Abel Daniël (AD) Kotzé, the top-performing student of the inaugural Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSci) graduating class, has been announced as the 2024 CGW Schumann medal winner for the best postgraduate student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

The BDatSci, the first of its kind in South Africa, has rapidly become a flagship offering at Stellenbosch University. Introduced in 2021 to address the growing demand for skilled data scientists in South Africa and around the world, the programme uniquely integrates advanced mathematics, statistics, computer science and data science within a single, cross-faculty curriculum.

AD has set a high standard for the programme, excelling in courses that represent the forefront of data science and statistical learning.

At undergraduate level (years 1 to 3), he maintained an average of 89.16% across all subjects. In his final (4th) year, he not only sustained this level of excellence but exceeded it, completing his degree cum laude with an average of 88.8% across 2024 modules alone. Notably, he earned distinctions in advanced courses such as Bayesian Statistics (79%), Machine Learning (84%), Multivariate Analysis B (96%) and his capstone project, Data Science Research in Statistical Learning (87%).

This follows an equally impressive first semester of 2024, where he scored 96% for Multivariate Analysis A, 93% for Introduction to Statistical Learning and 90% for Stochastic Simulation – all complex modules in the final year curriculum. His consistent high performance across all years of study – including perfect scores (100%) in Mathematics I and II and Mathematical Statistics in his second year – attests to his exceptional intellectual capability and versatility.

Prof Justin Harvey, Head of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, said: “AD’s achievements thus place him at the top of his cohort, underscoring his potential to advance data science in South Africa. He serves as an ambassador for the BDatSci programme which has attracted strong interest from both prospective students and employers, thereby enhancing the visibility and reputation of Stellenbosch University.”

“I am very grateful and honoured to receive the 2024 CGW Schumann Medal,” said AD. “It means a lot to me to get recognition for all the hard work I’ve put in over the past few years. I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to choose this course. It’s not only exciting, but it also teaches skills that are in high demand, especially as data becomes more important in today’s world. That’s what makes this degree so valuable — it prepares students to tackle real-world problems through the use of data. Plus, it’s attractive to employers who are looking for people with strong data science skills.”

He added: “Being part of the first BDatSci cohort has been a special experience — we’ve learned, struggled, and grown together. I truly believe every one of my fellow students is a great ambassador for this programme. We’ve all played a part in shaping what it means to be a BDatSci graduate, and I’m proud to stand among them.”

He describes the secret to his academic success as follows: “I’ve never been happy with just not understanding something. If I didn’t get it, especially in mathematics, I made sure to put in the effort until I did. The more I understood, the more I enjoyed it, and the more I enjoyed it, the more I wanted to learn. When you’re in that cycle, studying becomes fun, and it doesn’t feel like hard work anymore.”

AD is currently pursuing a two-year Master's degree in Statistics and Data Science to help him “deepen my knowledge and skills in machine learning”.

“After completing my Master's, I haven’t yet decided whether I want to start working or continue my studies further. However, I do have a strong interest in research, particularly in theoretical machine learning. I would love to contribute to the development of new algorithms and techniques in this exciting and evolving field.”

He reserved the final word for his dad who won a similar medal for the best student in the Engineering Faculty at the University of Pretoria in his day.

“I’m truly honoured to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “I also think my love for mathematics comes largely from him, as he’s always been a huge influence on my academic interests and passions.”

The CGW medal, named after Prof CGW Schumann, a pioneer lecturer in the Faculty from 1924 and also dean for a quarter of a century, has been awarded annually since 1986. The award is the highest student accolade in the Faculty.