2012 Annual Report

Since the Strategic Transformation of Educational Programmes and Structures (STEPS) process was launched in February 2010, CUT has made considerable strides. In 2012, nine new, innovative, demand-driven and user-oriented academic programmes were approved by the Department ofHigher Education and Training. They will be introduced in 2014 and 2015. These programmes range from a theme-based BEd that focuses on the ultimate outcomes in practice; to a Design and Studio Art programme that systematically consolidates a number of previously disparate programmes in this field; to a Community Development Work programme that is a direct response to the burgeoning community services and skills to facilitate delivery thereof; to Science, Engineering and Technology
(SET)-oriented programmes like health management, renewable energy technologies, hydrology and water management, and agricultural extension and management.

As a spin-off from the STEPS process, CUT now has a new lean, flat and efficient academic structure, consisting of only deans and heads of departments, as opposed to the previous cumbersome structure that had four layers. On the issue of international partnerships, in 2012 CUT laid the foundation for Internationalisation at the University, in preparation for hosting the 17th Annual International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) 2013 Conference, and the launching of the
Internationalisation Strategy.