Celebration: New UCT Fellows include Prof Susan Bourne (second from right),Prof Jill Farrant (left); and Prof Vicki Lambert (far right), photographed with VC Dr Max Price.

"Fellows have a responsibility to protect the drive for research, and shake the lapels of the university," said Professor Tim Noakes, Discovery Health professor of exercise and sports science.

He was speaking at the Annual Fellows Dinner, a formal but celebratory event to welcome seven new fellows - four of them women - to UCT's ranks.

Noakes warned that if fellows wanted to increase their standing, they must do more to promote knowledge.

"Science is under attack," he said. "There is a 'dumbing down' of debate, and people can't judge what is true." Noakes also quipped that "industry doesn't like science", because scientists have a tendency to come up with the 'wrong' results.

"Not everyone knows that research is hard work, which requires 100 percent commitment," said Noakes. "As a university, it is our role to teach, but in this new world, we must also do all we can to generate new knowledge."