Choosing a quality MBA
MANAGING in today’s complex and everchanging business environment demands constant investment to ensure that one’s knowledge, skills and capabilities enable career advancement.
So says University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Dean, Professor Nicola Kleyn, who adds, “As a nation with a strong demand for management skills, we need quality MBA and executive training programmes to build and sustain the management and leadership expertise for business, government and society. The MBA remains the most sought after qualification for managers and leaders who know that the degree is about much more than gaining knowledge. It is also about experiences and relationships that enhance management practice.
“In a competitive, globally relevant economy, senior executives and business leadership need the capacity to see the bigger picture, to grasp strategic ramifications and allocate resources based on a general management ethos. For those who do not have the time or inclination to take on the rigours of an MBA, shorter executive programmes fulfil this critical role.”
A quality MBA programme has a relevant, cutting edge curriculum that is locally and globally relevant, exceptional faculty and excellent facilities to ensure that the learning experiences marks the start of a life-changing journey. In addition to building knowledge, skills and capability, MBA students also gain access to a network of high impact individuals. The relationships built between classmates and the networking opportunities afforded by the business school are important benefits to an MBA graduate.
She adds, “One of the biggest criticisms of the South African tertiary education system is that graduates are not equipped with the relevant skills for the modern-day work place. This is particularly stinging when levelled at post-graduate students who have made substantial investments of time and money into their education.
“The MBA curriculum creates an opportunity to become well-rounded and effective managers by exploring the dimensions of strategy, the business environment, functional areas of business and decision-making techniques. At the same time, students will gain a fuller understanding of the foundations for leadership and for business, business integration and global management.”
In choosing a business school she advises prospective students to opt for one that believes in the potential of business to be a force for good.