UCT inaugural lectures for July 2025

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) inaugural lecture series is a treasured academic tradition, offering an opportunity to celebrate and recognise members of our scholarly community who have attained the rank of full professor. These lectures serve as a formal acknowledgement of academic achievement and moments of reflection and inspiration. On these occasions, we come together to explore the pioneering ideas that shape our world and the personal and professional journeys behind them.

I am therefore pleased to invite you to two inaugural lectures scheduled to take place in July 2025, featuring Professors Alan Davidson and Dick Ng’ambi.

These events highlight the breadth and depth of scholarship at UCT, from transformative research in paediatric oncology to critical explorations of technology and education in a changing world. I encourage all members of the UCT community – students, staff, alumni and friends – to join us in celebrating these exceptional academics and their contributions.

Socrates once said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” This timeless reflection reminds us that knowledge shared through teaching and dialogue does more than inform – it inspires curiosity, collaboration and meaningful change.

Professor Alan Davidson (Faculty of Health Sciences)

Professor Davidson will deliver his lecture, “It Takes a Team: Advancing Paediatric Oncology Through Collaborative Care,” on Thursday, 17 July 2025 at 17:30 SAST in the New Learning Centre Theatre, Anatomy Building on the health sciences campus.

Professor Davidson’s lecture will offer a rich, reflective journey through his career in paediatric oncology, illuminating the power of collaboration in improving outcomes for children with cancer. Drawing on decades of experience in research, teaching and leadership, he will share insights into the development of oncology services in middle-income settings, the global impact of mission-driven teamwork, and the human spirit that animates this demanding yet rewarding field. His stories remind us that gentle humour and empathy have a place even in the most serious work.

Professor Davidson is the head of the Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Services at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and UCT. He is internationally recognised for his leadership in paediatric brain tumours, HIV-related cancers and adapted cancer therapies for low- and middle-income countries. His professional service includes numerous national and international leadership roles, and his commitment to training and mentorship continues to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. He has been a member of the Paediatric Council of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa since 2008 and served as president from 2017 to 2023. He chaired the Finance and General Purposes Committee, which oversees a large annual budget and a significant portfolio of assets. He now serves on the board of trustees.

He holds an MBChB and an MPhil from UCT, a Diploma in Child Health, a Fellowship in Paediatrics and a Certificate in Medical Oncology (Paediatrics) from the College of Medicine of South Africa. In 2002, he was invited to attend a course titled “Clinical Trials in Oncology at the Vienna School of Clinical Research,” where he passed the final exam with distinction and was awarded a scholarship to attend another course of his choice. In May 2005, he used this opportunity to return for a Publication Workshop led by Sabine Kleinert and Charles Young, executive editors of The Lancet. He has also been recognised as a CTICC Ambassador by the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

• Register to attend the lecture.

Professor Dick Ng’ambi (Faculty of Humanities)

Professor Ng’ambi will present his lecture, “Technology changes what matters – what matters changes technology,”* on Friday, 25 July 2025 at 17:30 SAST in Lecture Theatre 1, Neville Alexander Building on lower campus.

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education, Professor Ng’ambi invites us to ask: What is truly important in education – and for whom? He will examine the evolving interplay between technology and educational values through the lens of three transformative projects, including the innovative Open Educational Resource of Indigenous Games (OERiGA). His lecture will challenge us to remain grounded in purpose as we embrace digital tools and to ensure that innovation remains in service of equity, relevance and human dignity.

Professor Ng’ambi is a leader in educational technology and digital pedagogy. He is a professor in the School of Education at UCT and programme head for the Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s in Educational Technology. As founder of the Educational Technology Inquiry Lab, he has championed the professional development of educators through creative and inclusive approaches. His scholarly work bridges theory and practice and continues to shape how technology can serve socially just and contextually grounded education.

Professor Ng’ambi’s impact extends across the African continent. He played a key role in building capacity at Makerere University in Uganda, which led to the establishment of a blended Master’s programme in Instructional Design and Technology for East Africa. In recognition of his contributions, Makerere University awarded him a Plaque of Honour. He also holds appointments as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom; and a Visiting Professor at Dom Bosco Catholic University in Brazil.

He currently leads the OERiGA project, which spans 12 African countries. This initiative documents and integrates indigenous games into school curricula, promoting cultural heritage, advancing decolonisation efforts and providing Generation Z teachers access to these resources through the OERiGA mobile app.

Professor Ng’ambi holds a PhD in Information Systems from UCT, an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom), and a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Zambia.

• Register to attend the lecture.

These inaugural lectures promise to be engaging, thought-provoking and deeply relevant to the challenges and possibilities of our time. I invite you to attend, engage in the dialogue and support our colleagues as they share the work that defines their scholarly lives.

Let us come together to celebrate the excellence, insight and collaborative spirit that characterise UCT.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements