VC’s installation ceremony and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will officially install Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela on Monday, 25 November 2024. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. UCT to host VC’s installation ceremony

UCT will hold the installation ceremony for the university’s 11th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Moshabela, on Monday, 25 November at 10:00 in the Sarah Baartman Hall. The event will be co-hosted by UCT Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Chair of Council Mr Norman Arendse (SC).

This event comes after Professor Moshabela took office in August 2024, following a comprehensive six-month recruitment and selection process. The installation marks a key milestone in UCT’s ongoing welcome of Professor Moshabela.

Invitations have been issued to the relevant stakeholder groups and those invited should RSVP by Wednesday, 20 November. Other staff and students wishing to attend may send a request to the Communication and Marketing Department team by Friday, 22 November. They will only be accommodated in so far as the limited space allows.

For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be live-streamed on the UCT website and the university’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) platforms. Additionally, recordings of the event will be available on UCT’s YouTube channel after the ceremony.

UCT looks forward to officially celebrating and embracing the leadership of its 11th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Moshabela.

• Read the Chair’s Desk: Installation ceremony: UCT’s 11th VC Professor Mosa Moshabela.
• Read the campus announcement: UCT to host VC installation ceremony.

2. ICTS scheduled maintenance on Sunday, 24 November

The UCT community is advised that Sunday, 24 November 2024 will be an ICTS scheduled maintenance slot from 07:00 to 17:00. Unless notified to the contrary, do not expect any on-premise ICT services to be available for the duration of the maintenance slot. Cloud-based services (including Amathuba, email, Microsoft 365 services, and ServiceNow) are not impacted and can still be accessed.

Please consult the scheduled ICTS maintenance slots page before planning any teaching, conferences, meetings, etc that require ICT services.

For more information, see the article on why ICTS schedules regular monthly maintenance slots.

3. UCT’s fraud awareness campaign

International Fraud Awareness Week, which runs from 17 to 23 November, was established in 2000 by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and serves as an essential reminder of the importance of anti-fraud initiatives. This global campaign calls on organisations and individuals to actively promote awareness and education to reduce the risks and impact of fraud.

Aligned with this global mission, UCT prioritises upholding the highest standards of integrity across all its operations. The university has adopted a comprehensive strategy to prevent, detect, and address fraud, corruption, and related offenses. Key measures include robust internal controls and an external whistleblowing hotline managed by an independent service provider, ensuring a safe, confidential, and anonymous avenue for reporting any suspicious or unethical behavior. When fraudulent activities are identified and verified, UCT applies strict consequence management protocols and seeks to recover losses from the implicated individual’s benefits.

The Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy and Response Plan, introduced in 2022, supports UCT's dedication to fairness, honesty, and transparency. This policy not only underscores stakeholders' obligation to report any known or suspected unethical practices but also clarifies the roles and responsibilities of management and other key participants in fostering an environment of integrity.

With these measures, UCT reaffirms its unwavering commitment to operating within the bounds of relevant legislation and maintaining ethical standards that support its broader mission of integrity and accountability.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT fraud awareness campaign.

4. Reminder: Call for projects: DHET capacity development programme

The deadline for applications to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) grant has been extended to 28 November 2024. Staff members are encouraged to apply for this important opportunity, which supports initiatives to advance the transformation agenda in higher education.

The University-led Collaborative Projects Sub-Programme is a system-wide initiative, designed to leverage the contributions of various stakeholders at all levels within the higher education system to drive its implementation.

Please ensure that your completed application is submitted to Paula Harker by the new deadline. Once applications are finalised and reviewed internally, the UCDP office will obtain the Vice-Chancellor’s signature.

• Read the full campus announcement: Call for projects: DHET capacity development programme.
• Read more about the DHET collaborative call.

For any queries, please contact Lisa Cloete.

5. Reminder: Call for papers for the Journal of International Students

The Centre for Educational Assessments reminds the UCT community – scholars, practitioners and researchers alike – to submit their original research articles, theoretical papers, case studies, and reviews for the special issue of the Journal of International Students (JIS), titled Shaping the Future of African Higher Education in a Globalized World. 

The JIS is a distinguished platform for sharing research and insights into international student experiences, offering contributors the chance to make impactful contributions to this evolving field of study.

This special issue explores a range of contemporary topics, inviting diverse perspectives that will deepen the global understanding of African higher education. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a vital conversation shaping the future of education on the continent and beyond.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 30 November 2024, while the deadline for submission of full manuscript is 15 February 2025. Other important dates are the peer review notification (15 April 2025) and the publication date (15 June 2025).

For inquiries about this edition, please contact Naziema Jappie.

• Read more about the call.
• Submit your abstract.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements