UCT on course to promote teaching and learning

A top priority: VC Dr Max Price believes that innovation at UCT in terms of teaching learning means the university has a lot to offer across the higher education sector.

UCT has ambitions to not only lead in the field of research, but also become one of the top teaching and learning institutes nationally and internationally.

This was the message conveyed by Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price at the 2nd Conference on Teaching and Learning at UCT, held on 25 October.

This year's theme was Difference in Teaching: Teaching for difference and the day-long conference saw many in-depth discussions related to teaching and learning taking place.

In his keynote address Price focused on the recent strides in teaching and learning at the university. He singled out the creation of teaching-only posts as a "major step forward". He also noted that conferences like these created "a wider community of practice across the university, of people who are committed to improving teaching and learning".

Price pointed towards changes taking place on campus to create an environment conducive to teaching, like the growing investment in Information and Communication Technology, the rolling out of lecture capture facilities and the programme to make the whole campus wireless.

He added that the "prioritisation of teaching and learning is clear" and evident through the appointment of a deputy vice-chancellor (Professor Sandra Kloppers) who has teaching and learning as part of her portfolio. The teaching and learning committees have also been streamlined and aligned to the DVC's portfolio.

"So in all regards, I feel we're making great progress. Hopefully we'll also see that translate into progress in student courses, with more and more courses getting positive evaluations.

"We want to be known not only as an institution that leads in the field of research, but as a university that is leading the field in teaching and learning. The innovation and the good stuff we do at UCT will all help to position us nationally and internationally."