VC’s Open Lecture by Oxford VC and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will host University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Irene Tracey for the VC’s Open Lecture on Thursday, 5 March 2026. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. VC’s Open Lecture by Professor Irene Tracey  

The university will host the VC’s Open Lecture, to be delivered by Professor Irene Tracey, on Thursday, 5 March 2026 at 18:00 SAST in the New Lecture Theatre on upper campus.

Professor Tracey is the vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford. In this lecture, she will outline how Oxford has built and sustained Europe’s strongest innovation ecosystem, rooted in research excellence. She will reflect on the institution’s evolution, the obstacles it has navigated, and the initiatives now under way to expand its reach and relevance.

She will also highlight the role of partnership. Oxford works closely with government, industry and local communities to connect research strength with economic growth and shared prosperity. This approach closely aligns with UCT’s strategic goals.

After the lecture, Tracey will join a panel discussion with global university leaders: Professor Mosa Moshabela, vice-chancellor of UCT; Professor Deborah Prentice, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and Professor David Dreyer Lassen, rector of the University of Copenhagen.

• Read the full VC Desk: VC’s Open Lecture by Professor Irene Tracey.
• RSVP for the lecture.

2. UCT exco and PASS unions reach agreement

Following engagements between the UCT executive and the three unions representing professional, administrative support and service (PASS) staff within the bargaining unit (pay classes 1–12), both parties have reached an agreement.

The agreement was concluded on Friday, 27 February 2026, after two days of engagement between the executive and the three PASS unions.

Full details of the agreement will be shared in due course.

3. Cape Town Cycle Tour to affect UCT Shuttle service

The annual Cape Town Cycle Tour takes place on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with various road closures planned in the vicinity of UCT. Students and staff are advised to take note of the following, and where possible, make alternative arrangements:  

• All routes may experience delays from late afternoon on Saturday, 7 March 2026 onwards, due to preparations for the Cycle Tour.
• All routes, including Claremont and the residence loop shuttles, may experience delays on Sunday, 8 March 2026 due to traffic conditions.
• Hiddingh services will be suspended on Sunday, 8 March 2026 due to road closures on the M3 highway and CBD area.

For more information, please visit the route maps and timetable page on the UCT website, or consult the UCT Shuttle app (download on Google Play or App Store)

4. Impact of P7/P8 slope rehabilitation on parking

Rehabilitation work on the P7/P8 parking slope commenced on Monday, 2 March 2026, following detailed geotechnical investigations and assessments conducted late last year.

As previously communicated, these works are essential to ensure the long-term stability of the slope and the continued safe use of the P7 and P8 parking areas. While some disruption is anticipated, the project is necessary to safeguard members of the university community and to prevent more significant risks or unplanned closures in the future.

For the duration of the project, P7 parking will be closed. P8 parking will operate with a limited number of bays available. In addition, a designated UCT traffic official will be stationed in the area to monitor and assist with any parking-related challenges.

The project is scheduled to run from 2 March 2026 to 13 June 2026 (approximately 15 weeks).

Your patience and cooperation during this period are greatly appreciated. Further updates, if required, will be provided through the appropriate internal communication platforms.

Communication and Marketing Department