Seeking to reinvigorate partnerships with universities and explore collaborative opportunities with students, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) visited the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) on 30 October 2024.
“This is not a one-time event; we plan to hold similar outreach programmes more frequently in the future,” said Mr Rowan Walter, the Divisional Head of SARB’s Modelling Development within its Economic Research Department.
The visit was part of the central bank’s Talk-to-the-SARB roadshow, which is designed to engage with key stakeholders and promote dialogue and collaboration within the academic community.
The event provided students with valuable insights into career opportunities at the SARB and within the financial sector and raised the possibility of collaborating with students on smaller projects in the areas of model development, forecasting and research. Such interactions will enable students to enhance their academic work by integrating both theoretical and practical aspects of the central bank's operations.
These collaborations will open doors for NWU students as the SARB maintains close collaborations with the University of Pretoria, the University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University, particularly through its Bureau of Economic Research. It hires recent graduates from these institutions and provides them with opportunities to work within the Bureau of Economics for one year. This arrangement allows the graduates to acquire practical experience and insights from seasoned professionals, which they can subsequently apply within their respective institutions.
Furthermore, the bank offers graduate programmes that enable recent honours and master’s graduates to apply for internships or graduate placements at the central bank for one year, fostering professional development and knowledge transfer.
Professor Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-Chancellor for Community Engagement and Campus Operations at Mahikeng Campus, expressed her appreciation for this initiative.
“The visit from the SARB inspired and informed students, enhancing their enthusiasm for the diverse career opportunities available in central banking and related sectors,” she said. “Such events play a crucial role in strengthening the connection between academic training and professional pathways, thereby enriching the future workforce of South Africa’s economy.”
Students and staff listen attentively to the presentations.
At the SARB roadshow are, from left, Prof Gisele Mah (NWU), Mr Nic Spearman (SARB), Prof Ntebo Moroke (NWU), Mr Rowan Walter (SARB), Prof Daniel Metsileng (NWU), Prof Sonia Swanepoel NWU), Ms Sumaiya Sidat (SARB) and Nimrot Lidovho (SARB)
Mr Rowan Walter of SARB and the NWU’s Prof Daniel Metsileng during the presentations
