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institutions, which means that MBA students have cultivating whilst reading the MBA programme.
the benefit of being taught by academics who are “The MBA programme certainly embraces the
conducting and publishing cutting-edge research principles of vision, education, dialogue and action
in their particular fields and who bring ground in order to prepare graduates to better address the
breaking knowledge and thought leadership into the complexities inherent in the business world in which we
classroom.
are currently living,” she says.
“The learning experience is not confined to textbooks. About the MBA
Our academic staff take things much further with real-
life applications and adherence to the kind of standards The MBA at the Graduate School of Business and
required at international level. We go beyond the Leadership on the UKZN’s Westville Campus is a two-
text, drawing upon the experiences of a network of year part time programme with ten modules and a
academics in the programme – in addition to industry dissertation. Students are expected to complete eight
practitioners and guest speakers,” says Chasomeris. modules in the first year and a core (advance strategy)
module and one elective in the second year. They
Students are encouraged to disseminate findings embark upon their dissertation in the first semester of
emerging from their own dissertations, some of which the second year.
culminate in conference papers or as co-authored
articles in accredited national and international journals. While there have been significant changes since the
advent of COVID-19 measures, contact time per module
The MBA programme attracts a broad range of is usually 40 hours. There are 10 modules of 16 credits
students – and that diversity is also a strength. Some points each and a dissertation of 64 credit points. The
students are themselves university professors with entire programme is 224 credit points.
specialist expertise in a particular field, while others are
seeking to progress in their chosen career. Some have Prospective students are required to write an entry
little to no business studies background, emerging from test. They are usually employed, are required to have
professions such as medicine, law and engineering. at least three years’ work experience, hold an honours
Having advanced to leadership positions within their degree or postgraduate diploma at NQF level 8 and are
professions, they realise the need for a deeper range over 25 years of age.
of management and leadership skills, as well as a better
understanding of economic issues. Yet others are
seeking the entrepreneurial skills – and the mindset –
required to start their own business.
Higher-order thinking skills
According to Professor Ana Martins, Interim Dean and
Head of School, the Graduate School of Business and
Leadership MBA programme harnesses higher-order
thinking skills, enabling students to acquire greater
business insightfulness.
“With the onset of COVID-19, these skills have been
further augmented. This pandemic spurred greater
mindfulness of the need to be agile, proactive, resilient,
emotionally discerning, and socially astute – to mention
a few of the skills and attitudes that these students are

Full Name of Organisation: University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Interim Dean and Head, Graduate School of Business
(UKZN) Graduate School of Business and Leadership and Leadership: Professor Ana Martins
(GSB&L) Interim Academic Leader of Teaching and Learning:
Nature of Business: Tertiary institution Dr Trevor Mtetwa
Services / Products: Postgraduate degrees across Interim Academic Leader of Research and Higher Degrees:
Dr Pfano Mashau
a range of specialisation and short courses for School Operations Manager: Mr Dhashendra Naicker
professional, management and entrepreneurial
development. CONTACT DETAILS
Date Established: 1974 Physical Address: University Road, Westville Campus,
University of KwaZulu-Natal
KEY PERSONNEL Postal Address: Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head (Acting), College of Tel: +27 (0)31 260 7564
Law and Management Studies, UKZN: E-mail: gsbladmissions@ukzn.ac.za
Professor Brian McArthur Website: www.gsbl.ukzn.ac.za
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