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26 May 2022 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo istock
The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State is pleased to announce its affiliation with the prestigious American-based Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute of Investment and Financial Professionals. The affiliation of the Bachelor of Commerce in Investment Management and Banking with the CFA programme demonstrates that the programme embeds a significant portion of the intensive CFA programme’s candidate body of knowledge (CBK) and standards of professional conduct. This reflects the rigour and value of our degree programme in the field of investment and portfolio management.  

“The affiliation signals to potential students, employers, and the marketplace that the UFS BCom Investment Management and Banking curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well-suited to prepare students for a brighter carrier in the investment field and better placed to sit for the CFA examinations,” says Dr Nico Keyser, the Head of the Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the UFS.
Through participation in this programme, the university is eligible to receive CFA programme student scholarships each year, thereby massively contributing to the much-needed skill set of well-grounded financial analysts who can take our financial sector to new heights.

According to Dr Keyser, aligning the UFS degree programme with the CFA curriculum will equip students with the expertise and real-world skills in investment analysis that will set them apart from other institutions and peers. “We encourage our students to pursue professional certification that distinguishes them in the market and enhances their job execution skills, innovation, and employability,” says Dr Keyser. 

The CFA programme is an international postgraduate, globally recognised professional designation offered by the American-based CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals. To become a CFA charter holder, candidates are required to pass three exam levels covering the fundamentals of investments tools, valuing assets, portfolio management and wealth planning, and acceptable work experience to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation.   

The CFA Institute is the world's largest association of investment professionals. Members attain the prestigious designation of 'Chartered Financial Analyst', and many hold prominent roles in leading investment firms in financial centres worldwide. 

“Aligning our programme with the CFA code of ethics and standard of professional conduct sets us apart in terms of preparing graduates who are ethically grounded and ready to execute their duties in an ethical and professional manner, which is a major necessity in the financial analysis and investment field. The affiliation is part of our continued commitment to promoting the highest standards of ethics and professional excellence in our investment graduates, which is one of the tenets of the CFA curriculum in grounding investment professionals for better functioning capital markets,” adds Keyser.  


News Archive

UFS appoints first black woman director
2006-05-03

 The Executive Management of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) has approved the appointment of Mrs Refiloe Seane as Director of Kovsie Student Counselling, and Dr Francois Strydom as Director of Student Development. 

Ms Seane is the first black woman director to be appointed at the UFS and has been acting in this position since last year.

“Mrs Seane’s appointment is the latest in a series of appointments of women in management positions at the UFS.  It signifies our commitment to create a diverse and dynamic institution of higher learning,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Other appointments of women in management positions include that of Prof Magda Fourie as Vice-Rector:  Academic Planning; Prof Letticia Moja as Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences; Dr Choice Makhetha as Vice-Dean:  Student Affairs and Prof Engela Pretorius as Vice-Dean: Humanities. 

Mrs Seane joined the UFS in 1997 as counselling psychologist at Kovsie Counselling.  In 2003 she was promoted to senior psychologist. She holds a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at the UFS.

“The need for students to receive counselling is steadily on the increase.  I contribute this to the increasing challenges facing young people of today.  Some of the issues we deal with include among others personal adjustment to the university environment, learning and study skills, career guidance and developmental and psychological problems,” said Mrs Seane.

“I commit myself to develop students and prepare them for their studies and careers ahead. My aim is to improve the efficiency of counselling services at the UFS.  This will help produce balanced graduates who will become role players both nationally and internationally,” said Mrs Seane.

Dr Francois Strydom has been appointed as Head/Director for Kovsie Student Development.  Before his appointment Dr Strydom was senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand’s (WITS) School of Human and Community Development.  He holds a Ph D in Psychology from Oxford University, after having obtained a BA degree, BA Honours and master’s degrees in Psychology at the UFS.

“This appointment signals the elevation of the function of student development to directorate level for the first time. It reflects the commitment of the University to support students and their academic development in order to improve their academic success rates. The increase of success rates of especially black students from disadvantaged school backgrounds is a key element of the transformation process of the UFS,” said Prof Fourie.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
2 May 2006

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