UCT’s sustainability impact ranking and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has once again been recognised as one of the world's leading universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Rankings, placing 102nd globally and securing top 100 positions in nine of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. UCT’s sustainability impact ranking

The latest THE Sustainability Impact Rankings recognise UCT as one of the world's leading universities for sustainable development. UCT ranked 102nd globally and achieved top 100 positions across nine of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with its strongest performance being eighth globally for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

UCT's results reflect the impact of its research, teaching, partnerships and public engagement in addressing pressing global and African challenges. The university ranked first in South Africa for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), and first in Africa for SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). UCT also improved its performance in 11 of the 16 SDGs it submitted, demonstrating broad progress across the social, economic, environmental and governance dimensions of sustainable development.

These achievements are the result of the collective efforts of staff, students and partners across the university. They reflect UCT's commitment to generating knowledge that serves society, strengthens communities and contributes to Africa's development.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT’s sustainability impact ranking reflects our commitment.

2. Feedback from Council meeting of June 2026

UCT Council met on Saturday, 13 June 2026 to consider a range of governance and institutional matters.

Council welcomed positive progress across several strategic priorities and noted the university's resilience despite a challenging operating environment.

Among the matters discussed were student debt, union representation on Council, report by the Vice-Chancellor, enrolment planning for 2027, Annual Research Report 2025 and various reports by Council committees.

The meeting reaffirmed Council's commitment to providing effective oversight and governance in support of UCT's mission.

• Read the full Chair of Council Desk: Feedback from Council meeting of June 2026.

3. Postdoctoral research fellows: Event, resources and clarification

The second annual UCT Postdoc Research Showcase will take place on 13 July 2026 from 09:00–16:00 in the New Lecture Theatre on upper campus and via MS Teams.

Hosted by the UCT Postdoctoral Association (PDA) in collaboration with the Researcher Development Academy, the hybrid event will bring together postdoctoral fellows from across UCT's faculties and research institutes to present their work through talks and posters. Held under the theme, "African innovation, global relevance", the showcase provides an opportunity to share knowledge, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthen engagement across the university's research community.

Postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged to become active members of the PDA, which represents and supports UCT's postdoctoral community through networking, collaboration, professional development and peer engagement. Membership is open to all postdoctoral fellows, and the association plays an important role in building connections across disciplines and creating opportunities for academic exchange.

• Read the full DVC Desk: Postdoctoral research fellows: Event, resources and clarification. 

4. UCT Lead: Leadership Launchpad Programme – second edition

The UCT Leadership Academy (LEAD) within the Department Student Affairs will host the second edition of the Leadership Launchpad Programme. This is an initiative designed to support first-year students as they begin to navigate the leadership landscape within university life.

This edition has eight structured learning sessions, tailored for students who may be new to university but are curious about their place in leadership. No prior leadership experience is required, only openness, curiosity and a willingness to engage. Through workshops, excursions and thought-provoking discussions, participants will explore diverse pathways to leadership, ranging from activism and financial literacy to spirituality and sustainability.

The programme encourages students to reflect on how to lead with purpose, empathy and imagination, while remaining true to their authentic selves. The introductory session will take place on Thursday, 30 July 2026 from 17:00 to 19:00 in the Snape Teaching Studio B, upper campus. The programme will continue weekly on Thursdays at the same time until 3 September 2026, with the exception of two Saturday sessions on 1 August 2026 and the Kirstenbosch Excursion on 29 August 2026.

The Leadership Launchpad Programme has been designed to inspire first-year students to think critically about leadership beyond titles or formal roles and to begin shaping their journey with purpose and imagination.

• View the programme.

Students are invited to sign up before Monday, 13 July 2026.

5. Reminder: UCT’s Innovation Builder Fund: Call for expression of interest

The UCT community is reminded that the deadline to submit expressions of interest for the Innovation Builder Fund (IBF) is Friday, 10 July 2026. Researchers with innovative projects that have commercial potential and opportunities for intellectual property (IP) protection are encouraged to apply.

Launched in 2019, the IBF supports UCT research projects that have already demonstrated proof of concept and show strong commercial viability. The fund helps researchers mature their innovations, reduce development risks and position projects for later-stage funding and commercialisation.

Successful applicants will receive grants of between R150 000 and R500 000 to advance their projects. Applications are open to UCT researchers from all disciplines whose research has the potential for commercial application and IP protection.

To express your interest, fill in the Expression of Interest form and send it to Suraya Azam.

• Read more about the IBF, including detailed application requirements and procedures.

6. Reminder: Call for nominations: UCT Open Textbook Award

The UCT community is reminded that nominations are still open for the 2026 UCT Open Textbook Award. Now in its fifth year, the award recognises innovative open education initiatives that make teaching and learning materials more affordable and accessible while advancing curriculum transformation and multilingualism at UCT.

Open textbooks are freely available, openly licensed educational resources that support collaborative authorship, quality assurance and publishing. They help reduce the cost of study materials, encourage students to become co-creators of knowledge and enable educational resources to be shared beyond the university.

With a strong social justice focus, the award celebrates projects that promote equitable access to knowledge and inclusive teaching and learning. It carries a prize of R30 000, which may be shared between more than one recipient. Nominations may be submitted by open textbook authors or by third parties. The closing date for nominations is 3 August 2026.

• Read the full DVC Desk: Call for nominations: UCT Open Textbook Award.
• Read more about the award and how to submit a nomination.

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