Message from the Dean

I wish to warmly welcome you to the Faculty of Applied Sciences at CPUT. The Faculty has eight academic Departments on three campuses, which together offer 13 Programmes of study: Agriculture and Agricultural Management on the Wellington Campus; Analytical Chemistry, Food Science & Technology, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, and Mathematical Sciences on the Bellville campus; and Biotechnology, Consumer Science- Food and Nutrition, Environmental Health, Environmental Management, Marine Science, and Nature Conservation located at D6 campus in Cape Town). Collectively, these Programmes have an enrolment of over 3 500 students.

The success of every student is important to us, and we have many structures, activities and programmes to support the academic endeavours of all our students. Some of the support initiatives we have include Mentors, Tutors, Language support and an Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP) that allows new students to spread their academic load in a manner that helps them succeed better.

As a Faculty, we offer not just undergraduate qualifications but also have a rich suite of postgraduate qualifications up to Doctoral level. We have a strong Research and Innovation ethos and, in order to facilitate and strengthen teamwork and synergies in research among staff, the Faculty has several Research & Innovation entities, including the Agrifood Technology Station; the Centre for Sustainable Oceans, and Research Groups in the areas of: Bioresource Engineering (in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment); Functional Foods Research; Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology & Remediation; and Crystal Engineering. There are also other research areas in the various Departments, and I welcome those of you who are interested in research or postgraduate study to explore our website for the exciting research we do.

Appreciating the importance of partnerships in enabling us to achieve our goals and support others in achieving mutual objectives, we have established and nurtured partnerships with communities, Industry, corporations and other Higher Education institutions in this country, the rest of Africa, and in the wider world. We continue to value and grow strategic collaborations.

In 2021, we join the rest of the University in embarking on a new decadal Strategic Plan towards a "One Smart CPUT". Through this vision, our quest is to be Africa’s leading Smart University of Technology - globally renowned for innovation, with graduates that shape a better world for humanity. I hope you will find an opportunity to join us as we work towards that vision – either as a student or researcher, or through collaboration.

Once again, I welcome you to the Faculty.

Prof Joseph I. Kioko

Dean