When medicines are made outside the factory: Why pharmacovigilance matters more than everThe use of injectable medication for weight-loss purposes has attracted considerable public interest. The recent court case regarding the compounding of these medicines has brought the importance of pharmacovigilance into the spotlight. FIND OUT MORE2026 SOPH PhD Induction Series Wraps Up SuccessfullyThe PhD induction series took place from 4 February to 9 March 2026, drawing participation from 19 pre-doctoral and newly registered doctoral fellows. The series consisted of six two-hour thematic sessions facilitated by the SOPH PhD programme support team.FIND OUT MOREUWC-SOPH Hosts Productive PhD Writing RetreatThe UWC School of Public Health (SOPH) held its annual PhD writing retreat in September 2025, welcoming 21 doctoral candidates. FIND OUT MOREStrengthening Global Partnerships: UWC Dietetics Academics Complete Erasmus+ Exchange at Ankara UniversityTwo academics from UWC's Department of Dietetics and Nutrition recently completed an Erasmus+ funded reciprocal exchange visit to Ankara University in Türkiye. The visit strengthened academic collaboration, identified new research opportunities, and provided valuable insights into innovative nutrition education, hospital...FIND OUT MORE
“South Africa’s public health system faces a number of challenges - and we need leaders to solve them, not just managers. That’s one of the lessons COVID-19 has helped drive home - and it’s one we all need to learn.”
Mr Siraaj Adams received the 2019 Jakes Gerwel Award! Siraaj delivered a lecture entitled “Transforming Public Health using Digital Health, the journey so far...”.
The 2018 recipient of the Jakes Gerwel Award was Dr Amir Aman Hagos, now the Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia who graduated with an MPH in 2013.
The 2017 Award was presented to 2002 graduate Dr Rolene Wagner, a medical doctor and, from December 2012, the CEO of Frere Hospital in East London, South Africa.
Dr Kirstie Rendall-Mkosi receives the first Jakes Gerwel Award in recognition of her demonstrated leadership in areas of teaching, research and community engagement in health promotion, health systems research and primary health care.