Absa Chair in Actuarial Science

The main aim of the Absa Chair in Actuarial Science is to establish a centre of research excellence in the Department of Insurance and Actuarial Science. This will be achieved through the development of research by the Chair itself, through multidisciplinary research collaboration and also through the establishment of a strong postgraduate research programme.

Multidisciplinary research

The multidisciplinary nature of actuarial research makes it imperative to include experts across a wide range of disciplines into actuarial research investigations. Currently, the Research Chair is involved in research collaboration with academics from a range of disciplines, either through research projects or through postgraduate supervision. These disciplines include Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering and Geosciences.

Research collaboration

The Research Chair is actively collaborating with other finance and risk related research fields within the university, including the Absa Banking Law Chair. In addition, joint research projects with other universities (such as North-West University), industry players (specifically including Absa) and research centres (such as the UP Natural Hazard Centre) form an important part of the Chair’s activities and objectives. The strengthening of research ties with actuarial academics throughout Africa is envisioned. This could be achieved through postgraduate education and the mentoring of upcoming African academics and the consequent establishment of research networks in Africa.  

Postgraduate students

The department experienced a remarkable growth in postgraduate students during the past year and is continuing to do so. This includes both South African and international students. The Research Chair will develop its postgraduate research programme further through the identification of promising postgraduate researchers and through the offering of funding incentives and bursaries.

The University of Pretoria hosts the Absa Chair in Actuarial Science – the views expressed by the holder of the Chair do not aim to represent any stance or viewpoint of Absa.