Big help for small business

Katie Kironde, who passed her BCom Econometrics and honours degrees at UP with distinction in 2014 and 2015, has completed her MSc in Economics at the London School of Economics (LSE), graduating with merit.

Undertaking her master’s degree at the LSE was a dream come true, she says, given the fact that 18 Nobel Prizes in economics, peace and literature have been awarded to LSE alumni and staff.

Katie notes that UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences laid the solid foundation on which she could build at the LSE.

“At undergraduate level I took advanced modules in both Mathematical Statistics and Economics, which prepared me well for the level of rigour that I encountered during my master’s degree. I particularly liked the fact that the degree at UP was broad enough initially to allow me to be exposed to multiple disciplines before it became more focused at the honours level.”

Armed with the technical tools she had acquired in her four years at UP, she decided to select the Macroeconomics course at LSE, Pieter Scribante, a top alumnus of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences’ Department of Economics, has received the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to pursue an MSc degree in Political Science and Political Economy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

The Chevening Scholarship develops the future leaders of the world, by connecting them and enabling them to study a one-year master’s degree in the UK. The Scholarship values intellectual, professional, and personal development, and specifically targets working professionals.

These qualities and values are why Pieter applied to the Chevening Scholarship and he was officially informed of his acceptance on 16 June which turned out to be her favourite module, together with the International Finance elective.

Outside of the classroom at the LSE, she particularly enjoyed the guest lecture series that occurred throughout the academic year, which featured prominent economists, policy-makers and politicians. “Esther Duflo, the second woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics to date, gave a talk at the university a week after she received the prestigious award!”

Going to the LSE had always seemed like a far-fetched dream, but hard work, a support system, great references from a globally recognised institute like UP and a lot of luck helped her realise the dream.

Given her interest in Macroeconomics and Finance, she hopes to explore a career path that enables her to further her understanding of those disciplines whilst leveraging off her previous experience in retail banking and asset management. 2020, his 27th birthday. Since his first year at university, he always wanted to study overseas, to gain the knowledge and experience which comes with studying outside one’s own country. However, due to financial constraints, this was impossible without a bursary. “Nevertheless, I used my time at the

University of Pretoria very well; I completed four degrees in eight years and finished my master’s degree in Economics (cum laude) in 2018. I was encouraged to apply for the Chevening

Scholarship by some of my past classmates and friends, who were all part of the Chevening alumni.”

After completing his degree, Pieter intends to return to South Africa, with the plan to bring Her advice to current students is to be intentional from the get-go about your academics and your friendships or networks. “Firstly, network with people from different faculties and through them learn about other fields. This will help you be a more well-rounded individual. Secondly, try to socialise not only with your year group, but those in years above and below yours too – this helps you build a professional network in a very informal setting. Finally, figure out how to strike the balance between having fun, making lifelong friends and doing your best academically.”

Kironde believes UP is one of the leading universities on the continent and brings together a diverse and brilliant set of minds. “Soak in the beauty of the Hatfield Campus and use those crucial years to explore the legacy you would like to build both professionally and in your personal life.”

Author: Petronel Fourie interdisciplinary and data-driven approaches to the policy formulation process in the African context.

“My studies at the LSE will empower me as a future policymaker in Africa, allowing me to better understand the interactions between governance, globalisation, and development in emerging economies,” he adds.

The Chevening Scholarship application entailed an online application, four essays, an English language test, and an interview application. He also had to apply to three UK universities, and be accepted by at least one. Scribante was accepted by all three universities: London School of Economics (LSE), King’s College, and the University of Essex.

Scribante completed degrees in both economics and politics at the University of Pretoria, starting with the BCom Economics in 2012. Thereafter, he completed two honours

Hanre Erasmus, an alumnus of UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, achieved third place in the world in the February 2020 sitting of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ (CIMA’s) Strategic Case Study exam. The pass rate for this specific exam was 52%.

“I can’t describe the sense of accomplishment after hearing about my placing. I didn’t expect this at all, but it is a welcome addition to my academic journey,” he says.

The CIMA Strategic Case Study exam takes place four times a year and is the last exam to be written before a CIMA student can apply for full membership to the professional body. Participants have to pass the Operational and Managerial levels of the qualification, and three subjects on the Strategic level, before being able to sit the Strategic Case Study.

CIMA tries to simulate a real-life scenario by providing a case study of a company within a specific industry. In the case study, CIMA provides industry information, financial information, company structure degrees, one in International Relations and one in Economics (cum laude), followed by a master’s in Economics (cum laude). During this time, he worked as a tutor in the Department of Politics for one year, and two years as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Economics.

He believes that a well-rounded education includes learning inside and outside the classroom, and UP gave him the perfect platform for this holistic educational experience. While studying, he was very active on campus, partaking in several societies, being an and management of the company. This helps prepare for the exam.

“On exam day, you have to prepare for a three-hour computer-based exam which includes, on average, six long questions. Additional unseen information is provided on exam day, which forms the base of the questions. The real-life simulation continues with questions in the form of e-mails from board members and other members of management, memo’s or meeting discussions to be held.”

The aim is to test business skills, technical skills, people skills and leadership skills. To pass, CIMA requires proficiency in all four of these areas.

Erasmus’s CIMA journey started with the CIMA Global Business Challenge, which was used as his group’s final year Financial Management project.

“My lecturer at the time, Ms Viljoen, introduced us to CIMA with this project.

Our group went on to win the South African leg of the Global Business Challenge, which active member of House Mopanie, serving as the Chairperson of the Student Culture Committee (STUKU), and serving on the Student Representative Council (SRC).

“My education at the University of Pretoria plays a vital role in my current success and my future career as an economist and policymaker. The Department of Economics gave me a holistic education and has world-class lecturers, who constantly challenge you, and expand your knowledge, and provide you with all the tools you need to succeed.” gave us the opportunity to participate in India against participants from other countries. Ms Viljoen assisted us through the journey and if it wasn’t for her, and the University of Pretoria, I probably wouldn’t have pursued the CIMA journey. On an academic level, the skill to approach problems holistically and technical skills taught by the university and Ms Viljoen provided the best base any CIMA student can ask for,” he notes.

He attempted the Operational level in 2015. “During the five years, I had to stop with my studies due to professional responsibilities, and had to restart again. In 2019 I started with the Strategic level of the qualification and completed three individual subjects’ examinations. I then started to prepare in September 2019 for the SCS exam in February 2020.”

Hanre’s passion lies with strategic insight and an integrated and holistic approach to business and his future plans include assisting his company with international expansion. He

is also considering an MBA qualification.

UP’s Department of Economics is recognised for its excellence by several international rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.