In breaking the language barrier, CPUT is currently hosting academics from the University of Luanda, Angola who are here for six weeks to participate in an English programme offered by instructors from the Faculty of Education, the Language Unit at Fundani CHED, and the US Embassy.
Prof Alfredo Buza, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Luanda, and his executive team were recently welcomed by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo. Buza and his team are hoping to stop relying on interpreters as they strive to assertively converse in English, He says the progress is remarkable. Reflecting on his time at CPUT, Buza said this was an implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding between CPUT and his University, which was agreed upon in February last year. He said under the terms of the agreements, the programme is breaking the language barrier for both parties.
He added that the programme was a success as “five employees of our university are training in the English programme and one in the master’s programme at CPUT”.
“[My sincere] gratitude to CPUT, the Faculty of Education, Prof Nhlapo, to Prof Anna Dippenaar [and] to everyone involved,” Buza noted.
Prof Anna Dippenaar, Assistant Dean: Faculty of Education, said they were privileged to host a group of academics, which is led by Buza and includes Prof Juliana Canga, Chair of Assembly and the Scientific Council Faculty of Social Work; Prof Campos Pataca, Deputy Director for Academic Area of the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies); Pemba Kudibanza, Head of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies and Sebastião dos Santos, Head of the Department of Scientific Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Post-Graduation.
The CPUT team includes the Institutional Language Coordinator at Fundani CHED, Dr Kabelo Sebolai, Prof Candice Livingston, Suzan Wust, Dr Sanet Cox, Dr Praysgod Mhlongo, Valencia Cloete, Dippenaar, Prof Rinelle Evans from the University of Pretoria, Akisha Pearman and Alicia Brent from the US Embassy. Dippenaar acknowledged Dr Brad Horn, Director: Regional English Language Office for Southern Africa at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa “for providing the necessary support and additional instructors”.
Accompanying him, is Pedro Lucas, Head of the Exchange Department of the Legal and Exchange Office of the University of Luanda, who is currently enrolled in a Master of Business Administration or Business Information Administration Course at CPUT for the academic year 2024.
She also acknowledged Dr David Phaho, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation, and Partnerships and Prof Andile Mji, Dean of the Faculty of Education “who were instrumental in setting up this programme, for their support”. “We believe this course will be very valuable for academics who would like to enhance research opportunities at CPUT in the future but might experience language challenges.”
The Faculty of Education is also assisting in taking the team to sites in Wellington and Cape Town, where opportunities for authentic language use are ample. “This is the beginning of a long-term relationship with the University of Luanda. The group will be back at CPUT in March 2025 for another six weeks, during which the language course will be continued, as well as more research opportunities explored,” Dippenaar remarked.