University’s role is about creating a diverse environment that is transformative, inclusive and nurtures critical thinking

19 December 2023  

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is in the news again in the wake of a torrent of views, much of it from its own alumni, following the publication of a UCT Council statement on the Middle East conflict. These strongly voiced views include the rather ill-informed concerns that the university is an unwelcoming space for Jewish students and that this situation has worsened since the attack on Israel by Hamas; that the university is biased against Israel, is pro-Palestinian and is antisemitic; that the university is obsessively focused on the Gaza matter to the exclusion of other troubling global crises; and this is alienating the Cape Town Jewish community, members of the wider community as well as local and international donors.

The role of a university is multifaceted, encompassing the development of critical thinking, the advancement of learning and research, and the cultivation of an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. Each aspect contributes to creating an environment where students can thrive intellectually, personally and socially. I want to invite the critics of UCT to revisit four of the key roles of a university, which have relevance to the current debate.

The first of these key roles is developing critical thinkers: A university plays a crucial role in fostering critical thinking skills among its students. This involves encouraging them to question assumptions, analyse information and engage in independent thought. By exposing students to diverse perspectives and challenging these with complex problems, universities stimulate intellectual curiosity and develop the ability to approach issues with analytical and open minds.

The next key role is pushing boundaries of learning and research: Universities are at the forefront of knowledge creation and dissemination. They push the boundaries of learning and research by providing a platform for scholars to explore new ideas, challenge existing theories and contribute to the expansion of human knowledge. Encouraging a culture of innovation and exploration allows students and faculty to pursue groundbreaking research that addresses contemporary challenges and contributes to the betterment of society.

The third and relevant role for a university in this context is a commitment to an inclusive culture: This is fundamental to a university’s mission. It involves creating an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds – including different races, cultures, genders, and socioeconomic statuses – feel welcome and valued.

It is also important that our alumni of all ages feel like they belong at the UCT of today, so we are particularly keen to engage our alumni all over the world in current UCT debates and events. Universities should actively work to eliminate barriers to access and success, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to pursue education and contribute to the academic community.

Embracing diversity and inclusion is the fourth key point in the role of a university. Diversity is not only about demographics but also about diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Universities play a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive culture that embraces this diversity. Exposure to a variety of perspectives enhances the learning experience, preparing students to navigate a globally interconnected world and fostering cultural competence.

In summary, a university’s role is to be a dynamic and transformative space that nurtures critical thinking, pushes the boundaries of knowledge through research and actively promotes an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. By fulfilling these roles, universities contribute not only to the intellectual development of their students but also to the broader societal goals of progress, understanding and social justice.

UCT presently provides a space for the realisation of these roles. Given multiple and often competing stakeholders and interests, it follows that everyone does not always agree but respectful disagreement is welcomed. An educational space that encourages courageous conversations is fraught with challenges but in my view, is non-negotiable.

As a leading African university (ranked number one on the continent on all five major international rankings) and centre of learning, UCT, from time to time faces difficult or contradictory choices. Acting in the best interests of UCT involves acknowledging that the academy comprises communities with diverse stakeholders, whether they are students, academics, professional staff, workers, donors, or international partners.

As custodians and real friends of UCT, we sometimes need to stand up in a responsible and informed way and be counted because it is the right thing to do. If we remain silent or ambivalent in the face of injustice, we are part of the problem not part of the solution.

One of the key parts of the academy’s mission is to comment on global and local issues. This includes developments in South Africa and Israel-Palestine, where emotions run deep, where we should not fear treading as this will limit the scope for progressive conversations to take place. This is especially important given that different stakeholders will have very different experiences that shape attitudes and values but the fact that people are willing to listen and express themselves gives some hope. Because the real challenge lies with those who will not engage.

We need to bring more people into this conversation to avoid being overtaken by events. Change is often accompanied by discomfort. It requires us to challenge the status quo, to step out of our comfort zones, to question long-held beliefs and to dismantle structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. It may force us to question our deeply ingrained beliefs and challenge societal norms. This may be difficult, but it is necessary for transformation.

What is particularly alarming about some of the critical views around UCT in relation to the Middle East conflict, apart from their emotive language and absence of factual basis, is the way in which these critics crudely talk about Jews, Israelis and Palestinians as though they were homogenous groups.

This kind of stereotyping is unhelpful and belies the fact that each of these communities is extremely diverse in relation to thinking, living, worshipping and working. It is also especially concerning that the former Chair of the UCT’s USA Trust accuses the university of antisemitism while oblivious to how he is reinforcing an antisemitic trope of Jews yielding influence by using money and power.

In conclusion, UCT has a pivotal role to play in creating an environment where our students and staff relate to each other on a human level, seeing the human faces behind current and historical events and political narratives. Navigating complexity, avoiding gesture politics, fake news and ‘winner takes all’ solutions must find their way into this sensitive dialogue. 

Dianna M. Yach is a UCT alumna, Chair of the Mauerberger Foundation Fund and member of the UCT Council. She writes in her personal capacity.