Wamkelekile, Welkom
Let’s connect
09 February 2022
Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) keeps you connected to UCT’s online services. Read on to find out how to connect, how to find software and how to stay safe while you’re online.
The quick guide
For a short guide on all you need to know about digital at UCT, take a look at the ICTS checklist.
Connect to Wi-Fi
Connect to eduroam, UCT’s Wi-Fi network, using your username (studentnumber@wf.uct.ac.za) and your UCT network password. After registration, you can reset your password.
Sign in to your UCT email
Sign in to your email account. Remember to check it regularly — this is where you’ll find all official university communications.
Hook up your phone
Go to your app store (Android/iOS) and download the UCT Mobile App to access timetables, library services, maps and more. For support, email uctmobile@uct.ac.za.
Get to know Vula
Vula is UCT’s online environment for teaching and learning, research and collaboration. It’s also where your lecturers will post a lot of your academic course content.
For assistance, contact the Vula Helpdesk: help@vula.uct.ac.za or call 021 650 5500 weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00.
Get free software
Before buying any software, first check what site-licensed software is available for free. Office365 is available via your myUCT account, and UCT has signed up to use Google Apps.
Be responsible
Don’t use the internet for anything illegal — especially not streaming, sharing or downloading copyrighted content. Also, respect the email and internet usage policy in A Student Guide to ICTS Services, which you can find on the Student Computing page on the ICTS website.
How to get IT help on campus
- The IT Helpdesk. Get support by logging a call online, sending an email to icts-helpdesk@uct.ac.za or calling 021 650 4500 (during office hours).
- The ICTS front office. Get walk-in support in room 201 of the Computer Science Building on upper campus. The office is open from 08:00 to 16:30 during the week (but closes at 15:15 on Thursdays).
- ICTS-on-Main Walk-in Centre. For those nearer to lower campus, it’s in room 1.10 of the ICTS building, located at 7 Main Road, Mowbray, and operates at the same times as the upper campus office.
- Social media. ICTS provides basic support on Facebook and Twitter, but if they can’t help, they’ll escalate your issues to someone who can. They’re online seven days a week from 07:00 to 22:00.
- Student labs. Lab administrators and assistants are on hand to help you in any of the ICTS-managed labs around campus. Some labs may be closed from time to time due to changing lockdown restrictions, so please check with your faculty.
6 tips for staying cyber secure
- Use strong passwords. The longer and more complex your password is, the better. A password should contain numbers, symbols and upper- and lower-case letters.
- Install anti-virus. Up-to-date anti-virus applications should be on all your computers. Download McAfee for free from the ICTS website, and find a good anti-virus for your mobile devices.
- Back up, back up, back up. Make sure you have a backup (or two). You can back up data to physical devices or to the cloud (UCT offers Google Drive and OneDrive).
- Spread the word. If you know of a cyber security threat or incident, please inform everyone you know who might be affected.
- Report it to CSIRT. If you experience any cyber security threat, please contact UCT’s Computer Security Incident Response Team at csirt@uct.ac.za.
- Avoid identity theft. Dispose of sensitive paperwork safely, eg by shredding, enable SMS or app alerts for your banking, and never share personal information online.
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Welcome
Molweni nonke en 'n hartlike welkom to the University of Cape Town (UCT)!
We know there are many options for someone seeking a higher education programme. Thank you for choosing this great institution. We offer you not only life-changing learning, but also opportunities for personal growth, leadership training, relationship-building and personal transformation.
Thanks to COVID-19, the last two years of your high school experience were extremely challenging. Even without a pandemic, it’s normal for any new university student to feel nervous about what their first year will hold. I want you to remember this: UCT has very high standards. You have been offered a place here because of the hard work and perseverance you have demonstrated so far. And those same qualities will help you earn your degree!
Studying at university is hard work. But every faculty has programmes and people in place to help you succeed, because your success is UCT’s success. So don’t be afraid to ask questions and to seek help when you need it. We are here to assist you.
UCT is consistently ranked as the top-rated university in Africa and one of the top-rated in the world. We strive for excellence, and are committed to the kind of transformation that will allow each of you to fulfil your true potential. We want you to realise your goals, to graduate, and to go on to contribute to the socio-economic development of South Africa and the African continent. At UCT, this hope is captured in Vision 2030, where we aim to inspire everyone at UCT to ‘unleash human potential to create a fair and just society’. Many of our alumni become leaders in their chosen fields, in South Africa, other African countries, or in international companies and organisations. Through our alumni, UCT’s influence is felt across the world.
UCT remains the top-rated university in Africa and one of the top-ranking in the world. We strive for excellence, and are committed to the kind of transformation that will allow each of you to fulfil your true potential. We want you to realise your goals, to graduate, and to go on to contribute optimally to the global economy and the socio-economic development of South Africa and the continent. At UCT, this hope is captured in our new vision, a vision to ‘unleash human potential to create a fair and just society.’
While the pandemic makes it necessary to exercise caution – by wearing masks, social distancing, sanitising or washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded spaces – we are finding ways to provide you with a full university experience, where you can have access to the many support facilities at UCT, join in the wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs on campus, and spend time getting to know other students and making friendships that can last a lifetime. There will still be teaching and learning sessions conducted remotely, while face-to-face sessions, lab work and practical activities take place under strictly controlled conditions to keep you safe and healthy. I assure you that you will experience the best of our trusted academic excellence.
Your physical and mental health and well-being are very important to us. Please don’t struggle alone. If you need any assistance, please reach out to our Student Wellness Service, which offers online and telephonic counselling and support, or contact the UCT Student Careline (0800 24 25 26 or SMS 31393 for a call-back), which is available 24/7.
We want you to feel at home at UCT while you complete your programme of study. One way to do that is to take individual and collective responsibility to keep yourself and those around you safe. It is important to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help prevent the spread and impact of the virus while you participate in campus life. Wear your masks, wash your hands, maintain social distancing and engage with others with positive energy.
I’m so glad you have chosen to come to UCT. My colleagues and I look forward to getting to know you, celebrating your accomplishments and walking beside you every step of the way on this new and exciting journey!
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor
