The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) at Stellenbosch University has a new Director, Professor Johann Kirsten. He is BER's sixth Director since its establishment in 1944.

"We are delighted to welcome Prof Kirsten," Prof Stan Du Plessis, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, said. "He is a scholar of international stature, an experienced academic leader and a participant in national policy at the highest level.

"At the BER, his knowledge of the corporate world as well as his academic leadership over many years will be invaluable as the BER builds on an excellent track record of relevant and top-quality research".

According to Prof Kirsten he looks forward to the interesting challenge of moving to a different but related field of study and expertise. He previously worked on the tricky and emotional issues of agricultural policy and land reform at the University of Pretoria.

"I hope to make an important contribution to sustain the image and reputation of the BER in producing valuable insights into the performance of the South African economy," he said.

"As the economy struggles to achieve sustained positive real growth and to create jobs and remove poverty and inequality, it is perhaps also time for the BER to venture into more policy-related research. I am sure that the BER's expertise and respected data and information could help South Africa in dealing with these critical questions."