The UCT Summer School will run until Saturday January 27. PICTURE: Gareth Dawson
The UCT Summer School continues with its practice of presenting world-class lectures and courses in literature, art, music, politics, current affairs, history, medicine, science, conservation and nature, information technology, architecture, and the built environment.
The summer school, which commenced on Saturday January 13, will continue until Saturday January 27 and cover topics such as the future of robots, safe drinking water, Eskom, anti-Semitism in South Africa, Ukraine and the Global South, body donation, the National Health Insurance and pension funds in South Africa
The 2024 edition is a celebratory moment for the university, with UCT commemorating 100 years of continuous lifelong learning.
Before the UCT Summer School was established in 1950, an Extension Lectures Committee of the University Senate was formed in 1924 to formalise ad hoc lectures. This committee organised fortnightly lectures by members of staff and other prominent experts. In 1949, a decision was made to expand the extra-mural work of the Extension Lectures Committee, and the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies was founded.
Interim UCT vice-chancellor Professor Daya Reddy said: “It is a proud achievement that for 100 years, we have been arranging lectures on various topics to the general public – with these lectures offered specifically through the Summer School for 74 years. It is also remarkable that our institution has made knowledge available to the public for so long.”
The UCT Summer School programmes are open to everyone regardless of educational qualifications or age. The lectures are for non-degree purposes and do not involve examinations. Several of the courses on offer do, however, qualify for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
Attendees can also tour the university’s Rondebosch campuses with Emeritus Registrar Hugh Amoore. There is also a one-hour excursion to the human biology department. It provides an opportunity to see the teaching laboratories and exhibits demonstrating the contributions of a body donor to teaching, learning and research.
All courses take place in person on the UCT campus, except for the language courses which are offered on MS Teams.
For more information on the Summer School visit ww.summerschool.uct.ac.za Book through Webtickets.