What makes a university world-class?
Here is a look at some of the changemakers at the University of Cape Town and their departments and what makes them the best of the best working with the best institution.
At the University of Cape Town, there is a common understanding that there needs to be a team of people ensuring the smooth day to day running, as well as the attainment of set goals in offering quality education. This is why there are teams of people who are dedicated to offering a better life for the many students and staff members that grace the shores of the campus daily in search of quality education.
This institution understands what it means to be a world-class education institution and strives to stay that way. This article looks at some of the change makers and their departments and faculties and what makes them the best of the best working with the best institution.
Chancellor
The university’s official head and representative, the Chancellor, bestows degrees in its honour. An electoral college selects the Chancellor for a tenure of 10 years . The electoral college, which is presided over by the president of convocation, is made up of 21 graduates or holders of diplomas, six members of the academic staff, six members of the administrative and support staff, and six students, in addition to the Vice Chancellor and the president of convocation.
A new Chancellor was chosen in 2019 through elections, and at the end of August, Mr Sipho M. Pityana, the Chair of Council, announced that Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe had been chosen to serve as UCT’s sixth Chancellor, effective 1 January 2020.
Vice Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor is accountable to the Council for the leadership of the university as a whole, and for determining the university’s strategic goals and ensuring their implementation. This includes accountability for the university’s overall financial health, academic standing, transformation and social justice interventions.
This role at the University of Cape Town is led by Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, who began her term of office on 1 July 2018 as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, specifically selected to act as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation since January 2017. She has executive oversight for Council accountability, fundraising and alumni initiatives, external relations, financial oversight, risk management and ceremonial functions.
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) provides strategic leadership in the development and delivery of the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate programs and oversees areas including academic staffing, academic quality, and teaching and learning. UCT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) are:
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation – Professor Sue Harrison
Professor Sue Harrison was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation with effect from 1 August 2019. Enhancing UCT’s African agenda, forging international research alliances, expanding and reshaping the postgraduate sector, and overseeing interdisciplinary university research centres are among her duties. Additionally, improving the number, quality, and impact of research across the university is part of her portfolio.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning (Acting) – Professor Harsha Kathard
At the beginning of May 2022, Council approved the appointment of Professor Harsha Kathard as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness – Professor Elelwani Ramugondo
Professor Ramugondo started her tenure as the DVC for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness on 1 July 2022. Professor Ramugondo has over 20 years of academic experience in a research-intensive university environment.
Deans
These are the people tasked with ensuring each faculty is led with the same goals and values that are aligned with the University of Cape Town.
- Commerce: Professor Suki Goodman
- Engineering & The Built Environment: Professor Alison Lewis
- Health Sciences: Associate Professor Green-Thompson
- Humanities: Associate Professor Shose Kessi
- Law: Professor Danwood Chirwa
- Science: Professor Maano Ramutsindela
- Centre for Higher Education Development: Associate Professor Kasturi Behari-Leak
- Director, Graduate School of Business: Dr Catherine Duggan
The University of Cape Town has an inclusive learning as well as hiring and working environment, and this can be seen in how diverse the staff and students are. The people are not where the institution stops at being human-centric and focused on giving others the right tools; the facilities also offer a range of support systems in place that makes acquiring your qualification feel like less of a burden.
Options on Studying
Speaking of completing your studies at the University of Cape Town, there is a range of options for you to tap into, whether you want to do this full-time, part-time or online. Take the university’s GetSmarter, which offers online courses for a variation of courses you need to kickstart your career.
As one of the top universities in South Africa, UCT, in collaboration with GetSmarter, have courses ranging from finance to project management, data science, and so much more. Take your career to the next level by surrounding yourself with a group of people who are driven, dedicated and want to ensure a better future for all. Sign up for a course with the University of Cape Town and start getting smarter today.
