Progress in transforming a health sciences postgraduate cohort in a south african research-intensive institution, 2008–2017

BACKGROUND: Equity redress in the higher education and health sectors is a global discourse that seeks to address the inequalities caused by past discrimination practices. The apartheid regime in South Africa fragmented both the higher education and the health sectors, creating White and male dominated systems. Consequently, Black Africans and females were under-represented in these sectors. Furthermore, the provision of higher education including medical training was unequal between the different populations. As democracy was established in South Africa in 1994, it is necessary to assess whether transformation in population affinity and sex of postgraduate students in the higher education and health sector has occurred, as these individuals are crucial for providing the future academic workforce and also healthcare to the public. METHODS: The demographic profile of postgraduate students graduating in a health sciences facility in South Africa over the period 2008–2017 was retrospectively assessed. Survival analysis models were used to investigate the time taken to graduate. Log-rank tests were used to compare the completion rates. RESULTS: More females (53.3%) than males (41.9%) completed their postgraduate degree over the period 2008–2017 (p˂0.0001). In relation to population affinity, more White students (56.4%) than Black African students (40.8%) completed their degrees overall (p˂0.0001). CONCLUSION: While transformation occurred in the sex of graduating students over the ten year period, the same change has not occurred with regards to population affinity. The under-representation of Black African graduates is a major setback for efforts to diversify the South African higher education and health sectors. Transformation of the demographic profile of postgraduate students at South African institutions is vital for developing individuals who will contribute to equitable redress of academic staff in the higher education sector and also of the healthcare workforce. Diversified health personnel including highly skilled clinician scientists will aid in improving the provision of health care to communities particularly the underpriviledged rural areas, and also assist in training the next generation of healthcare staff. The challenges identified in this study may assist other countries where adequate transformation of the education and health sectors has not occurred. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-023-04691-6.