Inaugural lecture by Professor Davidson and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

Professor Alan Davidson will present his inaugural lecture as part of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series on Thursday, 17 July 2025. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Inaugural lecture by Professor Davidson (Faculty of Health Sciences)

Professor Davidson will deliver his inaugural 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, Health Sciences Campus.

His lecture will reflect on a career shaped by the belief that collaboration improves outcomes for children with cancer. Drawing on decades of work in research, clinical care and teaching, he will share insights into building oncology services in middle-income settings and leading international efforts in mission-driven care. His stories highlight the role of empathy, teamwork and resilience in the face of complex challenges and remind us of the human side of healthcare.

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 work in paediatric brain tumours, HIV-related cancers and treatment approaches tailored to resource-constrained settings. A long-standing member of the Paediatric Council of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, he served as its president from 2017 to 2023. He holds several academic and clinical qualifications from UCT and the College of Medicine of South Africa, and his contributions to clinical research and academic publishing have earned him local and international recognition, including as a Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) ambassador

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT inaugural lectures for July 2025.
• Register to attend the lecture.

2. UCT Innovation Builder Fund accepting new expressions of interest

The Innovation Builder Fund (IBF) calls for applications from UCT researchers across all disciplines conducting innovative research with the potential for commercial application and IP protection.

The IBF was launched in 2019 to nurture and advance UCT research projects demonstrating initial proof of concept. The fund is designed to support projects assessed as commercially viable and where research outputs have either been protected or have protectable intellectual property.

This unique opportunity provides financial support and aids in maturing research outputs and mitigating associated risks, preparing them for later-stage funding. Successful projects will receive a grant ranging from R150 000 to R500 000 to support their development.

The deadline for the submission is Friday, 25 July 2025.

• Fill in the Expression-of-Interest (EOI) template and send it to Fred Van Der Post.

3. Annual declaration of interests

UCT staff members are reminded to submit their annual declaration of interest by Thursday, 31 July 2025. In line with the Higher Education Act, this requirement applies to all staff and members of university committees, regardless of role or position. The declaration must include any financial interests, fiduciary roles and those held by immediate family members.

This process forms a key part of UCT’s governance, risk and compliance framework and helps support transparency and accountability across the institution.

Staff are required to verify, update and submit the declaration form each year, even if there are no interests to declare or no changes from the previous submission.

• Read the full Registrar Desk: Annual declaration of interests.
• Access the personalised declaration form through the UCT Service Now platform.
• View frequently asked questions about conflict of interest.

4. TLC2025: Call for proposals

Staff and students are invited to submit presentation proposals for the Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC2025), scheduled for 18 to 19 November 2025. The conference will provide a space for the university community to engage with key issues in teaching and learning. This year’s conference, co-hosted with the Data Analytics for Student Success (DASS) programme, is themed Shaping the Future of Education: Data-driven Strategies for Equity and Success.

TCL2025 will focus on generating, sharing and using data to support more equitable learning experiences. It will also strengthen institutional capacity, connect people working across the university, and promote reflective and innovative teaching practices.

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

5. Parking areas P7 and P8 closed until further notice

The UCT community is advised that the P7 and P8 parking areas will be closed until further notice to ensure commuter safety.

This is due to the heavy rainfall over the past month, which compromised soil stability. Following site assessments, it was determined that extensive repair work is required to make the site safe.

The parking areas are currently cordoned off and will remain inaccessible until repairs are completed.

For more information, please liaise with Megan Dick.

6. Psychological First Aid course

Crisis and emotional distress can affect anyone, at any time, and in any setting. Whether in healthcare, research or community environments, it’s important that everyone has the skills to respond with care and confidence. To help address the shortage of mental health professionals in South Africa, the Faculty of Health Sciences has developed a Psychological First Aid (PFA) course.

The course introduces practical tools to help participants recognise signs of distress and respond appropriately. It uses the ACR framework: acknowledge, contain, refer, which guides how to support individuals or groups in challenging situations.

Participants will engage with real-life scenarios and leave the course equipped 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 everyone.

• Register for the course.

The registration deadline is Thursday, 24 July 2025.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements