VC’s Open Lecture by Professor Frank and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will host Nobel Laureate, Professor Joachim Frank, on Tuesday, 20 August 2024 for a Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) Open Lecture. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. VC’s Open Lecture by Professor Frank

The first VC’s Open Lecture for this year will take place on Tuesday, 20 August 2024. It will be presented by Professor Frank, under the title “Cryo-electron microscopy, a new foundation for molecular medicine and drug design”.

The lecture will take place in the New Lecture Theatre on upper campus at 18:00 SAST.

Professor Frank is a German-born American biochemist who won the 2017 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his work on image-processing techniques that proved essential to the development of
cryo-electron microscopy.

• RSVP to attend the lecture.
• Read the full VC Desk: VC’s Open Lecture by Nobel Laureate, Professor Joachim Frank.

2. UoF guest lecture by Professor Ehlers

The University of the Future (UoF) steering committee, in partnership with the African Research Society, will host a lecture by Professor Ulf-Daniel Ehlers, author of Creating the University of the Future, at the Neurosciences Institute, Groote Schuur Hospital on Wednesday, 14 August 2024 at 15:00.

Professor Ehlers is a full professor for educational management and lifelong learning at the
Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University. He is also the founder of Mindful Leaders, and a serial entrepreneur of social enterprises. In 2011, the German Ministry of Higher Education entrusted him with spearheading the launch of that country’s first cooperative university as vice-president, a groundbreaking initiative that today educates 35 000 students.

• RSVP to attend the lecture.

• Read the full Campus Announcement: UoF to host lecture by Professor Ehlers.

3. DSA to host Preparing for Student Leadership workshop

The Department of Student Affairs’ (DSA) “Preparing for Student Leadership” workshop, under its student governance pathway, will take place on Wednesday, 7 August 2024 at 16:00. The session will cover how to run for elected student office (SRC, house committees, societies executives, faculty councils, sports clubs executives and development agency executives). It will be offered in a hybrid format, so students can attend at the John Day Theatre 1, or join on MS Teams.

• Join the session.

4. Snake sightings on campus

Recent sightings of snakes, including puff adders, have been reported on campus. To ensure your safety, please follow these guidelines if you encounter a snake:

• Stay calm and keep your distance: Do not approach or attempt to handle the snake. Most snakes will move away if not threatened.
• Do not disturb the snake: Avoid sudden movements and give the snake space to retreat.
• Alert others: Warn those nearby of the snake's presence without causing panic.
• Report the sighting immediately: Contact Campus Protection Services (CPS) on their 24-hour toll-free number (080 650 2222) or notify UCT Grounds & Gardens management. Provide the exact location and description of the snake if possible. The Grounds & Gardens team to be contacted are Mrs Dee Hearne: 021 650 4447, Mr Reggie Mayman: 082 494 8254 and Ms Noelene Le Cordier: 082 496 8843.
• In case of a bite: Stay calm, limit movement and call CPS for immediate medical assistance on their 24-hour toll-free number (080 650 2222).

Not all snakes are venomous. Consult this guide about snakes likely to be found at UCT for further information.

5. DSA’s Empowered Skills Development Series workshop

The DSA, under its UCT Lead Programme, will on Wednesday, 7 August 2024 host the second workshop as part of the Empowered Skills Development Series.

The workshop will focus on effective communication.

Over the next three weeks, the series will continue, with sessions held online every Wednesday from 17:15 to 18:30.

The next workshops will take place as follows:

• Personal Values and Authenticity: 14 August 2024
• Public Speaking: 21 August 2024
• Managing Social Media: 28 August 2024

The workshops are open to all students. Experts from Student Wellness Services, the Graduate School of Business, the Faculty of Commerce and the
Communication and Marketing Department will present.

• Sign up for the sessions.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements