Honorary doctorate in economics and chancellor's award celebrated

(Photo, from left to right: Hylton Hollander, Willem Boshoff, Neil Rankin, Debra Shepherd, Johan Fourie, Ingrid Woolard, Stan du Plessis, Deirdre McCloskey, Ada Jansen, Rachel Jafta, Dieter von Fintel, Krige Siebrits, Sophia du Plessis, Michael Meyer. Click on photo to enlarge.)

The University recently awarded an honorary doctorate to Prof Deirde McCloskey, a distinguished academic economist in the Unites States interested with interests in economic history, politics, economic philosophy and methodological issues, among others. She has a long-running association with the Department of Economics, and her visit coincided with a series of intellectually stimulating academic events. Read more about Prof Deirdre McCloskey and the honorary doctorate by clicking here.

At the same graduation ceremony, our own Prof Debra Shepherd was honoured with a chancellor's award for excellence in teaching, recognising years of exceptional achievements lecturing economics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. An excerpt from the graduation programme: "Dr Debra Shepherd is being recognized for excellence in Economics teaching in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Over the past 15 years, she has demonstrated innovative teaching practices, a commitment to student success, and a passion for social justice.In Economics 114, a first-year module that she has taught for the past 13 years, her dedication to creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment fosters a sense of belonging among students. This encourages them to participate and develop critical thinking skills essential for academic and personal success. Dr Shepherd has helped introduce innovative courses such as Data Science for Economists, and Economics of Exclusion, both of which align academic content with real-world issues and foster socially conscious graduates. Underscoring her dedication to transformative education is her leadership as academic principal for the Validus Cluster, as well as her role in the 14-week Ubuntu Learning Short Course, and interdisciplinary programme taught at the Brandvlei Correctional Centre. Her legacy is one of empowering students, challenging societal norms, and using education as a powerful tool for change."

In addition, the Department also celebrates the recent promotions to associate professors of Debra Shepherd and Krige Siebrits.