Celebrating UCT Day 2024 season and other updates

Dear colleagues

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will celebrate UCT Day 2024 through a series of fundraising events and initiatives throughout October 2024. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. UCT Day celebrations scheduled for October

The university will host special events and initiatives throughout October 2024, the university’s birth month, in celebration of the UCT Day 2024 season as an endeavour to unlock the spirit of generosity within and for UCT.

These initiatives commenced with an ongoing phonathon that runs until 2 October, and will see UCT host a special benefit concert on Thursday, 3 October. The commemorations will culminate with on-field sports challenges and an alumni book and film festival, which will be held on Friday, 25 October.

For more information on the global series of UCT Day events, please stay tuned to the official UCT communication channels as well as the university’s social media platforms. The full schedule of UCT Day 2024 activities, including links to event tickets, is available on the official UCT Day website.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT Day 2024: Special day of celebrations and supporting our students.

2. Venue update: TB Davie lecture to be addressed by Judge Tladi

The university, in conjunction with the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC), will host the 58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, 1 October. The lecture, titled “The Narrative as the Enemy of Freedom of Thought,” will be addressed by Judge Dire Tladi, judge of the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

Please note that the lecture will now be held in LT1, Kramer Law Building, middle campus.

• RSVP to attend the lecture.
• Read the full VC Desk: 58th TB Davie Memorial Lecture by Judge Dire Tladi.

3. Complete a questionnaire on AI tools in relation to assessment

UCT undergraduate and postgraduate teaching staff are invited to participate in a research project, the findings of which will contribute to develop support services and resources to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education literacy and to support assessment practices at UCT.

The growing availability and use of generative AI tools is impacting teaching, learning and assessment practices at universities globally. The university is actively working to develop appropriate responses and best practices around these emerging AI technologies.

Taking part in this research would involve completing a brief 10-minute questionnaire. Participants will not be asked to provide any personally identifying information.

• Complete the brief questionnaire.

Should you have any questions about the research, please contact the project assistant, Soraya Lester.

• Read the full DVC Desk: Invitation to complete a questionnaire on AI tools in relation to assessment.

4. UCT's Khusela Ikamva to host Forest Conversation on 1 October

The UCT community is invited to join an afternoon discussion as part of the Forest Conversation to be hosted by Khusela Ikamva – the unversity’s sustainable campus project. The event will take place on Tuesday, 1 October from 15:00 to 17:00 at the P18 parking lot on upper campus.

Nearly four years have passed since the fires ravaged UCT and its surrounding ecosystem in April 2021. Restoration efforts often focus solely on ecological management, neglecting the cultural and spiritual connections many communities have with the land. Reclaiming these relationships is essential for meaningful restoration.

This conversation seeks to reconnect the UCT community and the broader public with the forest and mountain ecosystems. By promoting respect and reciprocity between people and nature, it will spark efforts to restore the degraded landscape while embracing a holistic approach that values both ecological and cultural healing.

• Confirm your attendance.

5. Year-end final examination timetable

The UCT Examinations Office has published the final timetable for the year-end examination cycle starting from Wednesday, 30 October to Wednesday, 20 November. Students can view their timetable on the exams page. 

Any requests for amendments must be sent to the Examinations Office, where further approval will be attained by the appropriate committee chairperson. 

Students celebrating Diwali/Deepavali on 31 October may defer their examination by applying to the Deferred Examinations Committee. Applications must be submitted via service request on PeopleSoft by 25 October for processing by the committee.

UCT wishes students all the best ahead of the exams.

6. Reminder: Nominations for VC’s Excellence awards open

The university reminds staff to nominate individuals or teams who have exceeded the call of duty for the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards. These are staff members who have made a profound impact – whether through transformative change, outstanding service, or embodying the spirit of global citizenship.

Nominations are invited for professional, administrative support and service (PASS) staff for the Global Citizenship Award and the Service Excellence Award. All staff engaged in transformation work are encouraged to apply for or nominate colleagues for the Transformation Award. Nominees can be individuals or teams.

The deadline for submission is Friday, 11 October 2024.

• Read the full VC Desk: Nominations open for VC’s Excellence Awards 2024.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements