The new Dean of Students says her passion for student affairs led her to CPUT.

Prem Coopoo, a seasoned student developer with a master’s degree in social work, joined CPUT last month.

She intends to develop a holistic student development plan and that starts with coming up with a framework that will guide each of the departments reporting to her on what is expected of them.

“Everyone needs to know that we need to be student-centred and contribute to student success and not hinder it. Each one should ask themselves ‘are we promoting student success or are we hindering it?’ ”

CPUT is a good institution which is robust with strong union involvement,” says Coopoo who has previously held the position of Dean of Students at both Wits and the North West University in the last 14 years.

During her reign CPUT students can expect a supportive and responsive environment which is proactive rather than reactive.

“They can also expect strict adherence to the university’s rules because we need to assist them with acquiring certain soft skills and if we don’t enforce compliance to our rules we won’t be helping them develop the right skills not only for the world of work but also life in general.”

She adds that students will have an opportunity to become the good citizens of the world. “We will provide the programmes but the responsibility lies with the students to grab the opportunity to grow and develop, so they can expect a positive student experience throughout their career at CPUT and beyond.”

She says that the university would like for its graduates to return for postgraduate studies or be involved in university life as alumni.

The dean is interested in creating “high performing residences”. These should be places of learning where students have a 100% chance of excelling academically and personally, where no violation of any residence rule will be tolerated.

“CPUT must encourage student activism through affiliation with clubs, organisations and student societies with very clear outcomes.”

The finance structures of the institution have been given a vital boost thanks to two recent Director level appointments. Gregory Otieno takes over the Procurement reigns while Vincent Jones will be the first Director of Internal Auditing appointed at CPUT.

The recent protest action and the impact of a 0% fee increase in 2016 will see all departments tightening their belts making both their portfolios even more critical to the smooth financial management of the institution.

Otieno says he is excited to join the higher education sector since the bulk of his experience to date has been in corporate procurement fine tuning his expertise in logistics, supply chain and operation management.

“Having worked within the private business environment I longed for an opportunity to expand my experience within the public space and CPUT offered that opportunity. My impression of CPUT as an institution is that it comprises a society of great minds and people,” he says.

Far from being a number cruncher working behind the scenes Jones will be an integral advisor to the Vice-Chancellor on all issues of potential financial risk to the institution.

He brings 12 years of internal audit, risk evaluation and governance and forensic investigation skills to his new position and joins CPUT directly from National Department of Trade and Industry where he spent seven years in a Director position.

“Since the university never had an in-house Internal Auditor, I am looking forward to applying my knowledge and experience in establishing internal auditing practices and to develop a vision for a strategic internal audit process, addressing the key strategies and risks facing the institution.”