Two educators recognised for teaching excellence in UCT’s Faculty of Science

On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the Faculty of Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT) honoured the recipients of its annual Teaching Awards, recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the student learning experience.

This year’s awardees embody the faculty’s commitment to evidence-informed and student-centred education, from large-scale digital transformation to personalised student support.

A future leader in mathematics education

Morgan Vandeyar, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, received the 2025 Science Faculty Emerging Teaching Award.

Since her appointment in 2021, Vandeyar has managed an exceptionally heavy teaching and convening load across a wide range of courses, from large first-year service modules to specialised honours-level modules. Her teaching centres on a kind and empathetic approach that fosters a sense of belonging and supports students in engaging with mathematically demanding material. Her comprehensive course notes, often described by students as comparable to textbooks, are widely used and have also been adopted by colleagues in their teaching.

In addition to her lectures, Vandeyar has integrated interactive visualisations and in-class quizzes to enhance student engagement. Students regularly turn to her for guidance beyond the classroom.

The Head of Department, Associate Professor David Erwin, has described her lecturing ability as “remarkable” for an early-career academic, noting that she is on a trajectory to become a future leader in teaching and learning within the faculty.

Transforming the computer science landscape

Aslam Safla, a senior lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, is the recipient of the 2025 Science Faculty Established Teacher Award. While working towards his PhD, Safla manages a substantial teaching and convening load in some of the faculty’s largest courses. He has spearheaded the large-scale, research-informed transformation of core courses into blended learning formats. These developments incorporate interactive tools and scalable digital assessment approaches, enabling the faculty to accommodate increasing demand for computer science while maintaining the quality of the learning experience.

Safla places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, designing learning experiences that support students from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited prior exposure to computing. His responsiveness to student feedback has contributed to improved engagement, attendance, and academic performance. Reflecting on his impact, one student noted that his teaching “single-handedly renewed my passion for university,” having entered UCT without prior access to a computer.

As a leader in blended learning, Safla contributes to curriculum reform and programme leadership at both departmental and faculty levels. His sustained efforts have influenced colleagues’ teaching practices and played a central role in broader institutional change.

A shared culture of excellence

These awards underscore a faculty-wide commitment to teaching that is responsive, inclusive, and evidence-informed. Both Vandeyar and Safla demonstrate that effective teaching, whether through scaffolded support in mathematics or innovation in computer science, is grounded in meeting students where they are and enabling their success.