Cheque mate

The Gender Health &Justice Research Unit (GHJRU) was presented with a cheque of R600 000 from their corporate partner Edcon as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign in December. Present at the event was the guest of honour, Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Cheryl Gilwald. The GHJRU's focus is to improve service provision to victims of violence against women in South Africa through research, advocacy and education. It draws together established researchers with a strong record of social action research in disciplines including law, criminology, forensic sciences and pathology, gynaecology and psychology. The unit is the first of its kind in South Africa to respond to the pressing need for research and interventions that cross disciplines in support of efforts addressing the alarmingly high levels of violence against women in this country. Liziwe Nzama, Edcon social responsibility manager, said: "As a business, we took it upon ourselves to get involved in this unique research unit as we believe that research can help shape the state's response and enable it to improve its implementation of intervention programmes for victims of domestic and gender violence."

Faculty shares ideas on health education

A small but enthusiastic group of about 40 attended the Faculty of Health Sciences' first Education Research Day, themed Transformation in Education, held on March 16. Associate Professor Gonda Perez, deputy dean: education, opened the day with a paper on the progress made and challenges that lie ahead in curriculum transformation of the undergraduate medical and health and rehabilitation programmes. Over the day, eight papers, several posters and three workshops explored various facets of transformation and change in areas of education. Among the topics covered were curriculum methodology; the assessment of students; the recruitment, selection and placement of students; and students' perceptions and experiences. The day ended with directors of schools in the faculty and HODs in adult medicine briefly presenting their visions on health sciences education over the next ten years. Sessions were facilitated by medical and health and rehabilitation sciences staff. Professor Marietjie de Villiers, deputy dean: education at the University of Stellenbosch, also lead a session.

Change of guard

Please note that Andrea Weiss, head of media and information in the Communication and Marketing Department, has left UCT. In the interim, media queries should be directed to Skye Grove, tel 650 3862. Monday Paper leads or queries should be directed to Helen Théron, tel 650-4145.