Department for Institutional Advancement University of the Western Cape AN OASIS OF LEARNING From hope to action through knowledge.
Apr 02, 2016
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Department for Institutional Advancement
University of the Western Cape
AN OASISOF LEARNING
From hope to action through knowledge.
Oasis of Learning 1
University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is located in the
Northern Suburbs of greater Cape Town – an area that is
central to all facilities and amenities on the Peninsula.
UWC is home to 20 000 students who engage in
undergraduate and postgraduate studies in our
seven faculties. UWC’s residential village on campus
accommodates 5 000 students.
UWC’s campus includes an important nature reserve and
the mountains of the Cape Peninsula and Stellenbosch
afford beautiful landmarks to the east and west.
The University is readily accessible by car, taxi, bus or
train, and even has its own railway station, Unibell.
Regional facilities, such as the Bellville central station
and the Cape Town International Airport are a few
minutes’ drive from campus.
Three major shopping malls and many historical
cultural and recreational facilities are within half
an hour’s drive of the University. These include
international sports stadiums, theatres and concert
halls, beaches and some of the most beautiful
mountain hikes in the world.
The Western Cape region is a place of vibrant diversity,
which has a rich history as a cultural crossroads on the
continent of Africa.
Welcome to our Oasis of Learning
University of the Western Cape 2
Oasis of Learning
The University of the Western Cape has a history
of struggle against oppression, discrimination and
disadvantage. Among academic institutions it has
been in the vanguard of South Africa’s historic change,
playing a distinctive academic role in helping to build
an equitable and dynamic nation.
Alert to its African and international context, it strives
to be a place of quality, a place to grow; and it is
committed to excellence in teaching, learning and
research, to nurturing the cultural diversity of South
Africa, and to responding in critical and creative ways
to the needs of a society in transition.
UWC opened its doors in 1960 in an old school
building for 166 students who could choose from
limited undergraduate courses only. In the 1970s
rudimentary buildings were erected on the present
campus with uninsulated prefabricated rooms serving
as lecture theatres.
Since then the campus has steadily been transformed
from a barren, isolated site into an Oasis of Learning
– a green lung in an industrial area that breathes new
knowledge into society through cutting edge research
and highly regarded undergraduate programmes within
an emerging world class infrastructure.
A Proud LegacyA METAPHOR FOR THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA
University of the Western Cape 4
Oasis of Learning
UWC has 20 000 registered students in its seven
faculties - Arts, Community & Health Sciences,
Dentistry, Natural Sciences, Economic & Management
Sciences and Education – in both under graduate and
post graduate programmes.
Annually, UWC caps 4 000 students, including an
average of 70 Doctoral Degrees. Recently the Centre
for Higher Education Transformation (CHET) rated UWC
in the top tier of South African universities with regards
to research and knowledge production.
Also, the Ministerial Committee for the Review of
Funding of Universities recommended that UWC be
placed in the top cluster because of its research output
– which has grown by 365% in 12 years.
The University boasts 10 South African National
Research Chairs (SARChi Chairs) as well as a joint SKA/
UCT/UWC Chair.
The most recent cause for academic celebration is
the acceptance of the proposal to host the Centre of
Food Security with the University of Pretoria. This is the
first Centre of Excellence to be hosted by a previously
disadvantaged university.
According to a National Research Foundation research
report of 2007 to 2011, UWC leads South African
universities in Physics; Molecular Biology & Genetics;
and Biology & Biochemistry. It takes second place in
Computer Science.
Changing the Knowledge LandscapeTAKING THE LEAD IN RESEARCH
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Oasis of Learning
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Centre for Humanties Research is a leading
niche area, promoting cross-disciplinary research, and
is supported by a team of senior researchers and an
archival collection contained in the UWC-Robben Island
Mayibuye Centre housed at UWC.
UWC has recently established the Centre for
Multiligualism and Diversities Research (CMDR)
in order to focus on transmigrational and global
economies of the South.
The Institute for Post School Studies (IPSS) brings
together research, teaching and social engagement
in the areas of adult education, higher education and
vocational education in order to address the challenges
facing Africa’s development needs that inhibit the
youth and adults from reaching their full potential.
UWC hosts the UNESCO Chair in Science &
Mathematics Education which researches areas of
scientific and technological literacy, and instructional
issues in science education.
The UWC Science Learning Centre for Africa
(UWC-SLA) supports primary and secondary teachers
and learners in mathematics and science education,
specifically in disadvantaged pre-urban schools on the
Cape Flats and in rural schools in the Western and
Northern Cape provinces of South Africa.
Research FocusGROWING KNOWLEDGE, SEEKING SOLUTIONS
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Oasis of Learning
SOCIAL POLICY & DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCES
The Institute for Poverty, Land & Agrarian Studies
(PLAAS) focuses on policy and development studies
with regard to South Africa’s chronic poverty and
structural inequality. The DST/NRF Chair is situated
within PLAAS.
UWC’s Institute for Social Development (ISD) offers
post graduate programmes to students in 24 countries.
UWC’s Community Law Centre (CLC) hosts a SARChi
Chair in Multi-level Government, Law & Development.
The CLC played a key role in drafting the Children’s
Act and the 2008 Child Justice Bill, and enjoys observer
status with the African Commission on Human Rights.
The African Centre for Citizenship & Democracy
(ACCEDE) focuses on civil society and democracy on
the continent, and offers a postgraduate programme in
Citizenship Studies.
Oasis of Learning 9
University of the Western Cape
HEALTH & WELLNESS
UWC hosts two World Health Organisation (WHO)
Collaborating Centres. The School of Public Health
is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Research &
Training in Human Resources for Health, and was
recently awarded the SARChi Chair in Health Systems
Complexity & Change. The Faculty of Dentistry is a
WHO Collaborating Centre for Oral Health.
The South African National Bioinformatics Institute
(SANBI) hosts a SARChi Chair in Bioinformatics and
Human Health. SANBI focuses on the development of
databases and genome annotation tools to support the
molecular epidemiology and drug resistant profile of
HIV, trypanosomiasis, TB and cancers.
The South African Herbal Health Science &
Medicine Institute (SAHSMI) is the only institute in
the country accredited to offer research degrees in
herbal sciences; and focuses on drug recovery and
the development of plant medicines for HIV/Aids, TB,
Malaria and Diabetes.
The UWC HIV & Aids Research Centre conducts
multi-disciplinary research into HIV/Aids prevention
and care, focusing on health policies and systems;
education; and gender-based violence.
The Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Sport
Science & Development (ICESSD) promotes sport as a
powerful tool for development, health, wellbeing and
social change.
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Oasis of Learning
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
The Sensorlab hosts the SARChi Chair in
Nanoelectrochemistry and Sensor Technology and is
the top national laboratory for smart sensing devices.
UWC’s South African Institute for Advanced
Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC) is a HySA Competence
Centre in Systems Analysis, Integration and Technology
Validation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell technologies.
The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology &
Metagenomics (IMBM) conducts research on the
exploitation of the microbial genome diversity, and is
home to the SARChi Chair in Microbial Genomics.
The MANuS/MatSci Programme offers a Master’s
Degree in Accelerator and Nuclear Science, and a Master’s
Degree in Materials Science.
UWC is the hub of the National Nanoscience
Postgraduate Teaching & Training Platform
(NNPTTP), offering Master’s degrees in Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology.
ASTRONOMY & SPACE SCIENCE
The DST/NRF Research Chair in Astrophysics conducts
research using data from the SALT optical telescope at
Sutherland and the MeerKAT array of radio telescopes near
Carnarvon to answer questions about the universe. UWC
also holds the SARChi Chair in Cosmology & Multi-
Wavelength Data. In addition, UWC co-hosts the Chair
in Radio Astronomy with the University of Cape Town
and the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
The UNESCO Centre for Groundwater Studies
researches and advises on sustainable groundwater use
and management in Africa.
The Environmental & Nanosciences Group (ENS) has a
number of industrial projects in the areas of nanoscience,
environmental remediation and water-related research.
University of the Western Cape 12
Oasis of Learning
Ironically, this academic success presents a new
“struggle” for UWC – that of generating the capital to
provide the necessary infrastructure to meet students’
needs, while still keeping fees the lowest in the country
to enable formerly disadvantages learners to access
higher education.
Plans for the next five years will see the campus expand
into a more vibrant space that is urban in scale and
density and is marked by facilities for innovation,
learning, engaged living and working.
Other developments include refurbishing the old JS
Marais Hospital for Nursing; and talks continue
around changing the shunting yard opposite campus
into a “University Village” to link the Bellville campus,
the new Department of Nursing and Tygerberg
Hospital that is home to the Faculty of Dentistry.
Investing in the FutureLABS, LAND & LEARNING SPACES
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Oasis of Learning
In 2008 and 2009 UWC invested R600m on new
buildings and the upgrade of existing facilities,
including the Public Health and Life Sciences buildings.
The newest addition to the emerging Science Precinct
is the R220 million New Chemical Sciences Building
(NCSB), comprising 8 600 sq m of research and teaching
space for Applied Geology, the Department of Earth and
Water Sciences, and the Department of Chemistry.
In other areas of campus, UWC is in the process of
upgrading the Sports Precinct.
This will include a revitalisation of the 5 000 seat
stadium, that has played host to Iraq in a Soccer
World Cup friendly football match, has served players
in the Junior Rugby World Cup, and which is home
base to the UWC Rugby 15 which has been competing
in Varsity Shield since 2011.
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Oasis of Learning
UWC Sport comprises 22 codes, and engages with
provincial and national federations (Centre of
Excellence for Swimming South Africa and Learn
to Swim programmes) for development initiatives
through Western Cape School Sport.
A major renovation of the floodlit stadium is underway
to upgrade the sports precinct that currently includes
a tartan athletics track; a cricket oval; netball, squash
and tennis courts; hockey, rugby and soccer fields; a
fully equipped gymnasium; and indoor and outdoor
swimming pools.
In 2011 the University topped up its new outdoor
diving and water polo swimming pool to add to the
Olympic-sized heated indoor pool.
University of the Western Cape 18
Oasis of Learning
As an institution that subscribes to sound governance
and responsible management, the UWC Foundation
incorporates the expertise of key public professional
roleplayers and executive management, as members
of the board, to oversee the strategic direction of
fundraising and development at UWC.
The UWC Foundation, under the umbrella of the Jakes
Gerwel Education Endowment and Development Fund,
coordinates fundraising towards sustainability.
The trustees aim to ensure UWC’s sustainability through
professional networking.
UWC FoundationJAKES GERWEL EDUCATION ENDOWMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
a place of quality, a place to grow, from hope to action through knowledge
TEACHER • LEADER • ACTIVIST • INTELLECTUALACADEMIC • FAMILY MAN • FRIEND
Oasis of Learning 19
University of the Western Cape
The Alumni Association, within the Department for
Institutional Advancement, is tasked with helping past
students remain connected through Chapters around
the country; and through networking, knowledge-
building and fundraising activities.
The might and courage of the activists in the 1980s who
rose up to fight for change, earned UWC the name:
Intellectual Home of the Left.
When South Africa became independent in 1994, 23
UWC staff members were called to serve in President
Nelson Mandela’s government.
Today, UWC’s past students are continuing to drive
transformation in every sphere of society, both in South
Africa and on the African continent. Our Alumni’s
research continues to have a positive global impact.
The success of our Alumni, coupled with the
transformation of UWC, give staff, current students and
Alumni reason to be Proudly Udubs!
The Association was launched in 2011 out of the
former Alumni Office, and with it a range of campaigns
to attract Alumni involvement; branded wear; and a
logo that says it all: Pride; Engagement; Legacy.
This logo is derived from the imposing pillared archway
that leads students into the Main Square towards their
Orientation Ceremony; and which leads them into the
world after Graduation.
UWC Alumni AssociationPRIDE, ENGAGEMENT, LEGACY
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Oasis of Learning
The Department for Institutional Advancement (IA) is tasked with advancing the image of the University and
communicating its excellence. This is done through its Media, Communications, Brand and Eventing units.
IA is also tasked with generating third stream income in order to help finance the infrastructure requirements needed to
realise the University’s Institutional Operating Plans and credo. This hefty task is managed by the Donor Relations Unit.
IA also binds the UWC Alumni through the Alumni Relations Office.
Join our Knowledge EvolutionSUPPORT OUR VISION
CONTACT US:
PATRICIA LAWRENCEPro-Vice Chancellor: Institutional [email protected] 959 3905
DONOR RELATIONS:
INGRID [email protected] 959 9517
ALUMNI RELATIONS:
SAMANTHA [email protected] 959 9790
BRANDING & MARKETING:
TRISHA [email protected] 959 9352
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS:
LUTHANDO [email protected] 021 959 9566
EVENTING:
AMANDA [email protected] 959 2114
INSTITUTIONAL
WWW.UWC.AC.ZA
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UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
CAPE TOWN
SOUTH AFRICA
www.uwc.ac.za
UWC is committed to creating, preserving and disseminating
knowledge that is dynamic and relevant to the challenges of a
modern world and a transforming society.
Inseparable from the notions of hope and knowledge, is that of
agency - the will and the ability to act, to be an agent of change.
This is UWC’s credo.