26 FADA ANNUAL REPORT 2023 TRANSFORMATION Lecturers in the Industrial Design launched the Wom+n In Tech initiative on August 31st. This Industrial Design Department Initiative aims to narrow the gender gap in the design industries by cultivating confidence and community among female students and industry professionals in the design technology space. UJ Arts and Culture’s initiatives offers students opportunities for creativity, self-expression, community building, and stress management. In addition to fostering collaboration and communication skills, extramural programs expose students to diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives, enhancing their overall growth and perspective. While FADA has made progress in increasing Black student enrolment, achieving racial diversity in academic staff has been challenging due to historical demographics and structural inequities. Efforts have been made to address this, including recruiting designated candidates, expanding candidate pools through programs like nGAP and AL appointments, and active mentorship through the AAMP. However, there has been some regression, hindering progress in representivity at departmental and faculty management levels. To mitigate this, FADA will implement a program focusing on cultural awareness, mentoring, and capacity development for staff from designated groups. This builds on existing efforts to increase staff diversity through initiatives like the AAMP programme. Exploration of race, gender, and culture is integral to our work, and we strive to use art, design, and architecture for economic upliftment in communities. In 2023, for example, an interdepartmental research project, titled ‘Unequal Stories,’ was initiated as an undergraduate project between the Departments of Industrial Design and Fashion Design. This project evolved into ‘Intersxns,’ a game that captures the multifaceted student experience influenced by diverse backgrounds and demographics. Through immersive gameplay, the initiative aims to promote empathy and understanding among participants. The success of this collaborative effort has laid the groundwork for further development and expansion into 2024. FADA actively embraces transformation as a core value, influencing teaching, learning, and research across the Faculty.
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