Dear CUT Community

I trust that you are still well and healthy amidst these challenging and extraordinary circumstances.

We are continuing with our remote multimodal teaching and learning programme during the period of the current lockdown, as CUT is committed to ensure that all students are given a fair opportunity to complete the academic year 2020.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (HESI) allowed for the controlled return of final-year students in programmes requiring clinical training during Level 4 of the lockdown. At CUT, a total of 133 final-year Radiography, Clinical Technology and Biomedical Technology students (Cohort 1), will return to their private residences or university residences in Bloemfontein on 1 June 2020. These students must self-quarantine at their respective residences from 1 to 14 June 2020, before commencing with selected on-campus contact academic activities on 15 June 2020. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Teaching and Learning has already engaged with these students.

As we have adopted the higher education sectorial theme of save the academic year – save lives, the health and safety of staff and students are paramount. Although we remain committed to complete the 2020 academic year, the CUT Council and Management will not compromise the health and safety of staff and students. All buildings at both campuses, including the university residences, have been decontaminated and cleaned. We also installed sanitising stations across the campus, and all people entering our campuses will be screened. Staff and students will be issued with washable cloth masks, and undergo safety and health orientation. However, despite these measures, we have agreed that the remote multimodal teaching and learning programme will continue during the lockdown, and that staff will continue to work from home, where possible.

Furthermore, on 23 May 2020, the Minister of HESI has declared that, under Level 3, a maximum of 33% of the student population will be allowed to return to campuses, on condition that they can be safely accommodated and supported in line with the health and safety protocols. This includes, inter alia, final-year students who require access to laboratories, technical equipment and specialised computer laboratories; students in all years of study that require clinical training in their programmes; and postgraduate students who require laboratory equipment and other technical equipment to undertake their studies. We are currently in the process of finalising the staggered return of these students during the month of June (Cohort 2). The DVC: Teaching and Learning and the Deans will communicate with this cohort of students and staff during next week. All other students are supported through remote multimodal teaching and learning until they can eventually return to campus. Where possible, staff members who can work from home will continue to do so, and the relevant Line Managers will engage with them.

We remain committed to help our students succeed in the 2020 academic year, and to support our staff. Thank you for your continued support! Please visit our official communication channels for updated information, and remember to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocol. We also want you to know that we are fully aware of the hardships you have to endure during this time. Be assured that you are not alone in these challenging times!

May you all be blessed! E se e ka Ramasedi a ka le hlohonolofatsa! Mag julle almal geseënd wees!

Prof. Henk de Jager
Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Download the VC communique, English 29 May 2020 (PDF)

Download the VC communique, Sesotho 01 June 2020 (PDF)

Download the VC communique, Afrikaans 01 June 2020 (PDF)