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L-R: Prof DH Tustin (HOD: Bureau of Market Research), Prof A Kritzinger (Vice-Executive Dean: College of Economic and Management Sciences) & Prof BJ Erasmus (Vice-Principal: Operations)
L-R: Prof A Kritinger (Vice-Executive Dean: College of Economic and Management Sciences), Prof MS Makhanya (Pro-Vice Chancellor) & Prof M Shahia (Executive Dean: College of Economic and Management Sciences)
L-R: Prof DH Tustin (HOD: Bureau of Market Research) & Prof TS Maluleke (Executive Director: Research)
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Unisa’s Bureau of Market Research (BMR) announced the establishment of the Mrad Shahia Academic Research Support Unit, presented three honorary awards to staff members and rewarded students who excelled in modules offered by BMR at its 48th annual research review.
The event on Friday 17 October was attended by more than 100 delegates from the private and public sectors – a reflection of the high level of interest in the contemporary research undertaken by the BMR. Opening the event Prof MS Makanya, Unisa’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, lauded the BMR for its role in socioeconomic research, tuition and publications, noting the extensive exposure that the BMR receives in national and international media. The highlight of the morning was the announcement of the establishment of the Academic Research Support Unit, and the branding of this unit as the Mrad Shahia Academic Research Support Unit in honour of Prof Shahia - the brainchild behind the unit.
The event also presented an opportunity for the BMR to present three honorary awards to academics in the College of Economic and Management Sciences that have provided valuable inputs to the BMR’s research over the years. Prof Barney Erasmus (Unisa Vice Principal: operations) and Prof Tustin, head of the BMR, jointly presented awards Prof Johan Strydom (Department of Business Management), Prof André Kritzinger (Deputy Executive Dean of the College) and Prof Mrad Shahia (Executive Dean of the College).
To encourage students to excel in marketing and business research as study disciplines, the BMR annually awards a cash prize to the students who obtained the best mark for the modules lectured by the BMR. It was the first time that the best Business Research student received an award, since the Business Research module was initiated in 2007. This year the award for Business Research went to Ms Tracy Pamela Riley while Ms Nicola Seegers received the award for the Marketing Research Module in absentia.
The guest speaker was Dr Cees Bruggemans, chief economist of FNB who gave an overview of the South African economy and potential future trends. Other speakers included Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Executive Director: Research of Unisa, Prof E Udjo Demographic Research Professor of BMR and Dr Daan van Vuuren Manager of the Youth Research Unit of BMR. Prof Deon Tustin, HOD of the BMR presented an overview of the BMR’s activities which includes some 60 major research projects for the public and private sector.
L-R: Prof DH Tustin (HOD: Bureau of Market Research), Ms TP Riley (Best Business Research student in 2007) & Prof M Shahia (Executive Dean: College of Economic and Management Sciences) |
L-R: Prof AA Ligthelm (Research Professor: Bureau of Market Research), Dr C Bruggemans (Chief Economist: First National Bank), Prof M Shahia (Executive Dean: College of Economic and Management Sciences) & Prof DH Tustin (HOD: Bureau of Market Research) | |
