thus contributing towards solving societal problems that impact on millions of South Africans.
In 2005, we became a university of technology, and had to start building a research culture from first principles. By following Collins’s hedgehog concept, being passionate about what we do, in this case research, and working in a disciplined way, we have made quantum leaps.
To all our readers, a warm welcome. I thank you for joining CPUT in its celebration of research in this Research Report 2020. I trust you will enjoy reading through the report as much as I have.
Being a ‘Smart University’ implies that we engage in smart research, technology innovation and partnerships. Therefore, we do not see ourselves conducting research for the sake of conducting research. Rather, we continue in a disciplined way to ensure CPUT’s research has relevance and impact,
Congratulations to all our smart research achievers – without your disciplined actions it would not be possible to make CPUT greater. Keep adhering to your core beliefs, keep gaining momentum, and you will continue to make great breakthroughs.
Prof Chris Nhlapo Vice-Chancellor
* Footnote: The Hedgehog Concept is a simple, crystalline concept that flows from deep understanding about the intersection of three circles: 1) what you are deeply passionate about, 2) what you can be the best in the world at, and 3) what best drives your economic or resource engine. Transformations from good to great come about by a series of good decisions made consistently with a Hedgehog Concept, supremely well executed, accumulating one upon another, over a long period of time. Please visit https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/thehedgehog-concept.html if you’d like to find out more.
1 CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
CPUT’s research journey is indeed one which demonstrates that greatness is possible. Though our research beginning more than a decade ago was humble, I am today extremely proud of what we have achieved. Our accomplishments result from disciplined thoughts and actions. We understand that we can only produce results that exceed expectations by being passionate. One of our values is definitely being passionate about what we are doing.
RESEARCH REPORT 2020
During my career, I have often drawn great inspiration from the work of Jim Collins, and especially from his book Good to Great. For Collins, “Good is the enemy of great.” As Vice-Chancellor, I regularly ask myself and my executive team, “How can we make CPUT greater?” What I have learned from Collins is that the journey from good to great is dependent on disciplined people, thoughts and actions, which he calls the Hedgehog Concept*.
