University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town is a major tertiary education institution in Cape Town, South Africa, located on the Rhodes Estate on the slopes of Devil's Peak. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa. It is a member of the Association of African Universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the Adamastor Trust of Western Cape universities.

Organisation

The organisation of the University is defined in the Statute of the University of Cape Town (gazetted in 2002) in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1997. Before 2002 the organisation was defined in other laws in essentially the same format.

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The titular head of the University is the Chancellor; this is a ceremonial position without executive power. The primary role of the Chancellor is to confer degrees on behalf of the University, and to represent the University to the rest of the world. The current Chancellor is Ms Graça Machel, elected for a 10-year period in September 1999.

Related Topics:
Chancellor - Graça Machel

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The executive head of the University is the Vice-Chancellor (or VC). The VC has the overall responsibility for the policy and administration of the University. The current VC is Professor Njabulo Ndebele, appointed by the University Council in July 2000.

Related Topics:
Vice-Chancellor - Njabulo Ndebele

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The VC is assisted in his task by a number of Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs). There are currently four DVCs, each with specific portfolios:

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• Prof. Thandabantu Nhlapo: Student Affairs
• Prof. Cheryl de la Rey: Research & Innovation
• Prof. Martin Hall: Planning & Development
• Prof. Martin West: Institutional Management

The Registrar is responsible for the academic administration of the University, as well as legal matters, and is secretary to the University Council and Senate. The current Registrar is Mr Hugh Amoore, appointed in 1987.

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UCT is divided into six faculties, each led by a Dean. The faculties and deans are as follows:

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• Faculty of Commerce: Prof. Doug Pitt
• Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment: Prof. Cyril O'Connor
• Faculty of Health Sciences: Associate Prof. Gonda Perez
• Faculty of Humanities: Prof. Paula Ensor
• Faculty of Law: Prof. Hugh Corder
• Faculty of Science: Prof. Daya Reddy

Also part of the University are the Centre for Higher Education Development, the Dean of which is Prof. Nan Yeld; and the Graduate School of Business, directed by Prof. Frank Horwitz.

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