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UFS to host inaugural ‘Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year’ gala event

16 October 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

The Department of Economics and Finance, within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with Sanlam and Santam, will host the inaugural ‘Sanlam & Santam Economist of the Year’ competition gala event on 18 October 2024. The event, to be held on the UFS Bloemfontein campus, marks the exciting conclusion of this prestigious competition.

About the competition

Prof Johan Coetzee, Chairperson of the Department of Economics and Finance at UFS, explained that the competition, launched in July 2024, is an initiative of the department, sponsored by Sanlam and Santam. ‘’The competition aims to equip our graduates with the essential skills required for the modern workplace, including presentation, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills,” said Prof Coetzee. He also highlighted plans to extend the competition to schools, saying, “We are looking forward to broadening the platform to include school-level participants.”

In addition, Prof Coetzee noted that the competition is designed to train students to become highly skilled economists capable of navigating the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The competition sees students - ranging from first-year undergraduates to those pursuing master's qualifications within the department - competing against each other by making predictions on key macroeconomic indicators. A schedule of these indicators is provided, and students must predict their values on an online platform before the official release of each indicator. Points are awarded based on the accuracy of their predictions, with the top 10 competitors progressing to the final stage.

Gala event highlights

Representatives from Sanlam and Santam, the Department of Economics and Finance, the top 10 finalists, and the department’s top academic performers from each year group will attend the gala event. “Besides recognising the competition winners, we will also honour our top academic achievers. As a department, we acknowledge the importance of recognition, and we are proud to be the academic home of these outstanding students,” Prof Coetzee added.

The top 10 finalists will each deliver a six-minute presentation to a panel of four economists from the department, after which the top three finalists will be announced. These finalists will then answer an additional question, and the final judging will determine the winner of the ‘Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year’ title. The winner will also receive the largest cash prize.

In addition to the awards, Sivuyile Nzimeni, a data analyst within the EMS faculty and the developer of the competition platform, will address the audience. Nzimene will discuss the development of the platform and plans for its expansion.

News Archive

Additional and ad hoc examinations as well as results

2017-01-11

Additional Examination

Additional examinations will be arranged for students who are unable to write the main examination during the period 24 November 2016 to 14 December 2016 (excluding the Faculty of Health Sciences).

The additional examinations will take place from 4 January 2017 to 16 January 2017.
Application forms are available at the Examination Department and online at KovsieLife.

Closing date for all additional examination applications: 14 December 2016.
The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.

Procedure:
•   Completed applications will be handed in at the Examination Department.
•   The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.
•   Students must refer to the official examination timetable for their personal timetable.

For more information, please contact Anneline Dyers on dyersaf@ufs.ac.za

Ad hoc Examinations

Ad hoc examinations will be arranged for students who are unable to write the main and additional examinations in the periods 24 November to 14 December and 4 January 2017 to 16 January 2017, respectively (excluding the Faculty of Health Sciences).

The ad hoc examinations will take place from 23 to 27 January 2017.
Application forms are available at the Examination Department.

Closing date for all ad hoc applications: 14 December 2016.
The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.

Procedure:
•   Completed applications must be handed in at the Examination Department.
•   The Examination Department will electronically send applications, including supporting documents, to the respective deans and the Registrar (Governance) for approval.
•   The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.
•   The Examination Department will arrange a venue for the examinations.

For more information, please contact Alfredine Majiedt on majiedtay@ufs.ac.za

Results

Provisional examination results for the main and additional examinations will be posted onto a student’s record seven (7) working days after the relevant examination. Should students require their provisional results, they may access it via Self-Service on KovsieLife.

Official examination results will only be available on 1 February 2017.

For more information, please contact Edwin Crouch on crouchej@ufs.ac.za

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