CPUT VC

Despite a demanding schedule, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo took some time to visit two of the university’s major construction projects at the Bellville campus before travelling to Gauteng for a Universities South Africa (USAf) Board meeting.

The visit provided him with an opportunity to assess progress on the new Faculty of Applied Sciences building and the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences development, both prominently located along Symphony Way. It was encouraging to see how these transformative projects are taking shape and steadily approaching completion.

These state-of-the-art facilities represent more than bricks and mortar. They are an investment in the future of our students, staff, and academic excellence, creating modern spaces that will support teaching, learning, research, and innovation for years to come.

The future is rising on Symphony Way, and it is looking promising.

🔌 🔌

A Special Invitation to Postgraduate Students.

CPUT is committed to strengthening postgraduate success and developing the next generation of researchers, innovators and industry leaders. Postgraduate students who meet the qualifying criteria are strongly encouraged to apply for this funding opportunity.

As part of the University's commitment to academic excellence and research advancement, postgraduate students are invited to submit their applications through the Vice-Chancellor's Prestigious Achievers Awards at the following link: https://lnkd.in/evwe85Hs. This initiative forms part of the University's broader efforts to support talented postgraduate students and remove financial barriers that may hinder academic progress.

If you are pursuing an Honours, Master's or Doctoral qualification in an eligible field of study, we encourage you to seize this opportunity. Investing in your postgraduate journey is an investment in your future, your profession, and the knowledge economy of South Africa.
Apply today and take one step closer to achieving your academic aspirations.

Kind regards
Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Global recognition does not happen by chance. It is earned through years of steady leadership, vision, and an impact that speaks for itself across borders.

As Prof Chris Nhlapo moves through the final stretch of his second term as Vice-Chancellor at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), his contribution to higher education continues to resonate well beyond the institution he leads.

Behind the scenes, preparations are quietly unfolding, including the taking of precise measurements for ceremonial regalia, a subtle but powerful sign of a moment of honour soon to be realised.

It is therefore no surprise that his leadership is now drawing significant international recognition, with leading academic institutions abroad preparing to honour him for his contribution to higher education and institutional development.

Funding opportunities

Dear Students

CPUT is pleased to announce that it has received R20 million in funding from Services SETA to assist qualifying students with their studies.

This funding presents a valuable opportunity for students experiencing financial need and aims to support students in selected academic programmes.

To date, a number of students have already benefited from the programme, with approved funding being allocated directly to their student fee accounts. However, approximately R8 million remains available, and qualifying students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The funding was initially intended for first-time entering students (FTENs), but eligibility has now been expanded to include qualifying students from second year through to postgraduate level in approved fields of study.

Funding is available for students registered in:

ICT
Marketing
Real Estate
Somatology
Management
Accountancy
Entrepreneurship
Mathematical Sciences
Urban and Regional Planning
Human Resource Management
Visual Communication and Design
Business and Information Administration

How much funding can students receive?
Funding is available up to a maximum value of R100,000 per student.

Please note that students will receive funding based on their approved financial need. Where fees and approved allowances are less than R100,000, only the required amount will be allocated.

Who qualifies?
This funding is intended for unemployed students only. Unfortunately, staff members who are also registered as students do not qualify for this particular funding opportunity.

Documents required:
To assist with the verification process, students must submit:

Proof of registration (downloaded from OPA)

Fee statement (downloaded from OPA)

Certified copy of ID

Certified copy of matric certificate or statement of results

Affidavit confirming unemployment and that the student is not receiving another bursary

Additional supporting documents relating to accommodation, parental income, social grants, guardianship, or deceased parents may also be required, depending on individual circumstances.

All certified documents must be less than three months old.

Where to submit documents?
Students are strongly encouraged to submit documents in person to ensure that copies are clear and legible to:

Advancement Department
District Six Campus
Office 5.1

Students who are no longer in Cape Town may email their documents to:

[email protected]

Important information
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to meeting all funding requirements and successful verification by Universities South Africa (USAf). Students are urged to ensure that all documentation is complete, clear, and certified before submission. Incomplete applications or poor-quality copies may delay processing or result in applications not being considered.

Apply today and take one step closer to achieving your academic aspirations.
Kind regards

Office of the Vice-Chancellor

This morning, the Vice-Chancellor of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Prof Chris Nhlapo, accompanied by the Executive Director in the office of the Vice-Chancellor and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Operations, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, engaged in a fruitful and strategic discussion with Dr Kalpen Trivedi, Senior Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of Massachusetts (UMass Amherst), United States of America.

The engagement was particularly meaningful, as Prof Nhlapo and Dr Trivedi share a longstanding professional relationship dating back more than a decade, when their paths first crossed while Prof Nhlapo was serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships (RTIP). Their reunion provided a strong foundation for open and constructive discussions on strengthening international partnerships and advancing shared institutional goals.

The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities for collaboration and establish areas of mutual interest between the two universities. The discussions proved highly successful, identifying several promising synergies and potential areas of joint initiatives across all CPUT faculties, with particular emphasis on the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences and the Faculty of Education.

As a globally respected institution, the University of Massachusetts Amherst brings significant expertise and experience to these discussions. Founded in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College, UMass Amherst is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system and is recognised as a leading public land-grant research university in the United States.

The engagement reflects CPUT’s continued commitment to positioning itself as a globally connected university and strengthening relationships with leading institutions around the world.

Conversations between the two universities will continue in the coming months as both institutions work towards identifying collaborative initiatives that will deliver mutual benefit, enhance academic excellence, and create new opportunities for students, staff, and researchers.