Syed Zulqernain Hussain, rising econometrics star (and future Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan?)
When PhD candidate Syed Zulqernain Hussain received a Young Econometrician Award at last month’s 34th meeting of the Australia New Zealand Econometric Study Group (ANZESG) he was thrilled – and a little gobsmacked.
“I was really happy to receive this prestigious award. The organisers made the announcement at the closing moments of the event, so it came as a positive surprise for me.”
The event was hosted in Wellington by Motu Research, The Treasury New Zealand and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. The conference attracts visitors from Asia, North America and Europe and is a forum for econometricians and applied economists, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, to present and discuss their work.
Syed was one of three students to receive this early career award. It’s given to young or emerging econometricians based on the quality of their research, skill at presenting their work, ability to respond to feedback, and informed discussion on the research of others.
Syed’s winning PhD topic is ‘Does the pass-through of the central bank’s policy rate to retail rates of commercial banks vary with phases of the business cycle? A case of an emerging financial market’.
“I’m proud to represent the University of Otago and receive this award. The credit goes to my supervisors Professor Alfred Haug and Professor Dorian Owen for their support throughout my PhD journey so far.”
Alfred and Dorian were far less surprised than Syed when they heard of his win. Alfred says the award attests to the high level of his work.
“He’s an excellent PhD student who is keen to look at critical issues and use the best available econometric tools. It’s a great achievement to be recognised by the experts in econometrics with this award.”
Dorian agrees, saying, “Syed is a confident, accomplished presenter producing high-quality work – it’s great to see these attributes recognised.”
Asked if he has a shiny post-PhD career path in mind, Syed shows some of that stellar confidence and aspiration that helped him win the award.
“Working at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or as an economist at the World Bank is my dream job.”
To be appealing to the IMF, a candidate must have a PhD in economics and relevant experience of working at a central bank. Syed’s already nailed the latter, having worked at the State Bank of Pakistan from 2009 until 2022.
“Ultimately, I would like to be a Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. A position from where I can contribute to the welfare of the people of my country.”
Kōrero by Claire Finlayson, Communications Adviser (Otago Business School)
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