Leoné Walters	Mariska Steyn

Mariska Steyn, a master’s degree student in Econometrics, received a BCom (Econometrics) degree cum laude from the University of Pretoria in 2012. An honours degree in Econometrics, also cum laude, followed in 2013. She is currently doing a master’s in Econometrics and is particularly interested in development economics with reference to developing nations and how historic factors influence current growth. Mariska is considering pursuing a PhD. After the completion of her studies, she would like to take up a career in academia, as a lecturer, or become a professional economist, assisting development strategies.

Leoné Walters, a master’s degree student in Economics, has been intrigued by economics since her high school years. She obtained the award for Top Achiever in Economics in Grade 12 in the Tshwane South district. She completed both the BCom (Economics) and BComHons (Economics) degrees cum laude at the University of Pretoria in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Leoné further attained an Advanced Certificate in Emerging Markets and Country Risk Analysis from Fordham University in New York in 2013. Leoné received numerous academic accolades throughout her university career. Notably, she received the Dean’s List Award for Academic Excellence, the Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Statistics and the Award for Top Achiever in Economics in her first and final years of study. Leoné has a keen interest in both macro- and microeconomics, in particular international trade and CGE modelling. To improve South Africa’s economy with her knowledge and skills is a great aspiration for her.

The primary objectives of the ERSA research programme are, amongst others, to provide for the management of a research programme focussed on growth, employment and broadening participation in the South African economy; to create a network of economic researchers based in South African universities and to deepen economic research capacity in Southern Africa.

ERSA also aims to expand and broaden economic research capacity in Southern Africa, to train and mentor young economists and to create a supportive network to link economic researchers in Southern Africa. To draw a broad and representative range of South African economists into a programme of policy-oriented research, and to encourage independent and expert economic research, is of great importance to them.

ERSA employs five mechanisms designed to facilitate research activity in economics:

· The establishment of fellows and associates.

· The provision of grants to research projects.

· The funding of research workshops.

· The funding of academic visitors to South Africa. 

· Scholarships.