by Reatlegile Ratlagane
Recognising their significant contribution, the Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Economics celebrated students and staff members for the department’s growth and success in teaching, research, innovation and student engagement during the past year.
The Department described 2025 as its most successful year, reflecting on its milestones, including the establishment of two new Research Chairs, surpassing the department’s research and publication targets by more than 100%, a significant improvement in staff qualifications and one of the department’s Postdoctoral Fellows, Dr Ebenezer Megbowo, receiving an NRF C2 rating.
Student achievements and contribution
Students have contributed in various ways, including tutoring to assist in improving their peers’ academic results, actively participating in the Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) competitions which promotes economic research and policy dialogue in Southern Africa, as well as competing in Chartered Financial Analyst Research Challenge (CFA), an annual global competition that provides hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis, equity research and professional ethics to students.
This year’s group who participated in the CFA competition improved obtained a 7th place, one up on the department’s 8th place position in 2024. Thanking the team for their dedication, the Department’s Dr Keogile Kobedi commended the Economics students’ commitment and outstanding performance in the finance and investment competition. She complimented their resilience and adaptability in tackling new challenges outside their usual field of study. “Although we are not where we want to be, we are definitely not where we used to be. We all know what it took for us to obtain the position and we are confident that next year we will reach even greater heights.”
The tutors were also appreciated for their crucial role in bridging the gap between lecturers and students, providing additional academic support and engaging with students at their own level.
Special recognition
The Head of the Department, Prof Mulatu Zerihun, presented a special award of appreciation to Londani Mukhethwa, a Statistician Analyst at the Directorate of Research and Innovation, for his support in assisting postgraduate students within the department with their research.
“Our success this year is the result of shared vision, teamwork and perseverance. The Department of Economics is growing stronger each year, but the best is yet to come,” Prof Zerihun commented.
The celebration reflected on staff and students’ progress, highlighting how their individual achievements have greatly contributed to the growth of the department.
Award recipients from the Department of Economics, with HoD, Prof Mulatu Zerihun