Inaugural lecture by Professor Karimu and other updates

23 September 2026

Dear colleagues and students

The next lecture in the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series will be delivered by Professor Amin Karimu on Thursday, 1 October 2026. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Inaugural lecture by Professor Amin Karimu (Faculty of Commerce)

Professor Karimu will present his inaugural lecture, “Can Africa turn its wealth into prosperity?” on Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 17:00 SAST in the Mafeje Room, Bremner Building, lower campus.

In this lecture, Professor Karimu will examine how Africa can transform its considerable human and natural resource wealth into sustainable and widely shared prosperity. Drawing on his research, he will explore how natural resources, institutions, energy and finance interact to shape the continent’s development. He will consider how renewable energy, climate and green finance, and private investment can support a more sustainable and inclusive development path.

Karimu is a professor of economics at UCT and is affiliated with the Environmental Policy Research Unit (EPRU) in the School of Economics. He is also a visiting professor at Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom. He holds a PhD in Economics from Umeå University in Sweden, an MSc in Economics from Dalarna University and a BA in Economics and Geography from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Before joining UCT, he worked at the University of Ghana and the Centre for Environmental and Resource Economics at Umeå University. Beyond academia, he has worked with international and development organisations and helped build research networks across Africa. He coordinates the Natural Capital Collaborative, hosted at EPRU through the Environment for Development initiative; and his recent research focuses on financing Africa’s green transition and its potential for sustainable development.

2. Nominations: UCT Distinguished Social Responsiveness Award

Social responsiveness is central to UCT's role as an engaged institution. In line with the university’s Strategy 2030, the Distinguished Social Responsiveness Award recognises individuals or groups whose work demonstrates meaningful social impact while strengthening teaching, learning, research, knowledge production and service to society.

The award recognises initiatives that demonstrate mutual benefit between the university and external communities, meaningful knowledge co-production and translation, sustained partnerships, and measurable and lasting impact. Consideration is also given to the reach and significance of an initiative, ethical and inclusive practice, commitment to social justice and transformation, and contributions to addressing local, regional, national or continental challenges. Initiatives that promote positive and inclusive impact on young people and women, develop new forms of professional practice or demonstrate sustainable partnerships may also be considered.

The award is open to individual staff members and formal or informal university groupings. Eligible staff must be permanently employed or on a limited-term contract of at least two years; and must have served at UCT for at least 12 months before nomination. Applications must include a narrative of no more than 1 000 words, an external letter of commendation or reference and a university referee letter, with additional information required for socially responsive teaching.

Submissions must be combined into a single PDF and sent to Sonwabo Ngcelwane by Friday, 30 October 2026. The award is valued at R50 000 and may be used to further social responsiveness or cover legitimate project expenses.

Read the full Campus Announcement: Nominations: UCT Distinguished Social Responsiveness Award.

3. UCT students excel in entrepreneurship competitions

UCT students continue to excel in national and international entrepreneurship competitions, with 16 students recently reaching finalist stages in two recognised competitions.

Eight students were finalists at the Falling Walls Lab Cape Town, hosted by the UCT Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, where Mamello Maliehe placed third for Amanzi X, an innovation that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect water leaks and predict pipeline failures.

UCT students also performed strongly at the EDHE/Absa Innovarsity Regional Round, held in August. Sonwabise Gcolotela and Kamogelo Mokale won their respective categories and progressed to the national final. Their ventures reflect the breadth of student entrepreneurship at UCT, spanning social impact, technology and other areas of innovation.

The achievements reflect UCT’s focus on developing graduates who can identify opportunities, solve real-world problems and create value through entrepreneurship.

Read the full VC Desk: UCT students excel in entrepreneurship competitions.

4. Reminder: UCT to host THE World Academic Summit 2026

The UCT community is reminded that the university will host the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit (WAS) 2026 from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Hosted by UCT in partnership with the University of Bristol and THE, the summit will be the first global gathering of higher education leaders of its kind to be held on the African continent.

Under the theme “Knowledge, justice and futures: Universities in the age of intelligence”, the summit will bring together vice-chancellors, university presidents, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to discuss the future of universities, the public good, equitable global partnerships, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Read more about the summit.

5. UCT Sport Learn to Swim Programme

UCT Sport & Recreation invites all students and staff to join the Learn to Swim Programme, offered free of charge at the Fitness Centre Pool on lower campus. The programme started on Monday, 21 September and will run until 30 November 2026.

The programme is designed for individuals of all swimming abilities, including complete beginners. Through structured lessons delivered in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, participants will develop fundamental swimming techniques, water safety awareness and confidence in the pool. Swimming is not only an essential life skill but also an excellent form of exercise that contributes to overall health, wellbeing and personal development.

Classes are offered twice daily, Monday to Friday, providing flexible opportunities for participation. All interested participants are required to register to be added to an Amathuba page, where they can complete a consent and indemnity form and register for their preferred lesson.

Whether your goal is to overcome a fear of water, learn the basics of swimming or improve your existing skills, this programme offers the perfect opportunity to start your journey.

Space is limited, so register today and take the first step towards becoming a confident swimmer.

For more information, please contact Likhaya Ntlokonkulu.

6. Design Thinking Week

The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika invites students to participate in Design Thinking Week, an immersive five-day programme scheduled to take place from 23 to 27 November 2026 at the d-school Afrika on middle campus.

The programme is open to registered students under 35 at South African higher education institutions. Participants will work in diverse, multidisciplinary teams to tackle real-world challenges while developing skills for the future workplace, including critical thinking, creative confidence, collaboration and human-centred problem-solving.