UWC student Hayley Wakefield achieved a Remarkable Feat

University of the Western Cape (UWC) student achieved a remarkable feat by securing the prestigious 2020 Economic Society of South Africa’s (ESSA) Best Economics Master’s thesis medal. This exceptional accomplishment marked the second time that a postgraduate student from the UWC Department of Economics clinched this coveted award, with Tina Fransman having previously triumphed in the same category five years ago.

Hayley’s journey in higher education unfolded entirely at UWC, encompassing her undergraduate studies, Honours degree (cum laude), and her successful pursuit of a Master’s degree. Her Master’s thesis, a comprehensive analysis of transitory and chronic unemployment using data from the first five waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) panel data, was subsequently published in the esteemed Development Southern Africa journal. Professors Derek Yu and Christie Swanepoel played instrumental roles as her thesis supervisors.

Reflecting on her achievement, Hayley expressed her delight, saying, “Receiving the medal was a delightful surprise and an emotional experience. The path to completing my Master’s was filled with challenges and sacrifices, but it has undoubtedly paid off. I have pushed myself beyond limits and learned immensely. Looking back on my thesis-writing journey, I cannot adequately express my gratitude.”

She further extended her appreciation to Prof Derek Yu and Prof Christie Swanepoel for their unwavering guidance and support. She acknowledged their pivotal roles in her success and emphasized her immense pride and gratitude for the achievement.

Prof Yu, who had supervised Hayley’s Honours research long essay and taught her undergraduate final-year Econometrics module, expressed his long-standing belief in her potential. He noted the frustrating delay in waiting for the outcome due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academia but highlighted the happiness and excitement upon learning of Hayley’s victory.

Prof Swanepoel lauded Hayley’s consistent hard work and dedication to learning and improvement. She commended Hayley’s habit of seeking feedback, incorporating suggestions, and her curiosity about the research process. Prof Swanepoel expressed immense pride in Hayley’s accomplishments and predicted a prosperous future in her career.

Prof Yu concluded by celebrating the achievement of UWC students and supervisors, expressing hopes for more wins in the years to come, not only at the Master’s level but also at Honours and Doctorate levels. The victory underscores the dedication and excellence within the UWC Department of Economics.

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