Dear students and colleagues
The UCT Summer School invites all those who are interested to register for the 2022 courses, which are designed to immerse participants in new ideas, expert insight and creative thinking. Read more on this and other updates below:
UCT Summer School 2022: Education Everywhere
The 72-year-old UCT Summer School, the largest of its kind in Africa, offers a wide range of extramural courses – each with a special desire to unleash human potential. By integrating with the Development and Alumni Department and migrating the course content to digital platforms, the school now reaches a more diverse community of alumni and friends around the world, including via livestreaming into resource-poor communities.
While courses are available online, participants can also return to the annual university experience in 2022, with the opportunity to meet people from Cape Town’s diverse communities.
Announcement of the UCT COVID-19 vaccination panel
At its October meeting, the university Council approved that the executive establishes a UCT COVID-19 vaccination panel whose mandate will be to develop the operational details required to implement the campus access dispensation approved in-principle to take effect from 1 January 2022.
The panel comprises a wide range of experts from disciplines and specialities including, but not limited to, constitutional law, public health, ethics, infectious diseases and employee relations. There is representation from unions and the Students’ Representative Council. This panel is also tasked with, among others, working out the principles and guidelines for exemption from a requirement to provide proof of vaccination.
The panel has already begun its work and the executive will be required to report back to Council at its December 2021 meeting.
UCT vaccination site operational on Saturdays
In ongoing efforts to support the government’s vaccination drive, the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre is open every weekday from 08:00 to 15:00. The site is also open on Saturdays, from 09:00 to 13:00.
Staff and students are encouraged to also inform friends and family members to make use of the vaccination site.
The site is located at the university's Forest Hill residence complex on the Main Road, Mowbray, with access via Broad Street.
Staff survey on undergraduate assessment practices at UCT
The university set the Assessment Framework Working Group (AFWG) as part of the work of the Teaching and Learning Committee of Senate before COVID-19, which will continue operating into 2023. UCT staff involved in undergraduate teaching are invited to complete a short survey about their assessment practices. The purpose of this survey is to provide a clearer picture of the range of assessment practices that can be found across UCT.
The project continues until 2023 and is focused on improving the practice of assessment at undergraduate level across all faculties, with a view to improving learning outcomes for all students.
Reminder: Please complete the 2021 South African Survey of Student Engagement
UCT is calling on undergraduate students to participate in the 2021 South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE), which explores the extent to which they engage in educational activities and behaviours.
The survey will also provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their opportunities to engage in research with staff, to make use of academic advising, peer learning, academic literacy or numeracy courses, the First Year Experience and service learning, among other things.
Communication and Marketing Department
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COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.
UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.
UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) collaborated with Global Citizen, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation.
If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine check out the FAQ produced by the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF). The DTHF has developed a dedicated chat function where you can ask your vaccine-related questions on the bottom right hand corner of the website.
IDM YouTube channel | IDM website
The University of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Government (WCG) have reinforced our commitment to bringing hope to the residents of the Mother City with the launch of the world‑class Community of Hope Vaccination Centre that opened its doors on Monday, 30 August 2021.
The site is located on Main Road in Mowbray – in the Forest Hill Residence – and access is from Broad Street. The site is open every Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00 and on Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. Please allow time for attending to COVID-19 protocols and arrive as early as possible at the vaccination centre.
This is a space created for all formal bodies and structures within the university community to share their opinions on the need for a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Please note that some editorial judgement may be applied if the received statements go against any constitutional rights, and that no correspondence will be entered into, statements will be posted unedited and as received. Statements can be sent to opinions@uct.ac.za.
At midnight on 26 March 2020, South Africa went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.
In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”
We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.