Campus announcements
Inaugural lecture by Professor Silal and other updates
06 May 2026Dear colleagues and students
The first lecture for the month of May 2026 in the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series will be presented by Professor Sheetal Silal on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.
- Inaugural lecture by Professor Sheetal Silal (Faculty of Science)
Professor Sheetal Silal will deliver her inaugural lecture, “Models, Policy and People: Predicting Health Impact in a Complex World”, on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 at 18:00 SAST at Kramer LT3, Kramer Law Building, middle campus.
The lecture will examine how simulation models guide public health decisions when conditions are uncertain. It will explain how these tools combine data on diseases, populations and health systems to estimate the effects of policy options and present a systems view of complex health issues.
Professor Silal will draw on her experience to reflect on how collaboration strengthens decision support and improves health outcomes. She will demonstrate how combining different areas of expertise can support more equitable and resilient health systems.
Professor Silal is the director of the Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa (MASHA) and a professor in the Department of Statistical Sciences. Her work centres on mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, with a focus on vector-borne and vaccine-preventable illnesses across Africa and beyond. She has also contributed to national efforts such as the South African COVID-19 Modelling Consortium, where her work supported pandemic planning and response.
The other two inaugural lectures scheduled for May will be delivered by Professor Ryan Nefdt and Professor Kasturi Behari-Leak.
Professor Nefdt’s lecture will take place on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 18:00 SAST at the Mafeje Room, Bremner Building, lower campus. This lecture will examine the formal foundations of natural language, arguing that language reflects real patterns rooted in both cognition and social use.
The lecture by Professor Behari-Leak has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at 18:30 SAST in The Atrium, Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (d-school Afrika), middle campus. In this lecture, Professor Behari-Leak will frame academic and professional staff development as a key driver of institutional and sector-wide transformation.
- Feedback from recent Council meetings
The UCT Council convened a series of meetings, including sessions on 6 and 18 December 2025, and on 14 March, 11 April and 18 April 2026, alongside its regular committee meetings that support its decision-making processes.
Council remains focused on its core mandate of governance and oversight, operating in a collegial environment where decisions are largely reached through consensus rather than formal voting.
Some of the key outcomes of Council deliberations covering the period December 2025 to 18 April 2026 have been shared recently.
- CHE update on COVID-19 concession for distance mode
Further to the communication issued in August 2025, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) released a communiqué in April 2026 confirming the rollout of its themed review on modes of learning and teaching, and the end of the COVID-19 concession on delivery modes. The notice states that the concession allowing institutions to offer programmes in non-accredited formats will end on 31 December 2026.
Institutions not participating in the review must revert to their originally accredited delivery modes by this date, while those participating may continue under the concession only for programmes included in their submission, and only until a formal decision is issued by the Higher Education Quality Committee.
UCT submitted its self-evaluation report for the themed review on 22 December 2025 and is awaiting feedback on its requests to amend delivery modes, as well as an assessment of its quality management systems. The outcome will determine which programmes may continue in online or hybrid formats beyond 2026.
Queries regarding this process may be directed to the Head of the Academic Planning and Quality Assurance Unit.
- New requirement: Eight-week notice for doctoral thesis submission
UCT’s research community is advised that, from May 2026, all doctoral candidates are required to upload their intention-to-submit documentation on PeopleSoft at least eight weeks before they are eligible to submit their thesis for examination.
This adjustment forms part of a broader effort to improve administrative processes linked to doctoral examinations and to support a more efficient and timely completion process.
For further information or assistance, contact the Doctoral Degrees Board Office.
- Global survey on AI in higher education
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping higher education, increasing the need for reliable, evidence-based data. Understanding how students and staff engage with AI across institutions and regions helps inform policy, guide decision-making and strengthen support systems. UCT has been active in this area, including developing and adopting its AI in Education Framework, and is well-positioned to both contribute to and benefit from a wider regional dialogue.
Against this backdrop, staff and students are invited to take part in the Digital Education Council (DEC) Regional AI in Higher Education Survey 2026. This global benchmark study aims to provide institutions, policymakers and educators with practical data on AI adoption, literacy and governance expectations.
The previous survey attracted more than 30 000 responses, and the 2026 edition is expected to offer similarly valuable insights to support the sector.
The survey closes on 15 May 2026.
For any questions about the surveys, please contact the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching Helpdesk.
- UCT Postgraduate Day
Current and prospective postgraduate students are invited to attend the UCT Postgraduate Day on Thursday, 7 May 2026 under the theme “Your Journey – Our Support: Navigating Postgraduate Life at UCT”. The event will be hosted at the Otto Beit Building on upper campus, with sessions in Molly Blackburn Hall, the Richard Luyt Room and the Ben Beinart Room.
This event has been designed as a collaborative platform across research, internationalisation and teaching and learning portfolios. As a pilot initiative, it reflects the university’s commitment to creating spaces where postgraduate students can connect, engage with support structures and gain clearer insight into the resources available to support their academic journey.
Postgraduate education remains central to UCT’s role as a research-intensive institution focused on social impact, innovation and the public good.
- Read the full DVCs Desk: Building a connected and supported postgraduate community at UCT.
- View the programme.
- RSVP for the event.
- Call for nominations: 2027 TB Davie Memorial Lecture
The UCT Academic Freedom Committee (AFC) invites the UCT community to submit nominations for the 2027 TB Davie Memorial Lecture speaker.
The TB Davie Memorial Lecture is one of the key events in the UCT calendar. It provides a platform for engaging with and reflecting on the principles of academic freedom in a contemporary context. It also aims to encourage thoughtful discussion and debate within the university community.
Nominations should not exceed three pages; and should include a brief curriculum vitae of the nominated speaker and a motivation.
Submit a nomination by Friday, 15 May 2026.
- Final timetable for the 2026 mid-year examination cycle published
The UCT Examinations Office has published the final timetable for the 2026 mid-year examination cycle. Students can view their timetable on the exams page.
Please note that the timetable is final and no further changes can be accommodated. Any queries must be directed to the relevant academic department.
UCT wishes all students the very best as they prepare for the exams!
Communication and Marketing Department
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