Wednesday, 17 June

10:45

The University of Cape Town (UCT) this week announced the process for the return of researchers, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduates to campus. The process has been decided on by the university’s Return to Research Task Team.

Briefly, the process is as follows:

• Faculties and departments have provided lists of postgraduates most in need of returning to campus. These lists have been assessed by the task team.
• Researchers and postgraduates will return in two tranches. Please note that this is subject to change according to national or provincial circumstances.
• Phase 1 was the return of final-year medical students. Phase 2 is likely to start at the beginning of July.
• The Phase 2 group includes staff and postdoctoral researchers in critical research areas that involve time-sensitive deliverables; master’s and doctoral students who are reaching the end of their degrees and need access to facilities on campus; and necessary technical support staff.
• Phase 3 is likely to start after August 2020.
• The Phase 3 group includes honours students whose courses include significant research components and master’s and doctoral researchers who are not yet reaching the end of their degrees but who need access to campus facilities.
• Research supervisors needing to occasionally visit campus to support students require a letter from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

The university would like to emphasise that every staff member and postgraduate returning to campus will need a formal letter of invitation and a permit for travel. The travel permit will be issued through a central process. You will not be allowed onto campus without this documentation.

Read the DVC’s Desk.