The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) was established on 1 January 2005 when the Cape and Peninsula Technikon’s merged. This was part of a national process of transforming the higher education landscape in South Africa. The history of CPUT is, therefore, the history of the two merged institutions and goes as far back as 1920. After the promulgation of the Technikons Act in 1976, technical colleges were able to offer tertiary education in selected fields of study. In 1979 both colleges were legally established as technikons and from 1993 were empowered to offer degrees: Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Technology.

CPUT is the only university of technology in the Western Cape and is the largest university in the region. The Institution has six faculties focused on Applied Science, Business and Management Sciences, Education, Informatics and Design, Engineering and the Built Environment and Health and Wellness Sciences.

The institution is best known for its provision of service-learning opportunities for its students. Service Learning is a course-based, credit-bearing experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to get further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility

CPUT offers under 100 career-focused courses and has two main campuses in Bellville and Cape Town, the Granger Bay Campus with its Cape Town Hotel school and restaurant next to the world-renowned V&A Waterfront in Cape Town as well as various campuses in Mowbray and Wellington.

RESEARCH

The University’s research culture focuses on applied and problem-solving research which is responsive to regional, national and continental needs. All research is focused around the following focus areas.

Research Focus Area 1: Bio-economy and Biotechnology

Research Focus Area 2: Space Science, Engineering and Technology

Research Focus Area 3: Smart Energy

Research Focus Area 4: The Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability

Research Focus Area 5: Human, Health and Social Dynamics

Research Focus Area 6: The Digital Society

VISION 2023

A university of CPUT’s scope and size requires a definitive future plan. The adoption of the institutions Vision 2030 dictates our strategic framework for the next ten years. This vision is embedded in all operating procedures at the university, and guides operations and how we see ourselves.

CPUT’s Vision is to be Africa’s leading Smart University of Technology, globally renowned for innovation, with graduates that shape a better world.

And our Mission is to transform our students through world-class researchers who inspire knowledge production and produce innovation that is cutting edge.

Our Vision and Mission align with sectoral, regional, national and global imperatives.

Vision 2030 aims to build One Smart CPUT. The “Oneness” focuses on our human-centricity, while the “Smartness” focuses on technological developments and innovations.

Through Vision 2030, we are proud to be imbedded in this nation’s future, and to be actively involved in creating South African success stories.