CPUT

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is the largest university in the Western Cape.

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CPUT recently partnered with the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa to host a memorable fun day for children and families affected by cancer.

Full story here: https://t.co/wIeQGy6PZa

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In an initiative designed to address the persistent maritime skills gap in South Africa and across Africa through a collaborative and resource-sharing approach, the AMTEP_C_2026 Conference was recently held in Premier Hotel, Umhlanga, Durban. Butteur Ntamba Ntamba, who represented the Department of Maritime Studies, said the conference marked the official launch of the African Maritime Training and Employment Programme.

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As part of the 2026 Back-to-School Campaign led by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, the Department of Maritime Studies participated in a Transport Careers Expo held at Pondolwendlovu Secondary School in the Eastern Cape.

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The Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate, in collaboration with RLabs, recently hosted a vibrant and impactful Africa Month Celebration. This event brought together students, staff, community members, creatives, and innovators for a shared celebration of African identity, collaboration, and possibility. It was a gathering rooted in diversity, unity, and belonging. The celebration served as a platform for cultural expression, dialogue, and social innovation, reflecting the collective spirit and dynamism of the African continent.

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Student innovation continued to take centre stage at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo, with young innovators showcasing cutting-edge technologies aimed at addressing real-world challenges and driving inclusive future growth. Youth Media Movement demonstrated drone technology designed to support emergency services through real-time victim localisation during crisis situations, while Grey-Code presented its IoT, robotics, and automation platform focused on advancing education, adaptive learning, and smart technologies.
Also making a significant impact was mLab, whose initiatives focus on leveraging IoT for community development and rural inclusion, ensuring that innovation extends beyond urban centres. Supported by MICT SETA, mLab showcased a range of projects, from coding programmes and interactive hackathons to robotics-powered smart housing systems, highlighting how intelligent technologies can be seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Collectively, these projects reinforced a powerful message: the future is evolving rapidly, and innovation must remain inclusive, accessible, and focused on creating opportunities for all. #MICTSETA #4IR #StudentInnovation #IoT #Technology #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady

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Funding innovation is about more than just access to money — it’s about understanding the ecosystem, building the right skills, and creating sustainable pathways for growth. The second panel discussion at the symposium explored Financing Innovation: Finding, Incubating and Scaling 4IR Startups, moderated by Patric Krappie and featuring insights from Billy Bakoko, Tshepo Phetla, and Evan Jones. Key discussions highlighted the importance of founders understanding the funding landscape, the value of technical and in-kind support alongside financial investment, and the distinction between commercialisation and scaling a business successfully. A critical issue raised was the growing need for skills financing, apprenticeships, and work-integrated learning opportunities to address South Africa’s tech talent gap and support SMMEs in the digital economy. #MICTSETA #4IR #AI #SpaceTech #Innovation #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady

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A powerful panel discussion moderated by Ms Juanita Clark, CEO of Digital Council Africa, explored the future of space technology, AI, and digital infrastructure at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo. Speakers highlighted that AI is not new but continues to evolve across every sphere of life, while stressing that collaboration remains central to innovation and progress. Founder of Cortex Hub, Dr Andile Ngcaba, encouraged students and delegates to embrace curiosity, reminding them that technology welcomes people from multiple disciplines beyond STEM. Discussions unpacked the growing opportunities within space technologies, AI data centres, and future 6G connectivity, reinforcing that the knowledge and tools for innovation are already at our fingertips. The panel left delegates with a clear message that South Africa’s digital future depends on collaboration, inclusive skills development, and turning bold ideas into impact. #MICTSETA #4IR #AI #SpaceTech #Innovation #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady

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Day 3 and the final day of the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo is officially underway. Today’s programme focuses on skills, industry, and inclusive growth. Themes that connect innovation to meaningful impact across South Africa. After days of engaging conversations, delegates continue to leave inspired, challenged, and equipped with new ideas for the future. Panel discussions today turn toward emerging technologies, exploring areas such as space technologies, data centres, AI, and the digital systems that enable innovation and development. Stay tuned, while the symposium may be drawing to a close, this is only the beginning of what lies ahead. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady

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Day 2 of the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo continued to inspire through research, innovation, and meaningful collaboration. From thought-provoking panel discussions on research commercialisation to the induction of new 4IR Research Chairs and powerful student-led presentations from universities across South Africa, the day showcased the growing impact of future-focused thinking. Delegates engaged with groundbreaking work ranging from fintech and digital inclusion to healthcare technologies and community-centred innovation.
A key highlight of the day was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Collective X and MICT SETA, reinforcing the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry. The partnership aims to strengthen ties that support internships, funding opportunities, commercialisation, and the scaling of startups—recognising that meaningful progress requires industry and academia working hand in hand.
#MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #Research #Commercialisation #Entrepreneurship #Collaboration #FutureReady #DigitalInnovation #HigherEducation #SouthAfrica #WeAreCPUT

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Yesterday, a dynamic panel discussion titled “Closing the Gap: Unpacking the Challenges of Research Commercialisation in Higher Education Institutions” brought together voices from Sol Plaatje University, CPUT, UWC, FinHub, and Nnakki at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo. The discussion unpacked why many promising research projects fail to reach the market, highlighting challenges such as policy barriers, limited industry partnerships, and curricula that often do not align with industry needs. The panel called for earlier collaboration with industry, co-creation of curriculum outcomes, and changes to incentives and policies so that those commercialising products are recognised for their contribution. They also stressed the need for researchers to develop business skills to understand the market and adapt their technology accordingly. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #Research #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady #Nnakki #UWC

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The University of Cape Town showcased innovation in financial technology at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo through its FinTech Hub initiative. Presented by Mr Anda Ngcaba, the project highlighted how teaching, research, and innovation are being used to address technological skills gaps and prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. By introducing fintech learning at undergraduate level, the institution aims to equip young people with coding, entrepreneurship, and financial service skills while promoting thoughtful leadership and innovation. As South Africa’s first interdisciplinary flagship FinTech programme, the initiative reflects a growing commitment to future-ready education and impactful digital transformation. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #CPUT #FutureReady

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Representing the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) and the Directorate of Research Development, Dr. Thandazile Mhlongo, CPGS Coordinator, emphasised that today’s gathering embodies far more than a simple commemoration of Africa Day. “It is a celebration of African excellence, innovation, resilience, and the collective pursuit of knowledge that can shape the future of our continent.”

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🎓 Ready to take your studies to the next level? Your postgraduate future starts at CPUT ✨

Applications for postgraduate studies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology are now open — and funding opportunities are available to help support your academic journey 💡

The CPUT Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) offers access to bursaries, funding opportunities, research support, workshops, and expert guidance to help you succeed every step of the way.

📚 Apply for your postgraduate studies here: CPUT Postgraduate Applications - https://t.co/t1u2u2nKH6
💰 Explore available funding opportunities here: CPGS Funding Opportunities - https://t.co/ca82ePb5Js

Your research. Your growth. Your future starts now 🚀
#WeAreCPUT #PostgraduateStudies #CPUT #Research #FundingOpportunities #PostgraduateFunding See less

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In observance of Africa Day 2026, the Faculty of Applied Sciences, together with the Centre for Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research Development, in partnership with NRF-South African Agency for Sciences, is currently hosting a science engagement event focused on Scientific Autonomy at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre.

“In commemorating Africa Day, the event creates space for scientists and academics, postgraduate students, leaders, and partners in institutions that fund and advance scientific work and research to engage on the freedom with which Africans undertake scientific work, knowledge production and dissemination. We look forward to a great celebration and engagement,” says Dr Ignatius Khan Ticha, Faculty of Applied Sciences Language Coordinator.

Tobi Mzobe, Acting Manager: Office of the CEO at the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, is one of the guest speakers.

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The MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo showcased the strength of collaboration across higher education, research, and innovation. From AI and smart systems to healthcare, agriculture, and language technologies, speakers highlighted how research and student-led innovation are creating practical, future-ready solutions. Conversations explored commercialising research, strengthening entrepreneurship, and building innovation pipelines that move ideas from concept to real-world impact. The message was clear, collaboration between academia, industry, and young innovators remains key to shaping a socially responsive and technologically advanced South Africa. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady #Technology

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal brought innovation and community-centred research to the forefront at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo. Representing the institution, Professor Tom Walingo highlighted the role of ICT in driving solutions across sectors including education, language, mining, agriculture, and management systems. With multiple projects focused on community upliftment and student development, the institution is creating spaces where young innovators can grow and transform ideas into impact. Walingo emphasised that South Africa holds remarkable innovation potential, adding that building trust and showcasing local excellence are key to seeing these solutions adopted globally. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady #Technology

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The day’s programme at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo opened with research chairs from universities across South Africa presenting groundbreaking research and innovation with strong commercial potential. With contributions from institutions including UCT, STADIO Higher Education, the Wits School of Digital Arts and more, discussions highlighted the power of research, entrepreneurship, and future-focused thinking. One message stood out clearly, the world needs to pay attention, because South Africa is not merely on the brink of greatness; innovation and excellence are already here. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #Research #FutureReady

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Today marks another exciting day at the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo at CPUT Bellville Campus, where the commitment to embracing innovation continues. While innovation remains at the heart of the symposium, today’s focus turns toward research, entrepreneurship, and transformative ideas shaping South Africa’s future. As delegates make their way into the venue, a strong sense of anticipation fills the atmosphere, setting the stage for meaningful discussions, collaboration, and future-ready solutions. Stay tuned as the conversations continue to inspire progress and possibility. #MICTSETA #4IR #Innovation #WeAreCPUT #FutureReady

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Day 1 of the MICT SETA 4IR Research Chair Symposium and Expo at CPUT Bellville Campus sparked meaningful conversations around innovation, collaboration, and future-ready solutions. From keynote addresses to interactive exhibitions, students, researchers, and industry leaders explored how research can be commercialised to drive inclusive growth and real-world impact. As CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Nhlapo, noted, “We need to focus on innovation. Embrace IT through collaboration and connectivity with the thought of advancing tech in South Africa by also creating opportunities for the future leaders of our country.” Stay tuned as more innovation is still to come. #MICTSETA #4IR #WEAreCPUT #Innovation #FutureReady

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Mr Matoti Madibana, CEO of the MICT SETA, introduced the six flagship systems, highlighting that these innovative solutions were developed by students under the guidance and mentorship of research chairs. He emphasised the importance of empowering students to become active contributors to South Africa’s digital transformation journey.

Prof Zuma from Vaal University of Technology was then invited to the stage to showcase the E-Recruitment System developed in collaboration with VUT students. The system reflected a shared vision of transforming the higher education sector by equipping students to create impactful digital solutions that address institutional and broader societal challenges.

#CPUT #Innovation #Future