In his welcome remarks, NUL Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kananelo Mosito (KC) explained that as one of important NUL partners in development, StanLib’s intention was to come and learn about the activities of the Innovation Hub so they can identify areas of collaboration and sponsorship.

He welcomed StanLib’s initiative to discharge their Community Social Responsibility by sponsoring NUL projects and subsequently, assisting the entire nation. The laptop cost just below M60,000.

“We couldn’t say NO when a friend and partner offered to visit us and extend a helping hand as a way of participating in the development and promotion of the Innovation Hub activities and projects especially in an institution of higher learning such as a university. We are pleasantly surprised to receive a donation of a modern-day state of the art computer which will assist the Innovation Hub to execute its mandate”, said Prof. Mosito.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of StanLib Lesotho, Mr. Mohlabinyane Mohapi said they were truly honoured partner with and present a donation of a laptop to NUL through the Innovation Hub.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, among the many projects we would like to sponsor, the NUL Innovation Hub was chosen as one potential partner with major projects given what the Hub stands for and has done so far. We came here to learn about the NUL Innovation Hub so that when we go back to the office we will know what sort of projects we want to partake in; having had a thorough understanding of what the projects entail”, said Mr. Mohapi.

He explained that StanLib is not a new partner to NUL and therefore promised to continue with the other existing projects it is sponsoring at the University. As part of their corporate social responsibility, StanLib plans to partake in the successful promotion and growth of the NUL Innovation Hub.

“We thought it would be appropriate for us not to come empty-handed for the inception meeting at the Hub hence we brought with us this state-of-the-art laptop which will, among others, enable the Innovation Hub to keep a database of all the projects and the necessary data. We came to formalize this relationship with NULIH so that we can take a tour of the Hub so we know what innovations to sponsor as we plan to have a long-term partnership”, Mr. Mohapi added.

On behalf of the NUL Innovation Hub, the Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology (FOST), Assoc. Prof. Leboli Thamae thanked the donors and added that this state-of-the-art laptop couldn’t have come at the right time.  He further highlighted that FOST is currently working together with the Office of Registrar General in the Ministry of Law and Justice to establish a Technology and Innovation Support Centre at the NUL Innovation Hub.

“NUL Innovation Hub has been identified as one of the main stakeholders that will participate as a Technology and Innovation Support Centre in the country and that will seek support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to give access to a pool of patented databases and other scientific and technological resources that are available online. One of the requirements was for the Innovation Hub to have its own powerful computer in order to access all these databases as well as create its own. So it is a good gift coming at the right time; it is like you knew what we needed and provided it at the right time”, Prof. Thamae said.

As the Head of the NUL academic enterprise, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Beatrice Ekanjume-Ilongo expressed her gratitude to StanLib for directing their attention to sponsoring educational and research projects.

“Your donation will facilitate the activities of the Innovation Hub and we look forward to the different projects that you say you are going to get involved in. We really believe that together we are going to make not only NUL proud but the nation as a whole. I urge other corporate organizations to follow this example as they execute their corporate social responsibility mandate of giving back to the community”, she explained.

She further mentioned that the activities that the NUL Innovation Hub is engaged in are meant to build the nation and to strengthen the country’s economy but NUL cannot execute this mandate alone due to the meagre resources it has.

“We are one of the poor institutions in the sub-region and we rely a lot on donations and partnerships of this nature to help us achieve our mission. We promise gratifying fruits that will come out of our partnership”, she said in her closing remarks.

Established in November 2018, the NUL Innovation Hub is an optimistic endeavour of NUL that aspires to convert the text-book and laboratory based knowledge and raw ideas into successful start-ups and blooming businesses. In this sense, the Hub plays the role of a bridge between classrooms and the outside world. It prepares the crude business ideas to face the uncompromising challenges of the real marketplace so that they don’t crash under the ruthlessness of their competitive territory. The target is to change the Basotho community from being consumers to producers, to make an average Mosotho youth a job creator, rather than a job-seeker. And we strongly believe that it is possible!

The MSc in Economics (MSc) is a flagship programme of the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme, is part of a Collaborative Masters Programme (CMAP) under the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), which has participation from 26 other Universities in 21 Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa.
The programme aims to provide students with training in modern theories and techniques in economics. By the end of the course, students should be able to use and critique economic toolbox (models, data, & narrative) and also apply the scientific process to economic phenomena.
The programme is therefore designed to prepare students for further academic research or graduate study as well as for work as professional development economists in business and government.

Structure

The MSc in Economics is a two-year full-time. One academic year has two semesters, and each semester has 15 weeks of teaching and learning.
In the first year of study, students take 5 core courses per semester. The core courses include:

• Microeconomic Theory,
• Macroeconomics Theory,
• Mathematical Methods
• Econometric Theory
• Policy Analysis and Impact Evaluation

In the second year, students take four elective courses, and write a thesis which is linked to the elective courses. The elective courses may include:

• Health Care Financing and Policy
• Labour Market Policy and Analysis,
• Financial Markets and Regulations
• International Trade and Finance
• Public Sector Economics
• Asset Pricing and Portfolio Management
• Time series Econometrics
• Micro-econometrics and Panel Data

For the award of the degree in MSc in Economics, a student must have passed all courses (core and electives) and the thesis.

Admission Requirements

Admissions into the MSc in Economics are made once in a year (i.e., from March to May), and the academic year starts in August.
A minimum qualification for admission is

• a successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in economics (at least a second class second division) or
• an equivalent degree in level and content from a recognized institution of higher learning

An undergraduate major in economics is not required, but students with deficiencies in economic theory, mathematics and statistics, may be required to make up such deficiency, prior to entry into the program.
Students in their final year of bachelor’s studies who lack necessary documentation of completed degrees can be offered conditional admission, if they

• provide an official transcript for all completed years
• submit a letter from their university certifying that they are registered students in their final year.

Fees

For the 2021/2022 academic year, fees for MSc in Economics are as follows:

• Local & SADC students: M30 460
• International Students: M40, 650
• Accommodation M11, 800

Direct Deposits/Internet Transfers/Cash Payments of fees shall be made to the NUL Standard Lesotho Bank Account No. 9080000439467 and proof of payment must be presented to the relevant section of Finance.

Fees are payable in full or in instalments, on or before the beginning of the academic year’s registration

Financial Assistance

The Department of Economics may provide limited financial support to outstanding registered graduate students primarily through teaching and research assistantships. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Enquiries and/or Applications the assistantships should be submitted to the Head of the Department (head_economics@nul.ls) or 5221 3585.

Submit your application to:

Postgraduate Studies Office
National University of Lesotho
P.O. Roma,180
Lesotho.
Tel: +266 5221 3815
+266 5221 3809
Email: postgraduatestudies@nul.ls
Website: www.nul.ls
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: JUNE 25, 2021

MSc_Economics _Flyer 2021/2022

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Postgraduate Reference Form 2021-2022

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Postgraduate Application Form

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On the 26^th February, 2021, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) through the Faculty of Science and Technology and The Energy Research Centre (ERC) hosted an award presentation ceremony at ISAS Auditorium whereby Rateele was presented with a cheque and a certificate.

At the ceremony, NUL Vice-Chancellor (a.i) Professor Kananelo Mosito and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (a.i.) jointly handed-over a cheque and a certificate to Thato Rateele who performed best in his first year of the programme.

Presenting the award, Prof. Beatrice Ekanjume-Ilongo emphasised that whenever a student is recognized for a good academic performance, it makes the Management and staff of NUL proud. She therefore encouraged all students to work hard and put more effort towards their studies.

When accepting the award, Thato Rateele heartily thanked the NUL Energy Research Centre for granting him an opportunity to be part of the grand M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy programme. He also thanked TEA-LP for making an award possible.

“I owe immeasurable regards to my lecturers for their unwavering support and effort to enlighten me in the field of sustainable energy. My classmates have given me continued support; let’s keep the spirit’’, Thato highlighted.

The M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy is offered on a 2-year full-time or 3-year part-time basis. It is intended to equip learners with excellent grounding in academic, technical, environmental and socio-economic skills for development and implementation in the multi-disciplinary energy sectors of the society such as planning for government utilities, administration of utilities, projects development, research in and production of sustainable energy technologies.

Interested in studying M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy?

Applications are still open until 31^st March, 2021.

Visit https://erc.nul.ls/msc  to download applications or send an email to energy@nul.ls or info@nul.ls