Dear colleagues and students
This campus announcement aims to inform the UCT community about recent developments on campus.
1. Vision 2030 engagement sessions
Since July the university executive has conducted virtual engagement sessions with staff and labour unions on the further development of UCT’s framework for Vision 2030. These engagements were important spaces where staff could share input and create ownership of a reimagined UCT. Engagements with student representatives will follow.
2. College of Fellows welcomes new members
Once a year UCT Fellowships recognise original, distinguished academic work that merits special acknowledgement through induction into the College of Fellows. This year, six permanent UCT academics have been awarded a Fellowship, while seven have been granted the Young Researcher award. For the first time, the special event to celebrate these academics is open to the entire UCT community. It will be held on Tuesday, 17 November at 18:30 on the Microsoft Teams platform.
3. Using Jammie Shuttles during this period
To help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on campus, UCT needs to limit the use of Jammie Shuttles only to students who have been invited formally back to campus. As a result, only students who are in possession of the appropriate documents (a letter of invitation back to campus and a letter of authority) may use the Jammie Shuttles. UCT appreciates the cooperation of students as this is part of our effort as a campus community to limit the spread of COVID-19.
4. Update on UCT’s COVID-19 cases
As at 10 November, UCT has 108 reported cases of COVID-19 among non-health sciences staff members, with 96 recoveries. A total of 54 students have tested positive, including 16 Faculty of Health Sciences students on clinical platforms. The university pays tribute to the nine staff members and one student who have passed on due to the virus (as well as the lives lost during this period due to other causes) through a dedicated page on the UCT website.
5. ICTS scheduled maintenance on Sunday, 15 November
Please note that on Sunday, 15 November 2020, the Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) department will perform scheduled maintenance from 09:00 to 17:00. Unless advised to the contrary, staff and students should note that no ICT services will be available for the duration of the maintenance slot. Please remember to consult the scheduled ICTS maintenance slots for 2020 before planning any teaching, conferences, meetings, and other activities that require ICT services.
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COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March and implement a national lockdown from 26 March.
UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information.
Getting credible, evidence-based, accessible information and recommendations relating to COVID-19
The Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, are producing educational video material for use on digital platforms and in multiple languages. The information contained in these videos is authenticated and endorsed by the team of experts based in the Department of Medicine. Many of the recommendations are based on current best evidence and are aligned to provincial, national and international guidelines. For more information on UCT’s Department of Medicine, please visit the website.
To watch more videos like these, visit the Department of Medicine’s YouTube channel.
As the COVID-19 crisis drags on and evolves, civil society groups are responding to growing and diversifying needs – just when access to resources is becoming more insecure, writes UCT’s Prof Ralph Hamann.
03 Jul 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedThe Covid-19 crisis has reinforced the global consequences of fragmented, inadequate and inequitable healthcare systems and the damage caused by hesitant and poorly communicated responses.
24 Jun 2020 - >10 min read OpinionOur scientists must not practise in isolation, but be encouraged to be creative and increase our knowledge of the needs of developing economies, write Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of UCT, and Professor Thokozani Majozi from the University of the Witwatersrand.
09 Jun 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedSouth Africa has been recognised globally for its success in flattening the curve, which came as a result of President Ramaphosa responding quickly to the crisis, writes Prof Alan Hirsch.
28 Apr 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedIn an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”
We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.