With social responsiveness high on the list of vice-chancellor Dr Max Price's seven strategic focus points, UCT has established a brand new award in the area.

The Vice-Chancellor's Social Responsiveness Award is allied in its intention to the Distinguished Teacher Award, and provides an institutional signal to the UCT community that social responsiveness is an important institutional priority.

This year it carries a R20 000 purse. Nominations and applications for the first award close on 31 August.

"This is part of the vice-chancellor's commitment to providing support and appropriate incentives for expanding and strengthening social responsiveness," said deputy vice-chancellor Professor Jo Beall.

The new award will also complement existing honours such as the Alan Pifer Award, given to outstanding welfare-related research in the fields of medical, economic, scientific, engineering and social research that furthers the welfare of disadvantaged communities.

"But the new award has a much wider scope, in that it can be given to people who demonstrate that social engagement has enhanced the teaching and learning process. In other words, it is not just for research," added Beall.

While the social responsiveness award can also be given to people who are active in socially engaged research, additional criteria have been added, such as evidence of shared planning and decision-making, and contributions to brokering new relationships or partnerships.

For more information contact Sonwabo Ngcelwane, ext 2103.