Even before COVID-19 necessitated the closure of South African universities, and the move towards distance and digital learning, SA universities were already discussing changes in the landscape. An Article from April 2019 explains this. The Vice-Chancellor’s recent Live discussion with alumni on UCT’s response to the pandemic further emphasised the fact that UCT in particular had in recent years been turning towards the use of technology in digital learning because of its far-reaching benefits.

Alumna, Vivian Forssman, spent time at UCT in 2019 assisting with their move to online learning. Read about her return to campus after 40 years, and her work with the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching.

Online learning it is not without its pitfalls – think of the student sent home from campus because of the lockdown, perhaps living in poverty, in a small dwelling with 6 or more other family members, trying to study, perhaps no internet access, perhaps not even a laptop. UCT is working to alleviate this situation as best it can – and you can too through your support of the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund.