UCT GBV Campaign silent protest and other updates

Dear students and colleagues

This campus announcement aims to inform members of the University of Cape Town community about:

1. UCT GBV Campaign silent protest

As part of the University of Cape Townʼs (UCT) campaign against gender-based violence (GBV), there will be a silent protest on Friday, 2 August 2019. Everyone is encouraged to join as we raise awareness of the alarming rates of gender-based violence in our country. This is a call to action for our university community to support one another and to work towards ending sexual violence. The programme will start at 12:00 at the Sarah Baartman Hall and runs until 16:30. Protesters will tape their mouths before they march silently from Sarah Baartman Hall on a short circular route, followed by a symbolic die-in to remember those who have been raped and murdered. There will be an address by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and a debriefing by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Loretta Feris.

• Read the VC Desk: Silent protest to condemn gender-based violence.

2. 2019 TB Davie Memorial Lecture

This year’s TB Davie Memorial Lecture will be presented by Palestinian-American scholar Dr Steven Salaita. His lecture, titled “The inhumanity of academic freedom”, will explore academic freedom in relation to the conditions of humanity in the midst of brutal inequality and on the eve of ecological catastrophe.

• Read the VC Desk: The 2019 TB Davie Memorial Lecture.

3. Call for development of online and blended courses

UCT academics and departments are invited to submit an expression of interest for support and seed funding to develop formal, credit-bearing online courses or programmes at UCT. Submissions are due by 26 August 2019.

• Read the DVC Desk: Call for development of online and blended courses.

4. Annual ICTS Techfest

The Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) Techfest will take place from Wednesday, 7 August 2019 to Thursday, 8 August 2019 in the Sarah Baartman Hall on upper campus. It is an opportunity for staff and students to view the latest gadgets, notebooks, servers, speakers, accessories and tablets from trusted UCT vendors.

There will be a series of information sessions presented by the vendors and UCT’s own ICT trainers. You will also get the chance to delve into 3D virtual reality with an Oculus Rift and get an introduction to the capabilities of a 3D printer from UCT’s School of Information Technology (IT).

This two-day event promises new and exciting technology, free popcorn for all, and prizes. These include an iPad mini, Bluetooth speakers, Skullcandy headphones, a Lenovo tablet, Theta cameras, Attitude anti-theft travel laptop backpacks with built-in USB charging ports, 16 GB flash drives, and more.

• Learn more about Techfest 2019.

5. Password Self-Service maintenance

The Password Self-Service system will be unavailable this Saturday, 3 August 2019 from 08:00 to 13:00 due to ICTS maintenance. If you need to change your password, please do so before or after this time.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements