Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences - Stellenbosch University

Dr Sharon Malan recently hosted the Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Mariana Kühnel and Trade Commissioner Martin Meischl, for a conversation on the future of education, examining new learning methods in a post-COVID world, the transformative impact of AI on university assessments, and the evolving role of universities over the next two decades. Dr Malan, Programme Leader: Extended Curriculum Programme within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences - Stellenbosch University was joined by Lennox Olivier, Advisor Higher Education - Learning Technologies and Programme Renewal at the Stellenbosch University - Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences and Dr Hanelie Adendorff, Senior Advisor at the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Two Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences - Stellenbosch University students recently emerged as winners in the 2024 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge. Third-year Economics student Marnus Kotze and second-year BAcc student Thomas Theron, who teamed up as Koffie & Beskuit 2.0, took the top spot in the university Speculator Portfolio category. The JSE Investment Challenge tests participants’ share trading skills through a simulated virtual trading programme. Each team is given an imaginary sum of R1 000 000 to invest in JSE-listed companies over a six-month period. Their performance is tracked and measured in a competition against other teams taking part in the Challenge. To be crowned the winner, a team must have the highest return at the end of the competition. Koffie & Beskuit 2.0 realised a 20% growth (from R1 000 000 to R1 200 000) over the course of the six months. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/drVus4_h

We will be hosting world renowned scholar, Prof. Ananta Kumar Giri, from Madras Institute of Development Studies and full member of the Club of Rome, for a hybrid seminar entitled "Integral development and social healing: pathways for a relational and planetary future, which will focus on development approaches, transformative social healing and co-creation. The seminar takes place on Thursday 21 November 2024, at 10am - noon (12pm), in-person and online (Microsoft Teams). Register at https://lnkd.in/dJhPDpsc. Registration is essential.

Professor Ingrid Woolard has been appointed to the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.    On this exciting appointment she shared: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed by President Ramaphosa to PEAC. It is a privilege to serve our country at such a pivotal time, and I look forward to collaborating with fellow experts to help shape policies that drive inclusive growth and sustainable development for all South Africans”. Prof Woolard is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences - Stellenbosch University.   According to the President in the letter of appointment, “the PEAC’s mandate, under this administration, will be to provide strategic and evidence-based advice on economic policy to advise my Cabinet on policy decisions that promote economic growth and inclusivity”.     Beyond an extensive list of publications on poverty and inequality, social protection and redistributive fiscal policy, Prof Woolard served on the Employment Conditions Commission from 2008 to 2014 and on the Davis Tax Committee from 2014 to 2018.     She is a Research Fellow of the Institute for the Study of Labour based in Bonn; a Senior Research Associate at the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research in Helsinki; a Research Associate of the Commitment to Equity Institute at Tulane University in New Orleans; Board Member of the Partnership for Economic Policy in Kenya; and Honorary Professor of Economics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Stellenbosch University #EconomicPolicy

Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu, Director of the School of Public Leadership, recently delivered his inaugural lecture titled: “Ambidexterity in public-service leadership: A case study of South Africa’s Government of National Unity". Prof Ndevu spoke to the Stellenbosch University Corporate Communication and Marketing Division about the importance of professionalising the public sector for effective service delivery. "My research focuses on how public service institution's function. The idea is to understand the performance of the three spheres of government. The aim of my research is to make a positive impact on society by focusing on public leadership, performance management and ethics in the public sector. My interest was mainly driven by the realisation that public service is a very important enabler, and it has a crucial role in service delivery (basic services) to our communities. The reports of the Auditor-General every year paint a very disturbing picture of the sector, which was a worry for me and created the need to do something about this issue." Read more: https://lnkd.in/d4wXtgsg #stellenboschuniversity #publicsector #leadership

The Centre for Sustainability Transitions will host its first career dialogue and we're inviting CST alumni to join us. The first dialogue will focus on the Just Energy Transition and highlight the demand for skilled professionals in the South African just energy sector. CST alum - Gcinile Mahlangu, Pr. Eng, Principal Renewable Energy Ecosystems at Anglo American; Jack-Vincent Radmore, Programme Manager: Energy at GreenCape; Michelle Cruywagen, Senior Trust Transition and Local Campaign Manager at GroundWork; and Alboricah Rathupetsane, PhD candidate and Junior Researcher at the CST - will be speakers and will offer insights into how you can transfer knowledge learnt from our postgraduate programmes. Date: 7 November 2024 Time: 1pm - 2pm In-person: 19 Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch Online: Zoom Register for the dialogue at https://lnkd.in/daj76Z8Z before 5 November.

Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu, the Director of the School of Public Leadership at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences - Stellenbosch University will deliver his inaugural lecture titled, "Ambidexterity in public-service leadership: A case study of South Africa’s Government of National Unity" on 05 November 2024 at 17:30 SAST (Room 1046, Van der Sterr Building). An inaugural lecture is a formal event for newly appointed professors or those who have been promoted to full professor where they can share their knowledge, scientific discoveries and even personal journeys in their respective fields with the public and the academic community. To join the lecture in-person or online, RSVP via this link: https://lnkd.in/dzvwnVTK

Yesterday the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences - Stellenbosch University held its annual research day, ably organized by Jaco Franken at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study. The 33 presentations represent only the tip of the iceberg of the curious and critical engagement with relevant topics taking place in our faculty. From using AI to coach, to using machine learning to predict investor behavior, from modeling the education and road systems, to historical explorers and the long run economic effects of Bible translation, mental health, directional statistics, global maps of environmental regime shifts and a new fine wine index and yes... insights about sleep, chocolate and TikTok! Prof Euan Phimister of Stellenbosch Business School gave a highly entertaining keynote address, taking us through the winding but rewarding road of a research career. He reminded us that research should be fun, even if we have to navigate many constraints. Our dean, Prof Ingrid Woolard gave us an overview of the significant problems related to inequality in southern Africa, giving us a glimpse into her illustrious career before she starts her new chapter at the University of Sussex Business School Watch this space for more...

Prof Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs, co-director of the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) and holder of the DST/NRF South African Chair in Social-Ecological Systems and Resilience was recently elected as a member of the prestigious Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). As a member, Biggs will receive invitations to conferences, symposia and seminars and to serve on academy panels and committees, among others. “It is always a pleasure to be recognised for your scientific standing and contribution. It’s also great that one is seen as someone that can helpfully advise on policy and relevant issues within one’s domain,” she said of her election as a member of ASSAf. “I also see it as an honour for the CST to have its senior researchers recognised as leading national and international experts who can be called upon to give input on issues of national importance. Being recognised by bodies like ASSAf helps to give weight to one’s opinion and input on processes.” As a NRF A-rated researcher who aims to develop practical theory, methods and insights that can ultimately contribute to facilitating transitions to more sustainable futures in Southern Africa, there is no doubt that Biggs has a lot to offer the Academy. “My expertise around sustainability transitions and social ecological systems thinking, a cutting edge, emerging area of research, has a lot to offer in terms of key sustainability and equity challenges facing society,” she said. “I hope I can bring some of that thinking in where it might be useful and needed.”