UCT Inaugural Lecture and other updates

Dear students and colleagues

The first lecture for 2024 in the UCT Inaugural Lecture series will be delivered by Professor Lebogang Ramma on Thursday, 1 February 2024. Read about this and other developments on campus.

1. UCT Inaugural Lecture: Professor Lebogang Ramma

The annual UCT Inaugural Lecture series will resume in February 2024. The first lecture of the year in this series, titled “Hearing the Call – Trading Epistemic Curiosity for Contextual Relevance in Audiology”, will be delivered by Professor Ramma on Thursday, 1 February at the Neuroscience Institute Auditorium, Groote Schuur Hospital, at 17:30 SAST.

Professor Ramma is a professor of audiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT), and he is recognised nationally for his work in the prevention of treatment-induced hearing loss (ototoxicity).

In his lecture, Professor Ramma will share his experience regarding the challenges of trying to balance a research agenda informed mainly by academic interests versus the responsibility of generating basic knowledge that helps advance the field of audiology in South Africa and beyond. He will reflect on his research, teaching and social responsiveness work in relation to his area of interest: acquired hearing loss. He will also provide insight into his efforts to support the initiation and development of training programmes for audiologists in Africa.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT Inaugural Lecture: Professor Lebogang Ramma.
• Watch the lecture on MS Teams (on Thursday, 1 February at 17:30).

2. Student debt appeals for 2023 and financial aid for 2024

Undergraduate students are reminded that the 2023 debt appeals process will close on Friday, 9 February 2024. No late appeal applications will be accepted. Students can expect an outcome by Thursday, 15 February 2024.

The university has actively fundraised and set aside limited funding from its own resources to assist students with fee debt or who have not met the academic performance renewal requirements for financial aid and UCT GAP funding. Funds are limited and specific criteria will be applied to ensure fair and equitable access subject to available resources.

It is therefore important to submit a detailed appeal with supporting documents as soon as possible so that decisions can be communicated as soon as reasonably possible subject to appeal volume and complexity. Complex appeals may take slightly longer, and students are kindly requested to limit repeat email enquiries.

• Read the full VC Desk: Student debt appeals for 2023 and financial aid for 2024.

3. Student funding opportunities available through the bursary noticeboard

UCT understands the financial challenges that students may face, and the university is committed to providing resources. Undergraduate and postgraduate students are therefore alerted to the various funding opportunities open for application at various stages. These opportunities can be accessed through the online bursary noticeboard, which is updated frequently as and when new funding opportunities arise. Students are therefore urged to visit the noticeboard regularly to identify any suitable funding opportunities.

4. Submission of signed NSFAS consent form

All NSFAS 2024 applicants are reminded of the mandatory requirement to send a signed consent form to the organisation. This is to enable NSFAS to verify applicants’ information with third parties. The consent form can be downloaded from the NSFAS website, student portal or mobile app. Once completed, the form can be uploaded via any of these three NSFAS platforms.

Please note that non-submission of the consent form will result in a delay on the outcome of the application.

Applicants whose statuses are “Awaiting Evaluation”, “Financial Eligibility” and “Application in Progress” should await communication through SMS and email, which will provide instructions on how to upload the form.

SASSA beneficiaries who have been approved for funding are not required to submit the consent form. This is because no financial checks are conducted on their parents, guardians or spouses.

Applicants are also reminded that the closing date for funding applications is Wednesday, 31 January 2024.

5. Campus Life 2024 publication available for new students

UCT warmly welcomes all new students to the top ranked university in Africa! The institution is thrilled to have these students join its vibrant and diverse academic community. As students embark on this new chapter of their academic life, the institution has made a wide range of services available. Whether it is mental health, physical wellness, or information about study resources, students can access available resources via the Campus Life 2024.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
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