Feedback from Council meeting of June 2026

Dear members of the university community

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Council held an ordinary meeting on Saturday, 13 June 2026. I write to share updates on some of the key deliberations and decisions taken at the meeting.

The meeting was held a few days after a delegation from the university appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee (PPC) on Higher Education and Training following a request made by the committee to the Chair of Council. The UCT delegation, led by the Chair of Council, provided a comprehensive update to the committee on various matters pertaining to governance, administration, and teaching and learning at the university. Presentations were also made by the Institutional Forum, the staff unions and the Students' Representative Council. We noted the issues that came up during the meeting, and remain committed to improving in the areas concerned.

We also noted and are pleased to share the significant achievements of at least two Council members. We congratulate Professor Glenda Gray for being elected as one of the 2026 Fellows of the Royal Society, and Ms Nomarashiya Caluza for her appointment as Chairperson of the South African Council for Educators (SACE) for the 2026-2030 term.

Council also debated the issue of xenophobia/immigration-related concerns, and resolved to issue a statement on the matter.

Some of the key discussions and decisions from our recent meeting included:

Student debt

Arising from our PPC meeting, Council was asked to review the policies currently in place for managing student fee debt and encouraging fee payments. As Council, we need to be fully informed in order to revisit the matter. We have therefore requested a report from the executive for tabling and discussion at a Council meeting later this year.

Council also noted that there will also be further engagements on this matter with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Universities South Africa (USAf).

Union representation

Also arising from the PPC meeting, we engaged on a proposal for union representation on Council submitted by the UCT PASS unions.

Council deliberated on the matter, giving due consideration to the UCT Statute and the provisions of the Higher Education Act. It was agreed that the unions would reconsider their proposal and bring it back to Council at a later meeting.

Report by the Vice-Chancellor

The report by the Vice-Chancellor referenced several highlights from the second quarter.

These include various achievements by our academics – Professor Keertan Dheda received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver; Professor Karen Sliwa-Hahnle received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze; Professor Liesl Zühlke was named the 2026 Laureate for Africa and the Arab States in the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards; Professor Mark Solms was one of South Africa’s top five researchers in the 2026 Research.com rankings; and Dr Mubeen Goolam was awarded a prestigious 2026–2027 Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship.

Further highlights include UCT’s continued high standing on the various rankings. Although the university held second position in Africa on the latest Centre for World University Ranking, it did well on a number of metrics.

Excellence was also shown in the sporting circles, including the UCT Rowing club which had four students and three alumni selected for the national camp. 

On the research and internationalisation front, the task team that was put in place to mitigate the impact of US funding cuts has been reconstituted. This team will focus on funding resilience, monitoring the funding landscape and exploring funding opportunities.

Donor funding showed an increase in the first quarter, although the number of donors was less than that in the same period in 2025.

Various partnerships were forged or strengthened, including with the Global Bioeconomy Alliance, the University of Bristol, the World Universities Network; and through the Times Higher Education (THE) Africa Universities Summit, the THE Asia Universities Summit, and the World Digital Education Conference. The university will also host the THE World Academic Summit in September 2026.  

Progress was also noted in relation to a number of leadership lekgotla appointments. These included the extension of the acting tenure of the interim Registrar and acting Executive Director (ED): Properties and Services.

Other recruitment processes are in progress for the positions of Dean: Humanities, ED: Libraries, ED: Properties and Services, and ED: Research.

Appointment of Deputy Vice-Chancellor on Council

In accordance with the UCT Statute, which provides for membership of Council of one Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thokozani Majozi was appointed to serve in this role for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Convocation motions

Council was briefed by Dr Yumna Moosa, the President of UCT Convocation, in relation to motions passed at the Convocation’s annual general meeting held in December 2025.

Council noted the briefing and thanked Dr Moosa for the work done by the Convocation.

Enrolment planning

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning briefed Council on the Enrolment Planning Proposals for 2027. The proposal sets out enrolment planning targets for 2027 for the six faculties and the Graduate School of Business. Council provisionally approved the plan, subject to Senate approval via a circular. 

Annual Research Report 2025

Presented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, the report painted a picture of an institution that held its ground in a challenging year.

The report showed that – among others – the university closed the year with R2.33 billion in external research income, recorded a 1% surplus and a significant actual indirect cost recovery of R236.8 million; was awarded 1 530.88 DHET-accredited units, and maintained a strong cohort of 426 NRF-rated researchers.

The report was approved by Council, subject to approval by Senate.

Report by Council committees

University Audit and Risk Committee: The committee presented the 2025 annual report, including the consolidated annual financial statements. Council noted that the university recorded a clean (unmodified) audit report. Furthermore, Council noted the going concern statement, and the external audit report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, who are in their last year as the university’ auditors. In 2027, the university will have Ernst & Young onboard as external auditors.

Council also approved the university strategic risk register, with areas of concern including the issues of post-retirement medical aid benefits, international funding and exposure to NSFAS funding issues.  

University Finance Committee: Council approved the appointment of Professor Brian Kantor as acting Chair, and Mr Guy Lundy as Deputy Chair. Council also noted the appointment of Professor Illze Lubbe as a member of the committee.

The committee provided an update in relation to management accounts for the period ended 30 April 2026, which provided a cautiously optimistic outlook. As highlighted by the committee, student debt remains a challenge for the university.

University Governance Committee: Professor Tom Moultrie was appointed to take over as Chair of the committee.

University Student Affairs Committee: Key matters referred to in the committee’s 2025 report were the amendment of the SRC Constitution and Faculty Council election regulations; the adoption of an amended Student Mental Health Policy, the transfer of UCT Rugby to Commercial Development, and the approval of the Gender Equity Policy.

University Information and Communication Technology Committee: The committee’s work in the second quarter included engagements around the use of technology across the teaching and learning space. This included a presentation by the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching, as well as benchmarking work against other local and international universities. The committee highlighted a need for an over-arching governance policy for AI.

Council also noted reports on the work of the University Building and Development Committee and the University Human Resources Committee.

Council welcomed the positive progress reported across a number of strategic areas and noted the institution’s continued resilience in a challenging operating environment. As Council, we remain committed to providing effective oversight and governance in support of the university’s mission.

The matters considered at this meeting reflect both the opportunities and challenges facing UCT, and Council will continue to engage constructively with stakeholders to ensure that the institution remains financially sustainable, academically excellent and socially responsive.

We thank all Council members and members of the executive for their contributions. We also acknowledge the dedication of staff, students, alumni and partners whose efforts continue to strengthen UCT’s position as a leading university on the continent and globally.

Sincerely

Norman Arendse (SC)
Chair of UCT Council

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements