UCT inaugural lecture for April 2025

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series is a cherished academic tradition that celebrates the achievements of colleagues who have attained full professorship. These lectures provide a platform for our distinguished scholars to share their expertise, offer new insights and stimulate intellectual debate within the university and beyond.

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to attend the upcoming inaugural lecture by Professor Francois Cilliers from the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED). Professor Cilliers will deliver a thought-provoking lecture titled “Theory from the Past – Theory for the Future: Rethinking Health Professions Education in Context” on Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at 18:00 SAST in Lecture Theatre 2 (Hoeri LT2), 4th Floor, Hoerikwaggo Building on upper campus.

It is often said that assessment drives learning, but how does this happen? And if assessment drives learning, what drives assessment? Similarly, as the field of staff development continues to grow, it is essential to understand when and why academics integrate what they learn into their teaching and assessment practices.

This lecture will explore these questions, drawing on the development and application of research and theory in health professions education. Professor Cilliers will present conceptual models from his research to illuminate the complex mechanisms underlying assessment and academic development. Additionally, he will critically examine the dominance of health professions education research from the global North and propose a theorised approach – rooted in implementation science – that enables South African educators to engage meaningfully with global research while addressing local needs and realities. By reflecting on past theories and shaping new ones for the future, this lecture will present a vision for health professions education that is pedagogically sound and contextually just.

Professor Cilliers is a professor of Health Sciences Education in the Faculty of Health Sciences and in the Academic Development Programme at CHED. He holds a PhD in Health Professions Education from the Maastricht University, Netherlands. He has been an integral part of UCT since 2012 and has significantly contributed to health sciences education. His research interests include the learning effects of assessment, faculty development and implementation science in health professions education. His leadership roles within UCT and internationally have positioned him as a leading figure in the field. His work has had a far-reaching impact, influencing policy, practice and curriculum development in medical education.

This lecture will be an invaluable opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research that has the potential to reshape the landscape of health professions education. I encourage members of the UCT community – students, staff and alumni – as well as the public to attend and participate in this important academic dialogue.

• Register to attend the lecture.

We look forward to celebrating Professor Cilliers’ achievements and contributions to higher education through this lecture.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements