Business can be a force for the good of the country
IN choosing a business school a student should look for one that believes in the potential of business to be a force for good and for the economic development of our country. So says Executive Director: Academic Programmes at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Professor Louise Whittaker.
She adds, “Business also needs to believe in the school. In particular, you need to consider its profile as well as the suite of programmes on offer, and which is most suitable for your learning development needs.”
One should to be aware of how the school is perceived in both the educational and business arenas.
An accredited school will provide valuable learning and personal development outcomes.
A highly-ranked school will tick all the right boxes in educational and career development terms.
One should also consider whether potential employers believe that the school produces graduates who can add value to their organisations.
The professor says a compelling attraction to GIBS is its global relevance.
“A good business school recognises shifting dynamics within the industry and accommodates them in its curriculum.”
GIBS is internationally accredited by the Association of MBAs as well as The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
She adds, “Our accolades speak for themselves. In October, last year our MBA was among the top 100 globally in the prestigious Financial Times Executive MBA Rankings. “We are the only business school in Africa to achieve this. In May GIBS was number on the continent for Executive Education and, over the past 14 years, has consistently been ranked alongside some of the world’s most prestigious business schools such as Harvard and Stanford Graduate School of Business.
“It is the only African business school in the top 50.”
“GIBS is also a member of the Association of MBAs and The Academy of Business in Society, the European Foundation for Management Development, Association of African Business Schools and the South African Business Schools Association.
“It is accredited and registered with the Council on Higher Education and the South African Qualifications Authority and is a member of the Board of the Executive MBA Council.”
She assures that it is more than an internationally-accredited school, “We are based in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub and we bridge the world of academia and practice to ensure relevance that can be practically applied in their context.”
The school aligns itself with highly qualified local and international faculty who work closely with business, offering students the most relevant curriculum and cutting-edge learning processes.
Good corporate relationships are maintained and GIBS actively works to bring business into the learning experience.
Prof Whittaker speaks of “A potent mix of classroom lectures, case studies, business simulations, company visits, syndicate group projects as well as relevant exposure to the best practices of South African and global leadership.
“While the face-to-face tuition model, with interaction between faculty, business leaders and students, makes a GIBS business education impactful.”