Women’s access schemes

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women through a variety of access schemes, including mentoring programmes, scholarships, and leadership development initiatives. These efforts are designed to support women’s academic and professional growth, particularly in fields where they have been historically underrepresented.

Mentoring Programmes

UJ offers several mentoring initiatives aimed at fostering women’s leadership and professional development:

• UJ Women’s Leadership Development Programme (UJWLDP): This programme is designed to enhance the personal leadership skills of senior women leaders within the university. It focuses on broadening understanding of management in the educational sector, creating a coaching and mentorship culture, and equipping women with tools for courageous conversations. 
• Girls for Girls (G4G) Mentoring Programme: Introduced at UJ in April 2019, G4G aims to empower young women to assume leadership roles in their communities, schools, universities, and workplaces. The programme provides mentorship opportunities, encouraging participants to develop confidence and leadership skills.

Scholarships and Financial Support

UJ is committed to supporting women’s education through various scholarships:

• Tshianeo Marwala Scholarship Fund: Launched in 2019 by former Vice-Chancellor Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, this scholarship honours his grandmother, Tshianeo Marwala. It is specifically aimed at women from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing postgraduate studies with a focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The scholarship seeks to increase the number of women, particularly from rural areas, in engineering and technology sectors.
• South African Research Chair (SARChI) Scholarships: Under the South African Research Chair in South African Art and Visual Culture, UJ offers scholarships for BA Honours, MA, and PhD candidates. These scholarships prioritise black South African women and encourage research topics related to gender, public art, and community art projects. 
• Graça Machel Scholarships: Available to postgraduate female students from Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa, these scholarships support studies in areas critical to regional development, such as health, education, science and technology, economics, and finance. 

Support for Women in Underrepresented Fields

UJ actively encourages women’s participation in disciplines where they have been historically underrepresented:

• Women for STEM Initiative: This programme prepares future female leaders for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It offers resources and support to help women excel in these fields, addressing gender disparities and promoting diversity in STEM industries. 

Institutional Support and Development

To further support women’s advancement within academia, UJ has implemented:

• Accelerated Academic Mentorship Programme (AAMP): Designed to provide mentorship, support, and development opportunities to permanent academic staff, AAMP focuses on creating conditions conducive to advancing academic careers. While it serves all staff, it places particular emphasis on supporting underrepresented groups, including women, to enhance their professional trajectories. 

Through these comprehensive programmes and initiatives, the University of Johannesburg demonstrates its commitment to empowering women, fostering an inclusive academic environment, and promoting gender equality across all levels of the institution.