Background

Launched in 2022 as a strategic initiative aligned with UCT’s Vision 2030, the University of the Future Project aimed to co-create a future-facing roadmap for infrastructure and campus transformation.

As originally described:
“The University of the Future (UoF) Project proposes that a future centred roadmap is critical for the University to develop the physical environment, social and community spaces and other enabling structures, processes, and technologies necessary to attract and inspire staff and students in a transformative future. The UoF engaging, internally and externally with the broader community, in collaboration with the three spheres of government (local, provincial, and national) aims to play a significant role in driving inclusive and transformative socio-economic development that frame the design and realisation of places and spaces (language, names, symbols, artworks, and identity) that reflect the livelihoods, aesthetics, aspirations and vision of the University and its differentiated and diverse community. With the possibility of UCT student numbers growing and an increasing global reputation and brand, it is imperative that we place the student, staff, alumni and the experience of the friends of UCT at the heart of everything we do.”

Vision

The vision is to create an enabling environment to unleash human potential for a fair and just society.

Mission

To create enabling places, spaces, services, and functions for the future of the University of Cape Town.

Aim

The University of the Future (UoF) is a strategic project, approved and supported by Council. The project aims to create a modern, vibrant and striking University of Cape Town (UCT) campus, designed to attract staff and student talent, local businesses, donors, industry interest and the broader community. The project also aims to create enhanced formal learning and social spaces, well-planned for food outlets, as well as shared spaces for improved community engagement, as UCT works toward the goals of Vision 2030 and beyond.

Project evolution and key learnings

While the project was originally conceived as a way of developing a Real Estate strategy in line with Vision 2030, the project evolved into a much wider exploration of how universities can reimagine themselves to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century. Specifically for UCT, it also revealed how ideas move through the university and where they face blocks. In 2023 and 2024, the project became a movement. Taking an appreciative approach to this work, the UOF team recognised that the UCT community is already alive with many examples of future-focused initiatives and designed an engaging process to surface these. Through this process, we learned the following:

• Beyond Infrastructure: Physical spaces matter, but the real transformation being asked for depends on social infrastructure, institutional culture and human wellbeing.
• Belonging matters: The most frequent concern expressed across all engagement channels was a longing for belonging and community.
• Basic needs first: Fundamental infrastructure maintenance (particularly toilets, accessibility, and reliable services) must be addressed as a foundation for aspirational transformation.
• Existing innovation: UCT possesses significant innovative capacity - the challenge lies not in generating new ideas but in creating enabling environments for implementation.