As it has for the past few years, UCT's 2012 Candlelight Memorial, this year to be hosted in front of Jameson Hall on 10 May, will focus on the theme of stigma.

It's for good reason that stigma has become a recurring target on campus. As a 2010 survey by the Higher Education HIV/AIDS [HEAIDS] initiative pointed out, most people at UCT would feel uncomfortable going public with their status if they were to contract the HI virus.

"According to the HEAIDS survey, a perception of stigma continues to prevail at UCT," wrote the university's HIV/AIDS Institutional Co-ordination Unit (HAICU) in its 2011 report to Council. "Only 50% of students, 58% of academic and service staff, and 41% of administrative staff feel that they would be supported by their friends at the institution if they were to disclose an HIV-positive status."

"Stigma obviously remains an issue of concern for UCT where, despite what one would consider a very progressive attitude towards HIV awareness, staff and students remain guarded," says Professor Crain Soudien, deputy vice-chancellor responsible for student affairs. "So it remains something we are committed to addressing on all fronts."

One way is the annual Candlelight Memorial. The theme for this year's event is Shine Light - Stop Stigma. [See poster, top left.]

But while the memorial may take centre stage, it's not the only string HAICU has to its bow.

For one thing, the unit's trained corps of AIDS Community Educators (ACEs) - students who act as peer educators and mentors - will host a series of workshops in residences to discuss stigma and other related issueswith students. They also have one-on-one 'champion chats' with friends and family members of students, a staple of the ACE interventions.

A number of workshops will also be run for day students and societies.

This multi-level approach is necessary to tackle stigma from a variety of angles, says Lucina Reddy, project officer at HAICU.

"There are different layers and levels of stigma that a student must negotiate. So if a student is HIV-positive, they are reluctant to disclose their status," explains Reddy.

That has both personal and social consequences. For UCT, it's worrying that students then choose not to access the university's available resources.

"That's why our work is so important, to tell students that this UCT, this community, believes in inclusiveness, that access to resources is important, and so we encourage them to make use of these," adds Reddy.

This year, first-year students from the School of Fine Art will also set up an exhibition to explore the issue of stigma from an artistic perspective.

(See a contribution from a UCT staff member who is HIV-positive.)

The Association of Built Environment Students, a student society within the department of Construction Economics and Management, recently secured support from several industry partners for protective equipment for first-year construction students.

The new kit is in keeping with the motto of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment: Do Zero Harm.

"As a faculty, we are working at creating a strong culture, where staff and students care for one another and safety becomes an inherent factor in the day-to-day business of the faculty," said the dean, Prof Francis Petersen.

Billed as a forum for students and staff to express even the most contentious of opinions without fear of victimisation (or being 'named and shamed'), it saw a host of experiences and views come to light.

Some argued that the race question is irrelevant in a democratic South Africa. Others countered by relating experiences of racial discrimination at UCT, arguing that the legacy of colonialism and apartheid still has tangible effects on society (including UCT).

One respondent described racist attitudes held by a student friend, and concluded: "Is UCT racist? Institutionally, it's debatable. On a peer level, it exists."

Speaker after speaker stressed the importance of postdoctoral researchers for UCT and the country. "Postdoctoral researchers are highly valued in the university," noted Price.

"They are the next generation of academics."

Among those at the orientation were (above, from left) Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan and postdoctoral fellows Dr Kirsten Wimberger, Dr Tali Hoffman and Dr Ragna Redelstorff, here heeding the words of former vice-chancellor Dr Stuart Saunders, now a board member of the Claude Leon Foundation.

The event was hosted by c*change, the Department of Science and Technology, and the National Research Foundation's Centre of Excellence in Catalysis at UCT, in association with Sasol, PetroSA and other sponsors.

South Africa is a world leader in the field of synthesis gas technology, a catalytic process that involves the conversion of coal or gas to liquid fuels and other chemicals.

Medical conferences can be "heart-sink affairs", wrote Horton. But, he quickly added, the Cardiology and Diabetes at the Limits conference, which was jointly hosted by UCT's Prof Lionel Opie and University College London's Prof Derek Yellon, in March, has given him renewed hope.

"No medical meeting is quite like it," wrote Horton.

The 2010 report was widely accepted as a true reflection of (the limited) transformation at universities.

That's Mar:Com, a DVD on integrated marketing communications that has been produced by UCT's Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing in collaboration with top comedian Trevor Noah and some of the country's leading brands.

Aimed at students and professionals, the 80-minute documentary covers the fundamentals of marketing communications and how to integrate these into a cohesive marketing message that is consistent across a variety of media.

In a nutshell, Hattas and his team provide technical support to departmental teaching and research activities. Hattas co-ordinates and supervises the set-up of practicals, and assists academics in designing new and improving existing practicals. Aided by assistants Nazli Davids, Francois Majola, Zamikaya Jikumlambo (who recently moved to another department) and Edward Chirwa, he has multiple functions in the department. In the first semester, Hattas co-ordinates, teaches and administers the first-year cell biology practicals to about 300 students. He also manages demonstrators, mostly postgraduate students, who assist during practical sessions. In addition, he takes care of the teaching and selected research equipment and instrumentation, prepares teaching equipment budgets, and purchase equipment and chemicals. Furthermore, Hattas arranges departmental exhibitions, and designs, co-ordinates and teaches practicals for UCT's outreach initiatives such as the SHAWCO Saturday School, 100-Up, and the Maths and Science Education Project. He also engages in collaborative research with colleagues in his department and other institutions, both locally and abroad.

What are the challenges of the job?

Hattas' day is quite unpredictable and can change instantly. A demonstrator may suddenly fall ill, or an instrument may break or malfunction at a critical time. Furthermore, ensuring that practicals run as scheduled and with the desired outcome becomes a challenge when he has two or three running at the same time. "However, my competent and ever-reliable team of assistants help to ensure that we navigate these challenges successfully," he says.

What are the highs of the job?

Being able to work with and contribute to the development of some of the brightest young minds in South Africa and beyond. Another high is the beaming amazement and excitement of students and school learners when, for example, looking through a microscope, they see a whole new world unfold before their eyes. The cherry on top is finding time to conduct research for his PhD.

And the lows?

Hattas takes it personally when a practical or project he is involved with does not yield the desired outcome.

What is the weirdest moment he's encountered?

Realising that he was in trouble after failing to submit all of his practicals, one student wrote to Hattas: 'Dear Professor. You know when you plant seeds, not all of them grow as they are supposed to? Well, I am one of those seeds. I haven't handed in any of my practicals and was hoping that you would be able to help me sort out the problem.' "Can't fault him on creativity," Hattas quips.

We've since been informed that Andrews will be assisted in this by clinical partner Fezeka Galeni.