Inaugural lecture by Professor Ng’ambi and other updates

23 July 2025

Dear colleagues and students

Professor Dick Ng’ambi will deliver his lecture as part of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series on Friday, 25 July 2025. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Inaugural lecture by Professor Ng’ambi (Faculty of Humanities)

Professor Ng’ambi will deliver his inaugural 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.

He will explore how digital innovation and educational values influence each other. Drawing on three projects, including the Open Educational Resource of Indigenous Games (OERiGA), he will ask what truly matters in education and who decides. The lecture will highlight how technology should support equity, relevance and human dignity.

Professor Ng’ambi, who is based in the School of Education, is the programme head for the Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s in Educational Technology. He founded the Educational Technology Inquiry Lab and has advanced teacher development through creative and inclusive methods. His work connects theory and practice to promote education that responds to local needs and priorities.

His impact extends across Africa. At Makerere University, he helped establish a blended master’s programme in Instructional Design and Technology. He leads the OERiGA project across 12 African countries and holds visiting roles at the University of Greenwich in the UK and Dom Bosco Catholic University in Brazil. He holds a PhD in Information Systems from UCT, an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, and a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Zambia.

2. Introducing UCT’s AI in Education Framework

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of daily life and is already reshaping teaching and learning in universities. Staff and students are using tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini in creative and productive ways. These technologies also present challenges that require a rethinking of teaching methods, assessment practices, the purpose of university education, and the meaning of qualifications in a rapidly changing world.

UCT is committed to supporting the responsible and ethical use of AI. In June 2025, Senate’s Teaching and Learning Committee endorsed the UCT AI in Education Framework, marking an important step in the institution’s approach to AI in teaching and learning.

The framework focuses on generative AI and sets out UCT’s current position on how the academic community can engage with these technologies. It provides a set of guiding principles for ethical and responsible use and promotes three core pillars for AI engagement.

Read the full DVC Desk: Introducing UCT’s AI in Education Framework.

3. The UCT Epic Job Expo is almost here

UCT Careers Service will host the UCT Epic Job Expo, a flagship recruitment event for students, on Wednesday, 6 August 2025 from 09:00 to 16:00 at the Sports Centre.

The Epic Job Expo is an opportunity for students at all levels of study to gain exposure to the world of work, connect with potential employers and visit the all-day CV Lab. Over 100 organisations will be in attendance, offering more than 3 000 opportunities including bursaries, internships, graduate programmes and full-time jobs.

UCT Careers Service continues to actively connect students and graduates with a wide range of exciting opportunities across industries, helping turn aspirations into action.

Students can expect face-to-face networking with potential employers, a CV Lab to help polish applications, and talks on industry insights from leading companies.

Those who are still exploring career options are encouraged to review the expo tips provided. By preparing ahead and using the available resources, you'll get the most out of this high-impact event. The better prepared you are, the more you’ll gain.

4. Planned electrical shutdown on upper campus

The UCT community is advised that on Saturday, 26 July 2025, a planned electrical shutdown will take place on upper campus from 07:00 to 18:00. The shutdown is part of the essential work being done for the Oval Substation project. Affected buildings are as follows: