The Council and Convocation of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) were unanimous in accepting the instalment of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson, Ms Thandi Modise, as the new and the first black female Chancellor of this university yesterday.
Ms Modise takes over the reins as the second Chancellor of CPUT from its inaugural Chancellor, Mr Trevor Manuel, our former Finance Minister, who became its first Chancellor after the former Cape Town Technikon and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology merged in 2005 to form CPUT. Mr Manuel held this position for two consecutive terms.
After the new Chancellor was welcomed by the Acting Chancellor, Dr Chris Nhlapo, congratulatory messages were conveyed by the members of both the CPUT’s Council and Convocation.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, its Chairperson Ms Nogolide Nojozi said Ms Modise came to the sector when it was faced with formidable challenges. This is a testimony to her stern resolve and character, she said. “Given the current situation in our universities, someone would have shied away and not accepted such nomination. But you did. This says much about your stern character.”
She said the Higher Education Sector needed female leaders such as Ms Modise, who will add new insight to its governance. “I wonder what it would have been to have a strong female leader like you in our times. Your installation today is more than symbolic. It is a testimony to young girls that they can also make it in life if they dream big.”
The Chairperson of the Convocation, Mr Bheki Hadebe, said they expected nothing less but the best from the new Chancellor. “We now that you are not chosen because you are female, your track record speaks for itself. Our university needs people of your attitude, intelligence and character.”
In his remarks, Dr Nhlapo said that they are convinced that the Chairperson of the NCOP would assist in turning CPUT into world-class institution.
In his remarks, the Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande emphasised that the appointment of Ms Modise as the Chancellor of CPUT came at the time when the higher education sector was confronted with challenges pertaining to its governance and the increasing calls for its reorientation.
“These challenges put the academic gains and government investments in our universities at risk.”
My belief is that we need transformation in higher education sector, but that should be done in a more responsible manner. Such a call should not lead to destruction, he said. “There is now a discourse in the sector that we need to reflect on our academic trajectory to ensure that our higher education is responsive to the needs of our society. That call is genuine, but must not lead to destruction.”
Your style of leadership and your clarity of vision will definitely move this institution to greater heights, he said. “Under your leadership we hope that this institution will enhance effective research and knowledge production and will have a holistic approach to the development of its students.”
The Minister of Education said the latter would ensure that the country addresses its skills shortages. “We are convinced that CPUT will continue, under your leadership, to produce high-level skills that will keep our country on its predetermined developmental path.”
Be assured of our continued support in this regard, he said.
Ms Modise’s acceptance speech was predicated on the opportunities and challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (also called the Digital Revolution) to the global economy, how humans interact and relate to the world. She remarked that with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is digital in nature, the world has changed considerably. “The Digital Revolution has blurred the lines between the physical and biological, between the real and the virtual. This impacts on how we work, interact and we conduct ourselves, how we consume and how goods are produced. This revolution has turn our world into a virtual world.”
She said this revolution, which has not left any human activity untouched, has massive implications on the real economy. “The process of creation and distribution brought to bear by this revolution has created wealth for a few, but has robbed jobs of many in the media and retail industries.”
Demonstrating the far-reaching effects of this revolution, she cited how the introduction of Uber taxis in our country has redefined our taxi industry. “Uber now has taxis that it does not own due to the digitalisation of transportation. Our taxi industry is feeling the effects of this revolution.”
The pace at which the real and digital economies are now being blurred, more jobs are set to be lost, she said. “It is estimated that 40% to 48% of jobs will disappear in advanced economies in the near future.”
Unlike other revolutions that preceded it, this revolution threatens the livelihood not only of blue collar, but also white collar jobs. She said: “It is estimated that 33% of white collar jobs in United Kingdom face a high risk of being displace by automation.”
Once people are replaced by robots, the gap between the rich and the poor widens terribly, she said. “According to the Oxfam research, in 2016 there were 62 individuals who have the same wealth as the poorest half of the global population. In 2017, that number has decreased to eight individuals.”
She said the institutions of learning, especially those that in the technological spheres, have to find ways of mitigating these disparities. “Perhaps, now is the time to rethink what and how we teach. How we should embrace the fact that we now need to teach not only the right, but also left hemispheres of our brains as a means so that we can be at the cutting edge of this revolution to produce the change of tomorrow.”
Ms Modise’s instalment came at the time when CPUT was engulfed by student protest. She assured the students that she would create the necessary space to listen to their demands. “We must protect the students’ right to protest. And we must stretch our patience in dealing with their demands. But most importantly, we must also stretch government’s purse in ensuring that deserving student have access to education,” she said
By Abel Mputing
14 September 2017
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