Leadership Lekgotla recruitment and other updates

12 February 2025

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has shared updates around a number of Leadership Lekgotla roles as part of continuing to build a leadership team dedicated to sustaining excellence. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Update on Leadership Lekgotla recruitment processes

The university has made significant progress in recruiting for key Leadership Lekgotla roles to ensure strong and capable leadership that can guide UCT to greater heights.

The recent updates include the appointment of Professor Brandon Collier-Reed as deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) for teaching and learning; the extension of both Professor Jeff Murugan’s contract as DVC for research and internationalisation, and Mr Mughtar Parker as acting chief operating officer; and the appointment of Associate Professor Kathy Idensohn as interim registrar.

Read the full VC Desk: Update on Leadership Lekgotla recruitment processes.

2. AI teaching innovation grants

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly reshaped the technology landscape in recent years. In particular, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude present challenges and opportunities for teaching, learning and assessment in universities. In this rapidly evolving context, it is essential to explore how academic practices can adapt alongside technological and societal changes.

To support this exploration, a special-purpose round of Teaching Innovation Grants has been launched, focusing on leveraging AI. Individual staff members, teams or departments are invited to submit proposals for funding to support teaching innovations or enhancements that integrate AI.

For more information, please contact Max Tommy.

3. DSA to host Welcome Festival

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) invites all new and returning students to the annual DSA Welcome Festival on Thursday, 13 February 2025, at the Green Mile, upper campus. This event, running from 10:00 to 16:00, is designed to introduce students to the vibrant and diverse opportunities available within UCT’s campus life.

The festival will showcase extramural activities available to students, including cultural, creative and career-focused student organisations. Students will also interact with the key support services offered, such as Student Wellness Service, Student Governance and Leadership, Residence Life and Financial Aid.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of food options on sale from on-site food trucks while experiencing live entertainment, including performances by local artists, DJs and UCT student performers.

4. International Mother Language Day celebration at UCT

UCT will host the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) celebration on Thursday, 27 February 2025 at the Hasso Plattner d-School Afrika, middle campus. Observed globally on 21 February, IMLD highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and the preservation of indigenous languages.

This year’s theme, as set by UNESCO, is “The Importance of Preserving Indigenous Languages and Promoting Multilingual Education”.

The event will feature panel discussions on language-related topics led by UCT staff and distinguished guests from the Pan South African Language Board and the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources. These discussions will provide a platform to explore how language shapes teaching, learning, assessment, research and communication at UCT.

Staff, students and the broader UCT community are invited to celebrate the richness of multilingualism and cultural diversity. There will be vibrant cultural performances, showcasing the diverse languages and traditions.

For more information, please contact Zukiswa Zono.

5. Reminder: Call for applications: DHET Future Professors Programme

Early and mid-career academics are reminded to apply for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Future Professors Programme, a prestigious initiative to prepare exceptional scholars for professorship across disciplines.

Academic staff are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Eligible candidates must hold a doctorate, have a proven record of academic achievement, and be permanently employed in an academic role or an equivalent academic appointment.

Following the application process, an internal selection will be conducted, with a maximum of five nominees submitted to the DHET for final consideration.

The deadline for submission is Tuesday, 25 February 2025. Please email your application to the University Capacity Development Programme team.