UCT honoured its 2013 ad hominem promotees at a dinner in stately Smuts Hall last week, an august gathering of UCT staff and joint staff attached either to research organisations or to the Western Cape Government's Health Department.

Congratulating the group, Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price said each served as an inspiration to their students and colleagues.

"You have worked extremely hard to achieve your promotions and deserve to celebrate your success tonight, a success that reflects your enthusiasm for your field of endeavour and your commitment to the university. I also want to thank your families, who have stood by you through the sacrifices you - and they - have often made to enable you to excel as you have."

He continued: "Your efforts contribute to our reputation for academic excellence and have consistently kept UCT as Africa's top-ranked university, and one of the top one percent of universities worldwide - and a partner of choice for other world-class universities and international research funders."

The ad hominem promotions process is a rigorous one that assesses each candidate's performance against criteria such as teaching, supervision, research, administration and leadership contributions, as well as socially responsive activities.

Price said that the university had made significant progress in ensuring high standards in the ad hominem promotions process, and in creating flexibility to take of the unique contexts of different disciplines into account.