November examinations and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The November examinations at the University of Cape Town (UCT) got under way on Wednesday, 1 November 2023. Read about this and other developments on campus.

1. November exams under way

The UCT examinations started on Wednesday, 1 November and will end on Friday, 17 November 2023. Various departments have collaborated in making logistical arrangements to ensure operations proceed as smoothly as possible.

These logistical arrangements have been made in respect of study spaces, security services, UCT Shuttle services, parking, loadshedding and medical assistance. Students and staff are urged to take note of the arrangements that will be in place to ensure a smooth exam period.

• Read the full Campus Announcement: Important info ahead of the November 2023 exams.

2. Reminder: Inaugural lecture by Professor Caincross

Professor Lydia Cairncross, the head of the Department of Surgery at the UCT/Groote Schuur Hospital Academic Complex, will deliver her inaugural lecture on Thursday, 2 November 2023 in Lecture Theatre 2, Groote Schuur Hospital at 18:00. Please note the change of venue.

The lecture is titled “Access to Surgical Care – the Imperative for Health Equity Action in Academic Medicine”. Professor Cairncross will describe the complex interface between the daily pressures of surgical service delivery in health systems under strain and the pursuit of formal academic medicine. She will reflect on her research, clinical and activist work in relation to her special areas of interest in endocrine and oncology surgery; and explore the potential for academic medicine to catalyse a more just, equal and community-centred health system.

• RSVP for the lecture by Professor Cairncross.

3. Confirmed speakers for the African Universities Gender Equality Forum

Speakers for the upcoming African Universities Gender Equality Forum – to be co-hosted by UCT, the Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI), and the #ITSNOTOK movement – have been confirmed.

The event will be held on Thursday, 23 November 2023 via Zoom from 14:00 to 15:30 CAT.

The speakers for the event include Simnikiwe Tuku from UCT; Kate Mwambo of the State University of Buea; Tiekie Barnard, founder and CEO of the SVAI and Shift Impact Africa; Hope Nabalayo, Chevaan Davids, and Lesedi Ngubeni of 16 Ways for 16 Days; and Ivana I Osagie, CEO of PWR Advisory.

The forum aims to cultivate awareness about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and foster dialogue to introduce cultural norms that prevent SGBV and catalyse programmatic change in the higher education sector. It is intended to serve as a platform through which participants can work towards driving meaningful conversations and change to eradicate SGBV and increase gender equity within African universities.

• RSVP to attend the event online.

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