The University of the Western Cape (UWC) welcomed 150 staff members to its three-day General Staff Orientation from February 4th to 6th, 2025. Among those shaping the experience was Samiera Kamalie, a Clinical Supervisor at UWC’s School of Nursing. Her journey as a former student and employee equipped her with unique insights into the University’s academic and professional landscape.

Kamalie leveraged her experiences to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and clinical application.

"I have been blessed to be at the school and to have another opportunity to engage with students, to learn from the University, to learn from colleagues, and to give off some of my knowledge to students so that they can learn from my past experiences in theory as well as practice," she said.

Her dedication to student engagement aligns with the University’s broader mission of fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment.

At the event, UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Balfour, invited staff to embrace fresh thinking and innovation. It was Prof Balfour’s first staff orientation as Rector and Vice-Chancellor and he joked that he should also have been attending the three-day event. 

"Each signal, as it starts, is a new invitation to you to bring your new ideas, new thoughts about how you think we could work better together, how we could be more effective in our momentum, how we can support the creation of a much happier workplace," Prof Balfour said.

Executive Director of Human Resources, Mr Meko Magida, closed this year’s proceedings and stressed the importance of seizing growth and professional development opportunities.

"There are opportunities to acquire skills and be ready. If opportunities present themselves, apply - these are the opportunities provided at the University. Employee wellness is also essential. We live in a society facing various challenges where the economy isn’t doing well, but we have to be consistent with policies and make rational decisions. Consistency is critical," he said.

Staff members participated in workshops, networking sessions and strategic discussions throughout the orientation to improve university processes and foster a more engaged workplace. Kamalie’s contribution, alongside insights from university leadership, highlighted the collective effort required to sustain UWC’s academic excellence.

As UWC embarks on another year of growth and transformation, the 2025 General Staff Orientation reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, forward-thinking and dynamic working environment.