & Electronics (CPUT)

135

C3 RATING FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LECTURER

Dr Aboalez, who was awarded a PhD in Electrical Engineering degree by Mansoura University in Egypt in May 2011, was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pretoria in 2012 and CPUT in 2015. He is currently supervising research projects for master’s and doctoral students at CPUT, which revolve around smart grids, microgrids, energy management, and optimal operation and control of renewable energy systems. “My research is also extended to the artificial intelligence-based forecasting methods of the power produced by wind and photovoltaic systems,” he added.

Dr Khaled Aboalez to impart cutting-edge research skills

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Senior lecturer in Energy Management Systems Dr Khaled Aboalez has been awarded an NRF C3 rating. Dr Aboalez said the C rating is awarded to established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in the field who are recognised by their peers as having produced quality work, the core of which has coherence and attests to ongoing engagement with the field. He continued, “As a C-Rated Researcher, I will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers whom I supervise for master’s and doctoral degrees, along with postdoctoral research fellows.”

Dr Aboalez sees the rating as an excellent boost to his academic and research career. “It will put me in good stead for funding applications to support my research in the field of smart grid and renewable energy systems. It was a long research and learning journey from Cairo to Cape Town, but it was a rewarding long walk for success,” he concluded.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

136

SMART ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Real-Time Distributed Systems (CRTDS) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) Dr Quinton Bart bartq@cput.ac.za

CRTDS team members are Dr Quinton Bart (leader), Dr Mkhululi Mnguni (deputy leader), Dr Carl Kriger, Prof Raynitchka Tzoneva, Dr Senthil Krishnamurthy, Mrs Nomzano Tshemese, Mr Mukovhe Ratshitanga, Mr Haltor Mataifa and Dr Yohan Mfoumboulou (postdoctoral fellow). The centre strives to make theoretical and application-based contributions to advances in real-time distributed systems. It works on the development of novel models, design methods, software, hardware and their integrated application for real-time monitoring and control. It also aims at insightful and focused determination of proper areas of application and research through appraisal and reappraisal of emerging control technologies. The core activities of the centre are: • Design and implementation of nonlinear controllers • Design and implementation of adaptive controllers • Distributed control development based on the IEC 61499 standard for function block programming

• •

Design and implementation of networked control systems Optimisation of complex distributed systems and development of algorithms for parallel computation

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 CRTDS achievements during 2020 in research, development and applications of the IEC 61499 standard and technology to various industrial processes include: Novel theoretical methods, software and real-time implementation of these methods using PLCs and the RTDS simulator were developed and tested by postgraduate students under the supervision of Prof Tzoneva: • A multivariable controller of an industrial debutaniser distillation process together with its mathematical and simulation models was developed and validated using a data acquisition system with a Beckhoff PLC by MEng student Mr Andiswe Mbadamana • A new method for two-level hierarchical control of a multi-area generation system was developed by DEng student Mr Mohamed Esmail • A method for the design of an optimal nonlinear controller based on Lyapunov’s theory for the control of interconnected power system and its real-time implementation using RTAC controller, PMUs and the Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) was developed by MEng student Mr Tswa-wen Pierre Patrick Banga-Banga

•

A method for design of decentralised controller for an interconnected flotation process with three inputs and three outputs was developed and implemented using PLC by DEng student, a staff member, Ms Nomzamo Tshemese Tshemese

The following funding was secured: • Eskom TESP programme – R120 000 • Eskom EPPEI project collaboration with Stellenbosch University’s Specialisation Centre – R100 000 Note: Eskom funding has been awarded but not yet received due to the pandemic The centre published one journal article: ‘Investigation of an IEC 61850 standard-based process bus implementation of a protection and control scheme for parallelly connected transformers’, in Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology The year 2020 was indeed an extraordinary year for research, and for all of us as people. Despite that, the following outputs can be positively reported.

137 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Erasmus+ Mobility for staff and student exchange collaboration agreement continued with Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, Department of Automation and Control. Prof Alexander Ichtev visited CRTDS and presented his research work and identified possible areas for collaboration.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Substation Automation & Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

138

Dr Carl Kriger

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

krigerc@cput.ac.za

CSAEMS team members are Dr Carl Kriger (leader), Dr Senthil Krishnamurthy (deputy leader), Prof Raynitchka Tzoneva, Dr Quinton Bart, Dr Mkhululi Mnguni and Mr Mukovhe Ratshitanga. The centre aims to address the need in South Africa for research infrastructure development that supports human capital development and research and innovation in the field of the metering, monitoring, protection, automation and control of smart power systems, with a focus on current and emerging standards in this domain. The centre has attracted investments from numerous industrial partners and donations from some of the vendors of equipment due to its visionary approach. Core activities concentrate on contributions to the theory and practice of substation automation, energy management systems and smart grids, including: • Continuation of the newly developed MEng Electrical Engineering Smart Grid qualification under the Erasmus +K2 DAMOC project

• • • • • •

Training, development and knowledge transfer through equipment-orientated courses, aimed at both industry engineers and postgraduate students at other collaborating universities Interpretation, modelling and implementation of the IEC61850 standard functions at all levels for the control, protection and automation of smart grids Development of innovative protection schemes for various applications Integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) to power grids Development of test-bench facilities for the testing of ideas, project solutions, and new developments in the field of power systems Real-time simulations and the provision of innovative solutions to energy management problems in the conditions of smart grids

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 Achievements of CSAEMS during 2020 include: 1. Novel, innovative theoretical applications and methods, algorithms, and practical implementation with embedded system development, computers,

Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), Data Networking Switches, Real-Time Automation Controllers, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and RealTime Digital Simulator (RTDS) were designed, built, tested and validated by current postgraduate students. A number of these solutions were tested and validated in real-time using the Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test bed capability offered by the RTDS. The results showcase excellent performance compared to conventional solutions. •

•

• • • •

3. A collaboration agreement for work and financial support of South African postgraduate CPUT students by Eskom bursary funding was signed with the Eskom Power Plant Energy Institute (EPPEI) Specialisation Centre for Renewable Energy at Stellenbosch University. 4. The design and development of the CSAEMS website which contains all the activities and research information of the research group has been completed and will go live in early 2021 (www.csaems.com). This website will be linked to the CPUT website and will provide more visibility to the centre and its activities, and raise the profile of the university as a whole. 5. The following funding was secured: • Eskom TESP programme – R200 000 • Erasmus+ K2 DAMOC project for staff claims - €1 700 • Eskom EPPEI project collaboration with Stellenbosch University Specialisation Centre – R140 000 • Eskom TESP Energy Reserves Project in collaboration with Stellenbosch University – R1 000 000 Note: Eskom funding has been awarded but not yet received due to the pandemic

139 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

A Power Quality device compliant with the IEC 61850 standard was developed and implemented on an embedded system platform by MEng student Mr Mayamiko Hara, who is the first student to successfully complete the new MEng Electrical Engineering Smart Grid course-based programme, and who attained a distinction for his research project (supervisor Dr Kriger) Data Encryption Algorithms for GOOSE and Sampled Value Messages were developed by MEng student Mr Afrika Nzeku (supervisor Dr Bart) Methods and their HIL RTDS implementation for monitoring, protection and voltage control of a system of parallel power transformers based on IEC61850-9-2 process bus were developed by MEng student Mr Willem Diederick Pieters (supervisor Prof Tzoneva) A method for IEC 61850 standard-based integrated protection and power quality control of a traction network was developed by MEng student Mr Simon Kwenda (supervisor Dr Krishnamurthy) IEC 61850 standard-based recloser control schemes for a distribution system were developed by Mr Sikho Ntshiba (supervisor Dr Krishnamurthy) New schemes for IEC 61850 standard-based protection of the coupling point of a wind farm to the power grid were developed by MEng student Mr Sinawo Nomandela (supervisor Mr Ratshitanga) The role of distributed energy resources in smart grid stability was investigated by MEng student Mr Mkhutazi Mditshwa (supervisor Dr Mnguni)

2. Erasmus+ K2 Capacity building and Erasmus+ K1 Credit Mobility international projects: • The Erasmus+ Capacity’s requirement of a new MEng in Electrical Engineering in Smart Grid qualification was met, and seven new parttime students enrolled for the programme at CPUT this year • The DAMOC project members agreed to hold the final dissemination conference at Stellenbosch University in March, however, this did not materialise due to lockdowns in various countries; project leader Prof Tzoneva prepared a final report and poster and for CPUT’s contribution • The new MEng in Smart Grid qualification classes continued in 2020 with the majority of students registering from industry • Staff visited CSAEMS under the Erasmus project K1 for Credit mobility from Yildiz Technical University, Turkey

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

SMART ENERGY 6. The following outputs are noted: •

•

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

140

Mr Willem Diederick Pieters graduated with a Master’s in Electrical Engineering under the supervision of Prof Tzoneva Four journal articles were published: - ‘System-based testing of a voltage differential protection scheme for shunt capacitor bank’, in Energy Reports - ‘An approach for a multi-stage under frequency-based load shedding scheme for a power system network’, in International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE) - ‘A multi-stage under-voltage load shedding scheme using a DIgSILENT power factory software to stabilize the power system network’, in International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology (IJERT) - ‘Development and real-time implementation of an under voltage load shedding scheme using a real-time digital simulator’, in International Review of Electrical Engineering (IREE)

•

One conference paper was published: ‘IEC61850 standard-based motor protection scheme’, at the 2020 IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica Conference

•

Mr Mayamiko Hara was the first student to successfully complete the new MEng Electrical Engineering Smart Grid course-based programme. He attained a distinction for his research project (supervisor Dr Kriger). Mr Hara will graduate at the April ceremony next year.

NEW MASTER’S IN SMART GRIDS LAUNCHED CSAEMS now offers a new and innovative Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering: Smart Grids qualification. Prof Raynitchka Tzoneva said this qualification was built on the application of IEC61850 standard in substation automation and smart grids, which made CPUT the first institution in the world to offer such specialisation. “The qualification programme is unique because it teaches integrated knowledge of IEC61850 standard-based technologies for monitoring, protection, optimisation and control necessary for the building of smart grids,” she said. “The subjects have a strong practical component requiring the real-time implementation of the solutions developed by the students in the research laboratory.” Prof Tzoneva noted that similar master’s programmes mainly taught students some aspects of distributed energy resources technology, which represent only one part of smart grids. “CPUT’s programme looks at the smart grid as a whole.” She added that the new qualification has been developed and accredited under an Erasmus+ K2 capacity-building project called ‘Development of a harmonised modular curriculum (DAMOC) for the smart grid’, aimed at capacity-building for African higher education institutions. The team would be composed from three leading universities from Europe and five from Africa. The programme will include six subjects (five compulsory and one elective) and a research project. It is scheduled to be presented to local and international specialists during the final dissemination DAMOC conference at Stellenbosch University in 2021.

Mr Sinawo Nomandela works on his Smart Grid system

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

FOCUS AREA

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

Introduction by Prof Beatrice Opeolu

The research, teaching and community engagement activities of Focus Area 4 are closely aligned to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A number of SDGs pay attention to economic development and socially responsible societies. This focus area is therefore linked to SDGs: 1) No poverty; 2) Zero hunger; 3) Good health and well-being; 4) Quality education; 6) Clean water and sanitation; 8) Decent work and economic growth; 9) Industry, innovation and infrastructure; 11) Sustainable cities and communities; 12) Responsible consumption and production; 13) Climate action; 14) Life below water; 15) Life on land; and 17) Partnerships for the goals. These areas of research are also consistent with the National Development Plan’s (NDP) priority objectives. These include economy and employment, improving

education, training and innovation, environmental sustainability and resilience, as well as healthcare for all. Focus Area 4 has the following research niche areas: NICHE AREA 1 - CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The following human pursuits have negative impacts on ecological systems: agriculture and manufacturing; bioprospecting of aquatic and terrestrial resources; natural resources exploration and exploitation; and a drive towards economic growth and wealth creation. This niche area hosts studies that support climate-smart inventions. Studies are encouraged that promote sustainable use of land and water, fisheries management, use of environmentally friendly materials, etc. Research themes include agriculture, food security, biodiversity utilisation for wealth creation, marine economy, and alternative environmentally-friendly production processes. NICHE AREA 2 - CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT Population growth, urbanisation and industrial development are some of the major anthropogenic sources of environmental degradation. The basic human necessities of food, fibre and housing have put enormous pressure on natural resources. Conflicts and climate change effects aggravate negative impacts on

141 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Focus Area: The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability focus area replaces the former Focus Area: Climate Change & Environment. The aim of this focus area is to promote research and activities that advance: sustainable utilisation of resources; the mitigation and adaptation of climate change effects; and other pertinent environmental issues.

opeolub@cput.ac.za

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

air, soil and water. Environmental pollution, human health risks, ecological health risks, and natural resources depletion are some of the societal issues that require sustainable solutions. Challenges of water management, wastewater remediation and reuse, environmental pollution control, and sanitation fall within the scope of this niche area. It therefore hosts research and innovation that will offer interventions that may enhance a sustainable environment in a climate-changing world. NICHE AREA 3 - CYCLICAL ECONOMY & DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY Smart cities and smart technological solutions are necessary for sustainable growth and a sustainable environment. Water use, energy efficiency and consumption, integrated waste management, and waste recycling and reuse are

now important strategies in designs. This niche area focuses on research themes that seek to produce knowledge and solutions for the mitigation and adaptation of climate change effects, using any of the strategies. The research and innovation themes under this nich area include solid waste management, cyclical economy, design for sustainability, and climate change. Researchers across the disciplines at CPUT are invited to contribute to the research agenda of Focus Area: The Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability. Please feel welcome to contact Prof Opeolu on 0214603508 or send an email to opeolub@cput.ac.za

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

142 ALUMNUS NOURISHES THE COMMUNITY Mr Mawande Sigwinta, who recently obtained his master’s degree in Chemistry summa cum laude at CPUT, believes believes in social cohesion, African culture and traditional indigenous foods. He feels strongy that the practice of African culture is impossible without agriculture, as our culture is expressed through food, clothing, dance, painting and music. The Project Manager at I-Afrikayam (‘my Africa’) said his garden venture benefits “an immeasurable number of people”, including the patients of Nomzamo Community Clinic, learners from the local public schools, and students through an internship. On 24 September, I-Afrikayam hosted its second annual heritage event to remind us “about our traditions and norms and the important role they play in maintaining social cohesion and humanity, more importantly, emphasise that this is all possible through agriculture”. The 29-year-old from Mthatha, Eastern Cape, started his garden project in 2019, with funding approved by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in 2018. Last year, I-Afrikayam took five CPUT Horticulture students for in-service training. Mr Sigwinta explained, “The idea is to make the garden a tourist destination and specifically serve clients who are highly cautious about their health and the food they consume. [While niche], this market has buying power”.

Mr Mawande Sigwinta at I-Afrikayam Gardening Project

RESEARCH CHAIR

Oceans Economy and the Centre for Sustainable Oceans (Faculty of Applied Sciences)

There is however, a difference between an oceans economy and a blue economy (although politicians and policy decision makers will often use the terms interchangeably). Oceans economies are most often valued for their contribution to GDP, while blue economies are underpinned by two further important pillars in their three pillars that talk to a more holistic contribution of oceans to societal wellbeing. The first of these blue economy pillars encapsulates sectoral ocean economic activities. These refer to the means of ocean resource use to the ends of ocean production, consumption, employment and income generation that are critical to macroeconomic development, investment and strategic planning. They measure the economic values of ocean sectors, such as fisheries, mining, tourism and transport. The second pillar concerns the distribution of economic opportunities, resource-use access and costs, and sharing the proceeds of production in an equitable way as improvements in wellbeing for people, i.e. it answers the question: Who benefits from ocean economies and how? The third blue economy pillar involves ocean wealth. Many of the ocean economy sectors are dependent on ocean health that underpins ocean wealth through the provision of natural capital through ecosystem services, e.g. declines in fish ecosystems lead to declines in fish populations, to declines in catch and supply to fishery economies, to declines in fisher employment opportunities.

Prof Kenneth Findlay findlayk@cput.ac.za

Contributions of oceans to GDP do not capture any changes in natural capital. In fact, they only reflect economic contribution without any measure of declines in ocean wealth, which relates directly to ocean resource sustainability indicators. Blue economies therefore require far more integrated valuation approaches across environmental, economic and social domains that include aspects of ocean risk and ocean governance. The ocean accounting structure currently under development by the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), of which the Research Chair is a member, leads the Africa initiative, and has provided considerable technical input. It provides a framework by drawing on both existing and established accounting systems, such as Ocean Economy Satellite Accounts of the System of National Accounting, the System of Environmental Economic Accounts (Central Framework and Ecosystem Accounts Framework), and novel accounting frameworks in risk and ocean governance. The Centre for Sustainable Oceans is playing an important role in the advancement of ocean accounting in Africa through a number of Communities of Practice (CoP). These include the GOAP Africa CoP (led by the Research Chair); the Western Indian Ocean Governance Exchange Network (WIOGEN) CoP; the Africa Natural Capital Accounting CoP; as well as a National Research Foundation Oceans Accounting CoP. A CPUT postdoctoral fellow, Dr Tainã Loureiro, has recently joined the centre to work in these important areas.

143 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Rapid increases in oceans resource uses are being experienced across the globe. Countries and regions turn to their ocean spaces (their sovereign Exclusive Economic Zones) which extend 200 nautical miles from the coast) to foster economic growth and ensure food, energy and other ocean resource security. These are often referred to as oceans or blue economies.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

The Research Chair has also been involved in a number of other projects this year. One of the largest of these is a multinational project across the southern hemisphere investigating the impacts of climate change on whale population recoveries from severe whaling pressure last century and associated distribution patterns. Largely led by postdoctoral fellow, Dr Elisa Seyboth, the CPUT component of this project has been analysing historic whale distribution patterns with a view to modelling how these have changed in relation to recent ocean environmental changes. Four master’s postgraduate students are undertaking studies as part of this project, while a further four students are registered under the Research Chair’s supervision. Over twenty multi-authored academic publications, one policy brief, one book review and contributions to two technical documents were produced by the the Centre for Sustainable Oceans during 2020.

144

PUBLISHED OR ACCEPTED PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES •

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• • • • • • • • • •

‘Inter-annual decrease in pulse rate and peak frequency of Southeast Pacific blue whale song types’, in Scientific Reports ‘Responses of humpback whales to a changing climate in the southern hemisphere: Priorities for research efforts’, in Marine Ecology ‘South Africa’s newly approved marine protected areas have increased the protected modelled habitat of nine odontocete species’, in Marine Ecology Progress Series ‘Cetacean species richness in relation to anthropogenic impacts and areas of protection in South Africa’s mainland Exclusive Economic Zone’, in Ocean and Coastal Management ‘Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies’, in PeerJ – Life & Environment ‘Seasonal acoustic occurrence, diel-vocalizing patterns and bioduck call-type composition of Antarctic minke whales off the west coast of South Africa and the Maud Rise, Antarctica’, in Marine Mammal Science ‘Acoustic seasonality, behaviour and detection ranges of Antarctic blue and fin whales under different sea ice conditions off Antarctica’, in Endangered Species Research ‘Acoustic occurrence, diel-vocalizing pattern and detection ranges of southern right whale gunshot sounds off South Africa’s west coast’, in Marine Mammal Science ‘An open access dataset for developing automated detectors of Antarctic baleen whale sounds and performance evaluation of two commonly used detectors’, in Scientific Reports ‘Predator-scale spatial analysis of intra-patch prey distribution reveals the energetic drivers of rorqual whale super-group formation’, in Functional Ecology ‘Abundance and distribution of Antarctic blue whales Balaenoptera musculus

• • • •

intermedia off the Queen Maud Land coast of Antarctica’, in African Journal of Marine Science ‘The role of environmental drivers in humpback whale distribution, movement and behaviour: A review’, in Frontiers in Marine Science (section: Marine Megafauna) ‘Oceanographic anomalies in the Southern Benguela coinciding with humpback whale super-groups’, in Scientific Reports ‘A circumpolar analysis of habitat-use variation among humpback whales in the Southern Ocean’, in Ecography ‘The patchy distribution of krill within large swarms drives collective exploitation by super groups of rorqual whales’, in Aquatic Mammals

BOOK CHAPTERS • •

‘Challenges facing marine protected areas in Southern African countries in light of expanding ocean economies across the sub-region’, in Marine Protected Areas: Evidence, Policy & Management ‘Global challenges in maritime security’, in Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications.

BOOK REVIEW ‘Whales of the Southern Ocean: Biology, whaling and perspectives of population recovery’, by Yuri Mikhalev, in Marine Mammal Science POLICY BRIEF ‘Ocean Accounts: A Seachange Approach in Ocean Decision-Making, Policy Briefing 199’ – African Perspectives Global Insights, South African Institute of International Affairs TECHNICAL REPORTS • •

Significant input into the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership Oceans Accounts Technical Framework Guidance Document Final 5-year Project Report – ‘Dugongs of the Western Indian Ocean’ – to the MASMA Fund, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)

SUBMITTED PAPERS (UNDER REVIEW) • •

‘Horizontal and vertical habitat utilisation of the Arabian Sea humpback whale’, for Frontiers in Marine Science ‘Combining regional habitat selection models for large-scale prediction: Circumpolar habitat selection of Southern Ocean humpback whales’, for Remote Sensing

• • •

‘Shared visions for marine planning: Insights from Israel, South Africa and the United Kingdom’, for Ocean and Coastal Management ‘Strong and lasting impacts of past global warming on baleen whales and their prey’, for Global Change Biology ‘Marine Spatial Planning and Ocean Accounting: Two synergistic tools enhancing integration’, in Ocean Governance

ADDITIONAL POSTDOCTORAL PUBLICATIONS (NOT INCLUDED ABOVE) • • • •

‘Bycatch assessment of the vulnerable franciscana dolphin in Southern Brazil: A basis for conservation strategies’, in Animal Conservation ‘What peer-review experiences can offer to early career researchers and to the scientific community’, in Proceeding of the YESS Conference ‘Spatially-explicit estimates of consumption of Antarctic krill by a suite of seabird and marine mammal predators in the northern Antarctic Peninsula’, in Ecosphere ‘Influence of krill (Euphausia superba) availability on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) reproductive rate’, in Marine Mammal Science

SOURCE Griffith University - Humpback whales in a changing climate NRF Ocean Accounts Community of Practice TOTAL

AMOUNT 1 148 551 250 000 1 398 551

Collaboration Agreements (AECOM Mozambique/African Environment/Nelson Mandela Metropolitan) Research Technology and Innovation (RTI): CPUT Chairs TOTAL

CPUT’s Centre for Sustainable Oceans is playing an integral role in the development of Ocean Accounting practices in Africa under its membership of the Global Ocean Accounting Partnership (GOAP). The Centre recently co-authored GOAP Technical Guidance on Ocean Accounts. CPUT Research Chair: Oceans Economy Prof Ken Findlay has identified Ocean Accounts as an exciting, novel approach to African coastal countries are increasingly turning to consistent and standardised integration of their ocean economies ocean resource-use data from environmental, social and economic domains into structures that are similar to national accounts maintained by national statistical offices or finance ministries. Prof Findlay added that they provide the means to account for growth, sustainability and inclusivity of ocean economies, in line with the UN 2030 SDGs. They allow for the monitoring of ocean resource-use information in three important areas: • Ocean wealth (including in ‘non-produced’ ecosystem assets) that are critical for sustainability assessment • Ocean-related income and welfare across demographic groups that provide information on inclusivity and access to ocean resources • Ocean-based economic production that is important in informed strategic economic planning “Ocean Accounting draws on accepted spatial System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA) experimental ecosystem accounting frameworks, the SEEA-Central Framework (including both the non-produced natural capital flows to economic sectors and impact flows from sectors to the environment), as well as ocean satellite accounts within National Accounts Frameworks,” Prof Findlay explained. He added that the GOAP Ocean Accounts Framework has also introduced guidance on an accounting of ocean risk; access and inclusivity in terms of ocean use benefits and costs; and ocean governance as novel accounting components in order to fully address sustainability.

Centre for Sustainable Oceans SOURCE

CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE OCEANS DRIVES AFRICAN OCEAN ACCOUNTING

AMOUNT 423 527 1 500 000 1 923 572

Ocean Accounts consequently provides a number of advantages in the development of knowledge bases for informed ocean governance and policy cycle processes, including boosting the power of data through consistency and structure, integration of diverse data into information products that decision-makers can readily understand, and other metrics and instruments. The centre is leading the Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice Working Group on Ocean Accounts, the Western Indian Ocean Governance Exchange Network Ocean Accounts group, and also plays a lead role in an NRF Community of Practice on Ocean Accounting.

145 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FUNDING Research Chair: Oceans Economy

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Water & Sanitation Research (CWSR)

Dr Bongani Ncube

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

146

ncubeb@cput.ac.za

The Centre for Water & Sanitation Research (CWSR) is the hub of CPUT’s water and sanitation research. CWSR focuses on three main objectives: • Identification and establishment of water-related activities based on regional and national priorities • Facilitation and execution of interdisciplinary research projects which generate outputs, income and postgraduate opportunities • Development and maintenance of partnerships on behalf of CPUT in the water sector regionally, nationally and internationally

The Water Research Commission (WRC) Project 2716: ‘Improving smallholder farmer livelihoods through developing strategies to cope and adapt during drought periods in South Africa’ was completed. The final reference group meeting was held in March. The final report was published by the WRC in November. A new international collaborative project launched this year under the United Kingdom Research and Innovation: Global Challenges Research Fund. Its title is ‘Supporting transformative adaptation and building equitable resilience to drought for sustainable development’ (South Africa and Kenya). The inauguration took place at Stellenbosch University in February. Two project team meetings were held in August. The South African team held five separate meetings for site selection, stakeholder mapping and methodology development during the course of the year. Dr Ncube received her NRF C3 rating in December.

RESEARCH OUTPUTS DHET-ACCREDITED JOURNAL ARTICLES

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020

•

Most fieldwork was suspended during 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Bongani Ncube was a co-convenor of the Social Science Task Team for the W12 Framework Conference held at UWC during January.

•

‘Soil ß-glucosidase activity, organic carbon and nutrients in plant tissue in response to cover crop species and management practices’, in South African Journal of Plant and Soil ‘Management impact and benefit of cover crops on soil quality: A review’, in Soil & Tillage Research

• • •

‘Challenges of accessing water for agricultural use in the Breede-Gouritz catchment management agency, South Africa’, in Water Alternatives ‘Developing a farmer information package: A success story – Feature-emerging farmers’, Water Wheel ‘Potential use of soil enzymes as soil quality indicators in agriculture’, in Frontiers in Soil and Environmental Microbiology

DHET-ACCREDITED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS ‘Short-term effects of cover crop management on soil organic matter and soil alteration index three in the Western Cape province’, 18th South Africa International Conference on Agricultural, Chemical, Biological & Environmental Sciences CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS •

•

OTHER RESEARCH OUTPUTS • ‘Water and sanitation in the face of Covid-19 in Cape Town’s townships and informal settlements’, Institute of Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, UWC (blog article) • ‘Smallholder farmer drought coping and adaptation strategies in Limpopo and Western Cape provinces’, report to the Water Research Commission, WRC Report No. 2716/1/20

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS Two CPUT students graduated this year. Dr Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji received a Doctor of Technology degree in Environmental Health, co-supervised by Dr Ncube. His doctorate thesis title was ‘Impact of cover crop species, termination stage and termination method on soil nitrogen, organic carbon and enzyme activities’.

As the country celebrates Heritage Month in September, Dr Bongani Ncube, a researcher at the CWSR in the Department of Civil Engineering & Surveying, has been devoting her time to working with communities to conserve our natural resources – soil, water and plant life. “When we utilise these natural resources sustainably, we preserve our heritage, making sure that future generations will also enjoy the resources,” Dr Ncube emphasised. Her long term goal is to continue to find solutions in water resource management, environmental conservation and agricultural productivity. Her research covers both scientific and indigenous knowledge. In 2015, her team of researchers completed a project on ‘Insights into indigenous coping strategies to drought for adaptation in agriculture in the Karoo’. “We were amazed by the rich knowledge that exists within farming communities at all levels, from commercial to smallholder farmers… If we can find ways of integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge, farmers are likely to be less impacted by future droughts and climate change.” Dr Ncube hopes that women will take charge of restoring heritage in SA and in Africa, especially in her field. “I believe the restoration of our heritage is everyone’s responsibility, therefore everyone should participate. Many wonderful attributes make us unique as a people, and we can use these to build a cohesive nation, whether in research or the arts. We can also collaborate with other African nations in these spaces.” “I would like to do my bit in reducing poverty and improving food security. Water scarcity, drought, and climate change pose huge challenges that require multidisciplinary approaches. I would like to create more research linkages locally, nationally and internationally,” she added.

Dr Bongani Ncube believes restoring heritage is everyone’s responsibility

147 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

‘Social scarcity of water in (South) African cities: Social science position paper’, The W12 Framework: Supporting Collaboration Among Cities for Water Security ‘Effect of zeolite as a soil amendment on the performance of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. capitata L)’, Soil Science Society Combined Congress ‘Effects of zeolite soil amendment on soil microbial enzyme activities associated with potted Swiss chard and cabbage crops’, Soil Science Society Combined Congress

PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

148

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

Ms Awelani Sadiki received a Master of Environmental Health, supervised by Dr Ncube. Her master’s thesis tile was ‘Challenges of accessing water for agriculture by emerging farmers of the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency’.

NEW RESEARCH COMMISSIONS A new collaborative project titled ‘The greater Cape Town long-term social-ecological research landscape (GCT-LTSER)’ was commissioned this year. Research will commence in 2021.

FUNDING CLAIM/INVOICE

PROJECT

COMPANY/INSTITUTION

WRC 105

2869

WRC

170 000

WRC 106

7153

WRC

239 000

WRC 107

2716

WRC

300 000

TOTAL SOURCE Publication 2018 Chapter in Book Contribution

AMOUNT

709 000 AMOUNT 8 352

Publication 2018 Faculty Contribution

71 829

Publication 2018 Journal Article Contribution

81 434

TOTAL

161 615

RESEARCH OUTPUT 2020 PUBLICATIONS (SUBMITTED TO THE DHET IN MAY 2021)

UNITS

Conference proceedings (submitted)

0.08

Journal articles (audited)

2.45

TOTAL

2.53

RESEARCH CENTRE

Flow Process & Rheology Centre (FPRC) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment)

CWSR focuses on three main objectives: The centre’s core activities include: • Rheological characterisation and modelling of concentrated emulsions, suspensions, solutions and polymer melts and wastewater sludge, and modelling of the phenomena of micro- and nanostructural evaluation involved in the mixing, pumping, transportation and storage processes of multiphase systems • Modelling non-Newtonian flows in pipes, fittings, open channels, tanks and pumps • Instrumentation systems to measure in situ concentration and particle velocity in settling slurry and coarse particle flow, and visualisation in pipes and complex geometries The team members are Prof Veruscha Fester, Prof Irina Masalova, Mr Andrew Sutherland, Prof Rainer Haldenwang (adjunct professor), Prof Raj Chhabra of the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur (adjunct professor), Ms Morakane Khahledi (nGAP) and Dr Nsenda Tshilumbu (on contract).

Prof Veruscha Fester festerv@cput.ac.za

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 Prof Rainer Haldenwang completed an exciting project on the impact of different cements and superplasticisers on the flowability of self-compacting concrete. The work was sponsored by PPC and Mapei. It started in 2013 and involved five MEng and one DEng students. The work has been presented at eight national and international conferences and written about in five journal articles. In 2020, staff member Mr Mzwandile Jakuja finalised his MEng analysing the effect of blending two superplasticisers on the static segregation of SCC mortars using rheology. An article about this work has been submitted to a journal. The work was co-supervised over the past few years by Dr Willy Mbasha, who obtained his DEng as part of the project and now works as a technical manager for PPC in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mr Andrew Sutherland completed an exciting project on modelling drying and autogenous shrinkage of high strength concrete with and without mineral and chemical admixtures. In this study, a comprehensive concrete shrinkage database was compiled from the 2018 Northwestern University database. A technical report was published, and the material was published to the Concrete Institute of South Africa database and made available for general use. From this, relevant data was used to modify the RILEM B4, MC 2010 and WITS shrinkage models

149 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Flow Process & Rheology Centre (FPRC), founded in 1995, applies the fundamental principles and techniques of rheology to solve industrial problems such as deformation and flow under different shear, material structure and process flow conditions. Since its inception, the group has produced more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

150

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

to predict drying and autogenous of high strength concrete with and without additives. In addition, a new composite model was developed for high strength concretes displaying an early age peak in their shrinkage profile, but data for such concretes is very limited. The modified models were able to predict shrinkage within a +/-20% band, which is considered good for such analyses. The work was done as an MEng project by Ms Rahima Noordien, and a paper considering certain aspects of the work has been submitted to Computers and Concrete. Prof Irina Masalova sadly passed away in August 2020. Prof Masalova was one of the founders of the Southern African Society of Rheology (SASOR) in 2006. She set up the first centre of rheology at CPUT, and was the leader of the FPRC from 2009 to 2017. Prof Masalova helped many in academia and in industry understand rheology and its practical applications. Her many contributions to the FPRC and her work in emulsion rheology have left a meaningful legacy. Prof Masalova’s most recent research on emulsion technology resulted in a publication titled ‘Is the combination of two particles with different degrees of hydrophobicity an alternative method for tuning the average particle hydrophobicity?’ Dr Nsenda Tshilumba worked with Prof Masalova since his master’s degree, and will continue with the work. The follow up paper titled ‘Effect of oil type on stability of water-inoil emulsion stabilised using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquiozane nanomolecules’ is currently being prepared by Dr Tshilumba and Prof Veruscha Fester. Ms Morakane Khahledi completed her studies on ‘The effect of sharp crested orifice shape and Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid properties on discharge from a tank’. Supported by the nGAP programme, she was seconded from the department to the FPRC in 2017. She started her studies in the department of Civil Engineering & Surveying in 2004 and completed her in-service training in the FPRC that year. Ms Khahledi completed her BTech in 2006 on the topic ‘Tank overflow measurements using weirs for kaolin slurries’. She then completed her MTech in 2015 continuing with her BTech research. Her doctoral journey started in 2016 and she is due to graduate in 2021. Her findings were published in a journal article and presented a model to predict the flow of non-Newtonian fluids through sharp crested orifices from a tank. The model can be used for flow-rate predictions. Ms Khahledi has been supervised/mentored by Prof Haldenwang since 2006. She has co-supervised one MEng student who was studying the flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids through orifices with different aspect ratios. The student graduated in April 2020. She intends to extend this work to granular flows from tanks.

Prof Fester served as chairperson for two sessions on Applications of Rheology to Industrial Processes at the 18th International Congress on Rheology (ICR 2020). The conference was originally set to be hosted in Rio de Janeiro in August 2020, but was eventually held virtually in December due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There were over 600 presentations. Prof Fester, Dr Tshilumba and Ms Khahledi presented at the conference. The FPRC also funded attendance for one of the doctoral students from Chemical Engineering to be part of the conference and present his work as well as for two doctoral students from Food Science to attend the short course on rheology hosted two days prior to the conference. Rheology is a huge field and holds potential in improving products and processes, and the FPRC has been a major force in promoting the science of Rheology over the years.

RESEARCH GROUP

Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation (Faculty of Applied Sciences)

The assessment and monitoring research projects focus on the identification, characterisation, monitoring and effects of chemical (inorganic and organic) and microbial pollutants on the environment. The remediation research projects concentrate on the development of appropriate techniques to remediate and manage polluted sites. This research group is involved in a number of projects, which are led by staff members in various academic disciplines, from environmental sciences to biology. Postgraduate students play a very important role in the group’s research activities. Some research is being conducted in the freshwater environment on the impacts of metal pollutants on water quality and riverine biodiversity. Plants and animals are used as biomonitors to assess the effects of pollution on the biological component of the environment. Some student projects are done in the coastal marine environment, because this zone is so important for the South African economy from a tourism and livelihoods point of view. During 2020, a study on the bioaccumulation and toxicity impacts of metals associated with antifouling paints from discharges from land- and sea-based sources was completed. A new study is in the process of being initiated along

Prof James Odendaal odendaalj@cput.ac.za

the Cape West Coast. It is investigating the effect of local industries on metal contamination of the coastal zone and how this affects the ecologically important semi-terrestrial organisms along the coastline. Too little research is currently conducted in South Africa on the impacts of pollutants on the terrestrial environment. Therefore, some of the group’s research is aimed at studying the effects of pollutants in the terrestrial environment. In these projects, soil organisms are used to determine the effects of pollutants on soil quality and the health of soil ecosystems. A project aimed at determining the impacts of metal pollutants on afromontane forest pockets was concluded this year. This project is however continuing as part of a postdoctoral investigation on the possible relationships between the impacts of metal pollutants on forest pockets and their ability to act as carbon sinks. The Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation research group aims to contribute to the body of scientific knowledge in a variety of crucial environmental concerns. It is hoped that its research will contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of human activities on the functioning of the natural environment. Ultimately, through its research activities and outputs, the group aims to contribute to the development of South Africa’s environmental policies, legislation and environmental guidelines and standards.

151 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The focus of the Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation research group embraces chemical and biological assessment and monitoring, the development of remediation techniques to address the problem of environmental pollution and management, as well as environmental and human health risk assessment.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

152

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH GROUP

Nanomaterials Research Group (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) The primary focus of the Nanomaterials Group (NMG) is to evaluate the fundamental and applied aspects of novel synthesis techniques, characterisation and application of functional nanomaterials. New novel materials are developed and studied by the research group.

Prof Veruscha Fester festerv@cput.ac.za

Figure 1: Organogram of the research group

Dr Mahabubur R Chowdhury chowdhurym@cput.ac.za

The group is committed to the development of a fundamental understanding of how enhanced physico-chemical, electrochemical and electronic properties arise in functional materials. In 2020, Dr Chowdhury and his team developed a new technique to transform a post deposited thin film of CuO to Cu2O via plasma-assisted nitrogen treatment. This technique can be very useful in applications where a precise amount of mixed phase material is required for specific application. The research group consists of 15 MEng students and three postdoctoral fellows.

LECTURER’S ASPIRATION TO CHANGE LIVES EARNS RECOGNITION

Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury’s aspiration to change the lives of people in Africa through research and innovation has earned him a nomination for the 2020 National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers. Having already received his NRF Y rating, the Department of Chemical Engineering senior lecturer has also been nominated for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award.

153

Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury nominated for award

With the country and the global community facing the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Chowdhury said, “This year is a challenging time, as we adapt to new norms and standards. All these achievements are a culmination of previous years’ hard work and effort. It just bore fruit this year.” The lecturer attributes his academic success to his dedication and passion for research that he hopes will change the way we live. “My nomination is a validation of my hard work and the quality of my research from my institution. The evaluation and award process and its outcome are often used as an indicator of the quality of researcher that this university is nurturing. So, the greater number of awarded researchers CPUT has, the more prestigious it is for the institution.”

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

He said this award recognises research excellence by current Thuthuka grant holders, and that his research focus is on the newly emerging field of advanced functional materials. Dr Chowdhury, who was also nominated for this category in 2019, said, “My research aims to develop functional materials that aim to be used for biosensing, gas sensing, renewable energy generation, and environmental remediation.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

154

FOCUS AREA

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

Introduction by Prof Janet Condy The Human, Health & Social Dynamics (HHSD) research and innovation focus area at CPUT intersects with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16 and 17. These address an array of social, economic, health, political, legal, scientific and technological issues. They stimulate trans/multi/interdisciplinary thinking to challenge South African researchers, industry and policy developers to answer existing questions, and to create new disciplines and develop new, relevant and applicable technologies. This focus area contributes to greater global understanding and builds knowledge of shifting human, health and social dynamics. This supports trans/multi/ interdisciplinary collaborative research, and responds to the needs of our South African society. Opportunities include the integration of strong theoretical and empirical links, enabling the following multidisciplinary research approaches to integrate personal, societal and environmental transformation in order to:

• • • •

condyj@cput.ac.za

Promote humanity and humaneness in the 21st century Create spaces where researchers collaborate and conduct research in a trans/ multi/interdisciplinary manner across disciplines, faculties and units at CPUT Develop the capacity to deconstruct boundaries and interrogate the ways in which members of society may intersect with and reinforce one another Create a social and structural justice orientation which enables work towards a transformed society

In addition, and more specifically, the word ‘technology’ in our One Smart CPUT brief provides us with a special focus in research into human, health and social dynamics. Technology necessarily entails a close relationship between the university and society, which includes working life and creating a sense of humancentredness. Technology enables this new description. Human, health and social science research at a UoT would then, firstly, serve to problematise and improve the relationship between university curricula and practices and those of broader society, e.g. through integrated learning initiatives. Secondly, research can highlight how technology and new ideas may be taken up by society in different ways (i.e. accepted, changed, shelved or rejected), and how changes in human, health and social innovations can be harnessed for the benefit of society.

POTENTIAL RESEARCH NICHE AREAS •

•

Connecting societies: Crossing boundaries, inside and outside the university, developing and bridging people for well-being and social cohesion - Sustainable Development Goals: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17 - National Development Plan chapters: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15

•

Human rights: Freedom, health, equality, dignity, ubuntu, access to service and justice, and ethics - Sustainable Development Goals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16 and 17 - National Development Plan chapters: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15

•

Health and well-being: Quality of life, wellness in communities, service delivery, social determinants of health, food security, technology for well-being - Sustainable Development Goals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16 and 17 - National Development Plan chapters: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15

CPUT’s Research Chair: Literacy Development, which is housed in the Faculty of Education, introduces teachers and lecturers to transformative literacy pedagogical approaches, focusing on developing higher order thinking skills and later assessing their impact in teaching and learning. Founder of the 16-year-old Literacy Association of South Africa and manager of the accredited Reading & Writing Journal, Prof Condy believes that the South African schooling system narrowly promotes rote learning and this has severely limited the country’s tertiary students’ higher cognitive functions. Prof Condy explained how the research conducted in her unit differs from typical research and intersects with the Focus Area: Human, Health & Social Dynamics. “Since I am introducing, through intervention programmes, innovative teaching pedagogies and approaches to lecturing staff across the university, my idea is to track the lecturers’ use of these transformative strategies and how they impact on their own teaching and learning and that of their students.” Prof Condy’s motivation stems from her deep-rooted passion for providing a socially-just, decolonised educational space where everyone’s voice matters. “What lights my fire is delving deep into my pedagogical approaches and techniques and finding creative and innovative ways of working with every learner or student, developing student-led pedagogies.” Last year was her 23rd as a staff member in the Faculty of Education. “The most memorable milestone and highlight of my academic journey at CPUT was my inaugural speech in April 2019 when I was promoted to full professor. This was the most amazing, humbling experience of my life and I would like to sincerely thank CPUT for the extravagant way in which they celebrated this occasion.”

Prof Janet Condy spearheads CPUT’s research efforts

155 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Empowerment: Purposive agency, care and the ethics of care, services and practices, transformation and 21st century innovations such as the 4th Industrial Revolution - Sustainable Development Goals: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17 - National Development Plan chapters: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15

LITERACY RESEARCH ENHANCES TEACHER CAPACITY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

156

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS CPUT AND USAF TO HOST TRANSFORMATION WEBINAR The Universities South Africa (USAf) Transformation Managers Forum (TMF) collaborated with SA’s 26 universities on a series of transformation webinars. CPUT hosted the virtual Transformation Webinar, Series 2: Teaching and Learning Practices and Assessments on 7 August. The panellists were DVC: T&L Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, acting Dean of Health & Wellness Sciences Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, and acting HOD: Curriculum at Fundani Mr Siya Sabata. The respondent was SARChi WIL Chair Prof Chris Winberg, while it was moderated by Director: HERS-SA Ms Brightness Mangolothi. Prof Paul Green, Chairperson of the CPUT Institutional Transformation Forum (ITF), said the main purpose of this collaboration was to encourage universities to promote transformation and decolonisation agenda discourse across their areas of focus. “These conversations are part of a journey towards redressing past inequalities and social justice deficits as well as addressing digital transformation in responding to fundamental mandates of teaching, learning, research, and community engagements in the context of social justice,” Prof Green explained. TMF represents all transformation directors of the 26 universities, and works in partnership with the ITFs of each of the universities. TMF accounts to the USAf and Ministerial Transformation Oversight Committee of Higher Education. Director of CPUT’s Transformation, Social Cohesion and Diversity Unit, Ms Nonkosi Tyolwana, said this programme would assist CPUT to accelerate the transformation imperatives of higher education and ensure that no student was left behind due to inequity and socio-economic background. She said that the university community needed to have a continuous conversation on “how we can build our Smart CPUT from the transformation lens. We need more conversations, dialogues, public lectures, and above all, transformation and decolonisation must find expression in the content of what we teach, research agendas, Virtual transformation and the curriculum.” webinar hosted at CPUT

TWO ACADEMICS SELECTED FOR TAU FELLOWSHIPS Two academics, Dr Lizel Hudson and Professor Oluwaseun Oyekola, were selected to participate in the Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) fellowships programme. The TAU programme is a HELTASA project, funded through the DHET University Teaching Development collaborative grants. Dr Hudson, the WIL and Language Co-ordinator in the Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences, was nominated for the programme by Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, Dean of the Faculty, Prof Oluwaseun Oyekola and Dr Lizel Hudson and said she accepted nomination without hesitation. “To say that I am excited is an understatement, I am humbled by the opportunity to represent CPUT on this programme. I am looking forward to engaging with like-minded scholars from other institutions to share our experiences and to learn from them,” said Dr Hudson. Prof Oyekola, Co-ordinator: Postgraduate Studies in the Department of Chemical Engineering, said he expressed his interest in the programme when FEBE circulated the call for nominations. “I have a vision of including critical compassionate citizenship within the engineering field. I believe TAU will avail me the opportunity to realise this and equip me to develop expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning,” he said. The programme aims to: • Contribute towards the enhancement of teaching and learning in higher education in South Africa, by supporting the development of academics across institutions and disciplines as scholars, leaders, change agents and mentors in their fields • Foster an engaged and responsive understanding of teaching in varied institutional and disciplinary contexts • Enable TAU participants to develop their capabilities to engage in and serve as change agents, individually and collectively, in building a socially just education CPUT has also participated in the previous two cycles of TAU, with four staff members successfully completing the programme.

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS FOR ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME Dr Pieter Boer is a lecturer at the Department Human Movement, Faculty Education in Wellington. He is involved with interesting and helpful research into the effect of eight weeks of free-style swimming training on the functional fitness of adults with Down syndrome. “I have a brother with Down syndrome. He’s named Rory, and is 31 years old. I have a natural feel when working with individuals working with Down syndrome. I really enjoy it. They see all the small things in life. They are very loving. They enjoy exercising with loud Afrikaans music playing in the background. Nothing provides me with more pleasure being in their company,” said Dr Boer.

Mr Rory Boer

157

completed the 11 functional fitness tests (2 balance, 1 flexibility, 3 muscular strength and endurance, 1 cardio, 2 functional and 2 swimming). See attached hand-sketches for some of these tests. Participants in the swimming training group exercised three times a week for eight weeks. Attendance of all sessions was strictly monitored. Each session was conducted for 30 minutes during the first four weeks. The last four weeks consisted of 40 minutes per session. The training was completed in a swimming pool with a length of 12 metres and depth of 1.4 metres.

Dr Boer said that studies conducted on non-elite swimmers report significant improvements of body mass, body composition, aerobic capacity, submaximal exercise capacity, muscular strength and various health-related variables. Collective improvements such as these may be possible as swimming involves full-body continuous aerobic activity where many of the large muscle groups are used. Dr Boer believed that an intervention of this nature conducted on a DS adult population could significantly alter functional fitness parameters previously shown to improve in isolation.

All participants were able to complete the 11 functional fitness test items. No serious or adverse events occurred during baseline, intervention or posttesting. The intervention period was met with excellent adherence, with 11 of the 13 participants attending over 90% of the exercise sessions. After eight weeks of training, the results showed significant improvements for the swimming group for body mass, BMI, aerobic capacity, dynamic balance, all three muscular strength and endurance tests, 12 metre swimming time, and 8 foot get-up-and-go functional ability (p<0.05).

He conducted research involving 26 adults in their 30s (13 men and 13 women) with Down syndrome. Participants were randomly allocated to the swimming and control groups (13 participants per group). All participants

The swimming intervention was met with excellent adherence and occurred in the absence of serious or adverse events. Dr Boer’s study concluded that a freestyle swimming intervention significantly improved many functional fitness parameters previously shown to improve in isolation for adults with DS.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Pieter Boer

He explained that Down syndrome (DS) is a condition caused by a genetic abnormality that negatively impacts on the physical and intellectual development of an individual. Most people with DS are born with or develop conditions or illnesses that affect their quality of life. Many adopt a sedentary lifestyle, possibly due to these medical conditions or the lack of advice and assistance from health and fitness professionals. Consequently, a large percentage of adults with DS are overweight or obese. Although life expectancy of individuals with DS has increased vastly due to improved medical interventions, the population ages prematurely and their quality of life deteriorates even further with age. Unfortunately, most adults with DS have low functional fitness when compared to the general population and even those with intellectual disability but without DS.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

158

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS CHANGE AGENT COMMITTED TO STAFF DEVELOPMENT Adding value to other people’s lives and appreciating life as it comes motivates Ms Shahieda Hendricks to source external funding for staff development and implementation of internships at CPUT to support the national skills development strategy. Ms Hendricks joined CPUT in 2013 as Manager: Learning & Development, with a wealth of experience gained during her years as a lecturer, social auxiliary worker, coach, mediator, education training and development practitioner, assessor, and board member of the National Skills Authority. “Appreciate what you have, count your blessings, value family and friends, see the best in others and be non-judgemental,” are values she lives by.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Ms Shahieda Hendricks

During the past seven years, she has sourced external funding for staff development, especially for staff members who have wanted to complete their matric or participate in adult education and training. Ms Hendricks has been instrumental in rolling out training for mediators and coaches, and has seen to it that forums for the respective functions have been established. She was also Deputy Chair of the Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (HERS-SA) Board. HERS-SA is an organisation which aims to contribute to the career advancement and leadership development of women in the Higher Education sector by advocating for and contributing to their development via carefully crafted leadership development programmes. “HERS-SA is ready to expand on what it has achieved in the last 19 years,” said Ms Hendricks. “Thus far, we have trained more than 1 200 women through the HERS-SA Academy, and are now looking at the possibility of implementing mentorship programmes and continuous learning opportunities, both online and at universities across South Africa, and exposing young HE staff to HERS-SA leadership development opportunities at an earlier stage in their careers.”

ADVANCING THE STUDENT HOUSING EXPERIENCE Residence Finance Specialist Mr Phillip Chibvuri was appointed to serve as joint treasurer on the executive board of the Association of College and University Housing Officers International Southern Africa Chapter in October. The Association has a global footprint and its core purpose is to advance the campus housing profession in service of students. Mr Chibvuri, who started working at CPUT in 2014, is experienced in the areas of university accommodation, services and finance as well as risk administration. He said he has developed a number of strategies and models in direct response to student accommodation matters. “I am truly humbled by this opportunity to lead and contribute to the regional and world stage... The living and learning environment and university experience is an area that university brands may need to accelerate on. The behaviour, institutional culture and academic prowess of students to some extent are influenced by the services and client experience,’’ said Mr Chibvuri. He continued that he would drive issues around all universities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and liaise with global universities on a wide range of issues relating to student living and learning on campuses. Mr Chibvuri is also working on a project researching the issues around student accommodation, the needs, shortfalls, financing, operational sustainable strategies and the impact of residence experiences on graduates in waiting. * SADC is a regional economic community comprising 16 member states: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Mr Phillip Chibvuri

RESEARCH CHAIR

Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE) (NRF SARChI Chair) (Faculty of Education) Prof Yusuf Sayed

CITE is invested in the development of research capacity among emerging and established researchers in the faculty, as well as postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research fellows. The centre is focused on generating knowledge about initial teacher education, continuous professional development, public private partnerships, and teaching and learning during crises and disruptions. The centre comprises the chair and other staff who are involved with research and with the supervision of postgraduate students. The centre also houses four postdoctoral fellows and one research fellow, the latter being one of its own doctoral alumni. Now in its second cycle of funding, the SARChI Chair in Teacher Education is focused on generating knowledge about the professional development of teachers, at the stage of initial teacher education and continuous professional development, in policy and practice. The objectives of the Chair are to: • Design, generate, and contribute to large-scale research projects generating state-of-the-art research into teacher education in South Africa and internationally • Support capacity development in the field of teacher education, generating a critical mass of new and emerging scholars • Deepen the knowledge base and field of teacher education to contribute to research and policy dialogues about education policy and teacher education To achieve these goals, CITE has a number of large-scale research projects in

159

sayedy@cput.ac.za

various operational stages. The main projects are: • A longitudinal study of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes, focusing on what is known about student teachers’ experience of initial teacher education as well as the experiences of newly qualified teachers • Teacher experiences of continuing professional development (CPD) to understand the experiences and needs of teachers regarding continuing professional development in South Africa and regionally • The role of teachers in the private/independent schooling sector, examining the emergence, evolution and effects of public/private partnerships on teachers and teaching in South Africa and in the southern hemisphere During 2020, CITE staff published seven articles, two books and four book chapters. They also participated in conferences and delivered 16 keynote addresses and papers in conference proceedings, as well as policy reports.

FUNDING SOURCE National Research Foundation (NRF): NRF Chairs TOTAL

AMOUNT 2 999 497 2 999 497

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The SARChI Chair in Teacher Education and CITE, with Prof Yusuf Sayed as its chair and director, was established in 2014. It successfully completed its first phase of operations in 2018. This SARChI Chair is funded by the NRF and housed in CPUT’s Faculty of Education.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

160

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS RESEARCH CHAIR

Literacy Development (CPUT Research Chair) and Literacy Development Research Unit (Faculty of Education) Prof Janet Condy condyj@cput.ac.za

•

Whether in remote areas where classrooms lack resources, or in well-resourced areas with fully equipped classrooms, the intended outcomes of this Literacy Development Research Unit are the same because all children have a right to learn. Literacy is the primary enabler of all sustainable development goals and is the long-term driver of social, economic and environmental justice. The Literacy Development Research Unit’s vision is to foster excellent, relevant and human-centred research and teacher training programmes, where theory and practice juxtapose in the field of critical literacy. It is inclusive of all education sectors. The unit aligns with ‘One Smart CPUT’, focusing on six cross-cutting themes – innovation, partnerships, work-integrated learning, the university culture, social transformation, and quality and sustainability. Within this understanding, and in terms of literacy as a primary instrument of social cohesion at CPUT and nationally, the Literacy Development Research Unit sustained the following objectives during 2019 and 2020:

• •

It developed synchronous and asynchronous training programmes to build capacity among primary and high school teachers and university staff. This improves literacy learner performance, pass rates and quality of passes, thus promoting the employability of learners from previously disadvantaged areas. It devised sustainable, practical, socially-just pedagogical approaches for teachers and lecturers in their own teaching and learning classrooms in socioeconomically deprived areas. It produced credit-accruing text-based research outputs in all aspects of ‘Literacy’. Contributors were staff, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate students including honours, master’s and doctoral candidates. It encouraged social and cultural transformation.

Members of the Literacy Development Research Unit, including two postdoctoral fellows (Dr Heather Phillips and Dr Chantyclaire Tiba) ) offered professional development training to two national teachers’ unions (NAPTOSA and SADTU), and to CPUT’s own ECP lecturers. The unit’s Reading for Meaning (R4M) programme is a leading multidisciplinary, student-centric programme which provides high quality, smart and relevant teaching to meet global educational challenges. CPUT’s Vision 2030 acknowledges that many of the institution’s students register for university lacking critical thinking skills demanded by the 21st century, the 4th Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence. The Literacy Development Unit offers participatory, student-centred, authentic, problem-solving learning. This focuses on developing higher-order critical thinking skills which teachers and lecturers build into their teaching and learning for maximum learning opportunities.

TEAM MEMBERS OF THE READING FOR MEANING (R4M) PROGRAMME

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

Prof Janet Condy (Director)

A significant aspect of the unit’s work has been supporting research, scholarship and engagement in creative activities. In 2020, the unit’s staff themselves attended many international and national workshops and webinars to learn more about doctoral supervision and how to manage Covid-19 in their schools. They have provided responsive support to meet the research and technology innovation needs of their postgraduate students.

•

Dr Chantyclaire Tiba (Postdoc)

•

Ms Amanda Innes (Admin Assistant)

In 2019, the unit had one peer-reviewed journal article, two conference proceedings, and one chapter in a book. In 2020, as a result of the lockdown, staff members have written many more journal articles. Four peer-reviewed journal articles have been published, and 11 journal articles are in review, to be published in 2021/2022. In 2019, the unit supervised six master’s and two PhD students. There were two graduates – one PhD and one master’s summa cum laude. In 2020, there were an additional four master’s students. In 2021, they expect three master’s graduations. The unit hosts monthly master’s and doctoral seminars. These typify CPUT’s smart teaching and learning environment, where lecturers and students provide quality learning experiences and encourage constructive, smart conversations. Meetings take place on the last Friday afternoon of each month, and these times are divided into two sessions: presentations from senior academic leaders in research at CPUT, and PhD student presentations. Many schools have invited staff from the unit to run critical thinking workshops with their staff.

This work leads to a strong body of accredited research outputs, national and international exposure, and participation in our critical literacy training programmes which will accrue financial benefit for CPUT. The Literacy Development Unit focus on growing its own talent and leadership. Through its range of activities, its postdoctoral students have developed a mindset of excellence in academic leadership.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Achieved objectives include: Dr Heather Nadia Phillips (Postdoc)

161

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS RESEARCH CHAIR

Wholesale & Retail Leadership (WRLC) (W&RSETA) (Faculty of Business & Management Sciences)

162 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Prof Roger Mason (Chair until March 2020)

masonr@cput.ac.za

The Wholesale & Retail Leadership Chair (WRLC) was established at CPUT in 2013, hosted in the Department of Retail Business Management, Faculty of Business & Management Sciences.

PROJECTS COMPLETED & PROJECT REPORTS PUBLISHED

Its key objective was to conduct applied and empirical research that would support the growth and development of the wholesale and retail industry in Africa in general and in South Africa in particular. The first phase of the WRLC was implemented from 2013 until 2016, and the second phase from 2017 until 2020. These two phases were overseen by Prof Roger Mason as the Research Chair. The WRLC is entirely funded by the Wholesale & Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&R SETA).

•

In 2020, the WRLC published two articles in DHET-accredited journals. These articles were the result of collaboration between CPUT academics and practitioners in South Africa’s wholesale and retail industry. In addition to the articles, the WRLC also completed seven technical reports this year. The technical reports were the outputs of various projects undertaken by the WRLC in line with the research agenda put forward by the wholesale and retail industry through the W&R SETA. JOURNAL ARTICLES

Dr Virimai Victor Mugobo (HOD: Department of Retail Business Management)

mugobov@cput.ac.za

• •

‘Towards an e-learning support strategy for the retail sector in South Africa’, in International Journal of Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies ‘Source document usage and the financial sustainability of SA small, medium and micro retailers’, in Expert Journal of Business Management

• •

• • • •

WRLC Project 2019/24: Decolonisation and application to the existing RBM programs: The power of indigenous knowledge WRLC Project 2019/25: Profiles of African countries with most potential for South African retailers’ expansion into Africa WRLC Project: 2019/26: Wastage: Its effect on green retail and its role in socio-economic improvement and food security WRLC Project 2019/27: Technology trends and challenges for retail managers in South Africa with special emphasis on e-retailing WRLC Project 2019/28: Status and challenges of automation in the South African retail sector, including automated self-service checkouts WRLC Project 2019/29: Casualisation of labour in the South African retail sector WRLC Project 2019/30: Mentoring model using retail retirees to develop skills of new retail managers

All seven research projects were funded by the W&R SETA and were conducted in pursuit of the research agenda put forward by the wholesale and retail industry. These research projects were conducted by project teams composed of CPUT academics and experienced practitioners employed in this industry. These collaborative efforts are testament to the WRLC’s goal of building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with relevant industry partners. The collaboration between academics and various practitioners in the wholesale and retail sector aims to equip CPUT staff with enhanced capacity though engagement and skills transfer.

RESEARCH CHAIR

Work-Integrated Learning in TVET Colleges (ETDP SETA WIL Chair) (Faculty of Education) ETDP SETA WIL CHAIR PROJECTS 2015-2018 The ETDP SETA provided funding to CPUT to establish a Research Chair for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in TVET Colleges from April 2015 to March 2018. The following three research projects were conducted:

• •

The 2015/16 research project identified current WIL practice and WIL staff development needs of TVET college lecturers The 2016/17 project focused on the feasibility of developing and facilitating the WIL components of TVET staff qualifications, in response to the researched staff development needs The 2017/18 project was an investigation into ETDP SETA-funded RPL practices and processes with the purpose of developing best RPL practice models for the WIL components of TVET staff qualifications

The research findings of these projects resulted in a growing interest in the development of new HEQSF-aligned TVET college lecturer qualifications that have WIL components. Both the ETDP SETA and the DHET focused on the development of the WIL components of TVET college staff qualifications. This project attracted DHET funding for CPUT to lead and co-ordinate the national College Lecturer Education Project (CLEP). CLEP’s goal was to produce a national WIL Curriculum Framework that could be adapted by the Education faculties of 16 South African universities, for the purpose of developing and offering TVET college staff qualifications. CPUT facilitated the development of this national curriculum framework and distributed the completed framework to the Education faculties of the CLEP universities. These faculties (including CPUT’s Faculty of Education) have started to offer TVET college lecturer qualifications (i.e. an Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Education and Training).

ndunaj@cput.ac.za

The need for the development of industry-based WIL components of TVET college staff qualifications was also enforced by the publication of the 2013 policy on Professional Qualifications for Lecturers in TVET, which requires TVET college lecturers to do both school-based teaching practice and industry-based WIL. The developed WIL Curriculum Framework was also used for the development of staff qualifications in Adult Community Education and Training (ACET). This research uptake indicates the relevance of the work of the ETDP SETA WIL Research Chair to the needs of both the TVET and ACET sectors, as well as to the needs of Education faculties at South African higher education institutions.

THE YEAR 2019 There were no planned SETA-related research activities for 2019 as the lifespan of all the SETAs was scheduled to end in June 2018. When the decision to reinstate the SETAs was made by the South African government in 2019, the rest of the year was used to reappoint the CEOs of the SETAs and SETA boards. In 2019, the new board of the ETDP SETA approved the revival of the Research Chairs from April 2020 to March 2021, thus enabling the ETDP SETA WIL Research Chair to proceed with research activities in 2020.

163 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

•

Prof Nothemba Joyce Nduna

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

164

ETDP SETA WIL CHAIR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 2020 The ETDP SETA WIL Chair’s 2020/21 study is focused on the practice of workplace learning at South African TVET colleges and workplaces, and explores working relationships between the TVET sector and the world of work. Particular attention is being paid to the manner in which TVET college students are prepared, placed, monitored and assessed for their 18-month workplace learning. The purpose is to determine appropriate WIL elements or areas for capacity building interventions of education and training practitioners. It is envisaged that such capacity building interventions will enable TVET college staff to implement appropriate forms of WIL that could strengthen skills development and enhance student employability and entrepreneurial capabilities. The following research questions are being used to guide the study: •

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

• •

What are student reflections on their WIL experience at TVET colleges and workplaces? What are the views of the workplaces on WIL practice? To what extent are workplaces prepared to provide TVET lecturers and learners with placement and mentoring opportunities? How do trade unions perceive the placement of TVET college lecturers and students in their workplaces?

In line with the research questions, the following research projects are being conducted from April 2020 to March 2021: • • •

Project 1: Establish how TVET students experience WIL at TVET colleges and workplaces Project 2: Understand the views of the workplaces on WIL practice, and determine their readiness to receive TVET staff and students Project 3: Investigate the perceptions of trade unions on the placement of TVET college lecturers and students in their workplaces

DATA COLLECTION Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are being used. These incorporate desktop and field research. For desktop research, WIL-related policies, WIL research reports, databases and other source documents are being consulted. For field research, surveys are being conducted through the use of online questionnaires presented in the form of online links and followed up with

telephone interviews. An innovative way of designing online questionnaires during the Covid-19 pandemic substitutes for face-to-face focus group interviews. These generate automatic responses on the spreadsheets, making data analysis easier and quicker to handle. RESEARCH FINDINGS So far, the research findings from the responses of the practitioners, students, workplace mentors and supervisors, and trade unions reveal several challenges. There appears to be the need for an improvement plan for WIL practice in terms of preparing, placing, monitoring and assessing students’ workplace learning. These research findings also indicate that an improvement plan for developing closer working relationships between the TVET colleges and workplaces is necessary. Based on the research findings so far, it appears that WIL practice at South African TVET colleges needs urgent attention and intervention by all relevant stakeholders. Students who are looking for work placements on their own tend to accept any employment opportunity without considering its relevance to their programmes of study. This results in inappropriate work placements and the production of unemployable graduates. Findings and recommendations of the 2020 project were presented to and discussed by the ETDP SETA Management and TVET Chamber on 11 November 2020. The discussion has highlighted a growing interest in interventions for addressing the current situation.

RESEARCH CHAIR South African Medical Research Council/Cape Peninsula University of Technology/Cardiometabolic Health Research Centre (SAMRC/CPUT/CHRC) (Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences) Prof Tandi Matsha

•

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS AND HIGHLIGHTS DURING 2020

FUNDING

• •

SAMRC/CPUT/CHRC has for the first time demonstrated a relationship between oral microbiome, periodontal diseases and diabetes in Africans. This centre is the the first African research group to conduct genome wide DNA methylation and miRNA profiling in diabetes and prediabetes. Data obtained clearly demonstrates that certain genes are differentially methylated in diabetes

165

matshat@cput.ac.za

•

and prediabetes. In addition, the centre’s researchers validated these epigenetic changes in hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney diseases. The centre’s data on MODY, a rare form of diabetes, shows that this type of diabetes exists in Africa, and that a portion of individuals with diabetes in South Africa may be receiving incorrect treatment due to misdiagnosis. It has been demonstrated that institutions in South Africa lack supervisory capacity in all areas of medical research. Thus, one of the major focuses of this centre was the development of next generation research leaders on NCDs in the country. In 2020, four doctorate studies were supervised to completion. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, SAMRC/CPUT/CHRC produced 15 peer-reviewed articles, including one in Nature and two in Lancet.

SOURCE NRF Research Chairs and Centres of Excellence TOTAL

AMOUNT 1 796 850 1 796 850

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The population with cardiometabolic diseases is growing relatively faster in Africa than anywhere else. These diseases include diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases. The development of these illnesses and their complications is largely due to the complex interaction between genetic, behavioural and environmental factors. However, available data including that of SAMRC/CPUT/CHRC has demonstrated that the distribution of traditional risk factors for these conditions is not appreciably different between those with or without the condition. The common denominator of environmental factors promoting disease development and progression is that they trigger an inflammatory response, promoting inflammation-mediated pathways and endothelial dysfunction. SAMRC/CPUT/CHRC is involved with extending the strategies to combat and manage noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by focusing on emerging pathways, namely, epigenetic mechanisms, microbiome investigations and immune activation assessment. This is done in order to provide new mechanistic insights into the inflammatory genesis of cardiometabolic traits and severe vascular complications.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

166

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Professional Education Research Institute (PERI) Prof Chris Winberg winbergc@cput.ac.za The Professional Education Research Institute (PERI) was established in 2018, and has continued to grow since then. Prof Chris Winberg is the PERI director, and Prof Penelope Engel-Hills the co-director. The membership of PERI extends to over 50 CPUT staff members, as well as academics, researchers and students from a range of external institutions. The institute provides training and workshops for postgraduate students and staff conducting research in the broad fields of education and training. These workshops are attended by staff and postgraduate candidates across all of CPUT’s faculties. The membership of PERI continues to grow and attract academic staff who have an interest in vocational and professional education, as well as colleagues from other universities, TVET colleges and workplaces. PERI is fortunate to have two adjunct professors, namely Prof Penelope Engel-Hills and Prof James Garraway, who contribute to research activities, supervision of the postgraduate scholars, training postgraduate students and presenting seminars for colleagues. The institute has also been able to draw on the expertise of retired CPUT staff, including Dr Shairn Hollis-Turner and Dr Jenny Wright, who have increased the capacity of the institute to take on commissioned research. PERI has benefitted from having a full-time administrative assistant, Ms Amanda Innes, who had ensured that the institute’s members and postgraduate students are supported. Prof Arie Rip (University of Twente) has continued to play a role throughout the year as a key advisor and mentor to Prof Winberg and the PERI team. The institute also continued its collaboration with Prof Karl Maton (University of Sydney) and PERI members attended the Sydney Round Table meetings, which provided additional support for doctoral candidates.

PERI offered a number of workshops on educational research during 2020, as well as seminars to share research findings. The pandemic has meant that most of the workshops and seminars took place online, but this has not deterred PERI researchers from continuing their research activities. Training has been offered on online research tools that have enabled postgraduate and academic staff researchers to continue their activities. The institute hosted a three-day virtual writing retreat earlier this year which resulted in several publications. The PERI Writing Club was formed after the writing retreat, and now meets online every Wednesday evening to write and share writing ideas and tips. The process of writing with colleagues has enhanced the experience of students and staff members and has built a writing community within the larger PERI group. Members of PERI are increasingly requested to share their expertise on vocational and professional education with colleagues nationally and internationally. The institute’s members participated in the CHE’s doctoral review and revision of the HEQSF, assisted CPUT with evaluations, and were invited to make presentations for USAf conferences as well as those held by other universities.

FUNDING SOURCE National Research Foundation (NRF): Grant-Holder linked National Research Foundation (NRF): NRF Chairs TOTAL

AMOUNT 101 705 1 427 496 1 529 201

RESEARCH CHAIR

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) (NRF SARChI Chair) Prof Chris Winberg winbergc@cput.ac.za

There are still a number of ongoing projects, including the Dual Higher Education Project, a regional collaboration, led by CPUT and including CHEC, other Western Cape universities, and German partners the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg. The PhD in Engineering Education project, led by UCT with CPUT and UJ as partners, is continuing and the doctoral candidates are doing exciting, cutting edge work. There is also the TVET Evaluation project, led by UWC and including many national and international collaborators. Many of the postgraduate students are engaged in the TVET Evaluation project. Over the course of the year, Prof Winberg delivered several keynote addresses, many in the field of engineering education. A highlight for 2020 was an award received by Prof Winberg, Ms Maryna de Lange and Dr Hanlie Dippenaar, for the best research article in Reading & Writing, the journal of the Reading Association of South Africa. An article published with a colleague from Sheffield Hallam in the European Journal of Engineering Education was one of the top ten downloaded articles in 2020. Prof Winberg was invited to join the editorial board of the journal, and has guest edited a special issue on early career engineers.

The SARChI WIL Chair Prof Chris Winberg was delighted that the programme’s NRF funding would be renewed for another five years. The NRF provides R1.9 million per annum to the chair for the five-year period. The funding provides salaries for the chair, for postdoctoral scholars, bursaries for up to 10 master’s and doctoral students, and payment for administrative and research support staff. Prof Winberg was awarded the chair position in 2015 and took it up in 2016. Prof Winberg said, “This is a renewal for 2021 to 2025. I am extremely pleased that the NRF decided to renew the chair. The decision was based on a rigorous peer-review process, so the renewal feels like a strong affirmation of my work in this field.” In the current cycle, her work has included six projects with funding separate from the NRF award, including a project titled ‘Work-integrated learning in the laboratory’. She is also concluding a project on STEM Pedagogy (science, technology, engineering and maths) with South African colleagues at UWC, Rhodes and SU, along with Swedish colleagues from Lund University. She added that a consortium of universities, including CPUT, was awarded a tender to evaluate TVET colleges, work which would continue until 2024. Furthermore, CPUT, UWC, SU, UCT and CHEC were undertaking a dual education project together with the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Dr Winberg was a researcher on a joint UCT, UJ, and CPUT project on engineering education, which included supporting a number of doctoral candidates. She was also a participant on the South African–Irish exchange project which was conducting research into work-integrated learning. Commenting on uptake, SIP Manager Ms Hunadi Mokgalaka noted that the Research Chair initiative is one of the strongest programmatic and practical intervention strategies for breakthrough improvement in research at CPUT. Ms Mokgalaka said the aim of the initiative was to drive the research agenda through master’s and doctoral supervision, research outputs and grant funding for research activities, partnerships, and conferences. “This is very exciting and good news for CPUT as we continuously strive to source funding for and to increase the number of research chairs within the university.”

Prof Chris Winberg

167 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Following a review of the first five years of the SARChI (WIL) Chair, an additional five years of funding was granted to Prof Chris Winberg, thus the research activities will continue and student support is ongoing. The Work-integrated Laboratory Learning project, funded in the first cycle of CPUT’s University Capacity Development Grant will continue until the end of next year. A number of publications in South African and international journals are resulting from the project. A new project is a South African–Irish collaboration on workintegrated learning in the South African and Irish contexts. Local partners are CPUT, CUT and UJ, while the Irish partners are Waterford Institute of Technology and Munster Technological University.

RESEARCH CHAIR WELCOMES NRF FUNDING

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

168

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) (Faculty of Business & Management Sciences) The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) is CPUT’s research hub for tourism-related research, and is based in the Tourism & Events Management Department within the Faculty of Business & Management Sciences on the District Six Campus. Its mandate is to highlight CPUT’s contribution to tourism and hospitality teaching and research, to facilitate research activities, to unite university researchers and practitioners domestically and internationally, and to provide research facilities for students and researchers. CETRA’s key achievements for 2020 are highlighted below. 1.

COLLABORATIVE ONLINE LEARNING (COIL) PROJECT

CETRA views collaboration as key to the success of teaching, learning and research. Students, researchers and academic practitioners are presented with opportunities for collaboration in order to find feasible answers to applied research questions or problems. Despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Christiaan Hattingh-Niekerk managed to use his interdepartmental links to network with Sports Management Department colleagues to embark on the international Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Project. Here, Coventry University, UK worked with CPUT’s Tourism & Events and Sports Management departments on a virtual programme incorporating the formal curriculum. This collaborative project used event management and design principles and practices which enable students to develop critical understanding and creativity. It also introduced students to a range of event design resources and practices. The COIL project enabled students from both institutions to work together in a virtual environment.

Ms Mandisa Silo silom@cput.ac.za

2. LaFTURE PROJECT CETRA’s collaboration initiatives continue to attract project grants for staff. Since 2018, through its LaFTURE Erasmus+ programme, CETRA has established strong research collaborations with several international institutions. The LaFTURE project is co-ordinated by Danube University Krems, Austria, and comprises 15 European and African partners. It aims to provide systemic institutional conditions for dual studies as integral parts of South Africa’s and Mozambique’s higher education systems. The project intends to use the Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management as a pilot programme to align to a dual study structure in order to produce a curriculum that is more responsive to industry needs. 3. OPDTIMA AND FIRE OPDTIMA stands for Community of Practice & Dual Transnational Research in Germany & Africa. FIRE stands for Female International Research Network. The OPDTIMA concept was developed in several rounds of online meetings in 2020 between female scholars from several Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, Germany (DHBW) locations, the DHBW International Offices and African scholars from Botswana, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Rwanda.

OPDTIMA combines research and internationalisation and builds on the young university partnerships, based on: • Development of a German-African network of female researchers • International research collaboration together with German and African dual partners (organisations from business, health & social sector) • Strengthening equal opportunities in research by opening up international research networks to young researchers

Objectives of the FIRE network are: • Development of a German-African network of female researchers from early stage to established • Involvement of dual partner organisations in cooperative international research • Promotion of international research cooperation between German and African female researchers (promoting gender equality) at DHBW and African partner universities • Establishment of structures for joint research exchange and research projects • Facilitation of knowledge transfer of research results to society A highlight for the OPDTIMA and FIRE network in 2020 was the awarding of a grant to fund seven students on a three-month postgraduate research visits in 2021. This grant is funded by Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, Stuttgart. Five of the recipients were CPUT postgraduate students from the Tourism & Events Department.

INDUSTRY NETWORKING AND FUNDING

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is a global organisation dedicated to strengthening and supporting the incentive travel industry. This society requested input in drafting a SITE Africa White Paper titled ‘A strategic vision for business event travel and tourism: Covid-19 protocols and the reopening of borders and skies in Africa’. This is a consultative document highlighting the preliminary viewpoints and proposals of a policy position for business event travel and tourism in Africa. The assignment involved transcribing and summarising recorded discussions from industry leaders across the globe under intense pressure, as well as drafting the report. This presented CPUT’s Tourism & Events Management Department with an invaluable opportunity to work with key industry stakeholders, thus helping to foster continuous mutually beneficial relationships. CETRA staff authored a two-day training manual for a programme that forms part of Cape Town Tourism’s Transformative Model titled ‘Curated Neighbourhood Routes’. This model focuses on various experiences for visitors, creating new opportunities for local communities to showcase what they have to offer tourists. The curated routes centre on experiences which allow visitors to encounter various aspects of a neighbourhood and its activities. It encourages interaction with local people including artists, baristas and start-up business owners. As a result of this effort, financial support was secured from Cape Town Tourism. This funding, an amount of R94 520, was used for bursaries for two postgraduate students.

169 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

CPUT’s Tourism & Events Management Department is a member of FIRE, where it is represented by Ms Mandisa Silo and Dr Cynthia Dube. This network aims to consolidate existing contacts and draw on the research competencies and resources of DHBW and other African partner universities. Its goal is to facilitate cooperative and interdisciplinary research through structured exchanges. FIRE includes female researchers from master’s graduates through to professors.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL VISITOR AND PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES

Public Lecture Series (PLS) initiative, CETRA used the VRP to organise a lecture aimed at highlighting topical issues around research output and development in South Africa and internationally. This public lecture saw a broad-based participation among tourism, events and hospitality students, staff and other relevant stakeholders. Presented Prof Dr Ulrich Holzbaur, the lecture was titled ‘Utilising mathematical modelling in the promotion of sustainable community empowerment through tourism’. 6. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT IN RESEARCH

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

170

Prof Dr Ulrich Holzbaur from Aalen University in Germany

CETRA’s international partnerships were also strengthened through the Visiting Researcher Programme (VRP), now an annual feature in the centre’s programme of activities. VRP provides an avenue for academic exchange in collaborative research, capacity enhancement and collaborative scholarly activity with various international institutional partners. In February 2020, CETRA was pleased to welcome Prof Dr Ulrich Holzbaur from Aalen University, Germany. Among the highlights of his visit, Prof Dr Holzbaur engaged successfully with various staff on potential collaborations, discussing his research focus, joint research activities and cooperation in the field of sustainable tourism. Focusing on the

Public Lecture Series 2020

CETRA also supported staff and student capacity enhancement programmes this year. These included sponsorships for local and international virtual conferences. Such activities afforded staff and students the opportunity to enhance their scholarship by interacting and collaborating with academics and researchers in different localities and varying contexts. These associations result in capacity enhancement, collaborative research establishment and exposure to contemporary trends in research and innovation around tourism, events and hospitality topics. Key developments from these endeavours through CETRA’s collaboration with various partners have been published in accredited journals and conference proceedings. 7. RESEARCH-ALIGNED EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS During 2020, CETRA continued in its growth trajectory by focusing on development of its research capacity base through workshops. This year’s workshops were particularly aimed at empowering staff of the Tourism & Events Management Department as well as Hospitality Management Department on the processes of securing approvals for research submissions and the approvals processes for conference attendance.

RESEARCH CENTRE

Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) (Faculty of Business & Management Sciences) Dr Sacha West wests@cput.ac.za

The HPL’s function is divided into the following inter-related components: • Teaching and learning • Research and facilitation of postgraduate supervision • Exercise testing and rehabilitation • Community engagement The HPL’s research areas are: • High performance • Athlete development and transformation in sport • Persons living with disabilities • Physical activity in communities • Physical activity and quality of life with chronic disease (specifically HIV/Aids)

HIGHLIGHTED ACTIVITIES FOR 2020 This year, construction began on the new CPUT educational and research site at Newlands Cricket Ground. The project includes almost 4 000m2 of dedicated lecture and study areas for teaching and learning, a library, and also significant areas dedicated to augmenting the research capacity of the department and the institution. The Sport Management Department’s research work will be housed within the Sport Performance Laboratory (SPL), which will

Dr Sharhidd Taliep talieps@cput.ac.za

171 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) provides the space and cutting-edge technology to pursue research and enhance education and technical training in terms of human performance in sport and related activities, including human factors and ergonomics.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

172

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

feature world class testing equipment and dedicated research staff and technicians. The SPL will provide the space and cutting-edge technology to pursue research and enhance education and technical training in terms of human performance in sport and related activities, including human factors and ergonomics. This year also saw the development of a new CPUT research entity – the Research Centre for Sport Business & Technology (RCSBT). The RCSBT was approved by Council in November. This research centre will be based at the SPL and will bring in additional funding and expertise to support the CPUT research programme. The Rooibos Exercise Study was completed in 2020 in the HPL on the Mowbray Campus. The data analysis phase took place this year. The findings indicated that rooibos may have important applications as a potential ergogenic supplement and/or drink for sport and exercise. There was a recommendation that the exceptional standard of work thus far achieved in this collaborative research project between the Sport Management Department and the Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology Institute warranted an upgrade from an MSc in Biomedical Technology to a PhD. This is the first ever upgrade of a master’s study to a doctorate at CPUT. The upgrade has resulted in two influential research institutions providing further capacity for the study, namely the University of Vienna, Austria, and North West University. The following international engagements were spearheaded by Prof Brendon Knott from the Sport Management Department: • A collaborative online international learning (COIL) project was designed and delivered together with Coventry University, UK. Advanced Diploma students from CPUT were grouped with Coventry students to submit a combined project. Student engagement and feedback from the project was extremely positive. • Prof Knott delivered a module on Sport Tourism for an online international Summer School programme hosted by Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (JAMK), Finland. Over 100 students from five different continents participated in this multinational programme.

FACE SHIELDS PRODUCED BY ADAPTRONICS AMTL CPUT’s Adaptronics AMTL has produced its first batch of face shields to protect wearers against potential Covid-19 infection in April. The first of the shields were handed over to frontline CPUT campus protection staff, with more shields and masks being produced by the small team daily. Led by Prof Oscar Philander, the dedicated FEBE Adaptronics AMTL staff have been working on campus (with the necessary permits) since early April to produce the shields. A face mask, using composite materials, is also being manufactured by the unit. As supply of raw materials has been limited during lockdown, the shields are being made using everyday stationery essentials like lamination sheets and surplus projector slides. The design is partially 3D-printed with the shield being made out of lamination sheets which are manipulated into place. “I must commend the efforts of our small dedicated team who have been coming in every day to work on this project. It doesn’t matter if you are a professor or student, we are all working on the production line to get as many of the masks produced as possible,” said Prof Philander. He added that he is in discussion with other role players within the medical space about rolling out the masks to other frontline workers.

Campus Protection workers wearing face shields designed and manufactured on Bellville Campus

TECHNOLOGY STATION

Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory (Adaptronics AMTL) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) INTRODUCTION

Based on the technology activities, innovation and successes of the Adaptronics AMTL, it was officially incorporated into the Technology Innovation Agency’s Technology Station programme in March 2013, and became the 18th Technology Station in South Africa.

philandero@cput.ac.za

MISSION OF THE ADAPTRONICS AMTL •

VISION OF THE ADAPTRONICS AMTL

•

• •

To be at the heart of technology education, research and innovation in Africa for Africa To establish an empowering environment that supports the development of socially responsive and accomplished technologists and engineers through work-integrated learning based on mutually beneficial partnerships with industry and the community

173

Develop and sustain an empowering environment where, through teaching, learning, research and scholarship, our students and staff, in partnership with the surrounding community and industry, are able to create and apply knowledge that contributes to development Create opportunities for students to apply knowledge in real-life situations Contribute to socio-economic development Facilitate the integration of community engagement activities with teaching, learning and research in collaboration with relevant stakeholders

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Adaptronics AMTL was established in January 2007. The primary objective of the unit is to specialise as a national manufacturing, research and educational resource centre for adaptronic technologies in South Africa. Adaptronics is technology that integrates sensor and actuator functions into materials, components and structures, so that they can react to environment stimuli thus making them intelligent.

Prof Oscar Philander

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS VENTILATOR PROJECT TO AID IN BATTLE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS Prof Philander says that when a desperate need for ventilators was identified in early April, he started looking at what other people were doing and downloaded and studied open-source designs for these devices. Prof Marshall Sheldon also urged the Adaptronics AMTL to assist in any way with products to help in the fight against the pandemic. Prof Philander then identified three areas: face shields, face masks and ventilators. By mid-May, the team had successfully produced both shields and masks using conventional manufacturing processes. “To date, we’ve finalised the design and manufacturing process for the face shield and handed out sample shields for evaluation purposes,” said Prof Philander. Of these, about 22 have gone to CPUT security staff, while six have gone to doctors and EMS staff on the frontline. “So far the feedback on the shields has been positive and we have produced a stock of 150 face shields. Our prototype mask also underwent a cursory review by a medical doctor and he provided valuable feedback on its operation and use. We are currently prototyping the third variant of the face mask.” Prof Philander added that the ventilators they are manufacturing are highly sophisticated lifesaving instruments. “Most of the opensource designs are for systems that mechanically depress AmbuBags or Bag Valve Masks (BVM)… I decided to focus our work on such a system and contacted Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, requesting assistance in procuring a BVM.”

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

174

The pandemic has put manufacturers under pressure to produce large numbers of medical ventilators

FEBE is collaborating with FHWS to manufacture medical ventilators which are much needed in the battle against the coronavirus. The manufacturing team is headed by Director: Adaptronics AMTL Prof Oscar Philander. Members from Adaptronics AMTL include Technical Manager Mr Mornay Riddles, Logistics & Operations Manager Mr Eugene Erfort, Electronics and Mechatronics Technologist Mr Cyprian Onochi, Mechanical Technologist Mr Lubabalo Matshoba, Technician Mr Kerwyn Lategan, Artisan Mr Romeo Arendse, and Department of Mechanical Engineering MTech student Mr Tristan Edwards. Other members are Project Consultant and Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences Acting Dean Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, and Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care lecturer Mr Louis Jordaan, who is also a Project Technical Adviser.

He continued that Mr Jordaan delivered a BVM to the Adaptronics AMTL and gave them a short introduction on how the BVM is used in the field and how it could potentially be used as a substitute ventilator when hospitals are overrun with patients desperately needing assisted breathing devices. “My team is currently in the third iteration of the design, and it was decided that we would minimise the amount of moving parts in the design thus making control of it easier. The design goals include varying the volume of air displacement, as well as varying the inspiration and exhalation rates.” Prof Philander was born in Grassy Park, and enjoys helping communities. He says the team is finalising the design and will start prototyping soon. Once the prototype is complete, the device will be tested in collaboration with the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences to obtain its specifications and how it could be used in the field… This will be a critical phase of the development due to the complexity of its function. More will be shared once we reach this stage.”

TABLE VIEW YOUTH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY The Table View Youth Community Engagement Activity involved a group of 12 young people who received Technology Training & Support on Technology Skills for Basic Engineering and Welding in a workshop offered by Adaptronics AMTL staff. The objectives of offering this technology training and support: • To educate the community by upskilling their capabilities using accessible technology and available products • To offer skills development and training to youth in the community The workshop was a success and feedback at the end of the workshop included requests for: • further skills training in other engineering trades and manufacturing processes • skills like operating a lathe, milling machine and other machine tools and equipment • training to help young people meet industry requirements • job creation and employment capabilities as well as business skills for self-sustainability

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

175

TRANS-DISCIPLINARY SL PROJECT WITH CE IN VREDENBURG ON THE WEST COAST Weston High School promotes the importance of subjects like mathematics and science as the foundation for future careers at a tertiary level. One of the Formula Student Racing cars from the CPUT-TIA Motorsport Programme was used as a demonstration and display.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Demonstrator manufactured for Environmental and Recycling Project for the West Coast Community

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

176

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY STATION

Clothing & Textiles (TSCT) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) Mr Shamil Isaacs isaacssh@cput.ac.za techstation@cput.ac.za www.tsct.co.za

The Technology Station: Clothing and Textiles (TSCT) is located in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment on the Bellville Campus. This technology station was established to provide innovation support to the clothing and textile industry in order to help improve competitiveness. These specific services are provided to the clothing, textiles and related sectors: MANUFACTURING ADVISORY SERVICES Examples include manufacturing audits and assessment; industrial engineering services for the improvement of productivity, including process layout, optimising sewing methods and work-study; and advice on the acquisition of new or improved technology. TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT CENTRE The TSCT has a number of specialised technologies available at its Bellville office for research, technology demonstration, prototype development and small-scale

manufacturing. Small businesses can use the technology on an appointment basis, and staff at the TSCT also provide advice on the application and use of these machines. Charges are levied for the use of the equipment, but these are largely subsidised. PRODUCT TESTING AND ANALYSIS The laboratory at the TSCT provides product testing and an analysis service to the clothing, textile and related industries, as well as clothing- and textile-related consulting services, e.g. advice on material use and care, and fabric specification development. HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT The TSCT regularly hosts interns to work on client projects under supervision so that they may gain industry experience. The TSCT also offers a menu of short learning programmes to the clothing, textile and related industries. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Services include clothing product development using CAD software for pattern development; pattern grading (sizing); marker making (maximising the material utilisation before cutting); and 3D body scanning and 3D simulation on an avatar using data extracted from the 3D body scanner.

OUTPUTS FOR 2020 Members of TSCT published two journal articles: •

•

‘Determination of the levels of heavy metals and formaldehyde in baby clothes in South Africa: A case study of stores in the greater Cape Town region’, in Journal of Spectroscopy ‘Early Impacts of Covid-19 and government’s intervention and prevention actions in South Africa’, in Journal of Human Ecology

New businesses supported Repeat businesses supported Tests and analysis conducted for business Products developed

115 25 338 46

INCOME FOR 2020 Technology Innovation Agency grants: Cost recovered from SMMEs and other grants:

4 291 000 825 000

177 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Other highlights for the year include:

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

HUMAN, HEALTH & SOCIAL DYNAMICS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

178

FOCUS AREA

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

Introduction by Prof Izak Van Zyl The ‘Digital Society’ is a topic of local and international interest. Throughout 2020, scientists in this newly established focus area explored the notion and components of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), and what these could mean for local and broader societal growth. Specifically, as the Covid-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges for the South African public, researchers in this focus area investigate the potential of the 4IR in solving immediate and real-world problems in the context of a dwindling economy. NICHE AREA 1: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DATA SCIENCE This niche area embraces broad aspects of artificial intelligence that focus on solving real-world problems or aid human decision-making. The emphasis is on expert systems. These operate on predefined knowledge and learning systems which emulate human brain functioning to generate machine constructed solutions.

vanzyliz@cput.ac.za

It also looks at how people manage, manipulate, extract and interpret knowledge from a tremendous amount of raw data. This could be structured, unstructured, incomplete, skewed or irrelevant. The key focus is on making meaning of masses of data bases or ongoing signals to come up with informed and actionable recommendations. This area touches on data generated through the internet of things (IoT), social media, and big data as well as the application of machine learning, and statistical and mathematical modelling methods for data analytics.

NICHE AREA 2: SHARING ECONOMY Sharing economy is a term for a new way of distributing goods and services – a way that differs from the traditional model of corporations hiring employees and selling products to consumers. In the sharing economy, individuals rent or share things like cars, homes, clothing and personal time to other individuals in a peer-to-peer fashion. It enables people to enter the economy, typically using mobile applications. This area is expanding to include the gig economy – a labour market made up of short-term jobs, contracted or freelance work, as opposed to permanent, in-house jobs. This is a strong emerging concept that has a strong focus on social upliftment and bolstering economic growth.

NICHE AREA 3: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING This is the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies, such as traditional machining. Additive manufacturing embraces rapid prototyping, additive fabrication, layer manufacturing, freeform manufacturing and 3D printing.

NICHE AREA 4: DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS A distributed system is a network that consists of autonomous computers and devices connected using a distribution middleware. They help in sharing different resources and capabilities to provide users with a single and integrated coherent access experience. This includes connected computers and the management of information from various sources. In Industry 4.0 terms, this is an important integrating factor which encompasses the Cloud, IoT, robotics, automated process simulation, blockchain technologies and cybersecurity.

This area focuses on the use of ICT-based approaches to find answers to difficult questions and challenges that exist in society, government and industry in order to facilitate development. It embraces aspects of digital citizenship that seek to promote ease of user access to information and telecommunication technologies (ICTs) in order to minimise the digital divide. It also concerns the ethical and responsible management of IT resources and technologies. ICT4 development focuses on societal upliftment through the development, deployment and use of ICTs. Examples include eGovernment, e-Health, Health Informatics, e-Education, e-Learning, etc.

Emerging researcher Prof Izak van Zyl has been nominated for a ‘Science Oscar’ for a second consecutive year. Prof Van Zyl is among a number of outstanding CPUT researchers who are contenders for the NSTF-South32 Awards. The awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation. Prof Van Zyl said he is “very pleased and grateful” with his nomination in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher category. The academic joined CPUT in 2015, and worked in the Centre for eLearning before being promoted to professor in the Faculty of Informatics & Design in 2017. “I work across disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, and in particular communication science and anthropology. One recent example is my work on bioethical research practice in Southern African indigenous communities.” His career highlights include being a finalist in the awards last year, successfully defending his doctorate in Switzerland in 2013, receiving his NRF rating in 2016, and his promotion in 2017. “I love working with postgraduate students, especially to see them grow and develop over time. There is no better feeling than to see a student graduate after years of hard work and dedication. I also enjoy working with like-minded colleagues, who challenge and inspire me.”

The core elements of the digital society include artificial intelligence, the sharing economy, additive manufacturing, distributed systems, and information and communication technologies with development potential. Collectively, the researchers in Focus Area: The Digital Society works towards understanding and incorporating these aspects in order to engender inclusive development against the background of a fragile global ecosystem. Prof Izak van Zyl

179 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

NICHE AREA 5: INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT (ICT4)

EMERGING RESEARCHER NOMINATED AGAIN FOR A ‘SCIENCE OSCAR’

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

180

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

SPOTLIGHT FALLS ON AFRICA’S COMPETITIVENESS IN DIGITAL ECONOMY Research papers, case studies and technical reports were presented and discussed during the 2020 virtual International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics (ICBMD), which was convened by Dr Michael TwumDarko, Acting HOD: Graduate Centre for Management. The annual conference was hosted by FBMS together with its Guest Speaker, Prof Willie Chinyamurindi partners, the University of Namibia School of Business, University of Fort Hare, NWU, and UKZN. The theme of the virtual conference was ‘Enhancing Africa’s Development and Competitiveness in the Digital Economy and Beyond’. In his welcome, Prof Paul Green, conference chairperson and Dean of FBMS, said the conference had a credible reputation of being at the forefront of contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities. Dr David Phaho, DVC: RTIP, said when the conference was first conceptualised, no one could have foreseen the unprecedented upheavals the world experienced over the past few months. Amidst the chaos, people found opportunities to think and act anew. “The fact that we are holding this conference virtually is telling. The new normal has in one broad stroke accelerated the world towards the digital economy and beyond.”

INTERFACING WITH DIGITAL AFRICA A number of prominent international scholars as well as South African academics and practitioners attended the 2020 South African Institute for Computer Scientists and Information Technologists (SAICSIT) conference from 14 to 16 September. CPUT staff constituted the organising committee for the event, which was hosted as a virtual conference for the first time in its 38-year history. Prof Izak van Zyl of the Department of Applied Design served as conference chair. “SAICSIT’s conference supports local education, research and development in computing and information technology,” said Dr Travis Noakes, sponsorship chair, web chair and postdoctoral fellow at CPUT, adding that more than 75 papers had been submitted. A number of master’s and PhD students also attended the doctoral consortium. The 2020 conference theme was ‘Interfacing with Digital Africa’. Dr Noakes said the theme sought to address how the work of computer science and IT research interfaced with unique opportunities and challenges on the continent. “It also aims to spotlight the gaps and challenges for our research community’s exploration of under-resourced settings and marginalised communities outside the defaults of ‘standard’ computing and information technology environments.” The keynote speakers were Prof Johannes Cronjé, Dean of CPUT’s FID, and Prof Ulrike Rivett, Director of the School of IT at the University of Cape Town. Seed funding for the conference came from SAICSIT and CPUT’s Advancement Department, which co-ordinates SAICSIT2020 sponsorship requests and payments. The Organising Committee greatly appreciated conference funding from The Association for Computing Machinery’s Diversity and Inclusion Council; postgraduate symposium support from the Southern Africa Student Chapter of the International Network for Postgraduate Students; and createwith.net’s sponsorship of SAICSIT2020’s brand identity and website development costs.

Guest speaker, Prof Willie Chinyamurindi of the University of Fort Hare, traced Africa’s search for gold as an important mineral deposit through the documented experiences of the refinement of gold with glass by Islamic alchemists in Tadmekka, Mali. His aim was to take a purely African story of alchemy and then draw life lessons. Keynote speaker Prof Dileep Kumar from the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco, said the backbone of the digital economy was hyperconnectivity, which meant growing interconnectedness of people, organisations, and machines from the internet and mobile technology. He argued that Industry 4.0 has enabled the manufacturing sector to become digitised with built-in sensing devices virtually in all manufacturing components, products and equipment.

SAICSIT took place in September this year

RESEARCH CENTRE

Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation (BIIC) (Faculty of Business & Management Sciences)

Some of the projects initiated in 2019 could not continue as planned in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on data collection, e.g. Internet of Needs (IoN) and MobiWyne. However, the following projects were undertaken during the 2020 academic year and are ongoing under the leadership of Dr Michael Twum-Darko: 1.

eVILLAGE

Funding from an NRF rating was used to initiate the eVillage project. This is an applied research and community engagement project to build a technology platform using cyber-physical systems, namely digital technologies, the internet of things and machine-to-machine communication, to retain wealth in rural areas with the purpose of rebuilding rural economies. To this end, Zwelethemba Township in the Breede Valley Municipality was used as a case study. The entire community, the mayoral committee and the ward councillors have given land and other logistical support for its implementation. eVillage is collaborating with Kasi Catalyst (Pty) Ltd to build locally owned small market stores and CelBux Technology to provide the most resilient disruptive technology.

Dr Michael Twum-Darko darkom@cput.ac.za

STUDANCE

This involves the application of big data analytics to improve students’ performance. It uses machine learning to build a technology platform to customise and personalise teaching and learning based on the number of clicks a student makes for a given scenario. As part of a doctoral study, the platform has been tested with dummy data of first year NQF Level 6 students in order to predict their performance to help them complete the qualification in time. 3.

FINTECHS AND BARRIERS TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION

A BankSETA contract grant of R1.19 million is being awarded to implement its research agenda. The goals are to gain a clearer understanding of Fintechs, to strengthen synergies between the banking sector and Fintechs, and to help transform the banking and alternative banking sectors. The associated literature review has been completed and sent to BankSETA for review. Due to the continuous adjustments of lockdown regulations during 2020, the methodology and data collection instruments had to be revised and submitted for ethics approval. Pilot research will be conducted in 2021.

181 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Since its establishment in October 2019, the Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation (BIIC) has facilitated a number of digital transformation capability research projects in postgraduate education – infrastructure, attitude, knowledge and skills. Postgraduate students who have commercially viable research focus areas were identified, developed and given innovative and incubation ideas from experts.

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

182

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

4. eLEADERSHIP The eLeadership project comprises the development of a technology platform to predict competencies of leadership. This is in order to ensure organisational competitiveness in the digital transformation of an organisation or a unit of an organisation. The first part of the project involves creating an e-leadership profile, i.e. competencies required to sustain and grow a digital organisation, particularly in Africa, to become globally competitive. This part has been completed and published as ‘The impact of Industry 4.0 on leadership in organisations in Africa’, in conference proceedings submitted to the DHET (16th International Conference On Economics & Social Sciences ICESS). The framework to guide e-leadership development has been published as a book chapter titled ‘E-Leadership: The implication of digital transformation for leadership in organisations in Africa’, in Recent Advances in Science and Technology. Although the above initiatives were affected by the pandemic lockdown regulations, they were nevertheless used to develop new venture creation and/or entrepreneurship development infrastructure. This has resulted in tenders and grant proposals bringing in research-funded projects in line with BIIC’s objectives. These have been of benefit to BIIC’s postgraduate researchers.

RESEARCH CENTRE

Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (PLMCC) (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) INTRODUCTION

bosmans@cput.ac.za

THE PLMCC PARTNERSHIP The French Ministry has seconded Dassault Systèmes expert, Prof Laurent Marche, to work between the only two PLMC centers located in Africa, one at CPUT and the other at DUT. Prof Marche will introduce one of the most advanced software suites used in the world. He will spend 40% of his time over the next year working with Prof Stephen Bosman in the PLMCC on CPUT’s Bellville Campus. This arrangement was announced at the recent virtual World Engineering Education Forum and Global Engineering Deans’ Council held in November at the Alliance Française. The Dassault Systèmes software brings students an advanced 3D experience for product design that is used mainly in Engineering but can also be used in teaching design and modelling skills across other disciplines in higher education.

Some of the delegation who met in November: In photo: Mr François-Xavier Letendart (Solution Consultant, Business Transformation Euro-West, South Africa), Dr Moncef Meddeb (Science and Technology Attachè at the French Embassy SA), Prof Veruscha Fester (Asst Dean RTIP, FEBE, CPUT), Prof Laurent Marche (Dassault Systèmes expert appointed by French Ministry), Ms Emelyyne Grelletty (Programme Officer at the French Embassy), Mr Frèderic Douphy (EWEST-Africa Strategic Business Development Executive), Prof Stephen Bosman (PLMCC co-ordinator, Dep Industrial and Systems Engineering, CPUT) Absent from photo: Prof Judy Peter (Director: SIP, CPUT), Dr Robert van Zyl (F’SATI, CPUT) Present via virtual link: Dr David Phaho (DVC: RTIP, CPUT), Prof Marshall Sheldon, (Dean FEBE, CPUT)

183 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (PLMCC) trains students and professionals in the art of system engineering, product design and product lifecycle management. It also hosts and supervises design projects. The centre was launched in March 2012, as a partnership between the French government, Dassault Systèmes and CPUT. In 2017, the project was extended to include DUT as well. In November 2020, the contract between all four parties was extended for another 3 years.

Prof Stephen Bosman

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

184

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

TEAM MEMBERS Prof Stephen Bosman (Manager) (Industrial & Systems Engineering) Mr Dennit Adams (Industrial & Systems Engineering) Mr Shane Martin (Mechanical Engineering) Mr Donovan Cogan (Mechanical Engineering) Prof Laurent Marche (3D Experience Specialist, French Ministry of Education)

RESEARCH PROJECTS PLMCC has a partnership with its neighbouring research facility, the French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), which hosts the African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC). ASIC is where CubeSats for South Africa are developed. Many of the projects run at the centre therefore support the research and development of CubeSat projects. ASIC’s mechanical team (Mr Shane Martin and Mr Donovan Cogan) made use of the PLMCC facilities for a majority of the design and development process towards both MDASat-1 and M2MSat CubeSat projects. Both CubeSat projects focus on Automatic Identification System for ship detection around the coast of southern Africa. This supports Operation Phakisa, for maritime domain awareness for South Africa. The design and development was done using the advanced engineering suite offered by Siemens NX in the form of advanced CAD and simulation.

The PLMCC’s high-powered simulation PC was used for simulations towards research being conducted for ASIC. A study was conducted to simulate the on-orbit thermal heating experienced by ZACube-2 and compare this with actual telemetry from the satellite.

The PLMCC was also the host to two CPUT Industrial Engineering internships. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the interns were given the task of preparing guidelines and protocols to be followed in the laboratories.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

The research centre also facilitates two 3D printers that belong to ASIC. These specialised printers were used by PLMCC members to print parts to produce replicas of the ZACube-2 CubeSat. These parts were then assembled by the PLMCC interns at the facility.

A book chapter publication resulted from the research outlined above: ‘Optimising system design through thermal analysis with cubesatellite as case study,’ in Systems, Software and Services Process Improvement

The PLMCC also hosts several bachelor’s and master’s students conducting research in a range of fields including CubeSat development, additive manufacturing and power plant research.

Prof Stephen Bosman was a keynote speaker at the Rapdasa Conference in Stellenbosch in November, an international conference on additive manufacturing.

The focus was on bringing product lifecycle management practices and standardisation to the additive manufacturing industry. Prof Jorg Nieman (main collaborator from Hochschule Düsseldorf in Germany) also joined as a keynote speaker on the same topic.

WORLD-CLASS SOFTWARE FOR TEACHING STUDENTS The French Ministry of Education and Dassault Systèmes reaffirmed their continued commitment to CPUT’s PLMCC in December. The partnership between FEBE, Dassault Systèmes and the French Ministry of Education extended the commitment in sharing an advanced software suite for teaching students in the PLMCC Lab. The collaboration has now been extended for the third time, and for another three years, since its inception in 2015.

The concept of a ‘learning factory’ as a teaching mechanism was explored to introduce into the PLMCC laboratory. The aim would be to utilise the existing research centre’s infrastructure where possible. The research was conducted by Ms Dominique Walls, under the guidance of Prof Andre van der Merwe (both from Stellenbosch University).

Prof Stephen Bosman, head of PLMCC, lauded the Dassault Systèmes software for bringing students an advanced 3D experience for product design. “When students are building a satellite, they will use these features to design all its components and be able to see graphically how all the parts fit together. They can also do 3D printing of selected components,” he said. The design and modelling skills that CPUT students learn from Dassault Software are used by many large firms locally and internationally, and “will open doors for our students when job seeking”.

The research resulted in a report titled ‘Learning factory design for nanosatellites at CPUT’. This report provides a good baseline for a more detailed technical design in order to motivate the physical and virtual establishment of a learning factory within the PLMCC.

INTERNSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS The PLMCC hosted two interns from CPUT’s Depatment of Industrial & Systems Engineering this year. A collaboration was planned with Hochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, Germany, however this was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

CPUT delegation at French Ministry of Education and Dassault Systèmes

185 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

LEARNING FACTORY

DVC: RTIP Dr David Phaho led the CPUT delegation during the recent meeting with the ministry and Dassault Systèmes. He said, “This gives our students access to world-class software that covers up-to-date practices and technologies. We also have access to a French expert, Mr Laurent Marche, appointed by the French Ministry of Education who will make 40% of his time available to CPUT’s PLMCC.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

186

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY RESEARCH CENTRE

Brand & Digital Research (BDR) Hub (Marketing Department, Faculty of Business & Management Sciences) Dr Pieter Steenkamp steenkamppi@cput.ac.za

Prof Rodney Duffett duffetr@cput.ac.za

In line with the VC’s vision of One Smart CPUT, and to support the institutional focus on research output and supervision throughput, the Marketing Department consolidated its research efforts into a focus area called the Brand and Digital Research (BDR) Hub in October 2019. With the research emanating from the BDR Hub, the department endeavours to positively contribute to economic growth and 4th Industrial Revolution challenges. The BDR Hub currently has 29 active projects, and has so far: • published ten peer-reviewed academic articles in accredited journals • graduated seven postgraduate students • presented eight conference papers • published papers in two conference proceedings • published one book chapter The hub has activated the FBMS’s memorandum of understanding with the BELCO Alliance, and is collaborating on a project that looks at how brands have changed their strategies as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Marketing Department is committed to CPUT’s partnership with Hochschule Anhalt (HSA), and so Dr Pieter Steenkamp accepted an invitation to be an adjunct professor at HSA during 2020. To strengthen internationalisation, the hub hosted the African leg of the launch of the book Co-Creating Brands: Brand Management from a Co-Creative Perspective, which was held at a breakfast at the Granger Bay Campus in February 2020.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT TO WORK IN GERMANY A collaboration between CPUT and Koblenz University of Applied Sciences (KUAS) has yielded a life-changing job opportunity for a CPUT student to work as a research assistant in Germany. The research assistant and doctoral candidate would work in Koblenz for up to three years. A suitable candidate would need an outstanding master’s degree in marketing, market research, brand management, business administration or any related area. The successful candidate would complete a doctorate in the area of brand management at CPUT during his or her employment, among other responsibilities. The collaboration started when Prof Holger Schmidt (KUAS) spent a semester of his sabbatical at CPUT and collaborated with Dr Pieter Steenkamp from the Marketing Department on a brand management-related research project. The collaboration resulted in an MoU between the two institutions, which was signed in 2019 with the Marketing Department being the custodian of the agreement at CPUT.

At the breakfast Mr Chris du Toit, CEO of Graham Beck Enterprises, also handed over a bursary certificate to master’s student Ms Saskia Schuldig, who achieved the highest marks for the BTech degree in Marketing. In addition, it was announced that an opportunity had been created for a doctoral student who is registered with the department to spend a year performing academic activities at Koblenz University of Applied Science, Germany. Two days after the book launch, Prof Holger Schmidt presented a guest lecture to the students in Dr Pieter Steenkamp’s master’s course in ‘Brand Management’. Prof Axel Schlich and Prof Paul Green at Koblenz University

187 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Dr Steenkamp, Prof Schmidt and young researcher Mr Kuhle Zwakala

Dr Steenkamp said the opportunity furthered CPUT’s internationalisation strategic imperatives and the student would be co-supervised by himself and Prof Schmidt. HOD: Marketing Ms Mandy Jones said, “Every time our students get to experience different cultures, they grow, and this opportunity will be no different. Our investment in this partnership over the years has borne fruit for a life-changing opportunity for one of our postgraduate students.”

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

188

THE DIGITAL SOCIETY

BOOK LAUNCHED BY DIGITAL RESEARCH HUB The African launch of the book Co-creating Brands: Brand Management from a CoCreative Perspective was held on the Granger Bay campus in February. Hosted by South Africa’s first Brand & Digital Research Hub, which was launched at CPUT in 2019, the book launch was attended by local business people, academics from other institutions, and CPUT staff members. The book was co-authored by Prof Nicholas Ind and Prof Holger Schmidt and published by Bloomsbury Publishing in December 2019. Prof Ind is from the Oslo School of Management and a partner in Equilibrium Consulting, while Prof Schmidt is professor of General Management and Marketing at Koblenz University of Applied Science.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Prof Schmidt took the audience through a brief history of branding as a marketing exercise and traced it back to ancient Romans who branded their cattle to indicate ownership. He

Ms Zulaiga Davids (CPUT Library), Dr Carla Enslin (VEGA), Dr Kosie de Villiers (CPUT), Prof Dr Holgar Schmidt (Hochschule Koblenz, co-author of the book)

argued that nowadays brands were co-created as consumers were no longer passive recipients of whatever organisations chose to offer. He discussed scenarios in which brand managers teamed up with consumers to develop certain products. Mr Chris Du Toit, CEO of Graham Beck Enterprises, handed over a bursary certificate to Masters student, Saskia Schuldig, who achieved the highest marks for her BTech degree in Marketing. Ms Schuldig obtained an average of 86.5% for the degree. The hub supports CPUT’s strategic research goals, including focusing on the 4th Industrial Revolution. The objectives of the Hub include exploring and developing a pan-Africanist perspective with regards to strategic brand and digital media management. Marketing Senior Lecturer, Dr Pieter Steenkamp, said the hub hoped to expand its activities to other educational institutions.

Mr Chris du Toit (CEO Graham Beck Enterprises (GBE)), Ms Saskia Schuldig (master’s student GBE bursary recipienty), Dr Pieter Steenkamp (co-founder and leader of DBR Hub)

CWSR

Centre for Water & Sanitation Research (CPUT)

Information Technology

SASUF

South Africa–Sweden University Forum

SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals

DFST

Department of Food Science & Technology (CPUT)

ISSTAA

Innovative Small Satellite Technology & Applications for Africa

4th Industrial Revolution

DHET

Department of Higher Education & Training

MOCAA

Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

SLCE

Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (CPUT)

AAC

African Agri Council

DSI

Department of Science & Innovation (SA)

MoU

Memorandum of understanding

SRC

Student Representative Council

AEL

African Explosives Limited

DUT

Durban University of Technology

MUT

Mangosuthu University of Technology

Stellenbosch University

AMHBI

Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (CPUT)

DVC

Deputy Vice-Chancellor

NDP

National Development Plan (SA)

TIA

Technology Innovation Agency (SA)

AMTL

Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory (CPUT)

ECP

Extended curriculum programme

NGO

Non-governmental organisation

TTO

Technology Transfer Office (CPUT)

ASIC

Africa Space Innovation Centre (CPUT)

EMS

Emergency medical services

NMU

Nelson Mandela University

TUT

Tshwane University of Technology

ATS

Agrifood Technology Station (CPUT)

EPPEI

Eskom Power Plant Energy Institute

NPO

Non-profit organisation

TSCT

Technology Station: Clothing & Textiles (CPUT)

African Union

European Union

NQF

National Qualification Framework

UCGD

University Capacity Development Grant (CPUT)

BDR

Brand & Digital Research Hub (CPUT)

FBMS

Faculty of Business Management Sciences (CPUT)

NRF

National Research Foundation

UCT

University of Cape Town

BIIC

Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation (CPUT)

FEBE

Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (CPUT)

NSTF

National Science and Technology Forum

UFS

University of the Free State

BioERG

Bioresource Engineering Research Group (CPUT)

FFRU

Functional Foods Research Unit (CPUT)

NWU

North West University

University of Johannesburg

CDPES

Centre for Distributed Power and Electronic Systems (CPUT)

FHWS

Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences (CPUT)

PERI

Professional Education Reserch Institute (CPUT)

KZN

University of KwaZulu Natal

CERPIA

Centre for Enterprise Research Partnership and Innovation in Africa

FID

Faculty of Informatics & Design (CPUT)

PLMCC

Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (CPUT)

UPEC

University of Paris East Créteil

CETRA

Centre for Tourism Reserch in Africa (CPUT)

FPRC

Flow Process & Rheology Centre (CPUT)

PPE

Personal protective wear

United Nations

CHEC

Cape Higher Education Consortium

F’SATI

French–South African Institute of Technology (CPUT)

R4M

Reading for Meaning

Unisa

University of South Africa

CHRC

Cardiometabolic Health Research Centre (SAMRC/CPUT/ CHRC)

GBV

Gender-based violence

RIFTAL

Research and Innovation Fund for Teaching and Learning (CPUT)

UoT

University of technology

CIET

Centre for Innovation in Educational Technology (CPUT)

Higher Education

RTIP

Research, Technology Innovation & Partnerships (CPUT)

University of Pretoria

CITE

Centre for Initial Teacher Education (CPUT)

HEAIDS

Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS Programme

Rhodes University

URF

University Research Fund (CPUT)

CIR

Centre for Instrumentation Research (CPUT)

HEIs

Higher Education Institutions

South Africa

USAf

Universities South Africa

ConfCom

Conference Committee (CPUT)

HELTASA

Higher Education Learning & Teaching Association of South Africa

SAASTA

South African Agency for Science & Technology Advancement

UWC

University of the Western Cape

CPSR

Centre for Power Systems Research (CPUT)

HEQSF

Higher Education Qualification Sub Framework

SADC

Southern African Development Community

Vice-Chancellor

CPUT

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

HERS-SA

Higher Education Resource Services South Africa

SAMRC

South African Medical Research Council

WHO

World Health Organisation

CRTDS

Centre for Real-Time Distributed Systems (CPUT)

HPL

Human Performance Laboratory (CPUT)

SANSA

South Africa National Space Agency

WIL

Work-integrated learning

CSAEMS

Centre for Substation Automation & Energy Management Systems (CPUT)

HOD

Head of Department

SARChI

South African Research Chairs Initiative

WITS

University of the Witwatersrand

CUT

Central University of Technology

HSRC

Human Sciences Research Council (SA)

SARETEC

South African Renewable Energy Centre (CPUT)

WRLC

Wholesale & Retail Leadership Chair

189 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

4IR

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

ACRONYMS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

190

DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS DR DAVID PHAHO Tel: 021 959 6203 Fax: 021 959 6002 Email: phahod@cput.ac.za Room 228, Administration Building, Bellville

MS LIZIWE PONI Secretary to the DVC Tel: 021 959 6242 Fax: 021 959 6002 Email: ponil@cput.ac.za Room 228, Administration Building, Bellville

RESEARCH DIRECTORATE DIRECTOR PROF DINA BURGER Director: Research

Tel Email Address

021 953 8455 burgerd@cput.ac.za CPGS offices, New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS EDWINA PEDRO Secretary to the Director

Tel Email Address

021 953 8455 pedroe@cput.ac.za CPGS offices, New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MANAGERS DR HESTER M BURGER Manager: Research Integrity

Tel Email Address

082 873 1484 burgerh@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six and CPGS offices, New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS TANIA HOLMESWATTS Manager: Research Grants

Tel Email Address

021 460 4240/021 959 6699 holmes-wattst@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six and CPGS offices, New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MR CLEMENT MATASANE Manager: Research

Tel Email Address

021 460 3383 matasanec@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

DR PATRICIA SMIT Manager: Capacity Development

Tel Email Address

021 460 3539/021 959 6249 smitpa@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus and B2.07 New Electrical Engineering Building, Bellville Campus

TEAM Tel Email Address

021 460 3843 kamatil@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS NTOMBENHLE GOBA Research Grants Administrator (until March 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 460 3241 gobant@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS NIKEZIWE NGCANI Co-ordinator: Finance (from November 2020)

Tel Email Address

021 460 3539 ngcanin@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS SHAFEEQA HENDRICKS-DRAMAT Research Finance Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 460 4241 dramats@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS LARA LEE SMITH Co-ordinator: Research Writing, Information & Publications

Tel Email Address

021 460 3328 smithll@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MR MARVIN LA MEYER Research Finance Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 460 3798 lameyerm@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS PUMZA MAKAULA Research Grants Officer

Tel Email Address

021 460 3895 makaulap@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS HLENGIWE NZAMA Research Administrator (until March 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 460 3887 nzamah@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

FROM OCTOBER 2021 RESEARCH ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATORS MS ZUZEKA TSHAYINA

tshayinaz@cput.ac.za

MS ZOKWANDA LUDONGA

ludongaz@cput.ac.za

MS ELIZABETH GEMBA

gembae@cput.ac.za

MS BUKIWE SOJIJI Research Grants Administrator (until March 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 460 8359 sojijib@cput.ac.za Room 2.8, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS ANELISA MTABATENI

mtabatenia@cput.ac.za

Tel Email Address

MR OLEBOGENG PHOHLELA

phohlelao@cput.ac.za

MS PHATHISWA SWAARTBOOI Research Finance Administrator

021 460 3796/021 959 4489 swartbooip@cput.ac.za CPGS offices, New Library Building, Bellville Campus

DSI-HSRC INTERNS

191 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

MS LUYOLO KAMATI Co-ordinator: Research Information Management System (RIMS)

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CO-ORDINATORS

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

CENTRE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ACTING DIRECTOR

TEAM

PROF DINA BURGER Acting Director

Tel Email Address

021 953 8455 burgerd@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MR STANLEY LEKATA Co-ordinator: Postgraduate Development (Statistician) (from July 2021)

Tel Email Address

lekatas@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS EDWINA PEDRO Secretary to the Acting Director

Tel Email Address

021 953 8455 pedroe@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS RAQUEL LEWIS Postgraduate & NRF Administrative Assistant

Tel Email Address

021 959 3719 lewisra@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS ZIMKHITHA MBUNGE NRF Administrator (from November 2021)

Tel Email Address

mbungez@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS ETHNE MENTOOR Finance Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 959 6505 mentoore@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS PHAPHAMA MHLEKWA Evaluation & Monitoring Officer

Tel Email Address

021 953 8462 mhlekwap@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

192 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

MANAGERS DR CORRIE UYS Interim CPGS Manager

Tel Email Address

021 460 3258 uysc@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

CO-ORDINATORS MR WENDAL KOOPMAN CPGS Co-ordinator (seconded)

Tel Email Address

021 460 3706 koopmanw@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS NICOLE PHILANDER Finance Administrator (from November 2021)

Email Address

philandern@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MR MASIMBA PARADZA CPGS Co-ordinator

Tel Email Address

paradzam@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

MS MTEMBUKAZI SIBINDLANA Bursary Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 953 8600 sibindlanam@cput.ac.za Centre for Postgraduate Studies New Library Building, Bellville Campus

DIRECTOR DR REVEL IYER Director: Technology Transfer Office

TEAM Tel Email Address

021 959 6431 iyerr@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

Tel Email Address

021 959 6879 rabiuh@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

MS KAREN MARTIN TTO Secretary

Tel Email Address

021 959 6044 martink@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

MS MATAMELA SIGWEDA Tech Transfer Officer: IP (until January 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 959 5871 sigwedam@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

MS JAYDE BARENDS Tech Transfer Officer: Marketing

Tel Email Address

021 959 5871 barendsj@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

MS VERUSCHA NAIDOO Tech Transfer Officer: Contracts

Tel Email Address

021 959 5871 naidoov@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

MS WENDY SMIDT Assistant Tech Transfer Officer: Admin (until July 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 959 5871 smidtw@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

MANAGER MR MARLIN FRANSMAN Tech Transfer Manager: Legal

Tel Email Address

021 959 5605 fransmanm@cput.ac.za Technology Transfer Office Bellville Campus

193 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

MS HALIMAH RABIU Tech Transfer Officer: Funding

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICE

RESEARCH REPORT 2020

RTI STRATEGIC INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATORS

PROF JUDY PETER Director: RTI SIP (from November 2020)

Tel Email Address

021 959 6405 peterj@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

MS MERCIA BOSMAN Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 959 6595 bosmanm@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

PROF RENÉ PELLISSIER Director: RTI SI&P (until November 2020)

Tel Email Address

021 460 3402 pellisierr@cput.ac.za Room 6.18, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS ZOKWANDA LUDONGA Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 959 4502 ludongaz@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

MS NOSIVIWE MAJAMANI Office Administrator

Tel Email Address

021 959 4502 majamanin@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

MS HLENGIWE NZAMA Administrative Assistant (from October 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 959 6595 nzamah@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

Tel Email Address

021 959 6504 schoelenl@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

194 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

MANAGERS HUNADI MOKGALAKA Manager: Research Uptake (until March 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 460 8311 mokgalakah@cput.ac.za Room 2.302, Administration Building, District Six Campus

MS CAROL WILSON Manager: Internationalisation (until March 2021)

Tel Email Address

021 460 3955 wilsonc@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW DR LEONIE SCHOELEN Postdoctoral fellow (from February 2021)

OFFICER MS ZINZI NKALITSHANA International Relations Officer

Tel Email Address

021 959 6048 nkalitshanaz@cput.ac.za Room 0004, Administration Building, Bellville Campus

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The 2020 Research Report is published by the CPUT Research Directorate. The editor acknowledges with thanks the contributions of: •

Mr Aphiwe Boyce, Mr Kwanele Butana, Ms Ilse Fredericks and Ms Lauren Kansley (Marketing & Communication Department) for news items and photographs retrieved from the News Archive

•

Dr André Steenkamp (Faculty of Education) for the Afrikaans translation of the VC’s foreword

•

Ms Mirriam Nonkazimlo Mdledle (Faculty of Education) for the isiXhosa translation of the VC’s foreword

•

Prof Penelope Engel-Hills (FHWS and PERI), Prof Mellet Moll (FEBE and Covid-19 Compliance Officer) and Ms Ntombenhle Mtikitiki (SHE Unit) for contributions to the cover story

•

Ms Cheryl-Anne Wyngaard (Management Accounting Department) for provision of the funding figures

•

CPUT researchers, faculties, support units and research institutes for various contributions and assistance with fact-checking

EDITOR Ms Lara Lee Smith Research Directorate smithll@cput.ac.za DESIGN CONCEPT & LAYOUT BRIDGETTE HUNT DESIGN bahunt@wol.co.za

PROOF-READING Prof Ken Barris ken.barris@gmail.com

+27 21 959 6767

@cput

info@cput.ac.za

@wearecput

2020 Research Report

Articles inside

Centre for Innovative Educational Technology

HIV/Aids Unit

FOCUS AREA 2 SPACE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment

Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences

CPUT Libraries

FOCUS AREA 4 THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development

Faculty of Business & Management Sciences

RTI Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships

Research Directorate

Foreword by the Vice-Chancellor

Faculty of Education

Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation & Partnerships

Centre for Postgraduate Studies

Technology Transfer Office