UWC Academics Lead the Charge Against Aggressive Milk Formula Promotion
15 April 2025
68th Annual General Meeting and 37th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP).
22 April 2025UWC Academics Lead the Charge Against Aggressive Milk Formula Promotion
15 April 202568th Annual General Meeting and 37th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP).
22 April 2025
Written by: Prof Renier Coetzee
At the April 2025 graduation we came together to honor the achievements of 52 exceptional individuals. These graduates embody the vision and mission of SOPH. It is a joy to celebrate their success alongside families, loved ones, and our dedicated staff.
The University of the Western Cape holds a proud and rich history, born in struggle, rooted in resilience, and committed to justice. The School of Public Health, established in 1993 during South Africa’s transition to democracy, has been at the forefront of building equitable health systems. Guided by a vision of comprehensive well-being for all, especially in Africa, the School remains steadfast in its dedication to high-quality training, research, and community engagement.
This year’s graduates represent three distinct programmes:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health: Designed for managers, educators, and practitioners across all levels of the health system, this programme equips students with foundational knowledge in public health while emphasizing health sector transformation and Primary Health Care approaches. Many graduates are already making an impact in their communities and may continue their journey into advanced studies.
- Master of Public Health (MPH): This programme develops leaders capable of identifying health needs at a population level, designing impactful policies, and conducting research that addresses real-world challenges. Grounded in equity and social justice principles, these graduates are poised to transform health systems locally and globally.
- PhD in Public Health: The doctoral programme demands rigorous independent research that contributes new knowledge to the field. Today’s PhD graduates have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing public health through scholarship.
The success we celebrate today is built on the dedication of SOPH’s exceptional academic staff. Their expertise spans health systems policy, epidemiology, environmental health, and social determinants of health, all united by a shared commitment to equity and academic excellence.
The School of Public Health wishes to extend our gratitude to graduates, families, and colleagues for being part of this celebration. This graduation ceremony marks not just an end but a beginning. It is a call to action for our graduates to continue making a difference in public health at local, national, and global levels.
May you remain leaders committed to equity, justice, and better health outcomes for all. Congratulations once again on this incredible achievement!