Prestigious Award for UP Alumnus

Benjamin Mbana, who graduated with a BCom(Hons) in Taxation from the University of Pretoria in 2012, was announced as the worthy winner of the International Ernst & Young (EY) Young Tax Professional of the Year 2014 in Amsterdam in December 2014. Benjamin also received the South African EY Young Tax Professional of the Year award for 2014.

In addition to Benjamin's achievement, the University of Pretoria also produced the two runners-up in the South African EY Young Tax Professional of the Year Competition 2014. Catherine Bailey finished in second place and Shirleen Ritchie in third place in the South African chapter of the competition. Both are currently MCom students in Taxation at the University of Pretoria. Of the 13 finalists, 11 studied or are still studying at UP. These finalists are exemplary ambassadors for the Department of Taxation by living the vision of the Department to be inspired thought leaders in taxation generating quality knowledge that is recognised internationally for its impact.

This competition aims to identify leading young talent in taxation globally.

Upon hearing the news of Benjamin’s international victory, Jim Deiotte, EY Africa Tax leader, said: ‘We are very proud of Ben and his accomplishments, the entire practice is celebrating his achievement. Ben is becoming an accomplished tax practitioner, a professional who is much sought after owing to his work ethic and diverse experience.’

Cleedon Botha, EY Director for Tax, says: ‘This competition is playing a huge role in elevating the tax profession and encouraging students to study further in tax. Tax professionals are a scarce resource in South Africa and we are seeking to attract passionate and energetic students to the profession. We congratulate Benjamin on this award.’

UP selected by Carnegie Fellowship Program to host an African Diaspora Scholar

The University of Pretoria (UP) was selected by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (Carnegie ADF Program) to host an African diaspora scholar from the United States.

The University of Pretoria project is one of 59 projects that will pair African diaspora scholars with higher education institutions in Africa to collaborate on curriculum co-development, research, graduate teaching, training and mentoring. Prof Brenda Louw is one of 60 African diaspora scholars who have been awarded a fellowship to travel to Africa to conduct projects. The projects span an impressive range of fields across the arts and humanities, social sciences, education, sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Prof Louw will be involved in a collaborative project on introducing new clinical measures for communication assessment developed within the framework of the ICF-CY (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Children & Youth Version).

This innovative fellowship programme facilitates engagement between scholars born in Africa who are now based in the United States or Canada and scholars in Africa on mutually beneficial academic activities.

Prof Brenda Louw