Celebrating UWC's Women in Academia & Leadership

The Future is female

At UWC, women are using cutting-edge methods to investigate our universe, examining everything from the DNA in our cells to the nuclear reactions at the heart of stars – and much more. Their work can change the way we view the world – and the way we interact with it.

For example...

Of UWC’s 19 SARChI Chairs, who help to promote research excellence and innovation and respond to the country’s social and economic challenges, 10 of them – that’s more than half – are women renowned nationally and internationally for their work.

Of the seven UWC students selected, in as many years, to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, to share their ideas on science and medicine with some of the finest scientists in the world, four have been women: solar energy nanoscientist Zebib Yunus Nuru, quantum dots researcher Sarah d’Souza, medical bioscientist Shireen Mentor and astrophysicist Nicole Thomas.

Of the over 22 000 students, approximately 60% are women.

Several UWC PhD Candidates have been awarded the prestigious L’Oreal-UNESCO Regional Fellowships For Women in Science in Sub-Saharan Africa – Aline Simo, Sekai Tambo, Candice Rassie and Usisipho Feleni – were among those young women scientists honoured for their work on nanomaterials, photovoltaic cells, TB nanosensors and medication dosages for breast cancer, respectively.

The Chair and Deputy-Chair of Council of UWC are both experienced women executives. Chair Yasmin Forbes has a sterling track record of more than 35 years in the information communications and technology industry, and Deputy-Chair, Cindy Hess, is a Choiseul Laureate – recognised as one of the top 100 young individuals who play a leading role in transforming Africa.

The University Registrar, Dr Nita Lawton-Misra, is another successful woman with a strong leadership and student support role – and also a registered psychologist and a certified life coach.

UWC’s three Deputy Vice-Chancellors are women at the very top of their field: Professor Vivienne Lawack (DVC: Academic), Professor Pamela Dube (DVC: Student Development and Support) and Professor José Frantz (DVC: Research and Innovation).

UWC women are A-rated researchers, NSTF32 Awardees, artists, nurses, entrepreneurs and more.