Former Kwagga wins international award

Ilana Viljoen, former Outeniqua High learner and daughter of the renowned surgeon, Dr Michael Ray Sunshine, and Ansie Sunshine, operational manager of the theatre at the George Provincial Hospital, recently made news in the academic world when her master's degree won Best Paper 2025 at the International Business Conference (IBC) at White Sands, Tanzania, on 23 September.

- Marguerite van Ginkel

Viljoen matriculated from Outeniqua High in 2016 and started studying BCom Industrial Psychology and Labour Relations at the North-West University in 2017. In 2020, she enrolled for her BCom Honours in Industrial and Organisational Psychology while working part-time. During this period, she gained valuable experience in medico-legal work and risk propensity training within the mining industry. She began her Master's Degree in Industrial Psychology in 2021 and passed the Industrial Psychology Board Exam in February this year, thereafter registering as an industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Viljoen is an exceptional student who completed her BCom, honours and master's degrees cum laude.

Much to her surprise, Viljoen's supervisor informed her in August that she had developed a summary article based on her studies and had submitted it to the IBC for consideration for the best paper award in multiple categories (human resources, marketing management, business management, entrepreneurship and managerial economics, among others).