​ Loumarie Kistner, a data analyst in the Centre for Business Intelligence in the Division Strategic Initiatives and Information Governance, received a Chancellor’s Award in the category for professional services on Wednesday 13 December 2023 during Stellenbosch University’s December graduation week.The first thing one notice’s when entering Loumarie Kistner’s pristine office in the historical house at 12 Murray Street, Stellenbosch, is a notice board brimming with charcoal sketches on A4 white paper. These sketches of animals, faces and trees (her favourite subject to draw), are testament to her attention to detail and excellent observation skills. These skills pull through to her day job which demands focus and attention to the intricacies that contribute to the effectiveness of a well-oiled big machine, namely Stellenbosch University (SU). 

​The Chancellor’s Award gives recognition to SU staff members whose careers attest to and display sustained excellence. Kistner received this award for her remarkable contributions to the development of data analytics as a strategic tool, in particular the development, implementation and refinement of SUN-i, the institutional business intelligence system of SU. This system is frequently used by a wide variety of stakeholders to gain insights into and empower data-driven decision making. Dr Wilhelm Uys, Kistner’s line manager and colleague, says her role with regards to the development and establishment of SUN-i was created in 2014 with the specific mandate to build a bridge between the needs of the users of management information, the data sources of the relevant information, and the technical team that had to develop the necessary functions to create the solutions for these needs. “Initially Loumarie was requested to assist with the testing of the residence management capability of the SUNStudent system. However, after an initial analysis it became clear that many of the desired fundamentals were not in place for this capability. Her role was then extended to include business process analysis and design, in order to try and eliminate certain system limitations. She played a big role in investigating the quality of data as well as the correctness of the delivered data through thorough testing with other team members.” Kistner, who studied chemical engineering at SU in the early 1980’s, while being the only female student in the faculty at the time – was also the top student in her year group, says that because she enjoyed numbers, mathematics and problem solving this programme was the perfect fit. Her career at the University started as a part-time lecturer in chemical engineering in 1987. Later she presented computer skills training for staff and then for students on a parttime basis, and then she embarked on a journey to support a variety of SU departments and divisions with system development and statistical analyses. From 2005, she worked as a contract data analyst at the Centre for Prospective Students before joining the Division for Institutional Research and Planning in 2014. In 2013 she obtained a BComm Honours degree in statistics cum laude from SU. At the Centre for Prospective Students, Kistner was initially involved in the development and processing of access tests – the precursor of the current national benchmark tests – that was written by all students. With the guidance of Dr Celeste Nel they have started to analyse the trends with regards to undergraduate applications, first year registrations and the academic performance of first year students. This processing of student information, the identifying of trends and the packaging thereof in understandable reports, formed the building blocks for the subsequent specifications of the current SUN-i management information system. As a business analyst, Kistner serves as a link between the users of SUN-i, the IT development team and the institutional data sources. With her knowledge of multiple business areas, she also develops applications in order to unlock data and assists with building data models. She was involved with the design and implementation of several components of SUN-i, for example programme, accommodation and bursary and loan applications; programme and module registrations; accommodation placements; module pass rates; graduations; throughput rates; bursaries and loans granted; student fees; subsidy unites; postgraduate study guidance; and staff appointments. Besides quality assurance, people skills are critical, says Kistner. It is important to be able to understand and establish what is required and then create and communicate these solutions in an understandable and useful way. “My work offers me a combination of things that I am passionate about – practical things, new things, challenges and a big variety. There is never room for stagnation, because new and innovative solutions are always needed. It is a privilege to work in the Centre for Business Intelligence, because I am surrounded by colleagues who support each other, serve as a soundboard for each other, and who are a continuous source of inspiration.” And the value of the Chancelor’s Award? “It is a special privilege to get recognition for my daily work – work that I thoroughly enjoy. The award is also a recognition of the expanded role of SUN-i at the University with regards to data-driven decision making. I am proud of the development of SUN-i, and that I could be part of the development team. The award also fills me with gratitude for the many colleagues that have enriched my life on both a personal and professional level over the years.” Family lifeKistner met her spouse, Johann Kistner, a director in SU’s Division of Information Technology, in class when they studied engineering together. Their three sons and two daughters in law also all studied engineering at SU. When she closes her office door, she still prefers to keep herself busy with practical things and craft work, for example needlework, gardening and drawing. And since becoming grandparents, it also includes the “great pleasure” of baking cookies and playing in the sand pit. Loumarie’s colleagues says: Dr Barbara Pool (Senior Director: Strategic Initiatives and Information Governance):“This award recognises the unique and committed way in which Loumarie did not only develop her own expertise and skills, but also continuously applied it in the interest of the University. She made a key contribution towards the development of data analysis as a strategic instrument at SU.”  Dr Wilhelm Uys (Director: Business Intelligence, Strategic Initiatives and Information Governance):“Thanks to a unique combination of skills and an eye for detail and high standards, Loumarie is an unreplaceable member of the business intelligence team. This is her driving force to continuously unlock value for SU. Despite all the challenges related to a multidimensional role, she excels in her task and helped paving the way to establish a word class system.” Dr Celeste Nel (Director: Applications, Student Accommodation and Client Services):“I have known and worked with Loumarie for more than 15 years. For her no task is too big or too small, as long as there is value. For her the most important part of her work, her datasets, dashboards and investigative reports, is if someone can use it or implement it. Her brilliance, humanity, humility and genuine care for people around her makes her not only a remarkable colleague, but also a lifelong friend.” Carla Kroon (Data Tracking Analyst, Strategic Initiatives and Information Governance):“Loumarie is a stalwart and a brilliant colleague. It is a privilege to work with such a competent colleague that is contributing so much to the data and information world at SU and from which we can learn so much. She is a great source of support and insight for many colleagues and stakeholders at the University. Source: Official motivational document for nomination (18 August 2023)

Photo: Dr Barbara Pool, Senior Director: Strategic Initiatives and Information Governance, Loumarie Kistner, a data analyst in the Centre for Business Intelligence and recipient of a Chancellor’s Award in the category for professional services, and Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs.​ Photo by: Stefan Els