Banker S.A. March 2012 | Page 42

TRAINING ISTOCKPHOTO ‘Our IEDP candidates present a personal development plan as part of their overall assessment,’ says BANKSETA CEO Max Makhubalo. following the publication of the Vickers’ Report, a government report that proposed changes in the UK banking system. They then travelled to Dubai – where they learned more about Islamic banking – and then to Kampala, where they looked at banking initiatives helping to develop the very successful small and medium enterprise culture. The investment banking group (who are affiliated with the Gordon Institute of Business Science) spent time at New York University’s Stern School of Business. ‘Being in New York City, candidates witnessed how prudent management of the banking sector is becoming absolutely critical as more people join formal banking, and financial products become increasingly complex. We wanted our candidates to have a broader understanding of the industry from a global perspective,’ adds Makhubalo. What is BANKSETA’s ultimate goal with these executive development programmes? ‘I remember listening to the German Minister of Education’s speech about the importance of training and development. Something along the lines of, when you pick something up and it says “Made in Germany” you want to be damn proud of that product or service. I want to say the same about the South African banking sector.’ ■ For more information, go to www.bankseta.org.za. If you are interested in furthering your academic qualifications in banking, BANKSETA also provides bursaries for masters, doctoral and post-doctoral work. BANKSETA’s intention for this programme is to contribute to the body of knowledge that will ultimately inform strategy in the banking and microfinance banking sector. One BANKSETA bursary recipient, Dr Mmamontso Senosi, recently completed her PhD in Applied Mathematics. Her thesis fcused on the sub-prime mortgage crisis where she sought to understand why this crisis happened despite prevailing regulation. She has subsequently published a book based on her research. Edition 1 SA BANKER 41