‘Embrace change’, chancellor urges new graduates

The University of Cape Town (UCT) bolstered South Africa’s healthcare workforce when Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe capped a large cohort of Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) graduates on Thursday, 30 March. Now, equipped with world-class qualifications, these graduates are ready to serve their communities by improving health outcomes for their patients, and making a much-needed difference in South Africa’s healthcare sector.

UCT’s bumper autumn graduation season was held over five days last week as graduands from UCT’s six academic faculties received their degrees in the Sarah Baartman Hall from Monday, 27 March, to Friday, 3 April – marking the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice.

By Friday evening, more than 5 000 graduands had been capped in a record 15 graduation ceremonies – signalling the start of their professional lives across a multitude of disciplines.

“We’ve gathered here to be with you and to show each one of you how proud we are. We are proud of the potential you have discovered within yourselves and we are proud of the perseverance that you have practiced over the years,” Dr Moloi-Motsepe said.

A new beginning

Moloi-Motsepe told graduates that graduation signals a new beginning in all their lives – whether they choose to continue their education, enter the world of work or opt to take that “courageous leap” and start a business.

“As the generation of medical students, you are entering a changing world.”

Her hope, she said, is that as the cohort steps out into the world, they would embrace change, learn from it and use it to grow and develop themselves on a personal and professional level, rather than be fearful of it.

“As the [new] generation of medical scientists, you are entering a changing world. As shifts unfold, Africa cannot be left behind … your knowledge, coming from this part of the world, will add tremendous value,” she said.

The Faculty of Health Sciences’ first graduation ceremony on Thursday, 30 March, was combined with the Faculty of Humanities’ fifth ceremony.