Page 44 - Transformation Report

Analysis of the academic ranks according to population group showed a predominance of white representation. This is evident
based on the graphic representations below (see Table 17). Notably, there is a significant increase from 78 percent in 2018
to 88 percent in 2020, in the proportion of White representation in the ‘Other’ category (which mainly consists of Research
Associates). This may be due to a number of senior academics who retired from their senior roles during the period under
review and are continuing as Research Associates in their respective faculties.

Table 17 Profile Permanent Academics According to Rank and Population Groups for 2018 and 2020

At professor and associate professor levels, African, Coloured, and Indian academics made up 21 and 31 percent in 2018,
which increased to 22 and 39 percent, respectively, in 2020. At the senior lecturer level, African, Coloured, and Indian
academics constituted 27 percent in 2018, rising to 34 percent in 2020. At the lecturer level, African, Coloured, and Indian
academics constituted 54 percent in 2018 and 62 percent in 2020. At junior/associate lecturer level, African, Coloured, and
Indian academics constituted 76 percent in 2018 and 82 percent in 2020. The general improvement of diversity within the
academic ranks during the period under review may be indicative of the efficacy of the diversification interventions being
implemented across all faculties. However, such interventions should be expanded and appropriately resourced to accelerate
diversity at professoriate and associate professoriate levels, which does not reflect the national demographic profile.

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