Overview
The University of Cape Town remains the highest ranked university in Africa, and continues to climb in the world rankings. Thank you for your commitment in helping UCT to achieve this.
Our goal to be globally competitive stands alongside our transformation goals: to "improve access" to the outstanding education UCT can provide, and to "increase success", particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A further urgent reason to expand our residence capacity is the impact that living in residence has on academic success. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds, if not in residence, can usually not afford local private accommodation, so they live in the townships, generally have to leave campus before dark due to limited public transport and safety issues, and thus miss out on free internet access and extended library study time. The conditions in their homes are generally not conducive to study and concentration. In residence they also participate in study groups, are allocated tutors and mentors, and have a whole academic scaffolding to support their academic success and social integration.
In short, for reasons of both access and success, we are in a dire need of more student accommodation. This is why we have embarked on our most ambitious residential project to date, the Observatory Square. Located in the heart of this buzzing suburb, "Obz Square" will provide 880 new beds in an environmentally friendly design. Your donation will make it possible for more students to stay on campus, thus supporting transformation while improving the overall varsity experience for more students.
Every donation, no matter how small, counts. There are also opportunities to "name a room" by donating R100,000 (US$15,000 or GBP10,000) or more over a five year period or via a bequest in your will. In addition, if you were in residence yourself, you can request that 10% of your donation go towards upgrading your old residence where your name and years in residence will be recorded in recognition of your benefaction.
We are also raising funds for other major infrastructure projects, including the building of new engineering and economics buildings, as well as developing research capacity and innovation. For more information regarding these projects visit UCT funding priorities.
Donating is easy. You can either complete a pledge form and mail it back to us or pledge online . All donations will receive the appropriate tax certification depending on your country of residence.
Thank you for helping us to build a better future.
Yours sincerely
Dr Max Price
Vice Chancellor