College of Fellows warmly welcomes new inductee

It was a jovial celebration of scholarship, advancing science and strengthening South Africa’s capacity through generating knowledge when the University of Cape Town (UCT) celebrated the newest inductee to the College of Fellows, as well as its Young Researcher awardees.

Entering the fellowship is reserved for esteemed, top-rated scholars who are permanent members of UCT’S academy, and whose work transcends conventional boundaries and merits special recognition. It is one of the highest honours the university bestows on academic staff. The annual event, held in their honour, took place at the Southern Sun Hotel in Newlands on Wednesday, 22 September.

“You represent the excellence that is UCT. You embody that excellence; you champion that excellence; and you safeguard that excellence. And it’s important that we take the time to acknowledge you, recognise you, and remind you of the difficult job you have shouldering UCT’s values,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela.

This year, Thomas Meyer, a professor in computer science in the Faculty of Science, was inducted into the fellowship.

Celebrating outstanding scholars

Professor Moshabela reminded scholars that the event is organised to celebrate Professor Meyer, as well as other fellows in the room who continue to inspire others every day.

“You not only help to embody and protect the core value of excellence that is UCT, but you also have to inspire others so that they too may follow in your footsteps,” he said.

But the occasion is not just a celebration for new (and old) fellows and their indelible contribution. It also honours up-and-coming researchers and recognises their outstanding scholarly work and their individual contribution to their respective fields. This year, the following academics received the Young Researchers Award:

• Dr Marisa Geyer – Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Science
• Dr Mubeen Goolam – Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)
• Dr Shareefa Dalvie – Division of Human Genetics, FHS

“We celebrate our young fellows tonight. With the work that they’ve already done, they are representing the calibre of scholars that we are looking for at [College of Fellows] level,” Moshabela said. “You have an important role to play at this university.”

Building a legacy

He told the audience that academia is built largely on legacy, and people standing on the shoulders of others, especially those who came before them. So, it’s important that scholars leave behind a lasting legacy that can continue for generations.

As he concluded his remarks, Moshabela touched on the importance of collaboration. He told the audience he was very proud of the number of international meetings scholars across the university have been involved in to fast-track their work, and the number of partners from around the globe who have been drawn to the institution. In fact, just this month, Moshabela said, UCT has hosted several meetings that focused on trying to define excellence in Africa and coming up with ways to ensure that the research the university produces translates into national, continental and global impact. This, he said, speaks to the “convening power of UCT” and the excellent work colleagues produce.

“The ability to bring people together [like this] is important. And I just want to acknowledge the work everyone is doing in ensuring that we are able to deliver on this work of convening people,” he said.

“People are going beyond the call of duty to make sure we do this. The world needs us to collaborate more and to partner more. Thank you for continuing to uphold the values of this institution, particularly for upholding excellence and for committing to ensure that the college can continue to play its role in the university.”

Toasting excellence

Co-host of the evening, Professor Brandon Collier-Reed, the deputy vice-chancellor for Teaching and Learning, also acknowledged the group for their contribution to the university.

“Without a doubt, you are people at UCT who represent excellence. You are the people at the university who help us retain our reputation as a premier institution on the African continent,” Professor Collier-Reed said.

And as the evening drew to a close, he was tasked with proposing a toast to the newest member of the college and the young researchers.

“To scholarship, discovery and the generation of knowledge that is yet to come,” he said.

The evening’s programme also included brief remarks by former deputy vice-chancellor Emeritus Professor Danie Visser, and Emeritus Professor Hugh Corder from the Faculty of Law.

Dr Mubeen Goolam (the third recipient of the Young Researcher Award) is currently on sabbatical at Harvard University and was not in attendance.