Twelve South African Mandela Scholars have arrived at the Economics Institute to undergo 3 months of graduate preparatory training before pursuing master's and doctoral programs in American universities this fall.
The highly prestigious Mandela Economics Scholarship Program was established by the U.S.聳South African Binational Commission under the leadership of South African President Thabo Mbeki and Vice President Albert Gore.
The Economics Institute has been affiliated with the University of Colorado since 1959, primarily through joint research and teaching appointments between Institute and CU faculty. CU-Boulder and the Institute also have developed two joint intensive master's programs to be available at CU this fall, one through CU's business college and one in the economics department.
Economics Institute President Larry Cross said, "The Institute is very pleased to be involved in the ongoing success of the Mandela Scholarship Program. We聮ve been involved in the program for five years, which affords the Institute the opportunity to fulfill its mission by aiding in the future success of fine young international scholars."
The Mandela Economics Scholars Program (MESP) is primarily funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. MESP is designed to provide resources to support the training of talented young black South Africans who historically have been excluded from aid.
Since the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, the new South Africa聮s goals have included restructuring, reform and growth with equity. The purpose is to
dramatically increase the number of technically qualified individuals, particularly in economics and in economics-related fields, to implement the vision of the Mandela government.
Gundu Rau, MESP Project Manager, said the scholars are sent to the Economics Institute for their preparatory training because of its focus on economics.
"The Economics Institute is the only preparatory school that provides graduate prep in the area of economics. There are also added advantages for the students, such as the opportunity to network with one another and other international students from around the world studying at the Institute," he said. "They share their interests and research topics, and thus support one another in their studies."
Dan Zuchegno, co-chair of the Institute's academic program, said, "The scholars are placed in Institute courses, which help to solidify their understanding of the foundation of economic thought, while strengthening their quantitative and analytical skills. Our goal is to challenge the students to excel in the classroom at the Institute and in their chosen graduate programs."
Steven Maguire, a 1998 Mandela scholar who is now at Georgia State University studying financial economics, said, "All the hard work at the Institute is beginning to pay dividends. In hindsight, I聮m grateful for the direction and encouragement I received at the Institute because without it, the opportunity cost to my graduate studies would be high."
After graduating, the Mandela scholars will return to South Africa to put their skills to work in the public sector as Economics and Policy Analysts and Banking and Financial Economists.
"These students were chosen from a group of 60 individuals short-listed from a pool of 250 applicants. They have shown commitment to South African development and economic growth and have made a commitment to return to their country," said Gundu Rau. "They are extraordinary, bright young people."
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