Academics at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) recently published their findings on a study where they examined the critical importance of ethical values for future leaders in South African higher learning institutions, focusing on academic jealousy.

Prof. Pakiso Makhoahle, Senior Lecturer: Health Sciences; Dr Tshepo Teele, Postdoctoral Researcher and Dr Zenzile Khetsha, Senior Lecturer: Agriculture at CUT, state that Higher Education (HE) institutions play a pivotal role in shaping society; therefore, future leaders need a strong ethical foundation to navigate academic complexities. Adding that academic jealousy, characterized by undermining peers due to envy, threatens academic integrity and progress.

The authors conducted a desktop and literature study using a scoping review approach, emphasizing cognitive distortion variables contributing to academic envy and key global ethical leadership principles. The literature revealed the roots, manifestations, and detrimental impacts of academic jealousy on individuals and institutions.

The review reveals a concerning trend of academic jealousy within higher learning institutions in South Africa, which poses a significant threat to the ethical integrity and overall functioning of these institutions. The prevalence of academic jealousy, characterized by actions such as the sabotage of colleagues' work, spreading false information, and hindrance of academic progress, undermines the collaborative spirit that is essential for academic growth and innovation. This issue is worsened by a lack of strong ethical leadership and inadequate mechanisms to address unethical behaviour effectively.

Recommendations to curb this include establishing a Code of Conduct with strict enforcement mechanisms, implementing Ethical Leadership Training Programmes run by HE Leadership and Management (HELM). Also, Institutions must establish or reinforce a clear code of conduct that explicitly addresses issues related to academic jealousy, and there should be regular assessments of the ethical climate within institutions.

The study indicates that immediate action on these recommendations is crucial for safeguarding the integrity and future success of South Africa's Higher Education institutions.