Interview with Mesias Alfeus

Mesias Alfeus is senior lecturer in financial risk management at Stellenbosch University and was recently appointed as a local leader for a global platform for responsible science, the InSPiR2eS Centre for Responsible Science (IC4RS). Raised by his great-grandmother in a village in Namibia, he excelled at maths and by age 10 was the top-performing maths student in the country.

Where and when were you born?
On 8 September 1989 in Onamutai, a village in northern Namibia.

How has this shaped who you are?
When I was three months old, I was taken to the neighbouring village of Okadila to be raised by my late great-grandmother, where I also commenced my primary education. My early years were fraught with hardships. By the age of eight, I found myself caring for my grandfathers’ donkeys on the farm. Throughout my schooling and village life, I faced bullying and derogatory remarks, but my great-grandmother provided invaluable support. Enduring various trials, I made a pivotal decision to set myself apart. I committed myself to Christ, took my studies seriously and developed a profound passion for mathematics during my time in the village. My sole ambition became fostering confidence in mathematics among others, which has now transformed into a quest to unearth novel mathematical insights beneficial to practitioners and society at large. To realise my aspirations, I adopted an unwavering focus, sometimes bordering on zealousness. Despite scepticism from others, I fervently advocated that mathematics is enthralling.

What was it about maths that first drew you to it?
My passion for mathematics originated from playing the traditional game Owela womanghete, which heavily involved mathematical thinking, with my great-grandmother at home. Through this game, I developed a keen interest in mathematics, a passion that was further nurtured and encouraged by my teachers. I found that specific personal traits played a crucial role in sustaining my focus and advancement in my academic pursuits. These qualities encompassed discipline, an enduring sense of dissatisfaction – never being complacent or satisfied – and resolute determination.

What has been your greatest career achievement so far?
One of my most significant achievements involves being offered the opportunity to pursue a PhD in Sydney – an opportunity that allowed me to explore a country I had never visited before. In January 2018, I was honoured to win the Young Investigator Training Program (YITP) prize, aimed at fostering scientific research and collaboration among internationally recognised research institutions while encouraging the mobility of young scientists. Subsequently, I was appointed as a faculty member both at the University of Wollongong in Australia and Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where I have contributed by publishing research papers that challenge traditional assumptions in finance. I was honoured to be appointed as a director for the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences’ (NITheCS) Quantitative Finance Research Programme (QFRP), and to the board of directors at the South African Institute for Financial Markets (SAIFM).

How have the opportunities to work abroad shaped your academic career?
I view opportunities to work abroad as profoundly impactful. The extensive exposure has greatly influenced and shaped my academic career. Working abroad has allowed me to build an extensive network of colleagues and collaborators from around the world. Through my international experiences, I have gained substantial knowledge and skills. I believe I am now in a position to contribute to addressing the skills gap in quantitative finance within the African context.

What are the best and worst things about your job?
Best: teaching through lectures enables the direct transmission of knowledge and skills to students, enriching their education and preparing them for potential careers in finance. Witnessing students comprehend intricate concepts and achieve success can be incredibly fulfilling. Engaging in research within financial risk management provides opportunities to explore and unveil new ideas, strategies and methodologies. Contributing to the existing knowledge within this field holds the potential to significantly influence the financial industry and its practices in managing risks. Worst: the phrase “publish or perish” epitomises the academic environment, where there’s a substantial emphasis on consistently producing research papers for esteemed journals. This demand often generates stress and pressure, particularly when striving to fulfil tenure or promotion criteria.

What advice do you give to your students?
I advise my students to pursue their studies with rigour, urging them to take a keen interest in emerging developments and new challenges. I encourage them to opt for intellectually challenging research, embracing the complexities and difficulties inherent in their academic pursuits.

Tell us about someone you’ve always admired.
Galileo Galilei, often regarded as the father of modern science, made significant contributions to various disciplines, including physics, astronomy, cosmology, mathematics and philosophy. His famous quote – “Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe” – deeply inspired me and underscored the fundamental role of mathematics in our existence.

What one thing would improve your working week?
Improving my time-management skills would significantly enhance the quality of my work week.

If you could change one thing about South African higher education, what would it be?
Improving the inclusivity of higher education by creating more opportunities for marginalised groups and promoting diversity within institutions are crucial in fostering a more equitable education system in South Africa.

What would you like to be remembered for?
I hope to be remembered as a human being who infused energy into people’s lives, leaving behind a positive impact. As an academic, I aspire to be remembered for my profound passion and unwavering dedication to the realm of quantitative and mathematical finance.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com

CV

2009-12 BSc, mathematics and physics, University of Namibia
2013 BSc, financial mathematics, Stellenbosch University and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
2014 MSc, financial mathematics, Stellenbosch
2015 risk analyst, Namibian Financial Institutions for Supervisory Authority
2016-18 PhD, quantitative finance, University of Technology Sydney
2019 Lecturer, School of Mathematical and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong
2020 Research fellow in mathematical and computational finance, University of Cape Town
2020-present Senior lecturer in financial risk management, Stellenbosch
2023-present Steering committee member, Quantitative Finance Research Programme, National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences
2023-present Node leader, InSPiR2eS Centre for Responsible Science (IC4RS)
2023-present board of directors, South African Institute of Financial Markets

Appointments

Duncan Ivison has been named as the next president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester, starting on 1 August. He succeeds Dame Nancy Rothwell, who is stepping down after 14 years at the helm. Professor Ivison joins from the University of Sydney, where most recently he was deputy vice-chancellor (research). A professor of political philosophy, the Canadian has also held posts at the universities of Toronto and York. He said Manchester was a “research and teaching powerhouse” and an institution “with true heart and soul”.

John Quelch has become the next executive vice-chancellor of Duke Kunshan University (DKU) in China, taking over from Mary Frances Luce, who has been holding the post on an interim basis. Previously vice-provost of the University of Miami, Professor Quelch has also held positions at the China Europe International Business School and was dean of the London Business School. Duke’s provost Alec Gallimore said he brought “deep understanding and appreciation of how international educational partnerships can deepen opportunities for global collaboration around the most complex issues facing society”.

Selina Stead, the executive dean of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Leeds, is joining the Australian Institute of Marine Science as its next chief executive.

Ijeoma Uchegbu has been elected as the next president of Wolfson College, Cambridge. She is currently a professor of pharmaceutical nanoscience at UCL.

Lisa Robinson has been named the next dean of the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She is currently the faculty’s vice-dean for strategy and operations.

Yvonne Salter Wright has been appointed as university secretary and clerk to council at Birmingham Newman University. A governance consultant, her most recent higher education role was at the University of Warwick, where she was director of delivery assurance and resolution.