Thursday, 9 April

09:00

Gratitude to all for dedication and hard work

The University of Cape Town would like to express its gratitude to you as we approach the two-week mark of the national lockdown, and acknowledge your role in keeping the institution going during this difficult time.

At all levels of our institution, colleagues are working extremely hard to ensure that the academic enterprise and its many necessary support operations continue, even in this new, remote environment.

• The hard work needed to shift to online learning is placing enormous additional pressure on academics, in particular, and on professional, administrative and support staff who contribute to the online enterprise with their expertise.
• Across UCT, staff and students are making extraordinary efforts while working from home and are responding with resilience, creativity and endurance.
• Many members of the UCT community are volunteering their services to help serve others.
• Experts and specialists are assisting at the provincial and national level, serving on the frontline of this health battle.

There are many other examples of the collective efforts of departments and teams, all of them focusing their creativity, energy and selfless commitment to keep UCT’s services and systems in working order. The university thanks you.

UCT’s leadership would also like to remind you of the importance of reaching out to each other during this time. Please make a committed effort to connect with each other.

Another important commitment to make is to seek help when you need it. If you are battling with the stress of lockdown, please make use of the services that are available to UCT staff and students, such as the Student Wellness Service and other staff support services for mental health and wellness.

Read the VC Desk.

This audio newsbyte has been prepared by UCT’s Communication and Marketing Department.