Campus highlights

AIDS awareness event for Jammie Plaza

An AIDS Awareness Day for students will be held between 13h00 and 14h00 on August 18 on the Jammie Plaza. Sean Brown of the UCT HIV/AIDS Unit said students had to be challenged to review the way they perceive, and therefore treat, people living with and affected by HIV.

"We want UCT to strive to be a student and staff community where people are able to disclose their positive status without fear of stigma and discrimination," he said. "We want an environment free of barriers for people living with HIV, not one in which the fear of the experience of isolation and ostracism prevents them from being tested and from accessing treatment, care and support."

This awareness event is about challenging the stigma, denial and discrimination surrounding HIV and AIDS, and subsequently influencing health behaviours.

"We need to help students to recognise that the student health services available to them are non-judgmental, non-threatening, consensual and confidential," Brown added. "We want to create a more enabling environment by increasing the visibility of people living with HIV and AIDS, and raise awareness of our confidential support group, voluntary counselling and testing, and other health services available to students at UCT."

Plush, all former UCT students, will be playing at the event. An MC from a popular Cape Town radio station will provide continuity, and health service information will be distributed.

Finance models focus of alumni lecture

Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operation Research at Columbia University, Emanuel Derman, will deliver the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Lecture on campus on August 18. Derman, who has a BSc (Hons) from UCT and a PhD from Columbia University, will speak on the Use and Misuse of Financial Models.

 

He will compare modelling styles in physics and finance, analyse the principles on which financial valuation models are based and discuss the appropriate way to make use of these models in financial markets.

The lecture takes place in Lecture 1, Kramer Law Building, middle campus at 17h30 for 18h30. Refreshments will be served. RSVP Mary Hilton at mhilton@science.uct.ac.za.

New society encourages political debate

A newly relaunched university society, the Political Studies Students Association (Polssa), aims to bring fresh impetus to political debate on campus by providing a forum for students to engage with high profile politicians and academics. The new association wishes to create awareness around political, social and economic issues to encourage critical and analytical thinking. It will be holding a September conference with the theme of black economic empowerment and its implications for students. Businessman Cyril Ramaphosa will be among the keynote speakers.

For more information, contact the society by e-mail at polssa@gmail.com or polssa@gmail.com .

Hip-Hop on campus

The hip-hop movement has been going on campus for some time now, but has been mostly underground. Now, enthusiasts are making themselves known through the activities of the UCT Hip-Hop Club. They organise shows celebrating the art of hip-hop, be it spoken, written, break-dancing or any other form of expression. Shows are mostly on the odd Fridays at the Leslie Social Science Building, after which cipher sessions take place, when anyone can showcase their talents by out-rapping each other in "mc-battles". For more information on the activities of the club, e-mail Tidoz at tidoz_1@yahoo.com or xEx at mlvmus001@mail.uct.ac.za.

 

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