School of Commerce PhD candidate Ms Ruth Muchechesi won the Best Paper Award at a doctoral colloquium hosted by the University of Mauritius in co-operation with UKZN and other academic partners and sponsors.
Themed: “Celebrating Six Decades of Knowledge: Doctoral Research at the Crossroads of Innovation and Inclusion”, the colloquium aimed to equip PhD students with global approaches in their PhD journey.
Muchechesi’s paper was titled: ‘The Influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Customer Confidence, Financial Risk Management and Client Security in the Banking Sector of Zimbabwe’. It investigated the influence of AI on customer confidence, financial risk management, and client security in the Zimbabwean banking sector.
Said Muchechesi. “I am a highly motivated and purpose-driven doctoral researcher with a deep passion for exploring how AI can transform the banking sector, particularly in strengthening customer confidence, financial risk management, and client security. My curiosity about technology’s role in improving trust and efficiency in financial systems reflects both my academic interests and my desire to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s economic development.
Commenting on her award, Muchechesi said the recognition was not only a personal achievement but also a powerful reminder that she was right on course in her academic journey.
“I feel honoured and humbled that my peers and evaluators appreciated both the content and delivery of my presentation,” she said. “It boosts my confidence as a scholar and motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my research. More importantly, it reassures me that my work has academic and practical value, capable of contributing meaningfully to discussions in my field.”
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied