Media releases
2013
First quarter
UCT plans protest march to tell government: We Say Enough to violent crime - 17 February
Thousands of students, academics, researchers and support staff have been called to express their collective outrage at the crimes of violence perpetuated across the nation at a march and rally at the University of Cape Town on Wednesday, 20 February 2013, beginning from Middle Campus at 13h00. Participants are asked to wear white shirts or T-shirts. Academics will wear their gowns.
UCT to honour leading musicians, an engineering giant & cardiovascular scientist - 14 February
The University of Cape Town will award honorary degrees in 2013 to a range of experts chosen for their rich contributions to their respective areas of expertise and society as a whole. This year's honorands are: Derek Yellon: leading cardiovascular scientist; Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu: South Africans with international reputations as musicians; Klaus-Jürgen Bathe: giant in the field of computational engineering mechanics; and Daniel Kunene: renowned literary figure and scholar in the fields of translation and critical appraisal of African orature.
UCT appoints new Dean of Health Sciences - 12 February
The University of Cape Town has appointed Professor Willem (Wim) de Villiers as the new Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Three UCT students shine at Pernod Ricard International Business Game - 7 February
Three University of Cape Town students have won the South African leg of the Pernod Ricard's International Business Game, a competition to create a digital marketing strategy.
Vice-Chancellor's Open Lecture to feature Professor Arthur Kleinman on Thursday, 7 February 2013, 18h00, Lecture Theatre 1, Kramer Law Building - 31 January
There is a need for serious discussion about caregiving and its place in health care and beyond, says leading Harvard Professor Arthur Kleinman. Professor Kleinman will be speaking at the University of Cape Town on Caregiving and Goodness: Their Broader Role in Society at the first ViceChancellor's Open Lecture of the year on Thursday, 7 February 2013, at 18h00 in Lecture Theatre 1, Kramer Law Building.
UCT researchers on epic journey of the Orange River - 31 January
A trio of UCT researchers are on a two-month journey following the Orange River from Qacha's Nek to Alexander Bay. The researchers, who have embarked on the Senqu2Sea Expedition, are paddling an average of 40 kilometres a day often battling stormy weather and rapids.
UCT study to avert time bomb of unemployed youth - 25 January
Between 60% and 65% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa (15 to 35 years) are unemployed or under-employed. Researchers from the University of Cape Town are conducting a study that they believe could help avert this potential time bomb.
UCT mourns death of renowned ornithologist, Professor Phil Hockey - 24 January
The University of Cape Town is mourning the death by cancer today of Professor Philip Hockey, the Director of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at UCT and a leading authority on ornithology – the study of birds.
UCT scientist leads team that discovers a way to identify the gender of ancient bird species - 23 January
An international team of palaeontologists led by UCT's Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan has discovered a way to determine the sex of a 125 million year old bird species.
Chinsamy-Turan conducted the study with Dr Luis Chiappe, Director of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's (NHM) Dinosaur Institute, USA; Dr Jesús Marugán-Lobón of Madrid's Universidad Autonóma, Cantoblanco; and Gao Chunling and Zhang Fengjiao of the Dalian Natural History Museum in China.
University of Cape Town & Stellenbosch University express concern on policing in Khayelitsha - 22 January
The University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University are deeply concerned about the disturbing levels of violence and insecurity in Khayelitsha, which has recently been highlighted by controversies surrounding policing, governance and vigilantism in this area. Consequently, the two universities are of the view that a commission of inquiry into policing and incidents of violence in Khayelitsha is essential.
International recognition for UCT's Dean of Commerce Prof Don Ross - 21 January
Dean of Commerce Professor Don Ross has been elected chair of the Executive Board of the International Network for Economic Methodology (INEM).
This is the global disciplinary association of economic methodologists. Economic methodology is the study of how economics should be done and looks at how economists should incorporate findings from neighbouring disciplines such as psychology and biology.
UCT presents Spring Queen exhibition at District Six Museum - 16 January
The Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town will launch an exhibition of the annual Spring Queen Competition. The exhibition will showcase the on-going story of the Spring Queen which is now in its 31st year.
UCT Summer School for fang lovers and health fans - 15 January
Looking for something to sink your teeth into as the summer holiday winds down? How about a thrilling three-lecture course analysing "The Monsters We Deserve: Vampires in Selected Literature And Film"? Or a healthy look at the latest information on the genetic causes and prevention of sudden death in infants, young people and adults: "Sudden Cardiac Death: What Everyone Should Know". These are just two of the stimulating courses with spaces still available in the University of Cape Town's 63rd annual Summer School, from Monday, 21 January to Friday, 1 February 2013.
Australian heatwave could result in mass deaths of birds,
say UCT, UP researchers - 15 January
As the heatwave in Australia continues, many birds may no longer be able to cope with the heat and large numbers could die as a result, warn researchers at the Universities of Cape Town and Pretoria. An international research team, led by researchers at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town, are investigating how heatwaves affect the physiology and behaviour of birds.
