University of Pretoria Claims Historic First in National Creative Scholarship

The University of Pretoria (UP) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by securing the top position in South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) 2024 Creative Research Outputs evaluation. This marks the first time UP has led the national rankings in this category, highlighting its growing prowess in recognizing creative works as legitimate scholarly contributions. In a landscape where traditional research publications often dominate funding discussions, UP's success underscores the value of artistic and innovative outputs in higher education.

This achievement comes at a pivotal moment for South African universities, where government subsidies tied to research performance play a crucial role in sustaining operations amid financial pressures. UP's leadership reflects years of strategic investment in its creative disciplines, setting a new benchmark for peers across the country's 26 public institutions.

Understanding DHET Creative Research Outputs: A Policy Primer

The DHET Creative Research Outputs policy, formally known as the Policy on the Evaluation of Creative Outputs and Innovations Produced by South African Public Higher Education Institutions, was introduced to formally acknowledge artistic and design-based scholarship alongside conventional peer-reviewed articles and books. Implemented since 2020, it evaluates submissions in categories such as music compositions and performances, fine arts exhibitions, design and architectural works, literary works, digital media, and curated exhibitions.

Submissions undergo rigorous external peer review by domain experts, ensuring only high-quality outputs earn subsidy units. Each approved unit translates into direct financial support from the government—typically valued at around R100,000 to R150,000 per unit depending on the weighting—helping universities fund faculty, infrastructure, and student opportunities. This system incentivizes consistent production while promoting diversity in scholarly expression, addressing historical biases toward STEM fields.

In 2024, all 26 public universities participated, submitting outputs from 2021 activities (standard n-3 lag). The evaluation process emphasizes originality, impact, and contextual relevance, with innovations like patents and prototypes also qualifying under a parallel stream.

UP's Dominant Performance: Breaking Down the Categories

UP's top ranking stems from exceptional strength across multiple subfields. In music, the university clinched first place nationally for 2024 outputs, building on a cumulative second-place standing from 2019 to 2024. This includes compositions, recordings, and performances that demonstrate scholarly rigor through notation, recordings, and critical documentation.

Fine arts followed closely, with UP at fifth nationally in 2024 and third cumulatively over six years. Outputs here encompass exhibitions, installations, and artworks subjected to curatorial review and public dissemination. While specific unit scores remain detailed in the full DHET report, UP's portfolio reflects sustained volume and quality, outpacing competitors through institutional support like dedicated galleries and performance venues.

Other contributing categories likely include design works from UP's architecture and industrial design programs, where student and faculty projects often bridge academia and industry. The DHET commended UP's 'mature and consistent engagement,' noting its role in stabilizing national output volumes.

National Rankings and Competitors: How UP Stacks Up

While full 2024 rankings await broader publication, glimpses from institutional reports reveal a competitive field. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) secured fourth place out of 26, trailing Stellenbosch University, University of Johannesburg (UJ), and Rhodes University. Traditional powerhouses like University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) remain strong contenders, often leading in prior years.

Historically, Stellenbosch has dominated music and performing arts, but UP's surge indicates shifting dynamics. In 2023, submissions grew across the board, with total creative units rising as more institutions mature their processes. UP's leap to #1 disrupts this, signaling the efficacy of targeted researcher development and quality assurance.

• Top Contenders (Inferred 2024): 1. UP, 2. Stellenbosch?, 3. UJ/Rhodes?, 4. TUT
• Cumulative Leaders (2019-2024): UP strong in music (#2), fine arts (#3)

This ranking influences not just prestige but tangible funding, with top performers gaining an edge in block grants.

Behind the Success: UP's Strategic Investments in Creative Arts

UP's School of the Arts, housed within the Faculty of Humanities, has been pivotal. Offering degrees in music, visual arts, drama, and design, it fosters an ecosystem where creative practice meets research. Initiatives like artist residencies, interdisciplinary labs, and annual showcases prepare outputs for DHET scrutiny.Explore UP School of the Arts

Professor Sunil Maharaj, UP Vice-Principal for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, emphasized: “At UP, we view creative achievements as more than cultural assets; we see them as a scholarly strength... continuous institutional investment yields national competitiveness.” Internal training on submission processes and peer feedback loops have boosted approval rates.

In context, South African higher education faces subsidy cuts and enrollment pressures; excelling here diversifies revenue streams beyond tuition.

The Funding Ripple Effect: Why These Rankings Matter

DHET subsidies from creative outputs form a key pillar of university budgets, alongside teaching and infrastructure grants. For every approved unit, institutions receive weighted funding—e.g., a major exhibition might yield 1-3 units—directly supporting salaries, equipment, and scholarships.

In a sector where research funding constitutes 15-20% of income, topping rankings like this could net UP millions in extra allocation, enabling expanded programs. Nationally, it promotes balanced scholarship, countering STEM dominance and enriching cultural GDP.

Challenges persist: Low submissions in African languages highlight equity gaps, as noted in prior DHET communiques.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Celebrating a Scholarly Shift

Reactions poured in via social media and announcements. UP's official channels hailed it as 'historic,' while radio bulletins amplified the news. Academics praise the validation of creative labor, often undervalued.

"The mature and consistent engagement of institutions such as UP has been instrumental in building national output volume and system stability." – DHET 2024 Report

For students and faculty, it opens higher ed jobs in arts research, from lecturers to curators.

Challenges and Opportunities in SA's Creative Research Ecosystem

Despite progress, hurdles remain. Few African-language outputs limit inclusivity, per USAf analysis. Peer review bottlenecks and metric focus risk prioritizing quantity over impact.

Opportunities abound: UP's model—integrating arts with research centers—could inspire others. Interdisciplinary collaborations, like arts in sustainability projects, align with national priorities like Nurturing Emerging Scholars Programme (NESP).

• Boost submissions via training
• Embrace digital/hybrid formats
• Link outputs to societal impact metrics

Future Outlook: Sustaining Momentum at UP and Beyond

UP aims to defend its crown through expanded facilities and PhD programs in creative practice. Nationally, DHET may refine weightings for innovations amid AI-driven arts.

For aspiring scholars, this spotlights research jobs blending creativity and academia. As SA eyes knowledge economy growth, creative outputs will fuel cultural innovation.

Photo by Mbuso Mothiba on Unsplash

Career Insights and Next Steps for Creative Researchers

This ranking boosts prospects in South African university jobs, from adjunct roles to professorships. Check Rate My Professor for faculty insights or higher ed career advice on building subsidy-eligible portfolios.

Prospective students: Explore UP's programs via university jobs portals. Institutions: Benchmark against UP to enhance funding.