As the African School of Economics launches its new undergraduate program, it welcomes the new Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Placide da Cruz. Dr. da Cruz holds a masters and doctorate in Economic Sciences, and has taught classes such as Public Economy and Theory of Collective Choice, Analytic Economics for Business, Microeconomics, and Human Resources and Planning.

In 2009, he began work as a part of the team charged with the training of teaching methods based on the competencies of the National School of Applied Economics and Mathematics (ENEAM). He then worked as the Coordinator of Studies for the masters programs, and then as the Adjoint Director. From 2016 to 2018, he worked as the coordinator for the Center of Research in Applied Mathematics and Economics (CREAM).

Mr. da Cruz is no stranger to ASE — during the creation of the original entry test into the Institute for Empirical Research in Political Economy (IERPE or IREEP), he was involved as a member of the test’s organization committee. When ASE President, Leonard Wantchekon, approached him regarding the the new undergraduate program, it was a natural choice to join the ASE team. When asked about his first impression of the university since arriving, he said he was “starting to settle into the new environment. People at ASE are highly motivated and very active and task oriented.” He looks forward to the yearly continual improvement and to developing tomorrow’s specialists and leaders, consequently creating stable, strong, and adaptable workers specialized in their field.

“I am very enthusiastic about the future and I am up to the challenge.”- Mr. Placide Da Cruz.