The Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first university in Zimbabwe to be affiliated with the CFA Institute’s global network of affiliated universities. The university’s Bachelor of Technology Honours Degree in Financial Engineering programme has been approved for affiliation following a comprehensive review by the CFA Institute.
The confirmation of affiliation came in a communication from Peter Watkins, Senior Director of University Programmes at the CFA Institute, who praised the programme for its rigorous curriculum and comprehensive coverage of financial and investment topics.
“The Bachelor of Technology Honours Degree in Financial Engineering is a rigorous programme that will greatly benefit students planning careers in finance and investment,” Watkins stated in his letter to Ms Siphathisiwe Moyo, the programme’s coordinator. “We thank you for the detailed and well-ordered application documents, which clearly demonstrate the excellent planning that has gone into the development of this degree,” Watkins added.
Strong Curriculum Alignment
The CFA Institute’s review found strong alignment between HIT’s Financial Engineering programme and the CFA Programme curriculum across multiple domains, including quantitative methods, economics, corporate finance, financial statement analysis, equity and fixed income investments, derivatives, and portfolio construction.
Notably, the review highlighted the programme’s coverage of alternative investments through the Corporate Financial Engineering module, describing it as “an area that is not commonly explored in depth at the undergraduate level.” The reviewers noted that students are “likely to benefit greatly from this exposure.”
In his confirmation letter, Watkins emphasised: “In summary, it is clear that this programme bears a strong alignment to the CFA Program. Students taking this course will be well prepared if they choose to pursue the CFA Programme in the future.”
Commitment to Ethics Education
As part of the affiliation, HIT has committed to directly incorporating the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct into the programme. The university will utilise resources from the CFA Institute’s Ethics Learning Lab, which offers case studies and educational modules on ethical decision-making.
Institutional Pride and Future Benefits
Responding to the affiliation approval, Ms Siphathisiwe Moyo expressed pride in the achievement: “We are greatly pleased and honoured to be the first university in Zimbabwe to be affiliated with the global network of the CFA Institute affiliated universities.”
The affiliation will provide HIT students with access to CFA Institute resources, logos, and scholarship opportunities. Jessica Umolo, the ongoing point of contact for the affiliation, will coordinate these benefits with the university.
The CFA Institute’s University Affiliation Programme recognises degree programmes that incorporate significant portions of the CFA Programme Candidate Body of Knowledge into their curricula. Affiliation helps students understand how their university studies relate to professional practice and the CFA Programme, potentially giving them a head start in their CFA studies.
This affiliation represents a significant step forward for financial literacy in Zimbabwe and positions HIT graduates to compete effectively in the global finance and investment industry.
About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behaviour in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community.
