From Left:  Itumeleng Matete, CUT Alumni Association Member; Dr Clifford Nxomani, Special Advisor to CUT Vice-Chancellor; Prof. Masinde Muthoni, Acting Faculty Dean: Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology; William Hlakoane, Denel Group Chief Operating Officer; Prof. Deon De Beer, SARChi Chair Medical Product Development: Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM); Adam Imdaadulah, Senior Lecturer: Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineering (CRPM); and Lekhooa Seleke, Interim President: Alumni Association.

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), recently launched the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), Product Development Technology Station (PDTS), and Mechanical Engineering Alumni Interest Group. 

Acting Faculty Dean: Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (FEBIT) Prof. Masinde Muthoni emphasised the invaluable role alumni play in the success of the university.  

“Your professional achievements and dedication to your respective fields are not just a source of pride for us, but they are the very essence of CUT's success. We cannot talk about our achievements without boasting about the achievements of our alumni, who are our esteemed brand ambassadors,” said Prof Masinde.

Denel Group Chief Operating Officer, William Hlakoane

Guest speaker and Denel Group Chief Operating Officer, William Hlakoane reminisced of exactly 32 years ago when he arrived at CUT and how it helped shape his career in the industry. “In July 1992, I came here wanting to study electrical engineering. Unfortunately, civil and electrical engineering were already full, and there were only 15 students in mechanical engineering, so it was painful for us. However, I opted to do mechanical engineering,” said Hlakoane.

He explained that studying most of his subjects in Afrikaans, except for one, was a huge challenge he overcame to achieve his digital diploma in mechanical engineering. “I did my BTech, completed it, and later registered for the masters, which I did not complete. I then decided to pursue my MBA, which I completed at Milpark Business School. The efforts as the institution and as a centre of learning that help to develop our society and what is going on in the world should become agents for this university as an institution,” he added. 

Dr Clifford Nxomani, a special advisor to the CUT Vice-Chancellor indicated that the efforts of these chapters should go beyond excellence to create an impact through connections. “This is to ensure that we can carry through into the outside world some of the values, knowledge and expertise that we have accumulated, but also looking to see how we invest back, plough back, and how do we pay it forward for future generations,” said Dr Nxomani. 

Alumni Association Interim President Lekhooa Seleke underscored the significance of these newly launched chapters that cater to specific interests within the university. 

“As alumni of CUT, we have a significant responsibility to ensure that we have people who have a great impact in their respective fields. These alumni chapters not only preserve the history and traditions of the University but also play a vital role in connecting past students, supporting current students, promoting the university, raising funds, and fostering ongoing educational and professional development," said Seleke.    

The newly elected Working Committee of the CRPM/PDTS/Mechanical Engineering CUT Alumni Chapter, a group of accomplished individuals, includes Miralda Kotze, Sizwe Ntimane, Mpho Mashabela, Katlego Makgeledisa and John (JPC) Antunes. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences promise to bring new perspectives and initiatives to the Alumni Association.

The newly elected Working Committee of the CRPM/PDTS/Mechanical Engineering CUT Alumni Chapter from left: John (JPC) Antunes, Sizwe Ntimane, Mpho Mashabela, Lekhooa Seleke, Interim President: Alumni Association, Katlego Makgeledisa and Miralda Kotze.