Located on the Faculty of Health Sciences campus, the institute provides clinical services and its researchers work in the fields of respiratory medicine, tuberculosis (TB), allergies, occupational medicine and dermatology.
In partnership with various departments at UCT, the institute also offers training to students studying towards health professions, and collaborates extensively with training and research institutions both locally and internationally.
“It’s not enough for us at UCT to be the best university in Africa, to be relevant to the world’s needs and to be sustainable as an institution. We also need to be the best for Africa.”
“African-sourced education, research and service is at the heart of our mission as an institution. These words have truly guided you in your work in communities,” said Phakeng.
“It’s not enough for us as UCT to be the best university in Africa, to be relevant to the world’s needs and to be sustainable as an institution. We also need to be the best for Africa.”
Becoming the best for Africa
The work of researchers in the institute demonstrates that it is continually assisting UCT in its efforts to become the best university in Africa, for Africa, she added.
Phakeng acknowledged and applauded the founder of the Lung Institute, Emeritus Professor Eric Bateman.
“The idea of building a lung institute was itself an innovation that has proven its worth over the years, and it’s a lasting legacy for Prof Bateman’s hard work and creative thinking.”
She also reflected on the excellent work of the six units in the institute, namely the Allergy and Immunology Unit, the Centre for Child and Adolescent Lung Health, the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, the Centre for TB Research Innovation, the Knowledge Translation Unit and the Lung Clinical Research Unit.