DHET Issues New "Supervisor Wellness" Mandate Following National Survey

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has released a new policy framework aimed at overhauling the doctoral supervision experience. Following the 2025 National Graduate Wellbeing Survey, which indicated that 62% of SSH PhD students experienced "chronic isolation," the DHET will now mandate "Supervisor Wellness and Emotional Intelligence" training for all faculty overseeing postgraduate students. The policy introduces a "Supervision Ratio Cap," ensuring no single academic can supervise more than five doctoral candidates at once. Furthermore, the DHET is introducing a "Conflict Resolution Protocol" that allows students to petition for a change of supervisor without academic prejudice—a move long sought by student unions. While some faculty members have expressed concerns about the increased administrative burden, the Academy welcomes the move as a vital step toward healthier research environments. For students, this signals a shift from a purely transactional academic relationship to a more holistic mentorship model, potentially reducing the high attrition rates currently plaguing the South African humanities sector.