TLC2025 and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

Staff and students are invited to submit proposals for the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) annual Teaching & Learning Conference 2025 (TLC2025), scheduled for 18 to 19 November 2025. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. TLC2025: Call for proposals

TLC2025 offers a platform for the university community to engage with issues related to teaching and learning. The 2025 edition, scheduled to take place from 18 to 19 November 2025 under the theme Shaping the Future of Education: Data-driven Strategies for Equity and Success, will be co-hosted with the Data Analytics for Student Success (DASS) programme.

TLC2025 aims to build capacity to address key questions in higher education, connect stakeholders across the university, promote critical reflection and encourage innovative teaching practices. The conference will focus on how data can be generated, shared and interpreted to support the development of equitable educational opportunities. Staff and students are invited to submit proposals in response to the conference call.

• Read the full DVC Desk: TLC2025: Call for proposals.
• Submit proposals.

2. VC’s Conversations: Creating safe spaces for difficult conversations

Staff and students are reminded to participate in the Vice-Chancellor’s Campus-wide Conversations.

Launched in December 2024, the series creates a safe space for open and honest dialogue on complex issues affecting the campus community. It aims to ensure that all voices are heard while helping to rebuild unity and foster a culture rooted in respect, compassion, kindness and ubuntu.

The university community shapes the topics, reflecting concerns and themes that emerge from staff and students. UCT has appointed two experienced external facilitators, Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo and Ms Nomfundo Walaza, who bring deep insight, a long-standing connection to UCT, and a shared commitment to the university’s future.

Whether you face a challenge or want to acknowledge something working well, this is your chance to speak directly and honestly. Your concerns are treated with care and respect, and the space is highly regarded. These conversations help foster a culture of trust, dignity and open communication, making them a key part of creating positive change at the university.

These sessions are continuing in July.

• Book a session.

3. Psychological First Aid course

Crisis and emotional distress can happen at any time, anywhere, and to anyone. Whether you work in healthcare, research or a community space, everyone should be equipped with Psychological First Aid (PFA) skills. The Faculty of Health Sciences has developed a PFA course to address South Africa’s limited mental health professionals. The course aims to equip attendees with simple yet effective tools to recognise distress and respond calmly and confidently.

Attendees will be taught the ACR framework – acknowledge, contain, refer – and how to apply it when supporting individuals or groups through difficult scenarios. Attendees will be equipped to practise real-life scenarios and leave with knowledge on how to:

• identify individuals in distress
• provide immediate containment
• communicate emphatically during distress
• refer to professional support
• protect their well-being while helping others.

This hybrid course is 6.5 hours long, Continuing Professional Development-accredited, and open to anyone.

• Register for the course.

The registration deadline is Thursday, 24 July 2025.

4. ICTS scheduled maintenance on Sunday, 13 July

The UCT community is advised that Sunday, 13 July 2025, will be an Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) scheduled maintenance slot from 08:00 to 17:00. Unless advised to the contrary, do not expect any on-premises ICT services to be available for the duration of the maintenance slot. Cloud-based services (including Amathuba, email, Microsoft 365 services, and ServiceNow) are not impacted and can still be accessed.

Please remember to consult the scheduled ICTS maintenance slots page before planning any teaching, conferences, meetings, etc that require ICT services.

For more information, see the article on why ICTS schedules regular monthly maintenance slots.

5. Feedback from the Council meeting of June 2025

The UCT Council held its ordinary meeting on 28 June 2025. Council noted UCT’s rise to 150th in the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, its highest position in a decade, placing the university in the top 3% globally.

Financial reports from the University Finance Committee and the University Audit and Risk Committee highlighted a significant turnaround: a projected R30 million surplus for 2025 following a R360 million deficit in 2024. The 2024 Annual Financial Statements were approved with an unqualified audit opinion from PwC.

Council approved the university’s Enrolment Plan for 2026–2030, and updates to the Student Representative Council Constitution and Election Regulations. It noted the Ombud’s 2024 Annual and 2025 First Quarter Reports and acknowledged her role in independent oversight. Council also finalised and submitted the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Self-Assessment Scorecard, which rated Council as “functional” for 2024. The Vice-Chancellor’s report covered strategy development, implementation of Gaza resolutions, developments at UCT Fund Inc, the impact of a Donald Gordon Foundation grant on the Neuroscience Institute, and progress in filling key positions.

• Read the full Chair’s Desk: Feedback from the Council meeting of June 2025.

6. Completed whistle-blowing investigations for 2024

The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of UCT’s externally operated whistle-blowing hotline. The hotline offers staff, students and third parties a confidential and anonymous channel to report suspected fraud, corruption or unethical conduct. It operates independently of university management, with all reports managed through a service provider and shared only after the whistleblower makes contact. Over the past decade, the hotline has proven to be valuable in supporting UCT’s ethical and compliance culture.

UCT implemented a comprehensive whistle-blowing policy in 2023 to strengthen whistle-blowing governance, approved by Council. The policy outlines roles and responsibilities across the institution. The Risk Office and Internal Audit receive reports from the service provider and forward them to the relevant departments for investigation.

Once concluded, outcomes are sent back to the service provider for communication to the whistle-blower. Hotline trends are monitored through regular risk management and Audit and Risk Committee meetings.

In 2024, the hotline received 40 reports, of which 37 were investigated and resolved. Disciplinary action was followed in cases where misconduct was confirmed.

• Read the full Registrar’s Desk: Completed whistle-blowing investigations for 2024.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements