National University of Lesotho Honors Top Master’s Students in Economics

The National University of Lesotho, through its Department of Economics, recently celebrated outstanding performance in the Joint Facility for Electives assessments conducted under the African Economic Research Consortium. The awards ceremony, held on Friday at the Roma Campus, recognized Master’s students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement over the past five years. A total of 16 students were honored for their excellence, with awards presented by former Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr Moeketsi Majoro. The event highlighted the university’s commitment to fostering high standards of learning and research while positioning NUL as a competitive institution within the region. The ceremony also provided an opportunity to showcase the talent, dedication, and potential of students pursuing advanced studies in economics.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Regina Thetsane, addressed the top achievers, congratulating them on their accomplishments and encouraging continued focus, resilience, and dedication. University leaders, lecturers, and fellow students joined in celebrating the award recipients, emphasizing the importance of sustained academic discipline and innovative thinking. The honorees were urged to leverage their success to contribute meaningfully to the field of economics both nationally and across the continent. The recognition served as an affirmation of their hard work and as motivation for future achievements in academic and professional spheres. The ceremony underscored the value of celebrating milestones that reflect both personal and institutional commitment to excellence.

This recognition coincides with NUL achieving a significant milestone by securing second place among Category A universities under the African Economic Research Consortium. This ranking highlights the university’s growing reputation for excellence in higher education and its influence in shaping economic research within Africa. The accomplishment also demonstrates NUL’s ability to consistently deliver quality education and produce graduates capable of competing on regional and continental platforms. The Department of Economics has been central to this achievement, emphasizing academic rigour, research innovation, and practical application of economic theory. Its students’ strong performances in the highly competitive JFE assessments reflect both individual commitment and the department’s strategic focus on excellence.

Head of the Department of Economics, Dr Leseko Makhetha, presented an overview of the department’s progress, noting that the achievements of the 16 enrolled Master’s students align with NUL’s mission to foster high-quality education and impactful research. He commended the students for their dedication, perseverance, and ability to excel in a challenging academic environment. The department’s focus on nurturing analytical skills, critical thinking, and research capacity has consistently contributed to producing graduates equipped for meaningful contributions in policy, development, and economic analysis. Their success strengthens the university’s profile and encourages continuous improvement in teaching methodologies and curriculum design. Dr Makhetha emphasized that recognizing student excellence reinforces a culture of achievement and motivates others to strive for similar success.

The awards ceremony at NUL reflects the institution’s enduring commitment to promoting academic excellence and regional competitiveness. By celebrating these outstanding Master’s students, the university not only honors individual accomplishments but also demonstrates the strength of its programs in economics and research. The event underscores the critical role of higher education in developing talent that can address complex economic challenges within Lesotho and across Africa. As NUL continues to advance its academic standards and research capacity, the recognition of top-performing students serves as a model for future cohorts. The achievements of these students illustrate the potential of Lesotho’s higher education institutions to nurture skilled professionals who can contribute meaningfully to national and continental development.