A toolkit for supporting marginalised students

23 June 2020
 

Dear colleagues and students

During the difficult period we are living through, it’s amazing how we have come together as a university community. Through community action networks, social media groups, chats and online forums, we’ve connected, collaborated and supported one another. In our personal lives and in our work, we’ve centred compassion and kindness and have quickly adapted to a new normal. Thank you for making these contributions and sacrifices.

At this moment, it’s important for higher education institutions to continue to centre inclusion and to make sure no one is left behind. To assist with this, the Office for Inclusivity & Change (OIC) has developed a toolkit which aims to spark conversation around the needs of students who live in an environment that is not conducive to remote learning.

Relying on data from the UCT Student Access Survey, relevant Statistics South Africa reports and conversations with students and staff, the toolkit explores how race, gender, class and disability play a role in access to resources that are important for teaching and learning. We live in a South Africa with deep socio-economic disparities, and this tool helps to deepen our thinking on these inequalities.

The infographics offer visual representations of the experiences and reflections of diverse and marginalised students. This toolkit may be useful for the university community as we reflect on the challenges we face in the current moment and shares ideas for how we can work together to deal with them. Think of the infographics as a springboard for conversations on how we can come together to make sure no one is left behind.

Download the toolkit.

Kind regards,

Professor Loretta Feris
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation

Associate Professor Lis Lange
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning

Professor Sue Harrison
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation


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UCT’s response to COVID-19 in 2021

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.

UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

 

Commemorating a year of COVID-19

At midnight on 26 March 2020, South African went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.

Frequently asked questions

 
 

In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”

 

We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.