The Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award - 2023 by Cape Peninsula University of Technology

AWARDS PROGRAMME

2023

THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S PRESTIGIOUS ACHIEVERS

contents

Foreword by Vice-Chancellor: Prof Chris Nhlapo

Message from the Chairperson of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards Committee: Prof Joseph Kioko

Message from Chairperson of the Mauerberger Foundation Fund: Adv Dianna Marilynne Yach

GRADUATES 2022 - 2023 Dr Zamavangeli Mdletshe

Dr Caroline Tyavambiza

Ms Nolimo Mbunge

Ms Anza Ramatsia

Ms Nontsikelelo Noxolo Tafu

Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awardees

Impact of the Prestigious Achievers Awards Programme

Application Process

Vice-Chancellor

foreword

PROF CHRIS NHLAPO

My wish is that you continue your academic journey at CPUT and join the ranks of the talented academics who supervised you. By doing so you will help me nurture the next group of talented young academics and also help our university respond to the transformation requirements of the country and the continent. Congratulations to the talented recipients and graduates of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award. Since this respected award programme started in 2018 (with only one awardee), I am proud to say it has enabled 21 students to pursue further studies. I use the word respected because to receive a VC Prestigious Achievers Award you must be the best of the best here at CPUT. I am incredibly proud of every single one of you. Thank you for representing CPUT excellence and remaining steadfast in your studies.

A special thanks to my fellow committee members and notably, Prof Kioko, who chairs this panel. To our generous donor Advocate Yach, thank you for believing in the value of a CPUT education and for your faith in our students. The commitment of the Mauerberger Foundation Fund is appreciated and I know our recipients will make us proud as the programme continues to grow and flourish. Thank you.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AWARDS COMMITTEE

PROF JOSEPH KIOKO

Chairperson Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards Committee

technological capability and foresight, resilience and problem-solving capability, relational capability and ethical capability.

The university’s Vision of OneSmart CPUT is now well entrenched as a guiding beacon and ‘line of march’ for all of us. It urges us to make our mark with innovation and technology towards creating a better world and to have a human-centric ethos as we do so. The Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards are a fitting embodiment of this Vision. The awards aim to financially aid CPUT students who have achieved excellent results throughout their academic studies, and who show potential to contribute to society, in completing their Masters or Doctoral studies. In addition, the awardees are expected to personify the CPUT graduate attributes of

I would like to give full credit to the ViceChancellor, Prof Nhlapo, for his foresight in establishing these awards. It is also great to see the many well-performing students who raised their hands to be considered for the award this year. The belief in themselves, their abilities and their potential is admirable and worth emulating by the rest of the student body. By the close of applications on 31 March 2023, the Awards Committee had received 24 applications from prospective new awardees. Thirteen females and 11 males applied, comprising six Masters and 17 Doctoral students, as well as one postgraduate diploma student who was ineligible because her level of study was below Masters. The students represented several African countries: 15 students were South African, one came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, two from Libya, three from Lesotho, one from Namibia and two from Zimbabwe.

After reviewing the applications against the award criteria, the Committee selected three new awardees for 2023: two female Doctoral students and one male Masters student. The selected students are all South African. They are pursuing studies in the fields of Engineering, Chemistry and Communication Management. At today’s ceremony, the students will all describe their research topics. Apart from assessing new applications, the Committee also considered the progress of awardees who were funded for the previous year and who would need further funding to continue their studies. In that regard, four Doctoral students and one Masters student in their second year had made sufficient progress for funding to be continued. Some of the students who received continued funding graduated in April 2023 and some are on course to graduate in December 2023, while one student had dropped out. Thus far (from the 2018 academic year to date) a total of 21 students have been awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award. Of these, 13 of them are in a position to have completed their studies, and 10 of them have graduated. This translates to a 77% completion rate. For Masters and Doctoral studies, this is an extremely high completion rate when compared to the completion rates of these levels of study across the entire Higher Education Sector in the country. Furthermore, by the end of 2023, we expect that more of the 13 students mentioned above will have completed, pushing the completion

rate to about 90% of those who could have completed. The high completion rate underlines the prestige and impact of this programme. It serves as a great example of what can be achieved at postgraduate level. As we reflect on the success of the award recipients, it is important to note that behind the statistics are individual students whose success impacts their immediate family and friends, their circle of acquaintances and their contiguous community. This brings to mind a saying attributed to Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”. These awards are certainly creating ripples, and I wish to acknowledge the donor that has made it possible for CPUT to make these ripples: the Mauerberger Foundation Fund under the leadership of Advocate Dianna Yach. The impact of the Foundation’s generosity and support for our students will ripple across many generations in many communities. To the recipients of these awards, I implore you to continue to make your contribution to the success of others in whichever way you can. Make ripples for a better society. Many thanks to the Committee members for going the extra mile to ensure the success of these awards. The members are: Prof C Nhlapo, Prof H Hay-Swemmer, Dr G van Gensen, Dr H Burger, Mr M Maseko and Mr T Ngcingwana, invaluably supported by Ms H Petersen.

MESSAGE FROM CHAIRPERSON OF THE MAUERBERGER FOUNDATION FUND 4

ADV DIANNA MARILYNNE YACH Chairperson Mauerberger Foundation Fund

aligned with our core mission. We also value the inspiring leadership of the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, who is an amazing role model for our future leaders.

This year’s message is for our Achievers Celebrating the relationship between the Mauerberger Foundation Fund (MFF) and CPUT I appreciate this opportunity to celebrate the cherished, long-standing relationship between the Mauerberger Foundation Fund (MFF) and CPUT.

I am hoping that this message finds all of you in great spirits, although I suspect your hearts are already soaring with the tremendous accomplishments you’ve achieved. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge your extraordinary journey, one marked not just by academic excellence but also by sheer determination and unyielding strength.

The MFF’s continuing support for the CPUT Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awards stems from our deep and enduring commitment to growing future leaders who are devoted to advancing social justice, ethics, good governance and human rights – fully

In the face of daunting financial and personal challenges, you have proven that nothing can deter your spirit. Your resilience, perseverance and hard work have not only earned you excellent results but have inspired everyone around you. You are living proof that

Your unwavering dedication serves as a beacon of hope and motivation to your peers, reminding us all that adversity can be conquered with personal sacrifice and determination. As you celebrate your well-deserved success, remember the incredible strength that resides within you. Use this achievement as a stepping stone to even greater heights and continue to inspire others with your remarkable journey. Congratulations on your outstanding academic achievements! You are not just students; you are beacons of hope, resilience and brilliance. May your future be as bright and promising as the path you’ve paved through your hard work and determination. I wish you continued success and boundless happiness on your journey ahead. Much love and admiration.

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tenacity and courage can overcome even the toughest of obstacles.

DR ZAMAVANGELI MDLETSHE

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Dr Yvonne Maphosa is a Zimbabwean award-winning author and academic.

Dr Zamavangeli Mdletshe says it took a lot of discipline and filtering out society’s preconceived ideas about young South Africans being irresponsible members of society to be where she is today. “I had to fight daily to overcome these negative preconceived ideas about a South African child. The teaching of my parents helped me a lot to overcome such, especially during my doctoral studies,” says Mdletshe,

who has obtained a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. The humble academic, who was born and bred in the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal, enrolled at CPUT for the first time in 2011 at the Mechanical Engineering Department. She has obtained all her academic qualifications at CPUT. Her parents are her biggest motivators. “Especially my dad”, she says. “The ethics he continues to maintain when overcoming

Reflecting on the contribution of the Award to her career, Mdletshe says: “This has been a great honour. I am really grateful for it. I hope one day I [can be] able to give back to the fund. “My message to the VC and his committee is, thank you for this platform. I am really thankful. Thank you to the TACTSO-CPUT and Ms Pietersen. If it was not for this group and her, I would not have made it through.” Dr Mdletshe believes that her humility has helped her in many ways. “I am a student of life, who is spiritually invested in all aspects of life,” she says. “I am also a private person. This is a double-edged sword that has played a critical role in my life, especially in this information age. I am very mindful of what and how I share my thoughts.” Dr Mdletshe says she does have time to relax when she is not at work as she is adept at juggling family and work commitments.

“My priority from the highest order, is my mental health, which is highly dependent on how spiritually alert I am at every point in time.” Her message to the younger generation of students coming from a similar background is: “No one is here to save you, fight!” Dr Velaphi Msomi, her supervisor, describes Dr Mdletshe as a very honest, shy and hardworking individual. “She likes to do everything, especially engineering work, following well-known and accepted procedures and standards. Dr Mdletshe [as a student] was a very determined person who liked to conclude all tasks before the deadlines. She likes to execute every task professionally and make sure that all boxes are properly ticked.” Dr Msomi attributed her academic achievements to her dedication. “Passion was what made her achieve what she achieved academically. Dr Mdletshe has chosen the commercial sector, which is not academic. However, we are still in contact and there is a possibility of us collaborating once she stabilises where she is currently working.”

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challenges, by not cheating his way through life, living an honest and true life not to please anyone but because it is the right thing to do, is what keeps me grounded and motivated to do great in an honest manner.”

DR CAROLINE TYAVAMBIZA

Zimbabwean-born Dr Caroline Tyavambiza, who graduated with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in April, says she comes from a “very humble” background and never thought she would receive such a prestigious award.

Dr Tyavambiza says the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award motivated her to continue when things got tough. “I would love to extend my deepest gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and to the Committee

“I now know that hard work and dedication pay off regardless of your background. I would also love to thank the CPUT community for moulding me into the person I have become. I have proudly become a knowledgeable academic and an outstanding researcher, a mentor and a role model to some. I am truly proud to be a product of CPUT.” Dr Tyavambiza has always had a passion and love for medical science. “I was also very curious to know what happens behind the closed laboratory doors in the hospitals. When the doctor takes our samples, where do they send them to, who tests them to find the problem? So I decided to pursue a career in biomedical laboratory science and l have loved the journey.” That journey started in a place called Warren Park in Harare. “My parents separated when l was a few years old so l grew up staying with my mom. l attended the local primary school. Due to good grades, l managed to go to a boarding school for my high school studies; ordinary level [at Gokomere High School] and advanced level [Howard High School]. At both these levels, l passed all my subjects with flying colours. “l managed to come to South Africa to pursue my studies after getting the Zimbabwean President Scholarship. This came at the right time because my mother, as a single parent, could not afford to send me to university.

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that granted me this bursary and made it possible for me to complete my studies. This award made me feel special and gave me the motivation to go on, even when things were tough.

“l worked hard in my studies,” she says, and indeed received several accolades, including the Dean’s Merit Award. “The biggest challenge in my studies and in my life as a whole was losing my brother. He passed away in July 2020 due to a car

accident. After this l could not study at all. lt was and still is a difficult time. It’s a miracle that l managed to finish this degree. When she walked across the stage during the Autumn graduation, she says she was hoping her brother was looking down at her from heaven. Dr Tyavambiza thanks her co-supervisors, Dr Samantha Meyer and Prof Mervin Meyer, “who are not only good lecturers but great supervisors as well”. Dr Samantha Meyer, who lectured Caroline from her first year of undergraduate studies, says: “She was always a top achiever and I knew that she was destined for greatness. It was an extraordinary honour when she chose me as her postgraduate supervisor. Caroline is a very inquisitive scientist and meticulous researcher, always striving for perfection. These traits enabled us to work incredibly well together, as I expect very high standards from both myself and my students. It has been a wonderful journey guiding Caroline through

her academic progression, and I am so proud of her.” She adds that the award allowed Caroline to get on with the work of her PhD without having to worry about the cost. “She was free to concentrate fully on her research, knowing that her fees were covered. During a particularly low emotional time in her life, being recognised again by the VC for this award lifted her spirits and reminded her that she was special and could achieve anything she set her mind to. For me as a supervisor, this award assisted me to simply concentrate on covering funding for the research costs of the project and help the student with her academic outputs, with no additional pressure to seek funds for student fees,” Dr Meyer says. Dr Tyavambiza is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), focusing on the anticancer and anti-HIV properties of a variety of biogenic nanoparticles, and is also supervising students.

I would love to extend my deepest gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and to the Committee that granted me this bursary and made it possible for me to complete my studies. This award made me feel special and gave me the motivation to go on, even when things were tough.

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MS NOLIMO MBUNGE

Nolimo Gloria Mbunge says that, without the Vice-Chancellor Prestigious Achievers Award, she is convinced she would not have completed her MTech degree, and her prospects of obtaining a position at a prestigious institution would have been limited.

“The bursary granted to me [through the Award] provided me with the chance to finish my academic journey and become eligible for a Chief Officer position at the South African Medical Research Council,” says Mbunge. She attended HM Dlikidla Primary School in Beaufort West and continued her education at Kwa-Mandlenkosi Secondary School. After matriculating, she pursued a National Diploma in Operations Management at CPUT in 2014, followed by an internship at Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). Mbunge enrolled for a BTech in Project Management in 2016, which helped her secure an internship at the City of Cape Town Municipality as a Project and Contract Management Assistant. During this time she made significant contributions to various projects, including at Greenmarket Square and St George’s Mall. This was followed by an MTech in Business Administration with a focus on Project Management, which

she began in 2018 and completed in 2022, becoming the first member of her family to achieve a master’s degree. Throughout her research studies, she served as a teacher’s assistant at Fundani CHED, where she coordinated TDP projects and organised writing retreats upon project completion. Subsequently, she took on the role of Project Administrator/Coordinator at UWC’s ICS Project Management Office. Growing up in Beaufort West, she says she learned the value of perseverance and resilience in challenging situations and developed a deep appreciation for opportunities that came her way. “I’ve always been committed to putting in the effort required to achieve my goals, whether they are personal or professional,” she says. “My upbringing in this disadvantaged environment served as a driving force in my life, motivating me to become an advocate for social change and to actively work towards addressing systemic inequalities

She says the Award has had a profound impact on her professional journey, and “consistently serves as a distinguishing factor during interviews”, setting her apart from other candidates.

Mbunge, who enrolled for her PhD at CPUT in 2022, says: “I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who have provided guidance and shared their wisdom, helping me navigate challenges and make informed decisions. Learning from both successes and failures has been invaluable. I also draw inspiration from leaders and innovators in my field who have achieved remarkable success through their dedication and passion.” Singling out the “outstanding” academic support she received at CPUT, she says: “My professors and lecturers were not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated educators who took the time to ensure that I fully grasped the course material. They encouraged critical thinking, fostered a collaborative learning environment and were open to discussions both inside and outside the classroom.” She says the Award has had a profound impact on her professional journey, and “consistently serves as a distinguishing factor during interviews”, setting her apart from other candidates. In her message to the younger generation, Mbunge says: “In today’s world, many young people may have a sense that they’re entitled to something without putting in the necessary effort. I look back at a phase in my life when I was much younger and naive, believing that the world owed me something. The harsh reality is that the world owes us nothing, not even our own family. We must take responsibility for shaping the life we desire, and nothing comes easily.”

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and injustices. In collaboration with like-minded individuals, I have initiated several small projects aimed at creating opportunities for young boys and girls living in the marginalised areas of the Western Cape.

Dr Larry Jowah, her supervisor, says Mbunge has indicated a “growing interest in academia and has agreed in principle that lecturing may be an option for her”.

MS ANZA RAMATSIA

Anza Ramatsia initially intended to study Sport Management after completing an Architectural Studies qualification. “However, CPUT accepted me for my second choice of study, Sport Management,…which in the long run appears to be the course I was destined to study due to the opportunities

and success stories accumulated throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate studies.” Ramatsia, who works as a Laboratory Assistant at the Human Performance Laboratory, graduated in April with a Master of Sport Management degree for her dissertation entitled ‘Contemporary

Receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award provided critical aid to Ramatsia during her postgraduate journey. “My application for the VC Prestigious Achievers Award was deemed successful during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, a bleak period that caused plenty of uncertainty across various areas of life. This experience heightened the significance of receiving this award as it promoted hope at a time when hope was at a deficit. “More importantly, the award was presented towards the final stretch of my studies. Therefore, it served as a great form of motivation to persevere and complete my studies. Much like hope, extrinsic motivation was scarce due to the restrictions imposed by the government, and thus the VC Prestigious Achievers Award assisted me not only financially, but critically aided me in turning financial assistance into intrinsic motivation that propelled me to complete my master’s degree,” says Ramatsia. Ramatsia added: “I would like to extend my gratitude to the ViceChancellor and the donors for their generosity, and I would like to commend the Award Committee for their efficient vetting system that ensures that students who reflect CPUT’s graduate attributes are recipients of the award. I hope the results of this initiative can aid the university and all stakeholders in their future aims and objectives, mainly their goals to positively affect higher education in South Africa.” Ramatsia says she is grateful to Prof Simeon Davies, Dr Janice Hemmonsbey-Lodewyk and Mr Jacob Moroe for their supervision, patience and unwavering support during the course of her studies.

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challenges facing female senior managers in selected sport organisations in South Africa’.

Prof Davies says Ramatsia is an “outstanding postgraduate student”. “During the COVID-19 period, she managed to interview at least 12 senior managers/directors in sports organisations, which is an indication of her ability to adapt to difficult circumstances. She is a great asset to the university. Her work has already received positive responses from international journals.”

MS NONTSIKELELO NOXOLO TAFU

Awardee Nontsikelelo Noxolo Tafu has earned her Master of Food Science and Technology degree and is pursuing a PhD in Food Science and Technology (full-time) at CPUT. Her dissertation title was ‘Physicochemical, nutritional and dissolution properties of solid-dispersed Moringa oleifera leaf powder effervescent beverage granules’. She says receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Award helped her complete her degree smoothly and achieve a summa cum laude grade. “It made a significant difference in my career

and my life as a whole. The award lightened my financial burden to a great extent and allowed me to focus more on my studies, without worrying about academic expenses.” Thanking the Vice-Chancellor and the Award Committee, she says: “I am committed to making the most of this opportunity, working diligently to honour your faith in me, and giving back to the community and university in the future. Thank you for investing in my education and believing in my education and for believing in the power of knowledge to transform lives.” Her journey at CPUT started in 2014, and she excelled in the Diploma and BTech programmes.

“First and foremost, I have always been fascinated by the intricate science behind the food we consume daily. Food is not just sustenance; it’s a universal language that transcends cultures and unites people. Food science offers a unique blend of biology, chemistry and engineering, allowing me to delve into the depths of food composition, processing and safety. “I am passionate about contributing to the development of healthier and more sustainable food products, addressing pressing global issues like food security and nutrition. Moreover, the ever-evolving nature of the field excites me, as it provides constant opportunities for learning and innovation. Ultimately, my desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives by ensuring the quality and safety of the food they consume was a driving force behind my choice to study food science.” Besides her mother, who she says helps to keep her on track when times are tough and encourages her to pursue her goals, she cites supervisor Prof Victoria Jideani and Dr Vusi Mshayisa from the Department of Food Science and Technology as among her role models, “because of their exceptional expertise and dedication in our field. “Their ability to consistently produce high-quality work, coupled with their mentorship and willingness to invest in my growth, has greatly inspired me. Their leadership qualities and ethical conduct have not only shaped my professional development but have also shown me the importance of balance in work and life. Overall, their achievements, both professionally and personally, make them a model worth emulating on my journey toward success and personal growth.”

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“During my BTech studies, I had the privilege of being chosen as one of the top two students for a prestigious exchange programme in Germany at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences from 2017 to 2018. I completed all my German modules with good grades,” says Tafu, who chose to study food science for a multitude of reasons.

Prof Jideani says Tafu was a dedicated and accomplished student who consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the subject matter and an unwavering commitment to her research. Her commitment to high-quality work was reflected in the outstanding quality of her two publications in internationally accredited journals on high-impact molecules and practices.

Detailed list of the recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestigious Achievers Awardees Name Imisioluseyi Julius

Surname Akinyede

Level Doctorate

Research Title Framework for effective management of cost toward sustainable housing delivery

Bimpe Omolara

Alabi

Doctorate

A Framework of Modalities to Achieve an Enhanced Sustainable Housing Provision in South Africa

Justine Oma

Angadam

Doctorate

Plant digestive enzymes for semi-deligni-holocellulolysis of agro-waste

Sivenathi

Jayiya

Masters

PR practitioners’ conceptualisation of the role of stakeholder engagement in corporate social responsibility planning and implementation

Yvonne

Maphosa

Doctorate

Rheological behaviour of Bambara groundnut starch-soluble dietary fibre nanocomposite for delivering active compounds in food systems

Nolimo Gloria

Mbunge

Masters

Critical generic skills for successful construction-project execution from concept to project close within the Cape Metropole

Zamavangeli

Mdletshe

Doctorate

Development and Testing of a Renewable Energy-based Thermal Desalination System

Melody Ruvimbo

Mukandi

Doctorate

Selected operating process variables for a bio-flocculant supported air flotation system

Sihle

Ngxabi

Masters

The effect of different growth media and salinity on the vegetative growth of Trachyandra ciliata (Wild cabbage) in hydroponics

Caroline

Tyavambiza

Doctorate

An in-vitro evaluation of the wound healing properties of Cotyledon orbiculata extracts and it's nanoparticles

Namhla

Matwa

Masters

The role of adolescent advocacy on healthy eating, physical activity, hygiene and safety at selected high schools in the Western Cape, South Africa

Anza Tshifaro

Ramatsia

Masters

Contemporary challenges facing female senior managers in selected sport organisations in South Africa

Nontsikelelo Noxolo Tafu

Masters

Physicochemical, nutritional and dissolution properties of solid dispersed Moringa oleifera leaf powder effervescent beverage granules

Shaun

Mgoma

Doctorate

Recovery of valuable compounds from agricultural food using green technologies: Process design and Techno-economic analysis

Bongisiwe

Zozo

Doctorate

Purification and characterisation of the native black soldier fly larva protein

Oritonda

Muribwathoho Doctorate

Development of metal matrix composites suitable for hulls and ship decks

Murendeni

Nethengwe

Doctorate

Evaluation of antioxidant potential and mechanism of action of phenolic compounds from South African indigenous plants used in the management of diabetes-related male infertility

Mzoxolo

Ntabeni

Masters

The influence of academic and industry-specific project management qualifications on the effectiveness of project managers in the construction industry

Nontle

Mbana

Doctorate

Development of an optimal fabrication procedure for producing aluminium based surface composites

Sindisiwe

Ntsondwa

Doctorate

Development of catalysts for enhancement of H2 sorption kinetics for intermetallic hydride storage application

Mfundo Telson

Radebe

Masters

An Assessment of the integration of social media in news production in selected community radio stations in Gqeberha

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Graduated 2020 - 2023 - Graduated 3 3

Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences

Graduated

Master of Public Relations Management

Graduated (Cum Laude)

Doctor of Food Science and Technology

Gradutated

Master of Business Administration in Project Management

Gradutated

Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

Gradutated

Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Master of Horticultural Science

Graduated

Doctor in Biomedical Science

Gradutated

Master of Sport Management

Gradutated

Master of Food Science and Technology

Graduated

Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry

Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences

Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering

Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Master of PR & Communication Management

VICE-CHANCELLOR’S PRESTIGIOUS ACHIEVERS AWARDEES

Qualification Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

(76%)

21 24

MALE

FEMALE

Number of recipients from 2019 to 2023

(24%)

Number of students who received the Vice-Chancellor’s Support, 2019–2023

Total funding received for the Award Programme, 2019–2022

CONTRIBUTION FROM DONOR

Value of awards granted to Prestigious Awardees, 2019–2023

R3 412 905 Total granted in ViceChancellor’s Support from 2019 to 2022

R852 200

77%

Throughput rate of the programme

R1 195 105 CONTRIBUTION BY CPUT

Number of Prestigious Award recipients who graduated

R3 070 000

Number of ViceChancellor’s Support recipients who graduated:

IMPACT PRESTIGIOUS ACHIEVERS AWARDS PROGRAMME 20

Distribution of awardees by gender

5 5 3 6

MASTER’S

DOCTORATE

MASTER’S

DOCTORATE

Number of Prestigious Award graduates employed

1. Go to OPA 2. Login with your CPUT credentials 3. After logging in, go to the tab on the left-hand side which is titled “Apply Awards App” 4. Click on the drop-down that says “Apply for VC Awards” Applications are open from 1 March to 31 March each year. Applications must only be submitted via the website. The following supporting documents must be included in your submission: • a letter of motivation written by the applicant; • proof of accepted research topic if in the first year of the qualification; • a progress report if in the second year of the qualification or higher; • a copy of the results of the qualification preceding the current one (i.e. results for the master’s if the candidate is registered for a doctoral degree, or the results of the NQF Level 8 qualification for students registered for a master’s degree); • a CV with contact details of all supervisors; • a confidential letter of reference from the main supervisor (sent directly to the Chairperson of the Committee). Deserving candidates suggested by the Vice-Chancellor will also be able to submit applications.

STEP 4 Funding and management of the award

STEP 2 Short-listing of candidates Potential awardees may be requested to provide more information.

STEP 3 Contacting the successful candidates and presentation of awards Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to sign a declaration letter accepting the terms and conditions of this award. Towards the end of the year, they will be invited to a special awards ceremony.

• The money will be deposited into the student’s fee account. • If the student receives another award, for example, from the NRF, the committee will ‘top up’ the award. • Progress made by the candidates who have received awards will be annually monitored by the committee. • The management of the funds will be reported to the committee when it meets. • During the year, all students’ general behaviour and conduct will be observed. Students’ conduct needs to be exemplary and show that they deserve this prestigious award.

APPLICATION PROCESS

STEP 1 How to apply

The application process is entirely managed through an online system. Students are urged to log onto OPA or go to https://www.cput.ac.za/about/leadership/vc/the-vice-chancellorsprestigious-achiever-award to apply for the funding.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS FOR PROVIDING FUNDING TO THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S PRESTIGIOUS ACHIEVERS AWARDS PROGRAMME.

+27 21 959 6767 info@cput.ac.za www.cput.ac.za @cput @wearecput www.facebook.com/cput.ac.za