Please join me in congratulating Prof Delawir Kahn, Head of Department: Surgery, for receiving a University of Cape Town Distinguished Teacher Award for 2014.

The award honours excellence in teaching in higher education. It is the highest accolade given to lecturing staff in acknowledgement of the value we attach to teaching and learning in the work of UCT.

Prof Kahn states that his passion for surgery has had an influence on his philosophy and approach to teaching students. He embraces new technologies and generates excitement for the discipline by including students in operating procedures and making optimum use of clinical material available.

He has been instrumental in the success of his division; he established the UCT Surgical Society and he has driven the development of the undergraduate curriculum. His portfolio speaks to his active involvement across all levels of teaching, his work with postgraduate and undergraduate students, and his remarkable long-term impact on students.

He is frequently described as passionate and innovative. His support points to how he challenges notions of hierarchy in academia and his discipline, and how he exemplifies the mentorship role demanded in excellent teaching of surgery.

You have done the Faculty proud, Prof Kahn!

Prof Wim de Villiers, Dean

Image credit: UKZN NDabaOnline