Data is the new gold in the digital age and data-driven decision-making is widely used in sectors from banking and finance to the law and telecommunications.

The North-West University (NWU) Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI), which is highly regarded across data-driven industries, hosted the 2025 Business Mathematics and Informatics (BMI) Prestige Awards to honour students whose academic performance and industry-focused research stood out across its BMI programme.

Held on 9 May at the Kleinbosch venue in Potchefstroom, this year’s awards brought together students, faculty, alumni and industry sponsors to acknowledge achievements in actuarial science, quantitative risk management and business analytics. The event aimed to highlight the programme’s role in preparing students for data-driven decision-making in various sectors.

The awards focused on students’ ability to apply mathematical models and research to real-world industry challenges, and how they bridge theory and practice through industry-directed projects, research components and professional development.

The event was made possible through the continued sponsorship from and collaboration with leading companies such as Investec, Absa and data solutions provider SAS. These partnerships play a role in supporting the development of technical skills among students and advancing the impact of data science in financial and business environments.

As part of its ongoing investment in future professionals, the CBMI reaffirmed its commitment to producing graduates equipped for analytical roles across sectors that rely on quantitative insight.

2025 BMI prestige award winners

· Best first-year project: Wian Landman

· Best third-year BMI student – Vanderbijlpark Campus: Venuschka Kloppers

· Best third-year BMI student – Potchefstroom Campus: Magdalena Johanna Gonin

· Best BMI honours BA student: Zandile Gertrude Madondo · Best BMI honours Quantitative Risk Management (QRM) student: Leasha Louwrens

· Best BMI honours actuarial student: Martin Marius Landman

· Best industry-directed research project: Maroché Viljoen

· Best MSc BMI student: Johan Adam Rossouw

Congratulations to the 2025 BMI prestige award winners!