Volksrust High School is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of former learner Neill Smit, who has recently been promoted to Associate Professor.

Neill matriculated from Volksrust High in 2010 with nine distinctions and an overall average of 92.89%. He was also awarded the title of dux learner.

He began his academic career at North-West University (NWU) in 2015 as a Lecturer in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.

He obtained his MSc in Statistics in 2018 and completed his PhD in Statistics in 2021.

In 2022, he joined the Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI), where he was promoted to Senior Lecturer later that same year.

His latest promotion to Associate Professor was confirmed in November 2025 and will take effect on 1 January 2026.

Neill has presented his work at several national and international research conferences.

His research interests include Bayesian reliability theory, variable and model selection, and applied industry research in credit risk.

His primary focus is on Bayesian accelerated life testing models, which support industry by predicting product life performance under normal operating circumstances using accelerated failure data.

He has published in leading international journals and is actively involved in statistical research for a major South African bank.

To date, he has supervised eight MSc students in Business Mathematics and Informatics.

Neill currently serves on the Executive Committee of the South African Statistical Association and as Managing Editor of the South African Statistical Journal.

He is also an Associate of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences and the Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the 66th SASA Annual Conference, taking place in November 2025 in Vanderbijlpark.

In addition, he has acted as a reviewer for several leading international academic journals.

“Well done, Neill – your Volksrust community is immensely proud. May your career continue to inspire and impact the world of research, innovation and education,” said Marietjie Steyn on behalf of Volksrust High School.

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