On the 7th of March, the Crypto Giants visited the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) College where they were given presentations on the application of mathematics in the financial world.  On their arrival, they received a warm welcome from their enthusiastic and passionate hosts before the presentations started. 

The aim of the trip was to expose students to an environment where mathematics is applied in our everyday lives and in this case, in the financial world.  The applications of mathematics are numerous but none as intriguing and alluring as the financial applications of mathematics.

The students received presentations on Applied Mathematics in:

• Financial Markets (presented by Ziets Botha)
• Financial Risk Management (presented by Puben Govender)
• Econometric Modelling(presented by Melvin Khomo).

They learnt about the main functions of the Reserve Bank and got a better understanding of why certain skills were needed in the day-to-day running of the bank.  The group was also able to ask questions on the types of careers they could enter, not just at the Reserve Bank, but as mathematics students at the Banking world.  They also learned about the different models that are used in pricing securities such as government bonds and other investments.

Although the experience at the bank was short, the students experienced the visit as very fruitful and would like to thank their hosts for the warm welcome and for their time.

“I would like to thank the South African Reserve Bank for the opportunity that they gave us.  It is to our students’ advantage to learn about the applications of mathematics in an early stage of their careers.  We are looking forward to work with the Reserve Bank in future” says Dr Mokhwetha Mabula, the Crypto Giants’ team leader.

“Hosting the exciting and enthusiastic Crypto Giants was good indeed.  Such eagerness to learn and passion will ensure they have bright futures”  Melvin Khomo of the SARB.