Transformation think tank series and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness, Professor Elelwani Ramugondo, will host the first session in the “Transformation: A Humanising Praxis Think Tank Series” on 18 July 2023. Read more on this and other updates below.

1. “Transformation: A Humanising Praxis Think Tank Series” – Session 1

The DVC for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness, Professor Ramugondo, will host the first session in the “Transformation: A Humanising Praxis Think Tank Series” on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 from 08:30 to 12:00.

The session will be addressed by Dr Benita Moolman, Associate Professor in the African Feminist Studies department in the Faculty of Humanities.

The event will take place in a hybrid format. The venue for in-person attendance is the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, Studio 2. Please specify when registering whether you would like to attend in-person or online.

• Watch the invitation video for more information.
• Read the speaker’s short bio.
• Register for the event.

2. Parking arrangements for Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme graduation

Due to UCT hosting the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro graduation ceremony on Friday, 7 July 2023 at the Sarah Baartman Hall, staff and students are advised to note the parking arrangements for the day.

A number of local and international dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony, and the university has reserved parking for these esteemed guests.

As a result, please note that University Avenue north parking has been allocated for the graduation guests and thus will be closed for general parking from 05:00 on Friday, 7 July. All UCT staff are advised to make use of other demarcated parking areas on the day.

3. Inaugural lecture by Professor Maswime

Professor Salome Maswime will present the fifth lecture in the UCT Inaugural Lecture series on Wednesday, 12 July 2023. The lecture will be held at 17:00 in the New Lecture Theatre on Upper Campus.

Professor Maswime’s lecture is titled “From caesarean section related complications to global surgical systems strengthening”. Caesarean sections are the most widely performed surgery in the world. Yet, African women are 50 times more likely to die from caesarean section complications than women in high-income countries.

Maswime is the head of the Global Surgery Division and was recently appointed as steering committee chair of the University of the Future project. She is also the president of the South African Clinician Scientists Society. She was the Discovery MGH research fellow in 2018 at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and is a former Wits University lecturer. She has worked in various hospitals in South Africa, including the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, for approximately 10 years. Maswime is a renowned global surgery expert because of her research contributions to caesarean sections. She advocates for women’s health rights and equity in surgical and maternal care. She is an advisor and consultant to several institutions, including the World Health Organization, and has received numerous awards for her commitment to maternal health and ongoing research in maternal health.

• Please register to attend the lecture by Professor Maswime.
• Read the full communication by the VC (interim): UCT Inaugural Lecture: Professor Salome Maswime.

4. Farewell to Dean of Science: Professor Ramutsindela

UCT bid farewell to the Dean of Science, Professor Maano Ramutsindela, who stepped down at the end of last month to return to his first love: research and teaching. Professor Ramutsindela requested to relinquish his role at the beginning of the year for personal reasons. He took up the position of dean on 1 March 2019.

The university appreciates the leadership he provided to the faculty at such a critical time. Ramutsindela’s term coincided with the most challenging periods for both the faculty and the university, and he led the faculty through these periods with quiet dignity and resoluteness.

• Read the full communication by the VC (interim): Farewell to Dean of Science: Professor Ramutsindela.
• Read the UCT News article following Professor Ramutsindela’s official farewell.

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements