Varsity
70 CELEBRATING
YEARS
OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
28 February 2012
VOLUME 71: EDITION 2
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UCT to focus on postgrads Aimee Carelse
W
ith annual and growing increases in student numbers at UCT, the University’s Size and Shape Project presented a strategy to Council in December 2011 to cope with growing student numbers. UCT will be forced to cap its undergraduate admissions and expand teaching facilities to cope with the growing increase in student numbers. Additionally, UCT intends to increase the number of postgraduate research students and enhance its reputation as a researchled institution. UCT has an approximate growth rate of 3.5% per annum. Should the student body continue to expand at this rate, there will be an expected 33 000 students at UCT by 2020. However, by planning to cap undergraduate admissions, the project is working with a target number of 28 310 students for 2020.
“the space required ... can be met only by the acquisition of additional land and property”
OVERCROWDED – UCT will halt the increase in undergraduate student numbers and will expand postgraduate research. related activities. Growth in focus research areas as well as in group work and group learning require smaller seminar venues that can accommodate these modes of teaching. According to the report, “the space required to accommodate expansion in research can be met only by the acquisition of additional land and property in areas close to current university land.” There remains a need to increase the provision of physical space and infrastructure if the growing number of students is to be accommodated. “The University recognises the need for additional student social and learning space, residence places and
sporting facilities” said Jane Hendry, Chief Information Officer of the Institutional Planning Department.
“the Size and Space Project intends to implement new teaching technologies“ According to the Size and Shape Project, student numbers have led to “growths in class sizes and the necessity to undertake double teaching due to lecture hall constraints.” “Significant increases in physical provision have been and are being
made,” explained Hugh Amoore. In 2010, ICTS was moved to Main Road Mowbray in order to provide added teaching space in the Computer Science Building. Last year, the new Student Administration and School of Economics Buildings were opened on Middle Campus. Once renovations have been completed, the movement of the Psychology Department into P.D. Hahn will see the release of much needed space for the Humanities faculty. Furthermore, “a new lecture theatre is planned and work on the new Engineering building is [progressing] according to schedule”, explained Amoore. In order to cope with over-
whelming class sizes, the Size and Shape Project intends to implement new teaching technologies, namely the podcasting and digital audio recording of lectures. Despite their advantages, these teaching technologies require additional space for group learning and, most importantly, “[do] not replace lectures and face-to-face teaching,” said Amoore. The project’s developments will hopefully curb any unnecessary pressure on the University’s resources and make the current and future growth of UCT as smooth as possible.
IN THIS ISSUE
As this year’s registration process remains incomplete, the exact number of students for 2012 cannot yet be confirmed. According to UCT Registrar Hugh Amoore ,“indications are that there will be a very small increase in enrolment in 2012.” In contrast with plans to cap undergraduate admission, UCT aims to increase postgraduate research substantially. The University projects that the proportion of postgraduates at UCT by 2020 will be 39% of the student body, as opposed to the current 32%. This is motivated by South Africa’s need for graduates competent in the fields of science, engineering and commerce. To do so, UCT requires additional space that will foster an increase in postgraduate students and research-
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