Foreword

» Welcome to this special edition of 360° Perspectives that celebrates the achievements of UWC over its six decades of existence.

WHAT MAKES THIS A UNIQUE EDITION is the fact that it melds together the past and present achievements of our university. Through the anecdotes of our alumni, we get a glimpse of the transformative role that the institution plays in the lives of our students and alumni. Dr Randall Carolissen, who recently stepped down as administrator of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and has been appointed as the Dean of the University of Johannesburg Business School, says: “No other institution offered generations a gateway out of poverty.”

SARChI Chair in the Development of Human Capabilities and Social Cohesion through the Family, Prof Nicky Roman, whose husband Allan and two sons also pursued their degrees at UWC, says: “During the apartheid era, if you were not white you were made to feel lesser than or incapable. I was never going to go to a university other than UWC because UWC was home, a space where I could be myself and where I was not going to be compared to someone other than myself. I could grow and become.” The university’s impact on international students is shown in the article on Namibia’s Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, who came to the institution in 1993 to study law after realising that “UWC would be a good place to be and to grow intellectually, emotionally and politically”.

Several articles on recent research endeavours and innovations offer a sense of where the university is currently located on its evolutionary path – from a college for coloured students to a respected research-led institution and one of the leading public universities in South Africa.

Take, for instance, the cutting-edge DNA test kit prototype developed by Prof Maria Eugenia D’Amato and her team, which has the potential to narrow down male perpetrator suspects in sexual assault cases in the Southern African region. Then there is the Biolabels Research Unit in the Department of Biotechnology that is developing an antibacterial product based on biogenic nanoparticles extracted from plants that will indirectly aid the fight against COVID-19.

The evolution of the university and the programmes that it offers to keep abreast of technological and industry trends are also highlighted in an article on new qualifications offered in artificial and virtual reality, including a postgraduate diploma.

We have indeed much of which to be proud. This university has managed to develop its academic standing in the world against significant odds and has graduated fine students who have become leaders within society.

We cannot allow ourselves to be satisfied with the achievements of yesteryear. Rather, we have to keep our gaze firmly on the future in order to continue to meet the needs of our students. The global pandemic that still affects us all reminds us that we have to continue to strive to do more and deliver more to our students and the society in which we are located. These are uncertain times and they require us to stand together as a campus community that is caring and compassionate.

PERSPECTIVES

Managing Editor:

Nastasha Crow

Production Editor:

Nastasha Crow

Editor:

Nazeem Lowe

Editorial:

Gasant Abarder Harriet Box Giovanna Collins Nashira Davids Cardré Goliath Myolisi Gophe Grant Cyster Carlo Jonkerman Nicklaus Kruger Anel Lewis Jesi Townsend John Thwaits Amy Meyers Annie Moyo Yazeed Kamaldien Wrap It Up PR and Communications Barefoot Teacher

Professor Tyrone Pretorius Rector and Vice-Chancellor

Guest Writers:

Robin Adams Buntu Gotywa Dumisani Koyana

Images:

Jeffery Abrahams Daniel Born Je’nine May Photography Nickay Photography African News Agency SA Rugby Gettyimages/FIFA.com

Design:

Kult Creative

Printing:

Kult Creative

Copyright: University of the Western Cape (UWC) unless used with permission of any third party and referenced accordingly. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publishers. 360º Perspectives is published annually by UWC. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of UWC.