Inaugural lecture by Professor Chapman and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

Professor Sarah Chapman will present her inaugural lecture as part of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Inaugural lecture by Professor Sarah Chapman (Faculty of Commerce)

Professor Chapman will present her lecture, “Measuring what counts: Evaluation as inquiry, power and possibility”, on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 at 17:00 SAST in the Mafeje Room, Bremner Building on lower campus.

Her lecture will reflect on her journey from the social and physical sciences to a career focused on rethinking how evidence is generated, interpreted and applied for social transformation. She will discuss the evolution of evaluation practice, from the rise of randomised impact evaluations to the revival of participatory, Africa-rooted approaches that centre marginalised voices and local knowledge systems.

In this lecture, Professor Chapman will examine how evaluation, when reflective and inclusive, can help tackle global issues such as poverty, inequality and systemic injustice. Her research challenges traditional notions of evidence and positions evaluation as a tool for justice and equity. She has published extensively on participatory methods, culturally responsive evaluation and theory-based approaches that question whose knowledge counts and how success is defined.

Professor Chapman is an internationally recognised leader in evaluation theory and practice with over 20 years of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally. She is the director of UCT’s Institute for Monitoring and Evaluation in the School of Management Studies and the deputy dean for postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Commerce, where she co-convenes the university’s postgraduate programmes in Programme Evaluation. Her work has supported multilateral agencies, governments and non-governmental organisations, while training a new generation of evaluators to work across paradigms with rigour and reflection.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT inaugural lectures for September 2025.
• Register to attend the lecture.

2. Celebrating a decade of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme

UCT, through the International Office, will celebrate a decade of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 at 18:30 at the Baxter Theatre through a homegrown music concert.

Staff, students and friends of UCT are invited to enjoy performances by Professor Dizu Plaatjies and Ibuyambo, with guest artist Thongo Tutsu and students from the UCT Ibuyambo Orchestra. After a series of sold-out shows in 2024, this reimagined concert is directed by Mhlanguli George, with co-directors Bronwen Clacherty, Keketso Bolofo, Nomapostile Nyiki and Thabisa Dinga.

The performance pays tribute to educating African leaders, cultural heritage and South Africa’s musical diversity.

• Buy tickets.

3. Inaugural UCT Well-being and Flourishing Conference

UCT, through its Centre for Well-being and Flourishing in partnership with the Department of Student Affairs, will host the inaugural Well-being and Flourishing Conference on Tuesday, 9 September 2025 at the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB).

Led by Professor Elelwani Ramugondo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness, the conference affirms UCT’s commitment to embedding flourishing in all areas of university life. It highlights well-being as central to academic excellence, transformation, redress and sustainable innovation.

The event is open to staff, student leaders, researchers and well-being practitioners within UCT and beyond. It will particularly interest those working in pedagogy, student affairs, mental health, curriculum design, transformation and institutional strategy. Spaces are limited, and early registration is recommended.

• Register for the conference.

4. Complete the 2025 staff inclusivity survey

UCT invites all staff members to take part in the 2025 Staff Inclusivity Survey, a confidential follow-up to the groundbreaking 2019 baseline survey.

UCT has again partnered with Aephoria – an independent, expert organisation – to conduct the survey. Aephoria’s InclusionIndex tool is globally respected and scientifically validated to measure inclusion, belonging and workplace climate.

The first phase of the survey commenced on 21 August until 13 September 2025, and can be completed online or on paper in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa.

All responses are completely anonymous – no identifying information will be shared with UCT. Aephoria will analyse the data and provide findings in aggregated form only.

The next phase will be conducted through interviews and focus groups, scheduled to take place from 6 October to 31 October 2025. These voluntary deep-dive sessions will further explore themes that emerge from the survey.

To find out more, please visit UCT’s Inclusivity Strategy web pages for full details of past and ongoing interventions; ethical clearance documentation; and the survey’s FAQs.

5. Call for applications: DHET doctoral programme

Applications are now open for the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) Phase 6 (Cohort 1) of the University Staff Doctoral Programme (USDP). The programme aims to support academic and professional staff at South African universities in undertaking and completing doctoral studies within a maximum of five years. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 23 September 2025. Only fully completed applications will be considered.

Successful candidates will receive up to R500 000 in funding over three years. The USDP may cover registration and tuition fees (if not studying through UCT); research costs; teaching buy-out; travel and accommodation; and conference attendance (a paper/poster must be presented to attend).

To apply, please complete the USDP application form; attach the supporting documentation (three referee letters, one of which must be from a supervisor or prospective supervisor, academic records for your postgraduate qualification/s, and a valid ID copy); and ensure that the application form is signed by the head of department.

• Read the full DVC Desk: Call for applications: DHET doctoral programme

Please direct any questions to Dheshnie Keswell or Lisa de Vos.

6. Share your input on UCT’s Strategy 2030

In marking his first anniversary as vice-chancellor on 1 August 2025, Professor Mosa Moshabela officially launched Strategy 2030 – a significant step forward in realising UCT’s Vision 2030.

All UCT staff and students are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft strategy. The university community is called upon to help co-create a UCT that is the best home for staff and students – a place to explore talents, push the boundaries of excellence and contribute to the success of others and the advancement of society.

Your voice matters. Be part of shaping the future of UCT by sharing your thoughts and ideas on Strategy 2030.

• Read the full VC Desk: One year in office: Expressing gratitude and unveiling Strategy 2030.
• Visit the UCT Strategy 2030 page.

7. Complete the 2025 Student Engagement Survey

UCT is participating in the 2025 South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE) and the Lecturer Survey of Student Engagement (LSSE), which take place until Friday, 10 October 2025.

SASSE is open to all undergraduate students and gathers feedback on teaching and learning practices, campus life, student support and overall engagement. Students who complete the survey will be entered into a lucky draw.

LSSE invites staff involved in undergraduate teaching to share their views on student engagement, teaching practices, workload and the teaching–research balance.

These surveys’ findings will provide valuable data to improve the learning environment and align institutional priorities with the needs of students and staff. Both surveys have been approved by the University of the Free State Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee and UCT’s CHED Research Ethics Committee, the Department of Student Affairs and Human Resources department.

• Read the full DVC Desk: Complete the 2025 Student Engagement Survey.
• Complete the South African Survey of Student Engagement 2025.
• Complete the Lecturer Survey of Student Engagement 2025.

For more information, please contact the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching Helpdesk.

Communication and Marketing Department

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• From the UCT Executive
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