UCT MedTech

Appropriate Health Technologies Innovation | Led by @SudeshSivarasu| #frugalbiodesign

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

Thank you @NSTF_SA, @NRF_News and @UCT_Research!

[UCT Research @UCT_Research]

Congratulations to Prof @SudeshSivarasu, recipient of the @NSTF_SA Engineering Research Capacity Development Award. His work is transforming medical device innovation into accessible healthcare solutions that reach communities beyond the lab. #UCTResearchExcellence

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟕 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫

BMERC / UCT MedTech hosts a Special Seminar on Tuesday, 27 October. Prof Richard Hall from the University of Birmingham will explore how clinically relevant testing can better predict how medical devices perform and fail. He will also discuss how these methods can be developed for low- and middle-income countries.

The session is hybrid, join us in person or online!

Date: 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Time: 𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. 𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗧
Place: 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 (𝗛𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱: 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 & 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲)
Register: https://t.co/3LO2xmlWwC

Everyone with an interest in the topic is welcome to join.

#BMERC #UCTMedTech #SpecialSeminar #PreclinicalTesting #MedicalEngineering #UniversityOfBirmingham #HybridEvent

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

Abigail Downing: When a Perfect Design Meets the Real World

Abigail Downing first shared her internship story with BMERC/UCT MedTech. Now, she is back with an update.
Working under Michael Awood and Jonathan Oehley, she is developing two assistive devices: a universal splint and the ADL Arm.

Her initial designs appeared seamless on paper. Then, conversations with manufacturers revealed new real-world considerations.

Watch to discover how she adapted her approach and what she plans to do after her internship.

#UCTMedTech #BiomedicalEngineering #Internship #EngineeringStudents #AssistiveTechnology

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐒𝐜 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞

Are you a fourth-year engineering student, or studying towards Honours in physics or mathematics? The UCT MSc in Biomedical Engineering welcomes applicants ready to apply their skills to improve health and advance healthcare technology.

Applicants must hold, or be in the final year of, a four-year degree in an engineering discipline or a quantitative science.

The new application deadline is 31 October 2026 for the 2027 intake. Apply online at https://t.co/IRU3Xy0LmY.

#UCTMedTech #BMERC #BiomedicalEngineering #MScBiomedicalEngineering #StudyAtUCT #Engineering #Physics #Mathematics

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐁𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐂/𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚

BMERC/UCT MedTech will be present at Science Forum South Africa from 2 to 4 December 2026 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The theme for this year's forum is From Research to Impact.

The stand demonstrates how academic research translates into practical healthcare solutions. Developed collaboratively in South Africa by engineers, clinicians, and researchers, these medical technologies focus on addressing key healthcare challenges. Visitors can engage with interactive demonstrations, speak with the team, and learn how local innovation is improving access to quality care in resource-constrained settings.

Stand details will follow shortly. We look forward to welcoming you.

#SFSA2026 #UCTMedTech #HealthcareInnovation

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐈 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞

Congratulations to Dr Ruyobeza Barimwotubiri of BMERC/UCT MedTech on his article in the September 2026 issue of Technopolicy Africa, the ATPS newsletter.

In "Pacing AI for Purpose", he makes the case that Africa should regulate AI by its purpose and impact. He calls for fast tracking AI that saves lives and livelihoods, and for care wherever citizens face real risk.

Read the article on page 4 of Issue 31: https://t.co/uSqdSWQPBH

#BMERC #UCTMedTech #ATPS #TechnopolicyAfrica #AIPolicy #ResponsibleAI #AfricanInnovation

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[AcademyofScienceSA @ASSAf_Official]

🔔 🔔 REMMINDER : 📢 📢 CALL 76th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Physiology/Medicine 27 June to 2 July 2027 Germany

ACCESS THE APPLICATION FORM HERE: https://t.co/LuyCZzMrEz

Applications should be sent to: [email protected]

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐏𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝐁𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Eight researchers. Eight pitches. Watch the highlights, then read on for what each one presented.

Moegamad Jack: repurposed drugs and melanoma cells. Benedict Mulindwa: teaching artificial hands to adapt. Queto Jenkins: noise-cancelled MRI. Prosper Magara: AI-enhanced telementoring for surgery. Philippa Braithwaite: choline and newborn brain development. Liam Truter: software that corrects MRI hardware imperfections. Raeesa Ismail: TB testing from breath. Gaby Lups: mobile screening for diabetic eye disease.

Congratulations to our winners:
• 𝗠𝗦𝗰 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Queto Jenkins.
• 𝗠𝗦𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Gaby Lups.
• 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: Prosper Magara.
• 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵: Benedict Mulindwa.

"𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵'𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨."  – Prof Sudesh Sivarasu

#BMEIgnite #BMERCUCTMedTech #BiomedicalEngineering #HealthInnovation #SciComm #UCT

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐮 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐑𝐅 𝐁 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

Join BMERC/UCT MedTech as we celebrate a major milestone for Professor Sudesh Sivarasu, DSTI/NRF South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Biomedical Engineering & Innovation | Director & Head - Biomedical Engineering Division & Research Centre.

The National Research Foundation has awarded him a B Rating. The rating recognises him as an internationally recognised researcher. It acknowledges the high quality and strong impact of his work in biomedical engineering and innovation.

Prof Sivarasu leads BMERC/UCT MedTech at the University of Cape Town. His dedication to advancing healthcare technology continues to shape our research and our team.

We thank the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation for its ongoing support of science and innovation in South Africa. We also thank the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences and all our partners for their continued backing.

#BMERC #UCTMedTech #BiomedicalEngineering #NRFRating #ResearchExcellence #HealthTech #Innovation #UCT #UCTHealthSciences #MedicalDevices

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐈: 𝐃𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐇𝐒 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦

Dr Sudeshan Govender spoke at the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences Symposium on Tech-Enhanced Teaching and Research on 9 October 2026. His talk, From Clinic to Clinical Trials, explored how AI is transforming healthcare, research and innovation.

BMERC/UCT MedTech works closely with Dr Govender through an ongoing partnership with The Innovation Hub at Mediclinic Victoria.

His closing message captured the day. The future of healthcare is not human or artificial. It is human with AI.
Thank you to the speakers and the EDUTech Division.

#AIinHealthcare #HealthInnovation #BMERC #UCTMedTech #UCTHealthSciences

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐒 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲

UCT is now part of a new partnership set to change how medical devices are developed across the Global South.

The BRICS BioDesign Programme brings together UCT, India's Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, Sechenov University and the Brazilian Society for Biomedical Engineering, with the goal of building local capacity for medical device innovation, manufacturing and certification across BRICS nations.

Professor Sudesh Sivarasu, director of UCT's Biomedical Engineering Research Centre (BMERC), spoke to UCT News about why this matters. Around 90% of medical devices used in South Africa are currently imported. This programme is a step toward changing that, while creating local jobs and strengthening health systems.

Fellows on the year long programme will train across all four partner institutions, with UCT contributing its expertise in FrugalBiodesign, an approach that treats resource constraints as design inputs rather than limitations.

Read the full story: https://t.co/MNSttGli8a

#BRICS #HealthSovereignty #ResearchAndInnovation

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦

BMERC/UCT MedTech's Prof Sudesh Sivarasu took part in the panel "Solving the Commercialisation Conundrum" on Day 3 of the 2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Next Generation and Emerging Researchers Symposium in Boksburg, Gauteng.

He shared the stage with Mr Letlotlo Phohole of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and Prof Kanzumba Kusakana of the Central University of Technology (CUT). Dr Bathabile Ramalapa of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) facilitated the session.

Prof Sivarasu spoke about designing affordable medical devices for local clinical needs. He urged emerging researchers to test their ideas against the market early by asking who the user is, who pays and who cares. For academics, he said, "Your first biggest challenge is your first sale."

He also called for innovation fellowships and for innovation to count towards academic promotion.
Spaces like this keep BMERC/UCT MedTech close to the funders, institutions and industry voices who shape the journey from research to impact.

Thank you to the National Research Foundation for the invitation, and to Dr Ramalapa, Mr Phohole and Prof Kusakana for sharing the stage.

#NGERsymposium2026 #ResearchForABetterSociety #Commercialisation #BiomedicalEngineering #UCTMedTech #UCT

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤? 𝐎𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧?

Azrah Dick is back at BMERC/UCT MedTech. The final year Mechatronics Engineering student at UCT first joined for a month-long internship and has returned to take her work further.

Her interests sit where engineering, healthcare and real-world impact meet. Her final year project is a wearable lip transcription system, designed for moments when audio speech recognition fails.

Working here has changed how she judges engineering. "A good solution could work perfectly, but it could also be a bad solution," she says.

The space to ask questions, try new things and learn from mistakes has also built her confidence. "I can push myself without having to know everything."

Watch the video to hear her full story.

#BMERC #UCTMedTech #BiomedicalEngineering #Mechatronics #AssistiveTechnology #InternLife

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.

BMERC/UCT MedTech is hosting Prof Richard Hall, Professor of Biomedical and Oncological Engineering at the University of Birmingham. He will be presenting at the Wolfson Lecture Theatre. The session will be hybrid, so you can join in person or online.

The title: 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

This seminar will explore how clinically relevant testing can better predict how medical devices perform and fail. It will also look at how these methods can be developed for low- and middle-income countries.
Highlights of the talk:

• Clinical Realism: Why conventional methods can miss real clinical conditions.
• Better Prediction: How experimental and computational methods improve forecasts of device performance, drawing on joint replacement and spinal implants.
• Local Capacity: Building accessible, reproducible testing that meets local clinical needs.

All those with an interest in the topic are welcome to join us.

Date: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. SAST
Place: Wolfson Lecture Theatre (hybrid session, in person and online)
Register, in person or online: UCT BMERC/MedTech Special Seminar: Prof. Richard Hall | Join meeting in Teams | Microsoft Teams

Photos may be taken at this event. Please tell a member of the team if you prefer not to be photographed.

#BMERC #UCTMedTech #SpecialSeminar #PreclinicalTesting #MedicalEngineering #UniversityOfBirmingham #HybridEvent

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧: 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐂/𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡

Shireen has completed her first month as Admin Officer at BMERC/UCT MedTech.

She has been learning the ropes, setting up her own systems and getting to know the team. Her verdict? There really is never a dull moment.

The days are fast paced, but there is always time for a coffee break and a good laugh. Shireen loves ticking things off her to do list, and she helped organise the Heritage Day and birthday celebrations along the way.

She says the team has been supportive and respectful, and the banter makes hectic days much easier.
Welcome again, Shireen!

#UCTMedTech #BMERC #MeetTheTeam #TeamCulture #NewBeginnings

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐮

The Researcher Development Academy invites early career researchers to a practical session on building a research team, presented as part of the Emerging Researcher Programme and the People and Project Management skills development theme.

Prof. Sudesh Sivarasu, SARChi Chair in Biomedical Engineering at BMERC/UCT MedTech, will share his practical guidance and experience on beginning to build a team. The session will cover key considerations for early career researchers, common challenges that arise, and practical strategies to address them.

Date: 13 October 2026
Time: 12:30 to 14:00
Venue: Online via Microsoft Teams

RSVP by 11 October 2026 to receive the Teams link.https://t.co/HGDZse03bv

BMERC/UCT MedTech thanks the Researcher Development Academy at the UCT Research Office for the invitation to present this session.

#EmergingResearcherProgramme #BuildingAResearchTeam #EarlyCareerResearchers #ResearcherDevelopment #UCT

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION @dstigovza]

Registration for the 2026 installment of Science Forum South Africa now open. Join us 1–4 Dec | CSIR ICC, Pretoria REGISTER HERE: https://t.co/0Ue0htLIYg #SFSA2026

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞

Prosper Magara, a final-year PhD candidate at BMERC/UCT MedTech, recently presented at the Telemedicine Masterclass led by Dr Bessie Malila. The session provided healthcare professionals, administrators, and policymakers with practical insights into implementing and sustaining telemedicine services.

Prosper shared his research on LapTelementor, an AI-enhanced surgical telementoring system designed for laparoscopic surgery. The core goal is simple: to bring expert surgical guidance into any operating theatre, wherever it is, in real time.

His talk sparked rich and practical discussions on how emerging technologies can broaden access to high-quality surgical care.

Congratulations, Prosper!

#Telemedicine #Telementoring #SurgicalInnovation #LaparoscopicSurgery #AIinHealthcare #BiomedicalEngineering #BMERC #UCTMedTech

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐂/𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫

Professor John Lazarus is the inaugural Desmond Tutu Research Chair of Urology, supported by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation. Professor Gladness Nethathe has attained the rank of full Professor.

Both share in the supervision of our students. Professor Lazarus co supervised Phelisa Ntayiya and Liam McEvoy. Professor Nethathe co supervises Sarah Rusch.

Congratulations from BMERC/UCT MedTech on these richly deserved appointments.

#UCTMedTech #BMERC #Urology #AnaesthesiaAndPerioperativeMedicine #BiomedicalEngineering #UCT #Congratulations

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza

[UCT MedTech @UCTMedTech]

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 & 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩🔥🇿🇦

Boerewors on the fire, heritage dishes from home, and a best dressed line up that brought out cultures from across South Africa and beyond.

🏆 Best dressed: Emmanuel Okere and Azrah Dick
🍖 Assistant Braai masters: Samira Gholizadeh, Chibuike Mbanefo and Joel Philpott
🎉 First years brought the games
🎂 Celebrating every birthday from May to September in one go

It was also Edmund Wessels' last day with the team, and he spent it exactly where he belongs, at the braai. We sent him off with a gift and a lot of love.

Thank you also to Shireen Maharaj and Raeesa Ismail for organising the event.

34°C heat didn't slow anyone down.

#HeritageDay #BMERC #UCTMedTech #SouthAfrica #HeritageDay2026

@SudeshSivarasu
@UCT_news
@NRF_News
@UCTHealthSci
@dstigovza