On 1 August 2025, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of Pretoria (UP) hosted the second edition of the EMS Postgraduate Day, aimed at showcasing the research of postgraduate students across various disciplines.

Themed “Responsible and Impactful Research”, the event highlighted the importance of ethical conduct in modern-day research, shaped by innovation and technological advancements in education. Prof Karin Barac, Deputy Dean for Research and Postgraduate Affairs at the Faculty of EMS, explained that this year’s theme aimed to provide students with valuable insights on conducting ethical and impactful research that addresses some of society's most pressing issues.

“This annual event provides a valuable platform to celebrate the work of our postgraduate students, to learn from one another, and to reflect on the responsibility we share as researchers to produce work that is not only academically rigorous, but socially relevant and ethically grounded,” she said.

With the increasing rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in many sectors, including education, a highlight of the day was a thought-provoking panel discussion on the influence of AI on postgraduate studies. The discussion, featuring UP academics and AI experts Prof Hanlie Smuts, Dr Thambo Nyathi and Dr Sean Kruger, unpacked its ethical application in research and postgraduate studies.

In true EMS tradition, the event also presented an opportunity for the Faculty to recognise and congratulate its recent PhD graduates. The session culminated in a panel discussion with four PhD graduates, Dr Bokang Vumbukani Lepolesa (Economics), Dr Janel Viljoen (Taxation), Dr Lanise van der Burgh (Accounting) and Dr Mafanedza Makumbi (Tourism Management), who shared their experiences of their PhD journey and passed words of encouragement to those on the journey or aspiring to pursue PhD studies one day.

To showcase their research, master’s students presented their research in three minutes,  while PhD students presented theirs in five minutes to the audience, who judged the students based on their presentations. Students also had an opportunity to participate in a poster competition, where they showcased their research and engaged peers and academics on their work.

The event concluded with a prize-giving ceremony recognising the best oral and poster presentations in both the master’s and PhD categories. These prizes were generously sponsored by Momentum, with representatives from the organisation presenting the awards to the winners.

Prof Barac expressed her gratitude to Momentum for the continued support that has helped to recognise the outstanding research of postgraduate students in the Faculty.

“Thank you to Momentum for their generous sponsorship, which has added value to the purpose of the day and contributed to postgraduate scholarship in our Faculty. This sponsorship not only helps us to reward and recognise excellence, but also to motivate students to pursue their postgraduate journeys with passion and purpose,” she said.