Graduation 2021
UCT buckles up for mammoth virtual graduation season
12 July 2021 | Story Staff writer. Photo Je’nine May. Read time 2 min.
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) bumper mid‑year graduation season will see 6 175 students graduate virtually during six faculty ceremonies at 18:00 each evening, between 12 and 19 July. These include 117 PhDs. In addition, two honorary doctorates will be conferred and several university awards will be made. Graduands will be virtually capped by UCT’s chancellor, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, who will also make one posthumous award.
The schedule is as follows:
- 12 July – Commerce
- 13 July – Engineering & the Built Environment
- 14 July – Health Sciences
- 15 July – Humanities
- 16 July – Law
- 19 July – Science.
UCT will award honorary degree to Dr Norbert Ndjeka and Dr Yogapragasen Pillay at the Health Sciences and Humanities ceremonies.
Dr Ndjeka has been the director of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB), Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV at the National Department of Health since 2009. His primary accomplishments have been in DR-TB. His exceptional achievements in the treatment of DR-TB have resulted from a unique blend of public service, activism and research.
Over the past 25 years at the National Department of Health, Dr Pillay served under all five health ministers, moving through the ranks from director for systems development to deputy director‑general, responsible for health programmes. He was an outspoken champion in the fight for health equity and improved health delivery for all South Africans.
In addition, UCT alum and qualified chartered accountant Guy Harris will receive the Vice‑Chancellor’s Medal, which will be awarded at the Commerce ceremony. Harris is passionate about promoting and supporting entrepreneurship and tackling unemployment through entrepreneurship.
The UCT Book Award, Fellowships and Distinguished Teacher Awardees will also be announced during graduation.
‘Remarkable resilience’
In her tribute to the graduands, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said they had showed “remarkable resilience” in coping with the disruptions brought about by COVID‑19.
“We are inspired by this class of graduates who will forever be an example of strength within the UCT community.”
“The university’s annual graduation is the highlight of our calendar … The past year leading up to graduation has been full of unprecedented challenges due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, which is still very much with us.
“We are very proud of students who completed their study programmes in 2020 and are scheduled to graduate. While these graduation ceremonies will once again be held virtually, our enthusiasm for celebrating our students has never waned. We are inspired by this class of graduates who will forever be an example of strength within the UCT community.”
UCT will stage the ceremonies through online broadcast events, which will be available for viewing on the university’s social media platforms – YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – as well as through the UCT graduation web page and on the UCT News website.
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Graduation July 2021
We understand the disappointment that our students and their families feel about the impact that the global pandemic has had on the normal operations for graduation ceremonies. Please know that the decision to host virtual graduation events was not taken lightly. We congratulate the July 2021 graduands on their academic success during exceptionally challenging times.
The July 2021 graduands have graduated during the virtual celebratory events as per the published schedule available on the graduation page on the UCT Students website, where you will find full information about graduation.
You can also follow the celebrations on UCT’s Twitter page by using the #UCTGrad2021 hashtag.
Ceremony videos
Your names
The names of all of the July 2021 graduands can be found in the ceremony programme PDFs.
Our stories: inspirational graduates
The UCT News team has profiled a cross-section of inspirational graduands whose stories have inspired us. To all those we haven’t been able to feature, we’d like to say: each one of you is an inspiration – to your university, your families and your communities. We wish you every success in the future.
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#UCTGrad2021 – social media elements
Customised Facebook frames and Instagram stickers are now available on our social media platforms. Watch the tutorial videos here to see how easily you can get your online presence ready to celebrate during the virtual events.
