Tanzanian student Ms Claire Ijumba (left), who was supervised by Professor Henry Mwambi, graduated with her Masters degree cum laude in Statistics using novel statistical methods to evaluate the presence of interdependence between the markets of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).Another Brick in Her Wall
Tanzanian student Ms Claire Ijumba graduated with her Masters degree cum laude in Statistics at this year’s Graduation ceremony in Pietermaritzburg.
Ijumba, the niece of former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at UKZN Professor Nelson Ijumba, completed her degree thanks to the help of a bursary she got last year after graduating with her Honours in Statistics summa cum laude.
Ijumba, who enrolled at UKZN in 2009 in order to gain an international edge to her qualification, completed her thesis on the topic: “Multivariate Time Series of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) returns”.
‘Ijumba’s thesis used both univariate and multivariate time series techniques to investigate the levels of interdependence and dynamic linkages of the Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African stock markets,’ said her supervisor, Professor Henry Mwambi.
‘Specifically Claire used novel statistical methods to evaluate the presence of interdependence between the markets, model volatility as well as predict future returns.
‘It was an exceptionally good piece of work and is potentially going to produce a good publication in a reputable journal in the field, Claire worked consistently and showed a lot of resilience and persistence in the manner in which she pursued her studies. Both examiners of her thesis were unanimous that the degree be awarded cum laude, demonstrating the quality of her work,’ said Mwambi.
- Christine Cuénod