FHS Staff and Researchers Awarded at UCT’s Annual Staff Awards

UCT held its annual Staff Awards at the Baxter Theatre in November to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its staff. Health sciences staff made their faculty proud as much of their work and research were acknowledged in the awards. 

Speaking at the event, newly installed Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Mosa Moshabela said: “I’ve caught glimpses of the breadth of your work. But I haven’t even begun to tap into the depth of it yet. And every time I hear stories from colleagues about the work that they do – and it’s just incredible how hard our colleagues work – on the academic, science and teaching [side of things] and in terms of support and professional services.” 
 

Awards to FHS Staff Included: 

Global Citizenship Award (PASS): Pandemic Preparedness Institute 

The UCT PASS team, comprised of staff from the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) research and finance offices, as well as the central research and finance offices, was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Service of Excellence Award in Global Citizenship for their pivotal role in an unprecedented national effort to enhance South Africa's capacity to prevent and respond to future global public health emergencies. 

The team conceptualised, coordinated, and developed a winning proposal to establish a national Institute for the Preparedness and Prevention of Pandemics (IP3). They worked closely with nine other South African universities, including five historically disadvantaged institutions, to drive the proposal. 
 

The dedication of all those involved to push through the many challenges, put in the late nights, and persevere to finalise a project that involved over 450 participants was inspirational, and it means a lot to have that work recognised through the Vice-Chancellor’s Service of Excellence Award.

“The IP3 proposal really demonstrated the commitment of the team in furthering research not only at UCT but nationally,” said Yolande Harley, director of the FHS Research Office. “The dedication of all those involved to push through the many challenges, put in the late nights, and persevere to finalise a project that involved over 450 participants was inspirational, and it means a lot to have that work recognised through the Vice-Chancellor’s Service of Excellence Award.” 

The team included: Dr Yolande Harley, Dr Dionne Miles, Dr Zulfa Abrahams, Dr Jonathan Dugas, Jolene Fransman, Shamiela Hassiem, Dr Rob Huddy, and Joy Joachims. 

Global Citizenship Award (Academic): Professor Victoria Gibbon 

Professor Victoria Gibbon, a biological anthropologist in the Division of Clinical Anatomy in the Department of Human Biology, was awarded the Vice Chancellors service of excellence award in Global Citizenship for her role in national policy development with the justice and heritage sectors of society, as well as her advocacy for higher ethical standards of research practice, with inclusion of community voices in the academic and scholar environment.  
 

I am honoured to receive this award, it is a reminder that sometimes our solutions and impact as researchers are beyond the science and research itself

Through this award several aspects of Professor Gibbon’s work are acknowledged, this includes her work with the South African Police Service to improve data systems for improved matches between missing persons reports and unidentified bodies in morgues. Her work has also contributed to new national policies on the restitution of human remains held unethically. She played an integral part in the Sutherland Nine Restitution process. 

“I am honoured to receive this award, it is a reminder that sometimes our solutions and impact as researchers are beyond the science and research itself,” says Gibbon. “None of this work was achieved alone, I am fortunate to have many collaborators and partners who have a shared sense of justice and drive.” 

Alan Pifer Award: Professor Keertan Dheda 

The Alan Pifer Award honours exceptional research dedicated to advancing societal welfare. Professor Keertan Dheda, director of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity and head of the Division of Pulmonology, was honoured with the award this year for
his work in reducing the burden of tuberculosis in vulnerable communities. 
 

It is a privilege to be at the forefront of research that not only advances scientific knowledge but also delivers real-world solutions to those most affected by TB

“I have to emphasise that I am a figurehead representing a very large group of people, and much of the credit and hard work must be attributed to them rather than myself,” he said about the award. “It is a privilege to be at the forefront of research that not only advances scientific knowledge but also delivers real-world solutions to those most affected by TB.” 

Fellowship Awards: Professor Mohamed Jeebhay and Catherine Orrell 

 Professor Mohamed Jeebhay from the School of Public Health and Family Medicine and Professor Catherine Orrell from the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, based in the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, were honoured with fellowship awards. 

These fellowship awards celebrate staff who demonstrate the breadth and impact of UCT excellence and their commitment to unleashing human potential across a range of disciplines through scholarly work that has had a major, quantifiable impact on society. 

Professor Jeebhay, head of Occupational Medicine in the School of Public Health and previously co-director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Occupational Health (2010—14), is one of the few leading occupational medicine academics in Africa known internationally for his scholarship on allergies and asthma in the workplace. 

Professor Orrell is an HIV clinician, clinical pharmacologist, and the clinical lead for the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation Centre for Adherence and Therapeutics. She has demonstrated her compassion for humanity through her work as an HIV/AIDS activist and antiretroviral treatment crusader. 

UCT Book Award 

The UCT Book Award honours staff who have produced outstanding publications that bring credit and prestige to the institution. The 2024 prize was awarded to Dr Chantel Stewart from the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in recognition of The Veil of Maya, a novel described as both a medical mystery and a love story. 

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