CUT hosted its annual Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards on 27 October 2016. The main objective of the ceremony is to acknowledge the exceptional performance of staff members for their sustained and outstanding achievement in research, innovation, teaching, curriculum innovation, and community engagement activities which are aligned with the university’s vision.  

In his address, Prof. Henk de Jager, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal defined excellence as a talent or quality which is good and surpasses ordinary standards. He mentioned that apart from the occasion being the annual institutional event, there has been great progress and excellence attached to it. He reflected on a few proud moments and achievements of the institution over the years, which includes the National Research Foundation (NRF) acceleration award in 2015, CUT being one of 12 universities participating in the Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African (BRICS) Network Universities in a number of fields, Dr Masinde’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) Woman in Science award which put CUT in the spotlight and received coverage in the leading international media houses like BBC and New York Times. 

“These successes are due to the commitment, hard work, dedication and leadership of our staff members who are passionate in helping CUT students excel in all they do.” He further said that excellence is continuously moving target that can be pursued through actions of integrity and being the forerunner in terms of products, services or outputs. “Our recipients are indeed the forerunners at CUT.  Perfection is not attainable but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence,” he concluded with a quote from Vincent Lombardi, a former American Football coach. The recipients not only received certificates but a reward of R30 000 each of which 1/3 is as a cash benefit. The money received will enhance their teaching, research, innovation and community engagement. 

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With the winners are: Prof. Henk de Jager, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal (front row: center). From Left: Dr Sylvan Seane, CUT Council member, Prof. David Ngidi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Dr Dillip Das, recipient of Curriculum Innovation award, Dr Muthoni Masinde, recipient of Innovation award, Ms Marie Lonergan recipient of the Early Career Teaching award. Back row, from left: Prof. Fidelis Emuze, Head of the Department of Built Environment, Dr Kanzumba Kusakana, recipient of Early Career Research award; Dr Pierre Hertzog recipient of Advanced Career Teaching award, Mr Leon Grobbelaar, recipient of Community Engagement award, Dr Mohamed Mostafa, recipient of Curriculum Innovation award, Ms Precious Dube, Chief Financial Officer, Prof. Frances Van Schalkwyk, Acting Dean: Humanities.