Report of the Chairperson of Council

It is a pleasure to deliver this Annual Report as Chairperson of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Council. I was pleased by how far we have come as an institution, despite the global pandemic, in ensuring thousands of students were able to meet their academic goals and graduate on course, and on time. As a university of technology, CPUT was particularly agile in adapting to the new reality of life within a pandemic. I was impressed by the creativity and adjustment by academic, administrative, and non-academic staff, and the student cohort to navigate this challenging period. I also commend the ViceChancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo and his Executive Management Team for never sacrificing on good governance. This good governance extends to the university Council, whose members serve without financial reward, often through challenging circumstances. I am grateful for their commitment, diligence and perseverance, and, like them, I have a shared interest in seeing CPUT flourish. Under my stewardship, Council will remain compliant to the laws and policies that govern the Institution at all times.

This will happen by ensuring the following:

• The University complies with governance prescripts; • The various committees of Council follow their mandates in a clear and consistent way, without personal interest; and • Impeccable record keeping will ensure that all decisions are mandated and within our authority.

Council members have a range of skills, backgrounds and talents, and this diversity is necessary to ensure that CPUT remains inclusive, efficient, accountable, ethical, and a university of choice. As the guardians of over R10 billion in assets, it is imperative that we maintain these resources appropriately. As we set our minds toward the following decade, we will be guided by the newly refreshed Vision, Mission and Core Values of CPUT.

Vision

CPUT is Africa’s leading Smart University of Technology, globally renowned for innovation, with graduates that shape a better world for humanity.

Mission

CPUT transforms its students, through world-class researchers who inspire knowledge production and innovation that is cutting edge.

Core Values – CPUT agrees to Oneness and Smartness by:

• Embracing a culture of ethics and integrity; • Seeking kindness and showing compassion to all staff, students and stakeholders of CPUT; • Embracing restoration and addressing any issues of discrimination; • Embracing unity and diversity; • Showing passion and always searching for better ways of doing things; • Taking accountability and accepting responsibility; and • Being technologically astute. As the largest university in the Western Cape, producing the most industry ready graduates, it is important that our Strategic Plan called Vision 2030 be imbedded in all that we do. It is premised on the idea that Smartness must be imbedded into every operational aspect of our work, e.g.: Smart Teaching, Smart Staff, Smart Students, Smart Buildings, and most importantly, Smart Ideas. All encompassed, it speaks to a One Smart CPUT.

This Smart journey includes realigning CPUT products and processes, and embracing emerging industries. Our unique University of Technology-ness already sees us take a leading role in South Africa’s Science and Technology development. CPUT has a contribution to make to South Africa, and our institutional strategies already promote this.

Higher Education will always be a dynamic space, and each academic year will inevitably bring a fresh set of challenges that require our attention. Notwithstanding these obstacles, it is clear that Executive Management, supported by Council, have been agile but prudent when dealing with concerns. With the variety of stakeholders on Council, including students and organised labour, we can never lose touch of the core issues facing the Institution.

My objective as the Chair of Council remains the following:

• To continue to tackle issues with vigour to avoid them developing into larger, more complex problems. This includes student housing, financial aid and staff attrition; • To see that CPUT continues to meet its enrolment and graduation targets; • To ensure that allocated grants and funding are being used for their intended purposes, and to the best interests of the staff and student body; • That staff and student concerns are ventilated using the suitable available channels, and that the appropriate people are held accountable when lapses in these become evident; • That a sensible financial strategy is in place to guarantee that

CPUT meets its financial obligations, and that institutional reserves grow to meet future planning; and • That academic freedom is fostered, and that CPUT builds communication pathways for staff to feel included and acknowledged. Considering all of the above, I have no doubt that CPUT can, and will, achieve more. Ultimately, we are merely the guardians of a university which must outlive us all and continue to service the people of South Africa. Council will play its role, and I believe that the variety of stakeholders who all have the best interests of CPUT at heart will also rise to the occasion and do what they can to achieve the Smartness that we aspire to.

Chairperson of Council Adv. ZL Mapoma