Distinguished Teacher Award 2020 and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

This campus announcement aims to update the UCT community about recent developments on campus.

1. Call for nominations for Distinguished Teacher Award 2020

Students and members of the academic staff are reminded to submit nominations for the Distinguished Teacher Award (DTA) for 2020. The closing date for nominations is 19 February 2021.

The DTA is the highest accolade awarded to teaching staff at all levels within the university. Through the award, the university recognises excellent teaching and acknowledges the primary place of teaching and learning in the institution’s work. Each year, the DTA committee considers nominations made by students and staff on behalf of a number of excellent teachers. The committee examines each submission in detail, in accordance with a carefully devised rubric, terms of reference and set of criteria.

• Read the DVC Desk: Call for nominations for Distinguished Teacher Award 2020.

2. Chair of Council’s message on facing challenges of our time together

Chair of Council, Babalwa Ngonyama, looks back at the challenges and achievements amidst the complexity and uncertainty that the university community, with all its stakeholders, experienced in 2020. She alludes to the new bullying policy, new executive appointments and various milestones and critical projects the university has undertaken in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The chair further encourages UCT to celebrate its achievements and look at 2021 as a year which must be faced with a positive and resilient attitude.

• Read the Chair’s Desk: Together, we can face the challenges of our time.

3. Update on COVID-19 cases

Please note that updates on COVID-19 cases within the university community will now be shared every second week. Updates will be included as part of the campus announcement issued immediately after the first and the 15th of every month.

As at 1 February the university has 326 reported cases of COVID-19 among non-health sciences staff members, with 262 recoveries. The number of students who have tested positive stands at 100. The university has lost 19 staff members and two students to the virus.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements