UWC- 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE AND TRANSFORMATION

The University of the Western Cape was established in 1959 and to date has been recognized for its transformation from an Apartheid creation to an institute of excellence and prestige. As part of the University’s 50th year celebration, Professor Wolfgang Neumann (Professor of Crystallography, Humboldt University, Berlin; Director of the International Centre of Advanced Materials and Electron Microscopy at Humboldt University; Chairman of the National Committee of the German Society of Crystallography and Editor-in-chief of Crystal Research and Technology) was invited to be a guest speaker at a seminar held at the School of Public Health on February 9. His field of study includes Advanced Analytical Transformation Electron Microscopy of Modern Materials, which formed the basis of his speech at the seminar. An iconic figure and UWC’s Chancellor for 22 years, Desmond Tutu, has only encouraging words for students and staff and opens the seminar (via video message) with positive endorsements about the University. He boasts about UWC being ranked 7th out of the top Universities in Africa and astoundingly 5th in South Africa. “UWC is a great oasis of learning and this is therefore a prestigious occasion”, says Desmond Tutu as he speaks about UWC’s 50th anniversary and Professor Neumann’s speech as part of the celebration. Among those present were Professor R. Bharuthram [Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)], Professor B.A. Julies [Head: Electron Microscope Unit], Professor Knoesen[Microscope Unit] and Dr. R. Maharaj [Director of the National Research Foundation], all of whom had only positive feedback regarding the seminar. Professor B.A Julies and Professor R. Bharuthram are both certain that the University has benefited from Professor Neumann’s visit. They also believe that after such a seminar, one can certainly see that the National Research Foundation’s investment in UWC is one to be thankful for and honoured.