On 18 February 2025, a distinguished group of academics gathered at the Fireroom, Montecasino, for the exclusive AICPA & CIMA event, Accelerate & Lead: Dinner with Academics. Hosted by Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, President of CIMA and Chairman of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the evening provided an invaluable platform for thought-provoking discussions on the evolving landscape of financial education and the role of academic institutions in shaping future financial leaders.

The event was attended by Prof Babs Surujlal (Executive Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Prof Heleen Janse van Vuuren (Director of the School of Accounting Sciences), Prof Sanlie Middelberg (CIMA Champion in the School of Accounting Sciences), and Prof Jaco Fouché (Programme Leader for Management Accountancy). Their presence underlined the importance of collaboration between the NWU, industry and the CIMA in advancing management accounting education.

Beyond the formal discussions, the dinner fostered a collaborative and engaging atmosphere, allowing academics to exchange ideas, expand their professional networks, and explore potential partnerships. The event reaffirmed CIMA’s commitment to strengthening the links between academic institutions and the global finance profession, ensuring that finance education remains innovative, industry-aligned and future-focused.

NWU’s Management Accountancy programme, one of the first in South Africa to be accredited by CIMA, has also once again achieved outstanding results in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Management Case Study exams. In 2024, NWU students achieved an impressive pass rate of 88% – well above the global average of 65%. This follows a consistent track record of excellence with 83% in 2023 (global average 65%), 87% in 2022 (global average 71%) and 85% in 2021 (global average 73%).