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Challenges and success factors in introducing information systems for students’ online registration : a case study of a University of Technology
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The beginning of the 2011 academic year in South Africa saw a number of Institutions of Higher Learning introducing online registration for their students. The efficiency and effectiveness of Information Systems is increasingly becoming a necessity and not an option for many organizations. An information system should be able to allow end users to access information easily and navigate with ease. The selected University of Technology (UoT) in this research is one of the largest public institution of higher learning in the Western Cape Province and boasts of an enrolment of more than 30 000 students per academic year. An observation was made that, during registration students stand in long queues waiting to register or for assistance to register. The system tends to ‘freeze’ whilst students are registering and students are in most cases unfamiliar with the system interface. They constantly have to enquire what to do next when going through online registration process. This study adopted a quantitative approach. The study uses constructs of the updated DeLone and McLean IS success model (2003) to analyse and explain the student’s perceptions of the online registration system. The research was undertaken to establish the student’s perceptions of the online registration system. This research identifies the challenges and success factors of introducing an online registration system, from a students’ perspective, whilst highlighting the extent to which this system has been able to solve problems associated with the manual registration era. The study seeks to assist management and those responsible for managing the current system to determine how well the system is working or not working to achieve user satisfaction. It will also assist them going forward on what to consider before, during and after implementation of an information system. Stemming from the findings of this study, recommendations were made such as making online registration available on mobile devices, online registration orientation can assist students navigate the system easily. The UoT should also consider thorough training for staff that assist students during registration to ensure good service quality
Antidiabetic and profertility mechanisms of aqueous extract of Basella alba in male Wistar rats
No full textThesis (PhD (Biomedical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The use of medicinal plants in the management of various health problems date back to the ancient times. However, only in recent years, researchers are starting to focus on the use of natural plant products as alternative treatment in disease control. Basella alba (Ba), commonly called Ceylon or Indian spinach is one of such medicinal plants, wildly cultivated and consumed mostly as vegetable. Studies have established many beneficial effects of Ba, including androgenic effects as well as antidiabetic effects which have been described in rats following oral administration of the leave extract. However, the actual mechanisms underlying the antihyperglyceamic effect of Ba have not been reported in any study and little or no research details are yet available on the potential beneficial effects of Ba in reproductive dysfunction resulting from diabetes mellitus. This study was aimed at investigating the mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic effect of Ba and the possibility of a role for the plant in correcting diabetic-induced reproductive dysfunctions in male Wistar rats. The first part of the study involved comparing of three different solvent extracts of Ba leaves namely ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts for their antioxidant potentials, after which the aqueous extract was selected for further use in the experiments. Animal experimentation involved male rats (n=40) aged 8-10 weeks, randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: Healthy Control, Diabetic Control, Healthy Treatment and Diabetic Treatment. Diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55mg/kg) and all animals subsequently received treatment via gavage (Rats in Control groups received 0.5ml/100g normal saline daily and treatment groups received 200mg/kg plant extract daily) for a period of four weeks. Fasting blood sugar and body weights were recorded weekly throughout the study. Animals were sacrificed upon completion of the treatment and blood samples and tissues collected for further analysis which included computer aided sperm analysis, Luminex® technology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent hormonal assays, inflammatory cytokine assays, analysis of oxidative stress markers and Histopathological analysis. The single intraperitoneal injection of a high streptozotocin dose resulted in hyperglycaemia, weight loss, subnormal sperm parameters, negative balance of inflammatory cytokines and endogenous antioxidants and degenerative changes in the pancreas, testes and epididymis as observed in the diabetic control rats. Oral administration with the aqueous extract of Ba for four weeks in diabetic treatment rats led to a significant reduction in blood sugar and improvement of sperm parameters by modulating the production of gonadal hormones, in vivo antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines. There was also significant recovery of normal islet histology and reduction in testicular and epididymal degeneration in the diabetic treatment rats when compared to their diabetic control counterparts. It was concluded from the findings of this study that the antidiabetic and profertility effects of Ba are largely dependent on the modulation of in vivo production of antioxidants, gonadal hormones and inflammatory cytokines, probably stimulated by one or more phytochemical component(s) that can be isolated in the aqueous extract of the plant
Antidiabetic and profertility mechanisms of aqueous extract of Basella alba in male Wistar rats
No full textThesis (PhD (Biomedical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The use of medicinal plants in the management of various health problems date back to the ancient times. However, only in recent years, researchers are starting to focus on the use of natural plant products as alternative treatment in disease control. Basella alba (Ba), commonly called Ceylon or Indian spinach is one of such medicinal plants, wildly cultivated and consumed mostly as vegetable. Studies have established many beneficial effects of Ba, including androgenic effects as well as antidiabetic effects which have been described in rats following oral administration of the leave extract. However, the actual mechanisms underlying the antihyperglyceamic effect of Ba have not been reported in any study and little or no research details are yet available on the potential beneficial effects of Ba in reproductive dysfunction resulting from diabetes mellitus. This study was aimed at investigating the mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic effect of Ba and the possibility of a role for the plant in correcting diabetic-induced reproductive dysfunctions in male Wistar rats. The first part of the study involved comparing of three different solvent extracts of Ba leaves namely ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts for their antioxidant potentials, after which the aqueous extract was selected for further use in the experiments. Animal experimentation involved male rats (n=40) aged 8-10 weeks, randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: Healthy Control, Diabetic Control, Healthy Treatment and Diabetic Treatment. Diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55mg/kg) and all animals subsequently received treatment via gavage (Rats in Control groups received 0.5ml/100g normal saline daily and treatment groups received 200mg/kg plant extract daily) for a period of four weeks. Fasting blood sugar and body weights were recorded weekly throughout the study. Animals were sacrificed upon completion of the treatment and blood samples and tissues collected for further analysis which included computer aided sperm analysis, Luminex® technology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent hormonal assays, inflammatory cytokine assays, analysis of oxidative stress markers and Histopathological analysis. The single intraperitoneal injection of a high streptozotocin dose resulted in hyperglycaemia, weight loss, subnormal sperm parameters, negative balance of inflammatory cytokines and endogenous antioxidants and degenerative changes in the pancreas, testes and epididymis as observed in the diabetic control rats. Oral administration with the aqueous extract of Ba for four weeks in diabetic treatment rats led to a significant reduction in blood sugar and improvement of sperm parameters by modulating the production of gonadal hormones, in vivo antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines. There was also significant recovery of normal islet histology and reduction in testicular and epididymal degeneration in the diabetic treatment rats when compared to their diabetic control counterparts. It was concluded from the findings of this study that the antidiabetic and profertility effects of Ba are largely dependent on the modulation of in vivo production of antioxidants, gonadal hormones and inflammatory cytokines, probably stimulated by one or more phytochemical component(s) that can be isolated in the aqueous extract of the plan
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) from Mpumalanga province of South Africa: phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of seeds and product extracts
No full textThesis MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) an indigenous legume cultivated in Sub-Saharan Africa has been proclaimed to have medicinal properties from communities and in rural areas. However, there is not enough scientific information to validate these claims. Therefore, this study aimed to identify possible medicinal properties of Bambara groundnut (BGN), by analysing the phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of BGN seed and product extracts from Mpumalanga province within South Africa. The BGN extracts (70% methanol, 70% ethanol, milli-Q water) from seeds and products (milk and yoghurt) were screened for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, riboflavin and thiamine using analytical laboratory methods for basic screening, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) for quantification. The antimicrobial activity involved direct bioautography and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against six antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606T, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 33591 and Candida albicans ATCC 24433. For the seed extracts, flavonoids and phenols were highly concentrated in the red and brown hulls of BGN compared to whole and dehulled BGN. Organic solvents in comparison to water yielded the highest concentration of flavonoids, whilst water yielded the highest concentration for phenols. Flavonoid compounds that were detected at the highest concentrations were rutin (24.458 ± 0.234 mg.g-1, brown hull extracted with 70% methanol), quercetin (0.070 ± 0.043 mg.g-1, red hull extracted with 70% methanol), kaempferol (0.391 ± 0.161 mg.g-1; brown hull extracted with 70% ethanol) and myricetin (1.800 ± 0.771 mg.g-1; red hull extracted with 70% methanol). For phenol compounds, gallic acid (0.009 ± 0.004 mg.g-1; brown hull extracted with milli-Q water), catechin (0.026 ± 0.041 mg.g-1; brown hull extracted with milli-Q water), methyl gallate (0.008 ± 0.013 mg.g-1; brown whole extracted with milli-Q water), chlorogenic acid (0.115 ± 0.199 mg.g-1; brown hull extracted with milli-Q water) and ellagic acid (0.105 ± 0.082 mg.g-1; red hull extracted with milli-Q water) were detected. Vitamins B1 and B2 (riboflavin and thiamine) were mostly present in milli-Q water extracts. Black-eye hull had the highest concentration of thiamine (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) consisting of 0.072 mg.g-1 (extracted with milli-Q water) and 0.002 mg.g-1 (extracted with 70% ethanol and 70% methanol). Red and brown hull extracts from organic solvents (70% ethanol and 70% methanol) showed the highest antimicrobial activity, whereas the whole, dehulled and hulls (black-eye and brown-eye) extracts had no antimicrobial activity. As for BGN products extracts, flavonoid compounds that were detected at the highest concentrations were rutin (5.694 mg.g-1, whole BGN milk, milli-Q water), quercetin (0.703 mg.g-1, whole BGN yoghurt, milli-Q water) and myricetin (0.987 mg.g-1, whole BGN yoghurt, 70% ethanol)
A model of the contribution of information communication technology to the tourism value chain for pro-poor benefits in Rwanda
No full textThesis (DTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Prior studies have shown that the information communication technology sector worldwide is perceived as a transformative and enabling tool for the other economic activities to improve citizens’ lives. In a Rwandan context, information communication technology integration in economic sector activities such as tourism, with the adoption of a value chain approach, is thought to be an answer to a number of social and economic challenges, including unemployment, customer care services, and poor information knowledge. In combination with the tourism sector, it is possible that job creation opportunities could benefit unemployed Rwandans, particularly the young, where information communication technology is identified as a business in itself, and an enabling tool to improve inter-economic and crosscutting activities in a growing economy. Despite mixed results from various studies, information communication technology for a tourism village could be an enabling tool for national and regional development, if priority focus on ICT and tourism quality infrastructures is maintained. Research on the evolving nature of the information communication technology sector, through tourism activities in Rwanda, could yield many off-farm jobs besides solely agrarian activities.
The study was conducted on an extensive scale, in order to facilitate the generalisation of the results, employing 720 tourism stakeholders’ surveys, ten interviews with government tourism officials, and ten focus group discussions to garner both quantitative and qualitative data. A mixed research method was used to minimise possible research bias and maximise the accuracy of the findings in the four provinces and Kigali City in Rwanda.
Of the 720 questionnaires distributed, 615 were usable. Regarding the interviews with government officials, focus group discussions, field observations and secondary data analysis, the researcher found that the information communication technology contribution to tourism stakeholders’ economic lives was at variance with residents’ perceptions in the provinces and districts, and contradicted the information communication technology benefits of connectivity, internet accessibility and usability in their locality. It was also confirmed that information communication technology contributions to tourism stakeholders were at a very low level, where the contribution was limited to telephone subscriptions and their uses, for example for mobile money transfers. The future of information communication technology contributions to tourism stakeholders is positive, if integrated value chain approaches are adopted to benefit poor communities at a tourist destination being visited. A model of an information communication technology village for the development of a tourism village is proposed. This could serve as a catalyst to measure the impacts on both the information communication technology and tourism sectors discussed in this study. More importantly, it was clearly found that the culture of approaching local communities in the process of policy drafting, or any developmental programme, is not present in Rwanda, and this was shown as a critical issue because of the costly nature of implementation of changes. Consequently, this study found that there was potential to support projections for information communication technology policies to achieve the objectives of sustainable development through tourism, promoting rural development, and a reduction of poverty in generalRwandan Government, through the Ministry of Educatio
Anthropometric measurements versus computed tomography for the assessment of metabolic syndrome in the Bellville South mixed ancestry community, South Africa
No full textThesis (MSc (Radiography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors which include abdominal obesity, hyperglycaemia, hyper-triglyceridaemia, low HDL-cholesterol and hypertension. This cluster of metabolic deviations is believed to be the primary driver of the double global epidemic of diabetes (DM) and CVD, conditions which account for much of the social and economic global burden of disease. Similar to the global trend, a high prevalence of MetS (62%) and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (28.2%) has been reported for the South African mixed ancestry population, with CVD risk significantly higher in subjects with DM. The increase in MetS prevalence is driven by the obesity epidemic and anthropometric cut-off values to define MetS for this particular component of the disease has been reported to differ widely between different populations and ethnicities. Currently the waist circumference (WC) cut-off value for MetS diagnosis needs to be determined and validated per ethnic group as opposed to the previously used European derived cut-off values (Alberti et al., 2006; 2009). Validation of the WC cut-off value needs to be against one of the so called gold standards of central obesity measurement, such as Computer Tomography (CT). This technique can measure subcutaneous fat (SAT) and visceral fat (VAT) individually, which is important because VAT has been reported to be associated with MetS and CVD. The current study forms part of a large research group, investigating the prevalence and risk factors for MetS and T2DM in the South African mixed ancestry population
An analysis of the succession planning practices in a metropolitan municipality in South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The successful implementation of any integrated talent management approach is important when embarking on succession planning to mitigate the risk of institutional knowledge being lost or for that matter, the loss of staff with critical and scarce skills occupying key positions. The integrated talent management approach is intended to manage, develop and retain skilled and experienced personnel identified as successors who should be ready to occupy targeted key positions in the event the current incumbents vacated due to retirement or through voluntary or involuntary exit from the municipality at any stage during the employee life cycle. The successful management of successors to key positions during the employee life cycle is highly dependent on the effective management of the succession planning process and system. The metropolitan municipality at the focus of this study has not delivered on a successfully implemented succession planning process and system to support the management and retention of staff and institutional knowledge in key critical and scarce skills and leadership positions. The aim of this study is to investigate and confirm the need for the integration of succession planning practices in an integrated talent management approach. This study applied a multidisciplinary theoretical review of current literature within the fields of talent management, public management, organisational psychology and business survey research at national and international levels. The selection of only one municipality supports a case study design in that it allows for an analysis of specific circumstances and a situation as experienced with regard to succession planning in a local government municipality.
The researcher explored a triangulation mixed methods research approach and in such an instance, qualitative and a quantitative research are completed at the same time with equal weighting and with the idea of bringing the results of the two types of research together to validate the research questions posed. The qualitative research approach involved unstructured (in-depth) interviews conducted with eight Devolved Human Resources Managers (DHRM’s) responsible for HR Management within the municipality’s functional areas / departments. A survey technique in the format of a self-administered questionnaire was also used as a quantitative research approach to draw input from a sample group. The researcher, in consultation with a statistician, selected non-probability sampling. The questionnaire provided quantitative data to reflect the view of managerial, as well as non-managerial staff. The quantitative data collected was analysed using suitable descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The qualitative data was recorded through unstructured interviews. The quantitative data was data integration correlated with the qualitative data. The results of the quantitative research were analysed and key factors identified for further interpretation. The results of the qualitative research were described with key themes emerging. The outcomes of both research approaches were consolidated and a linkage with the research objectives established in a tabulated format. New results emerged, confirming the integration of the outcomes by using the mixed method methodology. Congruent and non-congruent data across the qualitative and quantitative dimensions were identified
The effectiveness of the extended curriculum programme in the electrical engineering department at a University of Technology in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Students who are not academically strong are finding it very difficult to enter a tertiary institution. The requirements are of a high standard which results in many students not having the option to further their education. The government recognised that there was a problem in this area and that the country as a whole is lacking in people with the necessary skills to improve the country and its economy. The introduction of the Extended Curriculum Programme has given students the opportunity to enter a tertiary institution and prove to themselves that with a little guidance and an academically lengthened year they will be able to use their skills to improve their situations. The ECP has been integrated into universities in various departments allowing for a diverse amount of options for the students to choose from. The introduction of the ECP has levelled the playing fields and allows students from all walks of life to enter an institution; however it must be noted that there are minimum requirements which are determined by the students’ academic history. Many a success story has emerged from the ECP. The course is spread over four years as opposed to three and it allows the student to settle into the tertiary lifestyle. It might take a little longer but the aims and goals have the same outcomes. The aim of this study to see how effective the ECP is in the Electrical Engineering Department at a University of Technology and to make recommendations where needed
Design, installation, and assessment of a biological winery wastewater treatment system
No full textThesis (MTech (Civil Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Currently in South Africa, most wastewater from small cellars is pH-adjusted and disposed of via land irrigation. This practice can lead to environmental degradation. There is a need for low cost, low maintenance solutions for the treatment of cellar effluent. Constructed wetlands provide such an option. However, the use of plants is problematic because winery effluent can be phytotoxic. After successful initial laboratory-scale experiments, an in-situ pilot scale biological sand filter (unplanted constructed wetland) system was designed, installed, and used to treat effluent from a small winery in the Western Cape, South Africa. The system is off-grid, totally self-regulating, and uses a modular approach which allows for the addition and subtraction of filter modules within the system to alter treatment capacity, retention time and/or rest filter modules. The system can be easily integrated into existing settling basins and/or retention ponds at small wineries.
The biological sand filter was operational for 610 days, and showed promising results. The average chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency was 81% (range: 44-98%) with an average effluent of 324 mg/L, and an average flow rate of 413 L/day after the acclimation (start-up) period. The average hydraulic loading rate after the initial start-up period was 143 L/m3 sand day-1 (range: 67-222/m3 sand day-1), with an organic loading rate of 205 gCOD/m3 of sand day-1 (range: 83-338 gCOD/m3 sand day-1) which resulted in an organic removal rate of 164 gCOD/m3 of sand day-1. There was an average of 67% removal of total phenolics, thereby reducing the potential phytotoxicity of the effluent. In addition, there was a 1.6 times increase in calcium concentration, a 29% decrease in the average sodium adsorption ratio, and complete passive neutralisation of the acidic winery wastewater (final effluent pH range: 6.63 – 8.14.
The findings of this study compare well with previous laboratory studies conducted with synthetic and authentic winery effluent. The system can potentially provide a low cost, energy efficient, low maintenance, sustainable means of treating cellar effluent at small wineries. Uptake of this technology may alleviate environmental degradation caused by irrigating land with inadequately treated effluent
Diffusion of a Quality Management System: A Case Study
No full textThesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The diffusion of a Quality Management System (QMS) to improve business performance depends upon the quality management strategy used. The aim of Eskom’s QMS strategy was to create a sustainable quality drive throughout the company to improve customer and stakeholder satisfaction.
This research project’s objective is to determine how the diffusion of a QMS can improve the electricity supply industry in the Western Cape division of the electricity sector in South Africa.
The key research objectives within the research study are:
to assess what effect a QMS has on a sustainable long-term solution for energy supply;
to assess how a QMS contributes to the establishment of world class processes and practices;
to determine how a QMS affects quality culture;
to determine what factors of a QMS play a role in a continual improvement process, and
to determine what barriers affect a sustainable QMS implementation.
The research question is: “how can the diffusion of a QMS bring improvement to the electricity supply industry?”
A quantitative research methodology was employed in the study. The responses to a survey questionnaire were analysed and conclusions were drawn.
The research finding is that diffusion of a QMS improves the electricity industry by positively affecting attitudes towards the challenge of securing a sustainable long-term energy supply, improving processes and practices, engendering a quality culture and contributing towards continual improvement. At the same time, certain barriers to the implementation of a sustainable QMS were identified