About IARU > IARU Member Universities > University of Cape Town
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is Africa’s highest-ranked university and a global leader in research, teaching, and social impact. With a strong focus on African-centred knowledge and international collaboration, UCT is committed to fostering the next generation of responsible, engaged citizens.
Africa’s leading research hub
Founded in 1829, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is Africa’s top-ranked university and a leading centre for academic excellence. It has 28,000 students, with one-third at postgraduate level and one-fifth from outside South Africa. UCT positions itself as a key academic bridge between Africa and the wider world.
Renowned for its African-centred scholarship, UCT attracts students and staff from over 100 countries and maintains strong partnerships with leading institutions globally. Its location at the southern tip of Africa makes it a hub for research on sub-Saharan Africa. UCT plays a major role in global astronomy through the Square Kilometre Array project and is advancing research in key development areas, including climate change and poverty. UCT is also a world leader in health research, particularly on HIV and tuberculosis. Its Health Sciences Faculty consistently ranks among the global top 50 and has twice received more US National Institutes of Health funding than any non-US institution.
Committed to shaping a more equitable and sustainable post-apartheid society, UCT fosters graduates who are not only highly educated but also socially responsible citizens.
Prof Mosa Moshabela
Professor Moshabela is a leading expert in public health and health systems. As the 11th Vice-Chancellor of UCT he brings extensive academic and leadership experience to the role.
Appointed in 2024, Professor Moshabela holds a medical degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), a PhD in Public Health from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a Master’s in Demography and Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
He previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at UKZN, where he also led the School of Nursing and Public Health.
His research focuses on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings, with a strong track record of influencing health policy and contributing to global public health.
As UCT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Moshabela champions inclusive leadership and is committed to advancing academic excellence, fostering collaboration, and addressing social challenges. His vision emphasises the role of African universities in shaping global knowledge and contributing to more equitable and sustainable societies.
Isha Dilraj
Project Manager, Global Engagement
Isha Dilraj works in the Global Strategy and Visibility Directorate within the UCT Research Office and Office of the Vice-Chancellor. She works closely with the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership to advance UCT’s global strategy and engagement in global university alliances, supporting collaboration on global equity, democratic values, trust in science, and the societal role of universities, including in the context of artificial intelligence. Her work focuses on positioning UCT as a globally engaged African university contributing to collective global responsibility and the public good. She has over a decade and a half of experience in higher education, academia, research, policy formulation and implementation, university governance, project management, strategic leadership, and system development, administration, and communication.
Wilna Venter
Research Collaboration Specialist
Wilna facilitates and supports strategic research partnerships, contributing to UCT’s international engagement and collaborative research initiatives. Apart from her role for IARU, she is also actively involved in the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), aligning UCT’s research strategies with broader African and global priorities. She holds degrees from the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape.
UCT’s engagement in IARU spans diverse collaborative initiatives, including the:
IARU promotes collaboration through various working groups and joint initiatives
Key IARU roles
President
Prof Mosa Moshabela
IARU Senior Officer
Ms Isha Dilraj
Isha.Dilraj@uct.ac.za
IARU Key Contact
Wilna Venter
wilna.venter@uct.ac.za
