Young researcher in good company at Women in Science awards
A young researcher from the School of Economics on the Potchefstroom Campus was honoured as one of the best in her category at the recent
2016 Women in Science Awards.
Prof Marianne Matthee, an associate professor and the International Trade Programme leader in the School of Economics, was second runner-up in the Distinguished Young Women Researchers category for humanities and social sciences.
“I was overwhelmed to be selected along with a group of special women, all academics and scientists from all over the country. I found myself in very good company. I feel honoured and humbled by the award,” says Marianne.
Her career is filled with milestones of excellence. She has always been an academic achiever and completed all her degrees at the NWU. Marianne boasts a BCom in economics and a BComHons and MCom in international trade, all cum laude. She also obtained a PhD in international trade. Her qualifications laid the groundwork for exceptional research and expertise in the field.
Alumni achieve greatness
She says her research is fuelled by a constant drive to find ways to enhance the International Trade Programme’s content and practical value in the eyes of students. Together with the international trade lecturing team’s endeavours, student numbers in the subjects of international trade relations and international trade finance have grown significantly.
“My research focus includes firm-level exports and I was also recently the only female team leader in the initial round of research projects investigating new data from firms by the United Nations University along with the National Treasury and South African Revenue Service.”
Prof Marianne Matthee of the School of Economics on the Potchefstroom Campus has supervised and co-supervised several master’s and doctoral students. She is not only a successful academic but also a doting mother. She and her husband, Jaco, are the proud parents of two children, William (7) and Leah (4).
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Marianne is grateful for all the support she receives from the university and her colleagues and believes it plays a significant role in her success. “I have, since my student days, been very lucky to have had wonderful mentors, lecturers and colleagues. They have always involved and inspired me to work hard and participate in projects.”
Minister highlights importance of awards
The Minister for Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, who was the opening speaker at the awards ceremony, said that the 2016 Women in Science Awards were especially important as they coincided with the 60th anniversary of the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria and highlighted the important role women play in society. This year’s awards theme was “Women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable development”.
“The Women in Science Awards is a celebration of the achievements of women in science and a reminder that we will not realise the full scientific potential of our country until all our young scientists are able to enjoy access to the best facilities in education,” the Minister said.
“I am proud of the work that has been done by our women scientists and which is being recognised with the awards. However, the task of full empowerment of our women in science is not yet complete and I hope that the winners of these awards will go from strength to strength and continue to inspire other women (and men) to scientific curiosity and research excellence in service of other people.”
