Networked: The Faculty of Health Sciences had the biggest group among this year's NAPP graduates; some, seen here flanked by VC Dr Max Price (left), and deputy dean Prof Gonda Perez (right), are Hein Lamprecht, Virginia Zweigenthal, Rachel Weiss, Collet Dandara, Busayo Ige, Clare Davis, Hilary Barlow, Roisin Kelly, and Vukani Madikane.

Vice-chancellor Dr Max Price and his senior management have reason to be pleased about this year's cohort on the New Academic Practitioners Programme (NAPP); they are a diverse group and represent UCT's vision for the future.

In fact, the programme has made an immeasurable contribution to integration, and should be made compulsory, one senior leader suggested at a cocktail party Price hosted to celebrate the graduation of this year's group on 27 October.

Now in its seventh year, NAPP is a year-long orientation programme run by the Centre for Higher Education Development for newly appointed academics, with particular emphasis on teaching and research development. Over 200 staff members have graduated from the programme since its inception.

Despite this, it is not widely known on campus, and Price appealed to participants to spread the message.

"It is your job to go back to your departments and educate others about NAPP, and encourage your managers to send new staff members," he said.

Price advised participants to maintain the links they have established through the programme, and called on them to take advantage of other networking opportunities available at UCT.