UCT VC MARKS 100 DAYS

UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng marked 100 days since taking over the role from Max Price in July.

The university said Phakeng has recorded some key milestones. She pledged to donate 10% of her salary every month to the vice-chancellor’s student support fund.

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said Phakeng’s goal is to help create a space for women’s voices and non-conforming gender voices to be heard.

“One important step that UCT has taken is the launch of the Inclusivity Policy for Sexual Orientation. The policy aims to create a campus environment that is free from discrimination in all spheres, including teaching content and language, the university’s code of conduct and culture.

“It helps us examine the way members of the campus community teach, communicate and engage with one another in creating an inclusive culture on campus for sexually-diverse populations.”

He said UCT also maintained its top position in Africa for graduate employability and placed 18th in the world for graduate employment (in work after one year), according to the 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds Graduate Employability Rankings.

“Professor Phakeng believes that UCT should strive to be a significant player in addressing the critical challenges of our society.

“As such, she recently proposed the establishment of the ‘Futures Think Tank’, which will consider the implications of global challenges, such as climate change, the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence and global migration.”