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Research & innovation

Research & innovation



UCT aspires to become a premier academic meeting point between South Africa, the rest of Africa and the world. Taking advantage of expanding global networks and our distinct vantage point in Africa, we are committed , through innovative research and scholarship, to grapple with the key issues of our natural and social worlds. We are committed both to protecting and encouraging 'curiosity-driven research' and research that has a real impact on our communities and environment.


UCT team in immune system breakthrough 21 Dec 2018 Republished
‘I want to reach the places my father did not’ Tafadzwa Mushonga will be the first PhD graduate from the Centre for Environmental Humanities South, forging ahead from where her father left off. 10 Dec 2018
Envisioning a bright future Rising UCT academic Mochelo Lefoka says he has his grandparents to thank for instilling in him an understanding of the value of a quality education. 10 Dec 2018
A passion for education From a young age, masterʼs graduand Sonwabo Ngcelwane has seen education as the key to rising above one’s circumstances – no matter how challenging. 10 Dec 2018
UNESCO PhD fellowship for UCT student UCT student Lerato Hlaka is among 14 young female African scientists to be honoured with a L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science doctoral fellowship. 07 Dec 2018
Never too late to overcome the odds PhD candidate Witness Kozanayi relied on his determination, the support and sacrifice of others, and a fascination for his homeland to fuel his academic success. 07 Dec 2018
Growing pesticide, lead threat to vultures Vultures play a vital housekeeping role in the wild, but like many African raptors they’re threatened by pesticide and heavy metal poisoning, says PhD candidate Beckie Garbett. 07 Dec 2018
Gold medallist Chibale warns of African ‘brain drain’ UCT’S H3D director Professor Kelly Chibale has used the occasion of his SACI Gold Medal award and other platforms to warn of the “brain drain” of African scientists. 05 Dec 2018
Solving one of the universe’s mysteries Since their discovery, Fast Radio Bursts have received a lot of attention, but we still know little about them. A new online platform aims to help. 05 Dec 2018 Republished
Increasing the uptake of HIV testing Many people struggle to overcome real and perceived barriers to HIV testing, although many hurdles might not be as big as once thought.   05 Dec 2018 Republished
Behind the paper: a new timeline of human evolution in South Africa Dr Robyn Pickering tells the story – including the ideas, buckets and babies – behind her new research into the timeline of early human evolution. 05 Dec 2018 Republished
Once-in-a-lifetime fellowship UCT’s Mandy Mason is among five young scientists to scoop one of the Crick African Network’s (CAN) first African Career Accelerator Awards. 30 Nov 2018
HIV- babies of HIV+ mothers: major health challenges While they might be uninfected themselves, babies born to HIV-positive mothers are still at almost two times greater risk of dying before their first birthday. 29 Nov 2018 Republished
International certification for DataFirst UCT’s research data service DataFirst has become the only internationally-certified African repository, after being awarded a CoreTrustSeal endorsement. 29 Nov 2018
10 years of South African collaboration with CERN The SA-CERN programme ensures that South African scientists, including from UCT, are on the frontlines of international, pioneering physics research. 28 Nov 2018 Republished
Impacting Airbus aircraft design UCT mechanical engineering researchers have made their mark in the field of international aircraft design, specifically the Airbus A320. 28 Nov 2018

 
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Opinions




First steps to tackling South Africa’s abalone poaching Breaking the cycle of illegal abalone poaching in South Africa is going to be tough, but not impossible. 23 Nov 2018 Republished
Diet and disease in African cities One of the African Centre for Cities’ newest research projects looks at the relationship between urban food systems and non-communicable diseases. 21 Nov 2018
Genetic brain research in Africa: A ‘formidable’ challenge The dearth of African researchers and participants in global mental health genetics studies is impeding research progress in this critical field – and leaving the continent behind. 06 Nov 2018 Republished
Creating a knowledge hub in the global south A conversation with UCT VC Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng about the challenges and opportunities. 05 Nov 2018
Education bureaucracy: the case of the Western Cape A narrow preoccupation with bureaucratic effectiveness may be directing attention away from promising responses to South Africa's current challenges in education – and more broadly. 11 Oct 2018 Republished
No peace without equality Downplaying South Africa’s crime statistics won’t help address the reality that crime and inequality go hand in hand, says UCT’s Anine Kriegler. 13 Sep 2018 Republished
Fostering technology innovation in Africa Universities need to be creating new intellectual property, as well as protecting and maturing it to facilitate industry adoption. 23 Jul 2018 Republished
The interdisciplinary approach of Future Water Solutions to intractable problems may need expertise from multiple disciplines. 21 Jul 2018
5 lessons learnt from Cape Town’s water crisis Over the past three years, Cape Town and the surrounding region have experienced an abrupt change in weather conditions. There are five lessons to be learnt from the water crisis, writes Kevin Winter.    03 Jul 2018

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