thinking beyond

CUT hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) to explore and discuss projects by the two universities that could potentially share expertise and knowledge. Both institutions are uniquely positioned in terms of the South African landscape and their areas of research. CUT - an inland University with active research in the agricultural sector and a recognised leader in prototyping as well as additive manufacturing, and NMU located in the coastal region - could both bring niche foci to this partnership.

Prof. Derrick Swartz, former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of NMU, and Dr Oswald Franks, Executive Dean of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology met with the CUT executive team and various other stakeholders. The discussions explored the partnering potential by assessing current projects at both universities. Following the talks was a campus tour. The tour included the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing and the CUT Solar 1 project that is presently delivering a percentage of the campus electricity.

Another project that was discussed at length was online programmes and how resources may be shared by the two universities and even how to extend this sharing of resources to other institutions in South Africa. The outcome of the time spent was that both Universities would continue to explore the potential for partnering and an agreement that engagement is set to carry on.

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Back row: Dr Oswald Franks, Executive Dean of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, NMU; Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Prof. Derrick Swartz, former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of NMU; Dr Gary Paul, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Resources and Operations; and Dr Gerrie Booysen, Director of the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM).

Middle: Prof. Samson Mashele, Dean of Health and Environmental Sciences; Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement; Prof. Herman Vermaak, Dean of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.

Front row: Prof. Nellie Feza, Dean of Humanities, and Dr Johan Badenhorst, Deputy Director: e-Learning and Educational Technology.