Newsletter | Issue 2 | June 2024 Hello again! It gives great pleasure to welcome you to this second edition of our Faculty Newsletter – Applied Sciences Insights. As we continue our journey of academic excellence, innovation and Oneness, this publication continues to serve as a testament to the remarkable achievements of our staff and students, and a motivation to all of us. While the spotlight might seem to fall on academic achievements, our administrative and technical staff have worked tirelessly to support our collective mission. I must add that in this edition, we showcase only a number of accomplishments achieved over the past three months, and so this is only a slice of the thriving hub of activities taking place in the Faculty.
Some of the highlights include: Celebrating Excellence: We celebrated Excellence from the classroom level to the highest rung of academic achievement. While the Department of Mathematics and Physics held a wonderful Assembly celebrating their top achievers, the Autumn graduation saw 732 students from the Faculty attain their qualifications, ranging from Diploma level to PhD. It was a proud moment for all the graduands, their families, friends, and all of us as staff. The celebratory atmosphere during the graduation ceremonies left an enduring glow of joy. Congratulations to the new graduates: May you fly high! To the staff: Keep Creating Futures! Supporting Tomorrow's Scientists: The theme of Creating Futures extends beyond our campuses, as demonstrated by our Chemistry staff and students who engaged in providing academic support in Physical Sciences and Mathematics to learners from disadvantaged schools, fostering a passion for science and developing critical thinking skills. We look forward to receiving some of those learners in future as science students at CPUT. Innovative Research: Our researchers have shone a light on the health benefits of dietary antioxidants, contributing valuable insights to the scientific community and public health. It was also a great achievement (although not covered in the Newsletter) for the Faculty to have the first patent granted in the USA. This was for a starch-soluble dietary fibre nanocomposite made from Bambara groundnut, filed by Prof Victora Jideani and co-investigators. Well done! Enhancing Intra-Africa collaboration and growth: Dr. Koebraa Peters' participation in a workshop in Madagascar on Marine environmental protection demonstrates our Faculty's role in international collaboration and capacity building; while our Africa Day Panel Discussion brought together experts from across the continent to explore resilient and inclusive educational systems for the 21st century. On the Energy-Water nexus, our students from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies participated in the impactful Enlit Africa 2024 Conference. Then, as a Faculty, we are also keenly involved in the organization of the eighth International Conference of the U6+ Consortium of African Universities, which CPUT is hosting between 10-12 September 2024. Industry Engagement: The Department of Agriculture staff's industry visits and our students' hands-on experience in winemaking, as well as our Biotechnology students’ experience of the intersection of biotechnology and forensic science during a visit to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, illustrate our commitment to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications. This is a hallmark of the kind of education we espouse and facilitate in the Faculty. And some of these activities are not just academically enriching, but they also nurture the spirit, as experienced by Environmental Resources students on their transformative hike up Table Mountain.
Having mentioned those few highlights, I would like to thank everyone in the Faculty for their particular role and contribution. I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our alumni and external partners. Their continued support and engagement play a crucial role in enriching our academic environment and expanding our horizons. Together, we are building a vibrant and resilient academic community that is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the future! As we move forward, let us remain committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, and embracing the spirit of innovation and collaboration. I am confident that, with our collective efforts, we will continue to achieve new heights and make a lasting impact on the world around us. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence. I look forward to witnessing the continued success and growth of our Faculty.
Prof Joseph I Kioko
Dean: Faculty of Applied Sciences CPUT