Women had a majority lead over their male counterparts in science, engineering and technology degrees up until 2005, reveals a Department of Science and Technology study.
Released yesterday in Parliament, by science and technology minister Naledi Pandor, the study is the result of government efforts to increase the number of women in the science, engineering and technology fields. No specific data on IT-related fields was presented.
The research finds that, in 2005, women made up between 56% and 59% of the 80 000 graduates in the sector, including lower postgraduate levels. This compares to 1995 when the split was roughly equal. Since that year, women have been outstripping men in graduating with their degrees.
Women were also in the majority for enrolments in the science, engineering and technology fields in terms of undergraduate and lower postgraduate degrees. More than 401 000 women enrolled for such degrees in 2005, compared to 334 000 men. This compares to 252 339 women and 295 481 men in 1995.
However, the study finds that female enrolments in and graduates at upper-postgraduate levels are still in the minority, but are approaching the 50% mark.
Women also make up the minority of research and development staff, and the majority of women with doctorates in science, engineering and technology were employed in higher education and business sectors. Women in higher education exceeded 50% at lecturer and junior lecturer levels, but far less than 50% were employed at senior lecturer, professor and associate professor levels.
In terms of publishing scientific-based articles, often considered the mark of true academia, women represented a third of all publishing scientists in the country and accounted for a quarter of all scientific articles produced.
Pandor said three out of four higher education students are now black, compared to one in four a decade ago.
“However, this is less of a success than it appears at first sight. White enrolments have fallen in numbers, most of the student increase has taken place at universities of technology, and African students are overwhelmingly represented in distance institutions,” she added.
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