As part of CUT's contribution to socio-economic development in the region, the university has developed a fellowship program known as – Stars of Academe and Research (SoAR). This program aims to adequately support and advance Masters and Doctoral students in their respective fields. Ms Lisa-Mari Coughlan, a SOAR fellow, completed her MTech Tourism and Hospitality Management – cum laude and was conferred at the graduation ceremony last week (12 March 2013). 

Her study was entitled “Job satisfaction in selected five-star hotels in the Western Cape.” Coughlan’s interest in the field started as a high school learner, “I wanted to be part of an industry which exudes glamour and style; an industry which hosts celebrities and leaders of nations; an industry which can create magic moments and life long memories for guests. I chose CUT because it has the best Hotel School in South Africa!” explained Coughlan beaming with pride. She is not the first one in her family to achieve great results at CUT, her brother Mr De Ville Weppenaar received the 2011 award for best postgraduate student. SoAR’s main aim is to ensure that CUT has a sufficient supply of excellent academics engaged in teaching and research for the sustainability and innovativeness of the university. On successful completion of their studies, CUT will be given first preference in appointing the SoAR fellows, provided that they meet the minimum requirements for specific posts. In this instance, Coughlan is a staff member at CUT, teaching Hospitality Financial Management to first year student right through to final year students. 

Unlike many other scholarships, the SoAR scholarship holders can attend any public university of their choice in South Africa. Coughlan explains, “I applied for the SoAR fellowship, because it affords students the opportunity to study full-time without the financial pressure of being a full-time student. SoAR is an amazing opportunity for young researchers to develop and further their careers. It has most definitely changed my life and I have gotten more out of this experience than I could ever have dreamed of. I was also able to present at the Tourism Educators of South Africa (TESA) annual conference in Durban in 2012. Most of all I could focus my energy on my studies, give it my all and have the support behind me to succeed. I will forever be grateful to CUT for allowing me to be part of this wonderful fellowship. “My long term goal is to become a leader in hospitality education. I would love to continue conducting research in the field and to educate future managers of South African hospitality organisations.” concluded Coughlan. “The SoAR programme is our in-house ’grow-your-own-timber’ strategy that has thus far ensured a stream of highly qualified talent into our academic and research corps. This year, our academic division gains the talents of four individuals who completed their Master’s degrees in 2012, while two Master’s and three PhD students scheduled to complete their studies this year will join the ranks in 2014.” said Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. 

Pictured is Prof. Henk de Jager, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, Ms Lisa-Mari Coughlan, and Prof. Albert Strydom, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences.