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Chancellor's address: UCT invites all alumni to "run with us"
1 February 2011
As we start 2011 it is my pleasure to share with you the good news that the University of Cape Town continues to be an institution that we can all be proud to associate with.
This is not to say that our present and future are without challenges. In common with the rest of Africa, we at UCT continue to look for the answers to the questions of: who we are; who we want to be; how best we can be relevant in Africa and shape an African identity; how we can maintain and grow our status as a centre of excellence; and how we can act as a bridge between the various layers in our societies.
We are teaching and producing highly qualified people, and that is extremely important, but we have to do much more. We have to ensure that the people who emerge from our institution are inquisitive enough to think about where we come from, and where we want to be in 50 years time. We need to nurture people who think for themselves and help to provide some of the answers we seek. We need to train our young people to take over and to lead – our future, our continent.
We are very happy that we are among the 200 best universities in the world. We need to keep and improve this position. It is our historic responsibility; we have to keep our institution where it is in terms of excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
And we want to encourage you to be part of this by making a contribution to UCT. This may be a financial contribution. You may choose to participate in our 'Why I Give' Annual Appeal and help us raise vital funds for bursaries and for other priorities such as the building of new residences on campus. You can read more about this campaign and why others give to UCT on the annual appeal website. But I also want to ask you for other kinds of contributions. You operate in many different industries and come across knowledge of what we, as a country, require to be winners.
So, talk to us. Tell us what we have been doing right so far and what you think we should be doing differently. It is important, yes, that our alumni continue to give us financial resources, but it is equally important that they share their thinking, their vision, their contribution in terms of how we can make this institution really relevant to South Africa and Africa, and to continue to meet global standards of excellence.
We know that there are many who support us, and we know that you do it because you take pride in the University of Cape Town – we want to continue to deserve your pride in being associated with your alma mater.
So here's our invitation … Take ownership. Run with us.
